We tried that routine- but the window was twice the price- and the installer never called us back after we met him at our house and decided to go ahead- and my FIL also mentioned he had a cpl more jobs for him too
That brings up another problem- most of these contractors never call back/show up- they can't all be this busy...if you run a business that relies on attracting new customers to survive- perhaps pick up a phone or actually show up....just a thought....
The company we used(Gilkey) was first-rate from the first phone call onward. They even installed all 22 windows on one day- and in less than eight hours...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
You've got me beat on that one. We did have kids running around in the family golf carts, but the police put a stop to it. We didn't have many children here four years ago---mostly retirees. With new construction, we've seen a rise in young families. Some people here don't like the idea, but it doesn't bother us a bit. I like a nice mix.
Darn! There you were with a perfect chance to sit in a TC and you missed it. I forgot that there were no more new GM's. Well, at least you sat in a MKS. Perhaps the nice salesman will call you, and you can still go for a spin in the MKS and the TC. You even admitted that the MKS "felt good". Ask the salesman if you could drop by on a slow day. I realize that you don't want a large car; I just want you to try it for the "feel".
We have Pella windows and have been very pleased. This is not a recommendation. Some people don't like them, and there is a class action suit against the company. My feeling is that the installer is more important than the window itself. If not properly installed, any brand will leak and rot. Get a really good service company---NOT LOWE'S. I would stay away from those people. They give contracts to some sorry installers because of the low bids. Do the job right the first time, and save yourself some trouble later. Good luck.
As you and your wife travel down the road of life together, you'll find that one thing never changes---contractors and service people who never call you back or show up on time---if at all. Also, never ever give them any money up front because they will disappear like a drop of water in the noon day sun. :sick:
. Perhaps the nice salesman will call you, and you can still go for a spin in the MKS and the TC. You even admitted that the MKS "felt good".
Yes, I did like the feel of sitting in the MKS. American cars do have some very good things if you like more room, larger seats, a large hood. The car is designed right in that respect, but every one knows the actual ride and handling will not be up to par. Cars are emotional things and a Town Car sends me all the wrong messages....hate to say it but I would be ashamed to be seen in one. I drove taxis so I might be able to get my mind around driving a GM, but a TC would be like driving in a funeral procession every day. If the salesman calls I will try the GM....and I might ask him to let me try the Lincoln. I did park in the Customers Only area so maybe he noticed what I was driving, and thought he would be wasting his time if he took me out in the Lincoln.
The 3rd stop was the best. I was extremely impressed with #3 stop.
By the way, just to stay on topic....most contractors are not that bright and have to be watched every minute. When we had additions done to our house they put outlets for the central vac behind doors so you have to have the door half open and you lose a lot of distance. They put electical outlets out in the open so cords are showing all over the place. And they made a step when the floor should have and easily could have been flat. Lots of things that don't make sense if they actually thought about what they were doing.
Next stop was the Mercedes dealer. No designated customer parking area. Huge new showroom...the nicest I have seen. They have about 25 cars outside all in white and they are parked in about 3 inches of water. You can't go up to them and look inside.
When you go in there is a 1953 classic model and a new $200,000 gull wing model. We sat in a total of 4 different models, walked around, and weren't approached by a sales person or greeter. I think they need a customer parking area if they want to make more sales.
I was a little underwhelmed by the C Class and the GLK. The C Class just isn't finished as nicely as comparable BMWs. The GLK feels good for an SUV but it felt like a work vehicle to me. Very utilitarian. It is just emotional. Give up a sporty convertible for a truck. If I was using it for work or to get to work I would consider it. No fun feeling at all. The European cars look really nice in white, and then they have the black shiny roof that has the sunroof built in. I am sure the American cars will be doing that soon.
The VW C.C. carries this look off very nicely;
On to dealer #3....to be continued.................
>My feeling is that the installer is more important than the window itself.
The Home Depot and Lowes companies both seem to buy or buy into other companies to produce lines of items and bypass the middleman. It makes a price competitive product.
