Contratistas

When we move into our new house we have a couple of things that we would like to go ahead and get done to just help improve it up front - retexturing the glitter popcorn ceilings, changing out the old windows for energy-efficient ones, and fixing up the master bath a little bit because the closed-in shower stall just feels very claustrophobic.  Luckily we have a good contractor for the ceilings (thanks to my sister T and W2W Painting LLC), and I think we found a good one for the windows, which should hopefully come in in about three weeks.  But the bathroom has been a harder project to even get moving (much less actually accomplish).  The first guy we met with, ReBath, seemed solid but this type of project was a bit out of their depth - they were more trying to fit the specific products they had into our project, rather than being more of a general contractor (but I think we'd use them if we ever in the future just wanted to fix up the other basic bath in the house).  The next guy stood us up and never had a great reason.  The next guy came in and seemed pretty reputable, but wanted $500 just for a "design fee" before we could get a quote, he thought there was no way to do the project except for about twice our budget, and thought it would take 3 weeks (!) of actual construction time.  Maybe he is used to working just with people with a lot more resources (or more willingness to take on extra unsecured debt).  Yesterday started off not so promising either, as at our meeting time with "Antonio," Domingo showed up at the door.  He didn't speak English, there was some confusion - but it was certain he wasn't looking for the garage sale out back, he was looking at the project.  So I showed him the bathroom and discussed the project a little bit, he asked about whether the ceilings would need to be done also, etc.  I thought we were communicating fine in Spanish - he said he'd call his friend Jose to come back to discuss more details since Jose was the one with this project experience.  All in all, a bit odd, but whatever.

10 minutes later, Antonio showed up.  He spoke perfect English, apologized profusely for being late - he had missed the turn onto our street and took awhile to get turned around - and said he had no idea who Domingo was.  In fact, Antonio was Italian (and half Greek) - no Mexican connections at all.  Completely weird!  (We now think it's possible Domingo was just canvassing for handyman jobs, maybe tried this house because there was a garage sale going on, and just by coincidence came by at the same time Mike and I were there waiting for someone else.)  Antonio turned out to be great - can work within our budget, has been doing this work for over 10 years (and his father, who started the general contracting business, for over 30), happy to provide references and show examples of other projects, can do it in a shorter timeframe, etc.  Once he gets back to us with a quote, I think we may go with him.  So that would be great.  I just hope Domingo doesn't come back!

Yesterday was also spent doing lots of preparation for the move - no actual packing yet, but I contacted a few movers, switched utilities (or got together all the information I'll need), emailed a tree guy, stopped by Leslie's Pools to talk about chemicals (we have to bring in a water sample next weekend), looked at possible pool service people (but Mike is confident we can do it ourselves), secured the window financing, etc.  Busy day.  Mike fell asleep early :)