Yes I still Smoke Cigarettes and I am addicted to the smoking habit - support and chat thread.

[DoloresB]

Our contractor 'friend' ripped down the long kitchen wall. The drain pipe for the upstairs bathroom has been leaking behind the wall for years, more mold. I called ins and they are getting pictures and will let us know if it is covered. Wants estimate, paperwork stating scoping of problem from contractor. He does not want to do it. Thinks friend DH is going to do all this under the table. I told him he has to submit estimates so we get the money so he gets paid. Had it out with him. Now hubby and 'friend' are angry with me. Tough. He has to play by the rules. Hubby is a wimp and is going to get screwed. I am trying to prevent it. Not going well or easy.

I was so afraid this was going to happen. My heart goes out to you, Shari. This contractor "friend" of your DH's is no friend at all. It might be best to cut your losses now, and show this guy the door (and be sure it doesn't hit him in the .... on the way out, or he might sue you).

Let ins company take all the pictures they need to, and hire an INDEPENDENT contractor. Hopefully you can find a reputable one in your area that will be honest in his dealings with you and give you accurate estimates for how much the repairs will cost.

 

[FinallyQuit]

Cooked up anything good in the lab yet?

Nope too lazy. Guess I'll get around to it tonight, if the girls ever go to sleep before I do, which hasn't happened yet this weekend. Tomorrow is another day. . .

 

[aikanae1]

It's quiet around here today. Usually the weekends are busy ...

 

[Claudia P]

I've been around sort of, trying to get into my art class and having trouble applying myself. Tried making a couple of coils today, don't have a clue if they work or not since I haven't had the gumption to tear a good working coil out of the trident to check. I need to tear a protank head open to use to check coils.
Now watching football, I can't believe we actually are, this will probably make two games we watch this year, we just aren't into FB much.

 

[ShariR]

It is hubby's house and he holds the purse strings so I get to shut up and he does as he pleases. He did listen to me because he is talking to me now. Not about the house, but in general. If he did not hear me properly he would be sulking in the bedroom. So all is not lost. Info has to sink in for him. I am the one that makes snap decisions, he mulls everything over. He is too nice, thinks everyone is his best friend all the time. I am the bad guy, always. But I am usually right, at least about business type stuff, and DH knows it so it may go ok. We will see if friend shows up with a written estimate. Friend wanted me to draw up a letterhead for him so he could write estimate, but (of course) he would not 'lie' on it. Guy is so unprofessional that he does not even have letterhead printed up and come to find out he is no longer a licensed contractor. Hope hubby smartens up real quick. This guy is a good friend but obviously a poor contractor. I think we may be stuck with him because hubby does not want to hurt his friends feelings. Hurting mine is fine. What a joke.

I was so afraid this was going to happen. My heart goes out to you, Shari. This contractor "friend" of your DH's is no friend at all. It might be best to cut your losses now, and show this guy the door (and be sure it doesn't hit him in the .... on the way out, or he might sue you).

Let ins company take all the pictures they need to, and hire an INDEPENDENT contractor. Hopefully you can find a reputable one in your area that will be honest in his dealings with you and give you accurate estimates for how much the repairs will cost.

 

[DoloresB]

If this "friend" is no longer a licensed contractor, should he be touching anything in your house?? I don't want to see the insurance company mess you over for repairs because of this guy.

I really hope hubby listens to the voice of reason that you are, and gets a bona-fide, licensed contractor to come over and draw up estimates on what the repairs will cost. I don't want to see the insurance company mess you over on the repairs needed for your home.

Maybe if could somehow impress on him that his house is an investment he should be taking care of for both of you, that would be a good thing. Hopefully this works.

 

[Karen N Daytona]

sorry I didn't post on Sunday, I didn't feel well,going to try to get some sleep, so, good night and sweet dreams

 

[ShariR]

Good night Karen, hope you feel better.

 

[Yakone]

Don't do it! There are many things to consider when putting in an island. Traffic flow, fridge, stove and sink placement etc... If it isn't done right, it's a disaster and becomes a dysfunctional work space.

 

[aikanae1]

Maybe you should rent the movie "Money Pit" and watch it together. LOL!

I'm kinda outta my leaque here because it's hard for me to understand how you can be married for 20 years and it's still "his house". Are you planning on getting your own? However you do things is fine with me, I don't need to understand and I believe you about what works for you. It's just on one hand your stuck dealing with insurance for him and then your hands are tied to make any decisions. That's not a win-win but more of a loose-loose situation to be stuck in. D*mned if you do or don't thing. Your stress must be through the roof! (and not from the repairs needed). The only advice I have is to take care of yourself.