We had Home Depot install the kitchen when we remodeled years back. They used a business-to-business only contractor to do the installation. There was a personel problem. Home Depot has had them back several times over minor items.
Recently, after 8 years has passed, the cabinet company and the installer redid one group of upper cabinets because the installers only put in one screw at the top of 30-inch cabinets. My wifes collection of heavy Longaberger type dishes of various uses was heavy and the backs of the cabinets we bowing out.
Home Depot store had a person who interfaces for the customer with the installers to get it fixed. The cabinet company replaced the cabinets free and the installer, of course, was there and had a good team replace the cabinet boxes and reuse the original doors to preserve the match with the rest of the maple.
It paid to have used their installer. However, we have a friend who could have installed them to artisan quality levels, for a price.
Based on what I have heard, Home Depot is much better than Lowe's. Lowe's is the only big box supply store in our area. Unfortunately, they know it and act accordingly. Glad that you could use the original doors so the match would be right. After 8 years, you were fortunate that they did the redo for free. BTW, your wife has good taste. Longaberger dishes are very nice.
--contractors and service people who never call you back or show up on time---if at all. Also, never ever give them any money up front because they will disappear like a drop of water in the noon day sun.
Since I did almost everything around the house myself I never dealt with contractors until I moved to SC. The one thing I don’t like doing is a lot of landscaping. After we had the initial landscaping done when the house was built we decided to do more about a year later. I talked to about 5 neighbors for a recommendation. To a man they said, “he does good work that’s why I recommend him but be prepared for him to not call you right away to come over and give you an estimate. You might have to call him back a few times.” Like I said ALL of the recommendations came with this warning. I said to Mrs. j, “I’ll call all of them ONCE and that’s it. I’ll be damned if I’m going to beg someone to do work for me”. One of those guys must have heard our conversation because he was the only one that called back. He got the job.
Having poor work done on my car when I was young got me started doing that work myself. Hearing horror stories about contractors doing work for you made me do the home stuff myself too.
I don’t have the personality that it takes to deal with shoddy work and the ones that do it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
windows really are one of the things were the installer and the product are 2 seperate but equally important component.
You can get a basic window, and if installed correctly, will give many years of good service. or get a top of the line window, and if the installer botches the job or cuts corners, you will have nothing but problems.
I am actually waiting on a quote from the contractor who did my laundry room, and will do my kitchen most likely (when we finally get to that!) to replace my front downstairs windows (overly tall beasts with circle tops that are going to cost a fortune). Will probably have the Anderson people out (local showroom, free visit and estimate) to compare.
It is not really a very hard job, if you have the right tools and experience. But as always, the devil is in the details. My contractor is careful with them (and knows he has a lot more money riding on me being happy!). The big box guy just wants to get them in and onto the next job, so don't expect him to be uber careful caulking, etc.
I spent a lovely day yesterday in the hospital getting two units of blood. This certainly allows for a long nap. I think next time I'm going to see if there is enough of a signal to get Wifi in there. Usually I read all day and listen to my iPod. Yesterday I napped a fair bit and am still tired to boot. This would make it a bad day to look at a Lincoln. (Incidentally on Lincolns and Caddys - don't much liek driving them but tehy are really nice to be a passenger in.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
This would make it a bad day to look at a Lincoln. (Incidentally on Lincolns and Caddys - don't much liek driving them but tehy are really nice to be a passenger in.
Welcome back. Nice to have you here, I was wondering why we didn't have any smart --- comments yesterday.
I'll press on, though not sure if I am in the sales frontlines......I finally have a bit of a story and no one cares! Fezo, that was a very astute observation, I never thought of it that way, but I think you are 100% right on;
Incidentally on Lincolns and Caddys - don't much like driving them but they are really nice to be a passenger in.
3rd dealer for the day was an Audi dealership. I pronounce it Awwwdie but my wife said I would make an idiot of myself....pronounce it Owwdie. I slipped up a few times and then corrected myself.
The one salesman was busy so a nice lady helped...said she sold used cars for 9 years but didn't know too much about the new ones.
