24 Comments
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Mary Austin (she/her)'s avatar

I can’t wait to hear how this turns out!

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Jody Nuttall's avatar

Yes, could be they were the unskilled labour, only there to tear out your old deck.

As painful as it is to live through, I personally don't agree with the advice to go away and stay away until the job is done. I prefer to be around, but stay out of the way.

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Simone Senisin's avatar

I am picturing you on a brand new deck, it will work out ... fingers crossed🤞

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Lou Cunningham's avatar

I look forward to the sequel. 😁

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Susan Fusco-Fazio's avatar

Love this story!

thank you so much you made my day.

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Tamara's avatar

Having work done on our homes has to be one of my most disliked things to do. I mean I usually love the end result, but getting there is always a major chore.

I am sorry to hear from your story, that you are not finding it any easier than I have. I do hope that they returned by now and you are able to enjoy the last few moments of summer on your new and hopefully very nicely constructed deck.

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

Thanks. No sign of them yet, but I still have hope. My fantasy is that a different, much friendlier, more efficient crew comes out to build the deck.

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Celia's avatar

I’m sorry, it’s not funny to me. I’ve had both good and bad luck hiring people to do work around my house. The reliability and quality of the work had nothing to do with how many teeth workers had or how much of their butts showed or whether or not they stuttered. That’s just snobbery toward people you perceive as being from a lower class than you. I’d rather read something else in the morning

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

I'm sorry, too. I don't mean to offend. Just trying to lighten a bad situation. I agree it doesn't matter what people look like. What matters is the quality of their work.

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Victoria's avatar

First - HUGS, Sue! You need some (to coin Jody's phrase) NomoCrones to sit alongside you and take turns chasing the workers and making wise-crack observations. I'd have some choice words. ohh feeling the Sass-rise to be out there to help you! Hugs.

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

I'd love to see their reaction!

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Victoria's avatar

I'm 90% of the time strategic negotiator, communicator or arbiter BUT beware of that 10% (like Steve Banner- Incredible Hulk) you don't want to see me when I'm angry😡🤣 I'm fierce defender. If I can do a big boardrooms of suits, deliverance will shake in their boots ;-) Or I'd use crates of beer as incentives to get it done pronto;-)

Ohhhh maybe we could share...what do we do when.. notes ;-)

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Dr Jo's avatar

I feel your pain.

I used to ask a male friend to come over when I had discussions with a builder about the work he was doing. My friend didn’t say anything, he was there to provide the male body part that often seems to be required to get those particular male contractors to take my questions and instructions seriously. As a feminist it’s so frustrating!

I hope they do a great job, but if not, consider bringing a silent male friend in as back up !

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

My male neighbor talked to them yesterday when they returned, and I feel a lot better about the project. But it sucks that they only listen to a man.

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Chris Taylor's avatar

We've had so many adventures with contractors...some good but many bad. It's hard to find good help but when you do... priceless!

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Chris Taylor's avatar

We've had so many adventures with contractors...some good but many bad. It's hard to find good help but when you do... priceless!

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Pegra's avatar

Always ask for proof of their insurance and bonding, and a schedule as part of the contract. If they have an uninsured accident on your property, they can sue you big time.

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

Excellent advice. You are so right.

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Dr Vicki Connop's avatar

Good luck! We're rooting for you and your deck 😃

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Cherie Lee's avatar

I'm sorry to be laughing at your story. Hopefully I'm laughing with you, not at you. Honestly, it sounds awful but not at all surprising. I, too, can't wait to hear how it turns out! May the force be with you!

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

It's okay to laugh. It is funny. No point in getting too upset. It's just a deck. And it gives me something to write about. And no, they did not show up today at all.

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Cherie Lee's avatar

I love the attitude of "it gives me something to write about." I've started to think that way as well. And of course they didn't show up yesterday! Hopefully you'll hear something on Monday!

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Teyani Whitman's avatar

That old song is now playing in my head, “nobody said it was easy.. nobody said it would be this hard..”

I hate that you’re having to cope with butt cracks and rotted wood planks. Hopefully, you can call the person who bid it out?

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Sue Fagalde Lick's avatar

I have left a message. We'll see.

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