It is hubby's house and he holds the purse strings so I get to shut up and he does as he pleases. He did listen to me because he is talking to me now. Not about the house, but in general. If he did not hear me properly he would be sulking in the bedroom. So all is not lost. Info has to sink in for him. I am the one that makes snap decisions, he mulls everything over. He is too nice, thinks everyone is his best friend all the time. I am the bad guy, always. But I am usually right, at least about business type stuff, and DH knows it so it may go ok. We will see if friend shows up with a written estimate. Friend wanted me to draw up a letterhead for him so he could write estimate, but (of course) he would not 'lie' on it. Guy is so unprofessional that he does not even have letterhead printed up and come to find out he is no longer a licensed contractor. Hope hubby smartens up real quick. This guy is a good friend but obviously a poor contractor. I think we may be stuck with him because hubby does not want to hurt his friends feelings. Hurting mine is fine. What a joke.

 

[loxmythe]

Shari keep in mind an unlicensed contractor most likely has no insurance. If he screws up there will be no liability insurance to fix it. Also should he get hurt he can sue YOU and will win because technically your his employer (who technically has to have workers comp insurance on him) If hubby doesn't want to have him get angry and lose a friend the solution is easy just blame the insurance company. Tell the guy the insurance company wants not only a written estimate but a certificate of insurance listing both you and them as additionally insured. To a real contractor that's not an unusual request.

 

[twgbonehead]

Shari,

First, you should be able to get several different contractors in, and each should be able to give you a written estimate, for free. You can use these estimates as ammo against the insurance company; just because Contractor A wrote the estimate, it doesn't mean that Contractor A needs to be the one doing the work. Comparison shopping with contractors is very common (and highly recommended by the way, since one contractor may discover issues that another one overlooks).

Second, the contractor you pick needs to be licensed and insured. Period.

I would also like to comment on the mold issue. Although there are molds that can be very dangerous, mold arising from a short one-time exposure isn't likely to be a problem; ammonia and kilz really should be sufficient. It can be more of a concern if there is longstanding water exposure (such as that pipe under the sink).

Molds that tend to be a problem also tend to be thick and/or "puffy", mold that is more like a "stain" isn't likely to be a problem. Remember that the mold didn't come into your house through the pipes; it grew from mold spores that are naturally in the air, and usually doesn't cause a problem unless it's allowed to grow for a while and therefore multiply 10,000-fold. Since it's not going to be wet any more, it shouldn't continue to grow any further.

I'm not saying you shouldn't deal with it, but you also shouldn't panic about it. Getting a couple opinions from licensed contractors will help you decide what to do; but if 3 of them all suggest something like Kilz, they're probably right.

 

[twgbonehead]

Shari keep in mind an unlicensed contractor most likely has no insurance. If he screws up there will be no liability insurance to fix it. Also should he get hurt he can sue YOU and will win because technically your his employer (who technically has to have workers comp insurance on him) If hubby doesn't want to have him get angry and lose a friend the solution is easy just blame the insurance company. Tell the guy the insurance company wants not only a written estimate but a certificate of insurance listing both you and them as additionally insured. To a real contractor that's not an unusual request.

Shari, Lox's advice is extremely important. And if DH says "He's a friend, he won't sue us!" here's a cautionary tale:

Many years ago a co-worker of mine hired a friend of his to help replace cabinets in his mother's kitchen. While they were removing the upper cabinets, a 2x4 prop slipped. The cabinets came down on his friend, broke several bones, and gave him a concussion.

Fortunately the friend had health insurance so he was covered.






(Wait for it......)






The insurance company then sued both my co-worker and his parents to recover the cost of the treatment.

I don't know how the lawsuit worked out, but when he told me the story the case had been in court for 8 years, hanging over their heads both financially and emotionally. And although he and his buddy were still friends, he got a regular berating from his mother for putting them all into that situation.

(Edit) - By the way, he was very frustrated because one of the reasons the lawsuit went on so long (and probably one of the reasons the insurance company filed it) was that his parent's homeowner's insurance company was also involved since they might have to cover some of the damages. So the homeowners insurance lawyers were running the lawsuit defense, but even though they were fighting the medical insurance company, they were also covering their bases and trying to pass on any losses to his parents.

Messy, messy, messy. I'll take the mold, any day. Until it gets big enough to become a lawyer!

