The Renovation thread
Sep 12th 2007, 11:14 pm
#151
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Sep 13th 2007, 8:36 pm
#152
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Re: The Renovation thread
Oh god! when we pulled up the carpet recently, we found some of those, too 
Pass me the noose....lol
What happened for you to find out it was more than superficial? Did you have a builder do the basement who said so?
Interesting what you say about the inspection, we have found this to be the case, too. Inspections aren't worth the paper they're written on, either in our experience. The home owner had one done on this place - none of the problems were picked up on! Amazing really - money for old rope and the owner gets left to deal with all the crap!
Pass me the noose....lol
What happened for you to find out it was more than superficial? Did you have a builder do the basement who said so?
Interesting what you say about the inspection, we have found this to be the case, too. Inspections aren't worth the paper they're written on, either in our experience. The home owner had one done on this place - none of the problems were picked up on! Amazing really - money for old rope and the owner gets left to deal with all the crap!
What happened was that we got a great builder in to quote for finishing the basement (Triangle Enterprises - big projects only, but Bill hires the best and their work is so good and sought after that they're booked solid thru 2008 already).
Bill ran some tests... found the underfloor heating was not working and got suspicious so drilled a few holes to check things out... took our brother-in-law around as a witness and drilled a few more holes... and at that stage both men realised the entire floor had to be dug up and we had a major headache.
Bill and his various experts (John the plumber, Rick the carpenter and so on) take a real pride in doing the best work and boast that they'll never be the cheapest for that reason... and they had LOTS to say about the general building standards in Calgary with newbuilds going up so fast. So in all, I think we got off quite lucky really. (Ever the optimist)
Sep 13th 2007, 8:41 pm
#153
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Re: The Renovation thread
I wanted to sue the inspector who did the offical pre-purchase survey, but with us in London, my OH just didn't want the hassle. So the inspector got away with it.
But I am prepared to post the incompetent tosser's name on this site to warn others never to use him... only that will be when we next get out to Calgary as it's among all the paperwork filed neatly away out there.
The original build passed inspection way back when in the late 90s when the house went up so no possible claim on them. Sucks eh?
Sep 13th 2007, 9:11 pm
#154
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Re: The Renovation thread
We paid...
I wanted to sue the inspector who did the offical pre-purchase survey, but with us in London, my OH just didn't want the hassle. So the inspector got away with it.
I know how you feel - it would have likely been a waste of time and money anyway, because if you read the small print of the contract, I BET you'll find there's a clause in there that lets him off the hook if you find something that he missed. That's been the case with all of ours.
But I am prepared to post the incompetent tosser's name on this site to warn others never to use him... only that will be when we next get out to Calgary as it's among all the paperwork filed neatly away out there.
Just make sure you use the words "In my opinion" then I don't *think* they can do you for libel. Don't quote me on that though -get legal advice...lol
The original build passed inspection way back when in the late 90s when the house went up so no possible claim on them. Sucks eh?
Doesn't mean a damn thing! Inspections, home warranties, building code - it's all a big joke in my opinion. We have had problems with every single house we've owned; older and brand new (but the newer the house the worse the issues so far) - including things that 'passed' inspection, but were clearly NOT done to building code. We had a brand new house with brand new septic sytem that failed in the first year costing us $15k to replace. The builder declared bankruptcy, walked away and started up under a new name. :curse: The same house also had a fire safety issue around the furnace flue - we could have gone up in flames had it not been spotted; how do these people sleep at night??
To add to that - I had the current owner of that house call me recently saying the neighbour was trying to sue them in relation to the new septic we had put in, claiming it was flooding his land!! Luckily we MADE CERTAIN that it was done to code and also that all the paperwork was in place - phew!! Though it's meaningless, you'd better have it - just in case 
I wanted to sue the inspector who did the offical pre-purchase survey, but with us in London, my OH just didn't want the hassle. So the inspector got away with it.
I know how you feel - it would have likely been a waste of time and money anyway, because if you read the small print of the contract, I BET you'll find there's a clause in there that lets him off the hook if you find something that he missed. That's been the case with all of ours.
But I am prepared to post the incompetent tosser's name on this site to warn others never to use him... only that will be when we next get out to Calgary as it's among all the paperwork filed neatly away out there.
Just make sure you use the words "In my opinion" then I don't *think* they can do you for libel. Don't quote me on that though -get legal advice...lol
The original build passed inspection way back when in the late 90s when the house went up so no possible claim on them. Sucks eh?