I sat in the Audi (pronounced Owwdie) and it is magnificent. Lots of room, the seats can be adjusted way up, lots of headroom, beautiful console and instrument panel, beautiful leather, big trunk, good vision all around. The standard model is impressive, but if you upgrade the to an S-Line you get seats that cradle you.
This dealership didn't have a standard transmission because they don't sell too many of them. The 4 cylinder engine gets only 211 hp but Edmunds says it is faster than most and extremely economical for a luxury car. The nice sales lady said you can get a chip for $4000 that will boost the HPs to 275. Edmunds gives the car a great write up if you don't mind that the handling won't be the same as a comparable BMW.
When we looked at Audis 4 years ago the salesman said it best...he was retired and sold cars for something to do and because his wife didn't like him being home all day...He said "Audis are between the BMW which is made for handling and fast engines, Mercedes which is more luxury oriented, so the Audie is a combination of the two.
I still don't know if I want to give up my convertible yet...or replace the convertible. I think if it becomes the going to Florida car it is between an A4 and a 5 Series BMW, but I haven't driven either one yet.
Have you driven the Audi yet? Man, for whatever reason, i just LOVE the way they drive and would buy one in a heartbeat (used) if I had any faith in their reliability. The seats also fit me to a T.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
A friend of mine who can afford such things leases an Audi - A8 every three years. Leases an AWD SUV Adi for his wife. She had been driving a Tribeca but is now up in the Audi club.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
For him to be competitive with the other kids you might have to spring for a real Lacrosse training thingy. That plywood thing sounds like something my father would have made for me
It's actually 8' x 8' double 3/4" plywood mounted on (3) 6x6 posts with plenty of framing. It's only for wall ball so he can get his daily 100 throws and catches from both sides in without going to find a brick wall.
The pitchback works OK but it doesn't allow for placing a net in front of and stopping errant shots.
Go to a local lumberyard - not a big box store and see what they have to offer. Now many lumberyards are offering installed services by partnering with their best contractors.
In installed Paradigm vinyl windows in my addition and renovation. 5 years on and they are just fine.
Have you driven the Audi yet? Man, for whatever reason, i just LOVE the way they drive and would buy one in a heartbeat (used) if I had any faith in their reliability. The seats also fit me to a T.
The last time I drove an Audi was 4 years ago when we bought our last cars. I liked it but I went with a BMW because it had the hardtop convertible roof....Audi didn't.
My wife tried it because we thought Audie was the only car that had AWD plus you could buy it with a manual transmission. I loved driving it. And the salesman took it up to 60 and then put 2 wheels into the gravel and the car just tracked like normal. I would have bought the Audi if I was looking for a sedan at that point.
She liked it and would have taken it but she had to try the comparable BMW 3 Series. That cost me about $15000, because she liked the BMW more
The new Audi's seats are even better than the ones I sat in 4 years ago. I believe it is the most comfortable car I have been in. Not even that low to the ground, it's easy to get in and out of. The controls are all easy to get at and the driving position is superb. The S model has even nicer seats, but the ones in the standard car are so good you don't need to move up.
Reliability, well, there is a 4 year warranty. I think they have improved dramatically over the years. I still see some old ones around so I think if they are kept up they will last. I would trade it in once the warranty is up if it caused a problem.
Like I said to Richard, the Lincoln was comfortable, but the Audi makes it no comparison...tasteful, comfortable, lots of room....it doesn't get much better.
They put electical outlets out in the open so cords are showing all over the place.
There isn't much choice there. Per the National Electrical Code, outlets have to be no more than 6 ' apart and every wall 2' or more has to have outlets on it.
Now with a little planning you can have outlets exactly where you want them in addition to the required 6' code. When I wired my addition and renovation, I put an additional 2 outlets and a phone jack on each side of where the beds were to go. Further I put extra outlets and cable connections on multiple walls in the family room.
Further I put extra outlets and cable connections on multiple walls in the family room.
Very smart. Its dirt cheap to install extras when the walls are open. If I ever move and have a house built, every room will be wired for phone, data, speakers and "home-run" to a central panel in the basement so I can wire in whatever I want.
there is a gorgeous dark blue A3 now in the parking lot at work. tan interior. I love it.
