We’ve had a few different people do work on our 1930s house that required them going up on the roof. We live amongst several three story Victorians with steeply pitched, complicated roofs. In each case these folks have looked around and said “please don’t recommend us to your neighbors”. The guy who just painted the house is approaching 50. He told us that his plan at 40 was to lose one floor a decade. When he wrapped up the job he asked us to keep an eye out for ranch houses. I get it. Our extension ladder hangs in the back of the garage like a museum piece.
We are under contract for new windows with a target date of Indigenous People's Day. We didn't do much research but went with a company that others in our condo complex have used. The roofing thing happened compliments of our condo association and the HELOC we took out to pay for it.
If your neighbors like the work the company has done, I imagine you're going to be OK. And yes, I've added a home equity loan to the bills I've got to pay. I looked at a HELOC but only for a minute because I have learned that not having access to a crazy amount of funds is probably the best path for me.
It was weird. For all my flakiness, I have good credit, and I got several phone calls offering me a home equity loan in the neighborhood of tens of thousands and dollars, and I finally told the nice loan manager, "Have you MET me? No."
Fred is "in charge" of that account. While I have access to it, when I'm looking at my account (all at the same credit union), I don't scroll down thereby avoiding seeing the account.
Congratulations on the new roof and the new friends!
When I was around junior high* age, my mother assigned me to Watch tradespeople when they came to do repairs. To my horror. It was Required. And those were the full instructions.
So when I got to decide things I enjoyed not pestering tradespeople. But as an inveterate talker-to-strangers, I found out relatively quickly that if I got curious about something in their expertise, they usually enjoyed talking about it.
PS. My son has never been asked to Watch anyone.
PPS. My sister famously answered a phone call from the only reliable plumber in Southern Illinois, in which he intended to announce his Coming, by asking him not to come then, and going back to bed. Right around noon. Adieu, fair plumber, forever. This was universally acclaimed as an amusing and characteristic story.
The head roofer told me last night (they were here until about 9) that one guy wanted to climb up on the roof to inspect their work. I was going to ask to go up on the roof just to see the view, but I didn't. I know zip about roofing a house and stood out in front of my house last night and got an education from one nice guy who was all caught up. Today, the crew (with one new member) was back at it at 7:45 a.m. I'm baking brownies. It's corny but I ran out of Gatorade yesterday and didn't make it to the store to get more last night. And I agree: Most tradespeople want to talk about their jobs and so I usually hang off just to the side and ask questions when it looks like they want to answer same. Otherwise, I don't want to come off as a Required Watcher.
Ha. Totally get that roof ordeal. We went through that in 2008. Fingers crossed it holds up till we're in a hole in the ground, too. But with hurricanes down here in Florida and big trees near the house (costs a fortune to trim them), we keep our fingers crossed and blue tarps at the ready. Good luck up north.
I started giggling at this. "I hope I die before the roof needs replaced" will become my mantra. And as I type this on the second floor, a guy just climbed up a huge ladder, toting shingles on each shoulder.
I would imagine, watching the dance these roofers do, that a rapport is really important, and the ability to coordinate. I am ashamed to admit that my crap Spanish only allows me to understand part of what they're saying to each other, but it's obvious they know what they're doing. The guy last night talked about his 14-year old and 12-year old, both of whom amaze me and both of whom want to go to Harvard. The way he describes them, I imagine they'll get there, and rule the world. There are few things I enjoy more than talking to strangers.
Did you happen to hear the fiddler?
Maybe today I will.
Well, if this old world starts getting you down and people are just too much for you to face.
Just climb way up to the top of your lawn and watch those men clean up your space…. Up on the roooof, up on the roooof.
Very well done!
We’ve had a few different people do work on our 1930s house that required them going up on the roof. We live amongst several three story Victorians with steeply pitched, complicated roofs. In each case these folks have looked around and said “please don’t recommend us to your neighbors”. The guy who just painted the house is approaching 50. He told us that his plan at 40 was to lose one floor a decade. When he wrapped up the job he asked us to keep an eye out for ranch houses. I get it. Our extension ladder hangs in the back of the garage like a museum piece.
That’s an excellent plan. I don’t climb their ladders. I sit in a chair and watch and keep quiet. It’s really incredible, the transformation.
The roof
The roof
The roof is on fire
Love the song but Lord I hope not.
We are under contract for new windows with a target date of Indigenous People's Day. We didn't do much research but went with a company that others in our condo complex have used. The roofing thing happened compliments of our condo association and the HELOC we took out to pay for it.
If your neighbors like the work the company has done, I imagine you're going to be OK. And yes, I've added a home equity loan to the bills I've got to pay. I looked at a HELOC but only for a minute because I have learned that not having access to a crazy amount of funds is probably the best path for me.
I feel ya'.
It was weird. For all my flakiness, I have good credit, and I got several phone calls offering me a home equity loan in the neighborhood of tens of thousands and dollars, and I finally told the nice loan manager, "Have you MET me? No."
Fred is "in charge" of that account. While I have access to it, when I'm looking at my account (all at the same credit union), I don't scroll down thereby avoiding seeing the account.
Good plan.
Congratulations on the new roof and the new friends!
When I was around junior high* age, my mother assigned me to Watch tradespeople when they came to do repairs. To my horror. It was Required. And those were the full instructions.
So when I got to decide things I enjoyed not pestering tradespeople. But as an inveterate talker-to-strangers, I found out relatively quickly that if I got curious about something in their expertise, they usually enjoyed talking about it.
PS. My son has never been asked to Watch anyone.
PPS. My sister famously answered a phone call from the only reliable plumber in Southern Illinois, in which he intended to announce his Coming, by asking him not to come then, and going back to bed. Right around noon. Adieu, fair plumber, forever. This was universally acclaimed as an amusing and characteristic story.
* That's what it was, in Carbondale, Illinois.
The head roofer told me last night (they were here until about 9) that one guy wanted to climb up on the roof to inspect their work. I was going to ask to go up on the roof just to see the view, but I didn't. I know zip about roofing a house and stood out in front of my house last night and got an education from one nice guy who was all caught up. Today, the crew (with one new member) was back at it at 7:45 a.m. I'm baking brownies. It's corny but I ran out of Gatorade yesterday and didn't make it to the store to get more last night. And I agree: Most tradespeople want to talk about their jobs and so I usually hang off just to the side and ask questions when it looks like they want to answer same. Otherwise, I don't want to come off as a Required Watcher.
Ha. Totally get that roof ordeal. We went through that in 2008. Fingers crossed it holds up till we're in a hole in the ground, too. But with hurricanes down here in Florida and big trees near the house (costs a fortune to trim them), we keep our fingers crossed and blue tarps at the ready. Good luck up north.
I started giggling at this. "I hope I die before the roof needs replaced" will become my mantra. And as I type this on the second floor, a guy just climbed up a huge ladder, toting shingles on each shoulder.
Oh, very good. It's important to know who you're hiring. I looked at recommendations online, but knew the reputation of the business I hired.
I would imagine, watching the dance these roofers do, that a rapport is really important, and the ability to coordinate. I am ashamed to admit that my crap Spanish only allows me to understand part of what they're saying to each other, but it's obvious they know what they're doing. The guy last night talked about his 14-year old and 12-year old, both of whom amaze me and both of whom want to go to Harvard. The way he describes them, I imagine they'll get there, and rule the world. There are few things I enjoy more than talking to strangers.