Doesn't mean a damn thing! Inspections, home warranties, building code - it's all a big joke in my opinion. We have had problems with every single house we've owned; older and brand new (but the newer the house the worse the issues so far) - including things that 'passed' inspection, but were clearly NOT done to building code. We had a brand new house with brand new septic sytem that failed in the first year costing us $15k to replace. The builder declared bankruptcy, walked away and started up under a new name. :curse: The same house also had a fire safety issue around the furnace flue - we could have gone up in flames had it not been spotted; how do these people sleep at night??
To add to that - I had the current owner of that house call me recently saying the neighbour was trying to sue them in relation to the new septic we had put in, claiming it was flooding his land!! Luckily we MADE CERTAIN that it was done to code and also that all the paperwork was in place - phew!! Though it's meaningless, you'd better have it - just in case
Sep 14th 2007, 8:47 am
#155
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Re: The Renovation thread
It's TRIANGLE ENTERPRISES and I'll pm you Bill's email address... it's his company and they're not just basement specialists but do everything from new builds, complete renos, and so on. He is highly sought after and consequently so busy that he really doesn't have time to quote small projects. He has a team of experts that have worked with him for years and will only use trustworthy and competent people... even when he needs to sub-contract a particular piece of work he personally vets it. He came personally recommended and was outstanding throughout, always keeping us informed and taking it upon himself to ensure everything was of the highest quality.
Sep 21st 2007, 7:41 pm
#156
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Re: The Renovation thread
Here's my hot tub.
You wouldn't believe how long it took to dig the hole.
A couple of feet down I found a big old oil drum full of old bits of concrete and building materials that the construction guys decided to bury instead of take to the tip.
You wouldn't believe how long it took to dig the hole.
A couple of feet down I found a big old oil drum full of old bits of concrete and building materials that the construction guys decided to bury instead of take to the tip.
Jul 24th 2008, 7:06 am
#157
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Not a happy Bunny
Not been around for a while - so "hello" and hope everyone is well (will have to try to make time to read and catch up on the forum soon).
I'd thought I'd stop by and update on the renovations (translate "nightmare")...
we have had (as you may know) some issues with leaking windows etc. Well, we started installing windows after much research on the best/correct way/right materials to do it in order to protect the house from further leaks and thought we were doing quite well.
With yet another wet summer (by Albertan standards at least), we noticed some efflorescence on exterior walls and the basement floor. We also have some 'movement' in not just this house - but the other one, too!
Anyway - it's going to involve lots of digging around the house and in the basement and cost $40,000 to put right. The other one (which we were hoping to sell soon) has developed some serious subsidence resulting in a nice horizontal crack on the exterior wall, with a bath trying to leave the room and doors that can't be opened! It needs underpinning; and we're still waiting on a quote for that (it will very likely be more than this one) 
Somebody shoot me!! :curse:
Other than that - and my sister in law dying very suddenly last week - oh, and the van needing a new transmission; we're all quite well, so that's something to smile about....and all that matters in the greater scheme of things.
:embaressed_smile:
I'd thought I'd stop by and update on the renovations (translate "nightmare")...
we have had (as you may know) some issues with leaking windows etc. Well, we started installing windows after much research on the best/correct way/right materials to do it in order to protect the house from further leaks and thought we were doing quite well.
With yet another wet summer (by Albertan standards at least), we noticed some efflorescence on exterior walls and the basement floor. We also have some 'movement' in not just this house - but the other one, too!
Anyway - it's going to involve lots of digging around the house and in the basement and cost $40,000 to put right. The other one (which we were hoping to sell soon) has developed some serious subsidence resulting in a nice horizontal crack on the exterior wall, with a bath trying to leave the room and doors that can't be opened! It needs underpinning; and we're still waiting on a quote for that (it will very likely be more than this one)
Somebody shoot me!! :curse:
Other than that - and my sister in law dying very suddenly last week - oh, and the van needing a new transmission; we're all quite well, so that's something to smile about....and all that matters in the greater scheme of things.
:embaressed_smile:
Jul 24th 2008, 8:44 am
#158
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: back in Cambs
Posts: 7,157
Re: Not a happy Bunny
Not been around for a while - so "hello" and hope everyone is well (will have to try to make time to read and catch up on the forum soon).
I'd thought I'd stop by and update on the renovations (translate "nightmare")...
we have had (as you may know) some issues with leaking windows etc. Well, we started installing windows after much research on the best/correct way/right materials to do it in order to protect the house from further leaks and thought we were doing quite well.
With yet another wet summer (by Albertan standards at least), we noticed some efflorescence on exterior walls and the basement floor. We also have some 'movement' in not just this house - but the other one, too!