 

[FinallyQuit]

S/O is a construction contractor. The hoops you have to jump through to get licensed and insured, and keep your insurance, are there for a reason. The workers comp is more expensive than the liability, and it's worth $1 million in damages, so that might tell you something. Good luck getting it all straightened out Shari! We're here when you need to vent.

I'm slowly going insane, there are too many people in this house. We had an extra teenager overnight, then DD1's grandma came over too. Right now it's just me and the little one, so blissfully silent, as gma took all the teenagers out for a bit. God love her, she's braver than I am. Of course they are angels compared to DD2 but I know how to turn on cartoons and walk away. . .

Hope you're all having a great day! I have to get it in gear for work tomorrow. I don't wanna!!

 

[JJ1977]

good afternoon everyone

 

[QueenVictoria]

Hi Friends. Oh Shari, What a mess. So sorry. I have nothing useful to add on that front.

I worked the early shift all weekend and slept the rest of the time. That shift kills me. All my carto tanks are foul and I need to get busy swapping them out. Happy MLK day to you all.

 

[ShariR]

I know this Lox. But this is DH's FRIEND. DH thinks that the sun rises and sets around this bum. Guess I should let you know that DH and I are not married. Together 20 years but I have no rights, no say, no nothing. Moving out is not an option. It is what it is. I work with it. I am too old to stand on a street corner to make money. So this is his show. I am the bad guy, always.

Surprise, surprise! The 'friend' did not show up this morning. DH yelled at me because now he may have to pay to have pipe fixed, friend may have done it for nothing. Yeah right. No estimate, no verbal estimate, he is going to hose dh. Some friend. DH is now over their begging him to come back and finish job. I give up.

Shari keep in mind an unlicensed contractor most likely has no insurance. If he screws up there will be no liability insurance to fix it. Also should he get hurt he can sue YOU and will win because technically your his employer (who technically has to have workers comp insurance on him) If hubby doesn't want to have him get angry and lose a friend the solution is easy just blame the insurance company. Tell the guy the insurance company wants not only a written estimate but a certificate of insurance listing both you and them as additionally insured. To a real contractor that's not an unusual request.

 

[aikanae1]

It sounds like giving up may be the best thing you can do right now. Have a vape, put your feet up and chill for a bit.

I know this Lox. But this is DH's FRIEND. DH thinks that the sun rises and sets around this bum. Guess I should let you know that DH and I are not married. Together 20 years but I have no rights, no say, no nothing. Moving out is not an option. It is what it is. I work with it. I am too old to stand on a street corner to make money. So this is his show. I am the bad guy, always.

Surprise, surprise! The 'friend' did not show up this morning. DH yelled at me because now he may have to pay to have pipe fixed, friend may have done it for nothing. Yeah right. No estimate, no verbal estimate, he is going to hose dh. Some friend. DH is now over their begging him to come back and finish job. I give up.

 

[ShariR]

That you. This is the type of situation I am trying to prevent. My s/o wants friend to do job. Thinks he is getting a break and friend will take care of us. I want a licensed contractor. Period. Not my house so I have no say. Know the saying 'you can not fix stupid?' I have it in spades here. His friendship with his buddy is more important than protecting his own behind. I am stuck.

Shari, Lox's advice is extremely important. And if DH says "He's a friend, he won't sue us!" here's a cautionary tale:

Many years ago a co-worker of mine hired a friend of his to help replace cabinets in his mother's kitchen. While they were removing the upper cabinets, a 2x4 prop slipped. The cabinets came down on his friend, broke several bones, and gave him a concussion.

Fortunately the friend had health insurance so he was covered.






(Wait for it......)






The insurance company then sued both my co-worker and his parents to recover the cost of the treatment.

I don't know how the lawsuit worked out, but when he told me the story the case had been in court for 8 years, hanging over their heads both financially and emotionally. And although he and his buddy were still friends, he got a regular berating from his mother for putting them all into that situation.

(Edit) - By the way, he was very frustrated because one of the reasons the lawsuit went on so long (and probably one of the reasons the insurance company filed it) was that his parent's homeowner's insurance company was also involved since they might have to cover some of the damages. So the homeowners insurance lawyers were running the lawsuit defense, but even though they were fighting the medical insurance company, they were also covering their bases and trying to pass on any losses to his parents.

Messy, messy, messy. I'll take the mold, any day. Until it gets big enough to become a lawyer!

 

[loxmythe]

Chime in here Jazz on legal stuff concerning "common law"