That's interesting. Dark Blue will be one of the few colors offered for the 2012 A4. Seems they have really narrowed down the list...pretty basic.
Got rid of a few grays and a dark brown. There is a basic black, white and red, 2 silvers, 1 gray, shiny black with flecks, and the blue...8 colors in total. Hyundai offers about 20 different colors!
I like a contrasting interior so the light beige or light gray could go nicely with the dark blue, called Midnight Blue Metallic.
They put electical outlets out in the open so cords are showing all over the place. There isn't much choice there.
Sometimes there is a choice. In that house it was obvious where the TV would go, or they could ask. Why not put the outlet close to the corner which was a logical place to put a TV? No, they put it 5 or 6 feet along the wall so the cord has to run from the wall to the TV.
WE had a sofa away from the walls. How are you supposed to get a cord to a lamp next to the sofa? We had to have them install outlets in the floor.
Then, the case of the central vac and the outlet being too far away for the cord to reach it.
Those are the things to watch for...very carefully. Builders don't always think about how their work will be used.
It'sjust little things like that which would make things better.
Sometimes there is a choice. In that house it was obvious where the TV would go, or they could ask...................................Builders don't always think about how their work will be used.
Building contractors will rarely make design decisions, and I'm not sure it's fair to expect them to. All too easy to put that outlet in the corner then find you want the TV in the middle of the wall; damned if they do, damned they don't. :confuse:
Good contractors will always work with you if what you want is both allowable by code and physically possible, but if left to their own devices you'll find they're not telepathic.
I concur with Mac - electricians follow the plans. If it's anyone's fault, blame the architect or designer.
As for putting a TV in a corner, that's a personal choice. IMHO, it takes up too much space there. The floor socket - very rare in a non-custom house. I too have furniture in the middle of room but don't have lamps. The outlet away from the central vac? Again blame the designer. The electrician has nothing to do with the central vac. The vac installer should've paid attention but then again it probably wasn't convenient to where the pipe could fit. But most vacs have a 6' cord - the outlet should be reachable.
but if left to their own devices you'll find they're not telepathic.
Also not intuitive.
The things I mentioned were very obvious. They seem to only want to get the job done...without thinking it through. And in these cases they were shown what was to be done...but they didn't pay attention.
And these were pretty good builders, I have seen a lot worse.
Like the guys who did the interior of our warehouse. 2 guys were caught up in the air on a lift truck for 3 hours...they thought it ran out of power so were recharging it. One of our staff saw there was a switch on it that had been moved to off. Idiots!!!!!
The boss finally got enough of his workers together to do the dry wall and they ran out of dry wall. He sent his workers home while he drove for 2 hours to pick it up and bring it back in his Windstar van. The drywall was so heavy the rear bumper was about 2 inches off the road. Of course his gus had left, so we had to unload it....and that stuff is heavy.
So far the sinks have fallen off the wall. I am not much of a handyman but I could do a better job with drywall, it is all crooked and not smoothed over very well.
All I can tell you is if we didn't watch those guys like a hawk who knows what they would do.
Custom or tract...it was a two story 150 year old log cabin thet became a living room/dining room. The 2nd floor was openned up so it was a room 2 stories high.
The rest of the house was built out to the sides....on one side new bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, office, on the other a garage. These guys had plans, they just put the outlets and central vac where they thought it would be easier.
Cary is a nice area, I also considered that area. They apparently have had a water shortage problem, their growth outstripped their water supply. They are also dominated by their major employer SAS and the founder of SAS has the reputation of treating Cary like a company town.
If you like a controlled community, you'll love Cary. If you feel your property is yours to do as you wish, you'll hate it.
"Building contractors will rarely make design decisions, and I'm not sure it's fair to expect them to."