Anyway - it's going to involve lots of digging around the house and in the basement and cost $40,000 to put right. The other one (which we were hoping to sell soon) has developed some serious subsidence resulting in a nice horizontal crack on the exterior wall, with a bath trying to leave the room and doors that can't be opened! It needs underpinning; and we're still waiting on a quote for that (it will very likely be more than this one)
Somebody shoot me!! :curse:
Other than that - and my sister in law dying very suddenly last week - oh, and the van needing a new transmission; we're all quite well, so that's something to smile about....and all that matters in the greater scheme of things.
:embaressed_smile:
I'd thought I'd stop by and update on the renovations (translate "nightmare")...
we have had (as you may know) some issues with leaking windows etc. Well, we started installing windows after much research on the best/correct way/right materials to do it in order to protect the house from further leaks and thought we were doing quite well.
With yet another wet summer (by Albertan standards at least), we noticed some efflorescence on exterior walls and the basement floor. We also have some 'movement' in not just this house - but the other one, too!
Anyway - it's going to involve lots of digging around the house and in the basement and cost $40,000 to put right. The other one (which we were hoping to sell soon) has developed some serious subsidence resulting in a nice horizontal crack on the exterior wall, with a bath trying to leave the room and doors that can't be opened! It needs underpinning; and we're still waiting on a quote for that (it will very likely be more than this one)
Somebody shoot me!! :curse:
Other than that - and my sister in law dying very suddenly last week - oh, and the van needing a new transmission; we're all quite well, so that's something to smile about....and all that matters in the greater scheme of things.
:embaressed_smile:
is that in CA or here ? big hugs.We are not there yet in CA I have seen a lot of people are having problems with leaks etc thats a huge expense is it not insured ? sorry if thats naive, do you know what has caused it ? thats such bad luck that its both homes as well, fingers crossed for you its not to bad.
Sometimes life seems to throw everything at you, take care x
Jul 24th 2008, 2:45 pm
#159
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Joined: Dec 2005
Location: In Limbo
Posts: 15,706
Re: Not a happy Bunny
Not been around for a while - so "hello" and hope everyone is well (will have to try to make time to read and catch up on the forum soon).
I'd thought I'd stop by and update on the renovations (translate "nightmare")...
we have had (as you may know) some issues with leaking windows etc. Well, we started installing windows after much research on the best/correct way/right materials to do it in order to protect the house from further leaks and thought we were doing quite well.
With yet another wet summer (by Albertan standards at least), we noticed some efflorescence on exterior walls and the basement floor. We also have some 'movement' in not just this house - but the other one, too!
Anyway - it's going to involve lots of digging around the house and in the basement and cost $40,000 to put right. The other one (which we were hoping to sell soon) has developed some serious subsidence resulting in a nice horizontal crack on the exterior wall, with a bath trying to leave the room and doors that can't be opened! It needs underpinning; and we're still waiting on a quote for that (it will very likely be more than this one)
Somebody shoot me!! :curse:
Other than that - and my sister in law dying very suddenly last week - oh, and the van needing a new transmission; we're all quite well, so that's something to smile about....and all that matters in the greater scheme of things.
:embaressed_smile:
I'd thought I'd stop by and update on the renovations (translate "nightmare")...
we have had (as you may know) some issues with leaking windows etc. Well, we started installing windows after much research on the best/correct way/right materials to do it in order to protect the house from further leaks and thought we were doing quite well.
With yet another wet summer (by Albertan standards at least), we noticed some efflorescence on exterior walls and the basement floor. We also have some 'movement' in not just this house - but the other one, too!
Anyway - it's going to involve lots of digging around the house and in the basement and cost $40,000 to put right. The other one (which we were hoping to sell soon) has developed some serious subsidence resulting in a nice horizontal crack on the exterior wall, with a bath trying to leave the room and doors that can't be opened! It needs underpinning; and we're still waiting on a quote for that (it will very likely be more than this one)
Somebody shoot me!! :curse:
Other than that - and my sister in law dying very suddenly last week - oh, and the van needing a new transmission; we're all quite well, so that's something to smile about....and all that matters in the greater scheme of things.
:embaressed_smile:As they say worse things happen at sea
.Personally I think whoever says that is a lying bastard but hey...........
Anywhoo hope it'll comes out right in the wash
BC
Jul 24th 2008, 8:16 pm
#160
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Re: The Renovation thread
So sorry to hear about your SIL, please accept my condolences.
Good luck with yopur houses though, sounds like a right 'mare
Good luck with yopur houses though, sounds like a right 'mare
