canadianadia

I use steepster to rant and rave ALL the time! Even if it doesn’t describe the tea, it sets your mood going in!

I feel for you with the contactor issue. My aunt is trying to do a small reno in her bathroom and is having the worst luck. The first contractor agreed to do it took her to help pick out fixtures took a thousand dollar deposit than promptly sold his business and took off to Florida. He claims that the new owner is responsible for the thousand and refuses to return it. The new owner refuses to reduce his price to honour the deposit and my aunt has no real contract so basically it’s lost. Athird contractor came, got my aunt really excited said he’d come up with a proposal and has failed to do so for a month. Hope you have better luck and never do anything on a handshake.

@BoxerMama – That’s a good point, I didn’t think of it that way

@yzz- Oh no! Your poor aunt. There are so many ways that contractors can get you. We’re trying to use (suposedly)reputable companies, but even so, many of them still have their shortcomings. I try to educate myself as much as I can along the process, so hearing stories like what your aunt is going through serves as a good cautionary tale for me. Hope she manages to get her money back soon – Did she try reporting it?

She did, After trying to handle it amongst the contractors she did report it to the company that initially referred her to the first contactor. They are attempting to set her up with another contactor at the original price. They did offer some free fixtures, but unfortunately these were things she already had bought and would not have compensated fro the lost money. My cousin who works in industrial interior design and hence has experience in dealing with contractors is attempting to lean on the other two contractors in order to resolve the issue. My advice is be firm and sure about what you want and get everything in writing. Take time to reflect on any proposals before accepting any contractor, no matter how pleasant they are. Ask for and check the refernces of anyone you wish to deal with. For major projects make sure everything has passed inspection before you hand over any final checks. Good luck!!

yyz – sounds like good advice, thank you

Hope all goes well! I’m in the lower mainland too and I don’t even want to imagine how hard it is dealing with real estate and all that. I’ll remember the name Tom Edwards now!

so many people loved cocomint cream, and i just wasn’t loving it…. haha at first i thought there was something wrong with me..

My Dad is a real estate agent, here in Toronto… it’s not easy! so I love hearing about people who love their hardworking agents. Your post about Tom made me smile!! :)

@Lindsay – Thanks Lindsay, so far, things are looking good. I anticipated much more headaches with this whole process home selling and buying process, but somehow Tom managed to make it enjoyable.

@Aimee – It’s too bad you didn’t care for cocmint cream either, but I’m glad I’m not the only one :)

@Indigobloom – I agree – being a real estate agrent is a tough job. The long hours, the unpredictable schedule, it requires quite the commitment and dedication to the profession. Not all agents are created equal, and I know we lucked out and got one that managed to surpass my expectations. I sometimes find it difficult to express the depth of my gratitude to people as amazing as Tom. He also has a family, who I know is affected by his dedication to his work. I wish I could personally thank his family, but, they don’t know me, so instead I will pass my thanks on to you, on behalf of all your Dad’s clients who wished they could do it themselves. :)

Awww that is so sweet! thank you, I will let Dad know. He’ll appreciate that! The best thing you can do in thanks, in my experience, is recommend him to friends and family who need an agent