I totally agree. I don't want them, or electricians, making any decisions. In the houses that we renovated, we always told them to wait on the outlets and lighting fixtures until we had moved in the furniture, oriental rugs, etc. We put everything in place and then do the outlets and fixtures. Reason? We want sofa tables, sofas, chairs, and lamps placed where they will stay. Then the floor and wall outlets are placed exactly where we need them. We decorate the bookcases with books and art objects first. Then we know where we want the accent lighting. Even the dining room chandelier can't be hung until we try the table with and without the leaves, plus place the sideboard and china cabinet for the best seating advantage. Our current dining room chandelier is three inches off center, and there is a reason for it to be this way. It's the same way for kitchen undercounter lighting. There are certain art objects against the tile wall that we want emphasized. We don't just space the accent lights evenly apart. We've had some electricians to try and argue with us. My response---we know what we want, and we're paying you to do it that way.
You do have to watch these guys. We drew a design for the center of our kitchen backsplash. Part of the design included black square tuxedo buttons at every point where four tiles met. The drawing was detailed and clearly marked. HE decided that they wouldn't look good, so he left them out of the design! Their purpose was to coordinate with the black granite on the counters. I was beyond furious. Naturally, it was too late to insert the buttons. To remove the tile and begin again, it would have pulled the dry wall down. I told him to glue the black square buttons to the exterior of the tile which would give a three dimensional look---pretty clever idea I thought---and one that would save his stupid chosen mistake. He then tried to argue that the buttons would fall off in a day or two. Well, after five years, the black buttons are still there. They actually look neat this way rather than being inserted. What chapped my butt was that he made an executive decision which indicated that we didn't have good taste. Needless to say, we won't need his services again. Still, I bet that he never forgets what I told him about doing what the customer wants. :mad:
We will have to Focus on what he might have gotten... We'll be Flexible in our thinking and the Fusion of our thoughts will come up with the correct answer at which time we can have a Fiesta.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
We will have to Focus on what he might have gotten... We'll be Flexible in our thinking and the Fusion of our thoughts will come up with the correct answer at which time we can have a Fiesta.
Assuming he's sticking with Ford, his shopping Expedition may have led him to change direction. Maybe he now Aspires to become a Country Squire, possibily in Granada, or Cortina, perhaps even Victoria.
I wonder if he's Probed the idea of becoming a Grand Marquis and moving to Versailles or Capri?
However, departing from his Explorer is the action of a Maverick, I just hope he doesn't end up Mainlining Thunderbird and have problems with his Köln! :sick:
We will have to Focus on what he might have gotten... We'll be Flexible in our thinking and the Fusion of our thoughts will come up with the correct answer at which time we can have a Fiesta.
Clever....but maybe he is getting a boat and became a Mariner or possibly, he has gone on a trip to Milan.
A little while ago we talked about the banjo playing kid in Deliverance. Somebody sent this amazing video of how that part of the movie was accidently added to the movie. First read a little bit of background, watch to the end to really appreciate it.
2 things that I thought about, after making a key part of the movie the American movie maker says give the kid a couple of bucks!
The other thing is I believe Richard says this part of the movie was supposed to take part in his neck of the woods. Richard is that your neighborhood? Is that you dancing?
Read this first: This is how this remarkable scene, that was included in the movie, was developed and filmed. Look at the expression of the boy. At first, he seems uncertain and waiting but as the intensity of the music progressed, his lost expression was gone and an expression of pleasure and happiness was recovered; thanks to this guitar player who happened to pass by.
After this magic moment passed, the boy returned into himself leaving this part of his externalized beauty in the film. This truly was a memorable part of the movie.
This is a good story. I never knew it was true.
This scene was not a part of the script until the camera man happened to catch it on film...The family was well paid; and beat poverty by accident.
Hope you fare well during the storm. Let us know how things go.
My plan worked! Once I had every vehicle under roof(or deck) the storms began to weaken so the storms only consisted of some gusty winds and quite a bit of rain. In fact, the Jeep will have to remain under the deck for several days until the back yard dries out- otherwise I'll leave some deep ruts in the yard.
Regardless, thank you for the kind thoughts.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Youngster needing financial advice on his first post-college purchase.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
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Brookville man honored with a Model A procession: wdtn.com
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That brings up another problem- most of these contractors never call back/show up- they can't all be this busy...if you run a business that relies on attracting new customers to survive- perhaps pick up a phone or actually show up....just a thought....
