Hectic
I know it is late, but if I could use one word to describe 2023 it would be hectic. While mostly retired, it still seemed that multiple balls where up in the air and the heaviest ball was about to to land on my head.
Biggest Event of the Year.
The event which drove much of the chaos occurred on May 9th. It involved a water leak in the dishwasher line in my brand new kitchen. A call to the plumber fixed the water line. The plumber referred me to a restoration company.
The restoration company had me sign a contract, basically they agreed to take care of the restoration of the kitchen and damaged laminate flooring. They also used machines to dry out the kitchen and floors. The biggest concentration of water was in my 2nd bedroom.
And then the waiting began.
Next big event of 2023…
My house mate and I decided it would be better if we no longer lived together. In a lot of ways COVID brought us together. It soon became clear that we were on different wave lengths and needed to part ways. Neither of us was at fault, but living together was stressful. Late July was to be the end of our cohabitation.
When the leak occurred, the organizing for the move out had already begun… The living area was cluttered with semi-organized piles of stuff for packing and sorting. This would continue until the end of July when the move out finally occurred.
Back to the Restoration…
By early July, State Farm had still not provided a check. In the middle of July, I finally got the figure. There was over a $20,000 difference between what the restoration folks wanted and what State Farm paid. Of course I was unable to cash the check, because it was made out jointly between myself and the firm the held the mortgage. My mortgage had been sold in February and the check was made out to the previous mortgage firm.
The other annoying aspect was when State Farm agreed to pay a penalty for late payment. An addition $170 because they took more than 60 days. My feeling was that it was it was hardly worth it.
I didn’t cash the check, but I did decide I wanted to use an appraisal process, which State Farm willingly entered.
The Appraisal Process…
We agreed in early August to start the process. State Farm and I each decided on separate appraisers. The appraisers eventually settled on a date in September to meet at my condo to perform an inspection.
Summer Vacation and the Restoration Company.
By now, I was getting increasingly annoyed with my influx life. I was ready to start work, no matter what State Farm agreed to pay and had sources of funds set aside for additional work to fix my laundry room and upgrade my bathrooms. It would be nice to have the popcorn ceilings removed..
I expressed this to the restoration company and asked for a commitment to begin work. I was told they would do the estimate tomorrow for about 3 days straight. The result was that I put off leaving for my summer vacation for about 4 days.
I was now ready to move on. I called the company who did the work on my kitchen and asked for a estimate. He offered someone on sight within 3 days. I opted instead to see him when I returned from vacation in early September and I left for vacation.
The Yearly Lobster Feast…
Vacation was enjoyable. The yearly lobster feast is becoming easier every year. Seeing friends and relatives makes this a truly enjoyable event.
Return Home…
My sister has helped me drive back from Maine to Florida each year. We stopped on the way in Massachusetts for a couple of days of quilt making. A night in Virginia to visit the older sister. Plan was to spend a night in Charleston, SC but weather made conditions indicated it would be safer to head south without stopping in Charleston. We got to south Florida directly as we watched the weather get worse behind us.
Meeting with Contractor…
The meeting with the contractor went without a hitch. He provided an estimate, which I signed immediately. And agreed to start work the day after the appraisal inspection. The move out was necessitated by the popcorn ceiling removal.
I called the restoration company to let them know their services were no longer necessary. Because of a check mark, I had to pay a penalty for cancelation.
I also applied for an received a loan to pay for the work.
The Beginning of Return to Normality…
Day 1 was my move out. I moved out on September 10th and rented an condo about 5 minutes from home. Most of my possessions were now unavailable.
Day 2 was the appraisal process. State Farm and my Appraiser evaluated the damages and needed repairs.
Day 3 was the start of work. The contractor arrived on time on September 12th
Work..
I work on an on-call basis 9 days of month. During this time frame work felt more active then normal. More calls and more activity. Down time was not an option.
Demolition and return Date…
The pop-corn removal was first. I asked for and received a work schedule. After reviewing the schedule, my initial comment was that I would be able to move back about October 12th. (I don’t recall the specific date, but it was in that time frame.) The contractor returned with a date of return in late September.
This date got adjusted twice. I eventually got back in the house much closer to the date I stated then the contractor. I was able to extend my stay at the same rental a week at a time twice. Fortunately, I didn’t have to find a 2nd home away from home.
Goffer…
When available, I served as a goffer for the workers. There was at least one day when there were showers in the area. When given something that was needed as I was walking to my car I would survey the skies and choose my hardware store based on the location of the lighter skies. While I got sprinkled on some, I did not get into heavy rains.
Finished project.
I an absolutely satisfied with my finished condo. While I still have plans for a walk in tub, my new shower is just what I need. My contractor Vittorium Design was great to work with. I now have had the opportunity to use them on two separate occasions. First my kitchen remodel. They get my highest recommendation.
Move Back in…
In mid-October I moved back into my finished condo… The first order of business was to re-organize the house. It took about 5 trips to the the offsite storage with shared contents with my previous house-mate to complete the unravelling of possessions and numerous days of help properly storing everything in its proper place.
So by the end of November…
Life was back to normal. I had a doctors appointment in early December. My doctor had become worried that I was not my normal self. In December she saw me as much more relaxed and upbeat. I feel that way as well. I’m ready for what comes next.
Now, I’ve started sharing my house with holiday dinners with neighbors. They are impressed with my space.
Life is Good.
Recent Comments