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
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You've got me beat on that one. We did have kids running around in the family golf carts, but the police put a stop to it. We didn't have many children here four years ago---mostly retirees. With new construction, we've seen a rise in young families. Some people here don't like the idea, but it doesn't bother us a bit. I like a nice mix.
Richard
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Richard
Richard
Richard
Richard
Yes, I did like the feel of sitting in the MKS. American cars do have some very good things if you like more room, larger seats, a large hood. The car is designed right in that respect, but every one knows the actual ride and handling will not be up to par. Cars are emotional things and a Town Car sends me all the wrong messages....hate to say it but I would be ashamed to be seen in one. I drove taxis so I might be able to get my mind around driving a GM, but a TC would be like driving in a funeral procession every day. If the salesman calls I will try the GM....and I might ask him to let me try the Lincoln. I did park in the Customers Only area so maybe he noticed what I was driving, and thought he would be wasting his time if he took me out in the Lincoln.
The 3rd stop was the best. I was extremely impressed with #3 stop.
By the way, just to stay on topic....most contractors are not that bright and have to be watched every minute. When we had additions done to our house they put outlets for the central vac behind doors so you have to have the door half open and you lose a lot of distance. They put electical outlets out in the open so cords are showing all over the place. And they made a step when the floor should have and easily could have been flat. Lots of things that don't make sense if they actually thought about what they were doing.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When you go in there is a 1953 classic model and a new $200,000 gull wing model. We sat in a total of 4 different models, walked around, and weren't approached by a sales person or greeter. I think they need a customer parking area if they want to make more sales.
I was a little underwhelmed by the C Class and the GLK. The C Class just isn't finished as nicely as comparable BMWs. The GLK feels good for an SUV but it felt like a work vehicle to me. Very utilitarian. It is just emotional. Give up a sporty convertible for a truck. If I was using it for work or to get to work I would consider it. No fun feeling at all. The European cars look really nice in white, and then they have the black shiny roof that has the sunroof built in. I am sure the American cars will be doing that soon.
The VW C.C. carries this look off very nicely;
On to dealer #3....to be continued.................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The Home Depot and Lowes companies both seem to buy or buy into other companies to produce lines of items and bypass the middleman. It makes a price competitive product.
We had Home Depot install the kitchen when we remodeled years back. They used a business-to-business only contractor to do the installation. There was a personel problem. Home Depot has had them back several times over minor items.
Recently, after 8 years has passed, the cabinet company and the installer redid one group of upper cabinets because the installers only put in one screw at the top of 30-inch cabinets. My wifes collection of heavy Longaberger type dishes of various uses was heavy and the backs of the cabinets we bowing out.
Home Depot store had a person who interfaces for the customer with the installers to get it fixed. The cabinet company replaced the cabinets free and the installer, of course, was there and had a good team replace the cabinet boxes and reuse the original doors to preserve the match with the rest of the maple.
It paid to have used their installer. However, we have a friend who could have installed them to artisan quality levels, for a price.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Richard
Since I did almost everything around the house myself I never dealt with contractors until I moved to SC. The one thing I don’t like doing is a lot of landscaping. After we had the initial landscaping done when the house was built we decided to do more about a year later. I talked to about 5 neighbors for a recommendation. To a man they said, “he does good work that’s why I recommend him but be prepared for him to not call you right away to come over and give you an estimate. You might have to call him back a few times.” Like I said ALL of the recommendations came with this warning. I said to Mrs. j, “I’ll call all of them ONCE and that’s it. I’ll be damned if I’m going to beg someone to do work for me”. One of those guys must have heard our conversation because he was the only one that called back. He got the job.
Having poor work done on my car when I was young got me started doing that work myself. Hearing horror stories about contractors doing work for you made me do the home stuff myself too.
I don’t have the personality that it takes to deal with shoddy work and the ones that do it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
You can get a basic window, and if installed correctly, will give many years of good service. or get a top of the line window, and if the installer botches the job or cuts corners, you will have nothing but problems.
I am actually waiting on a quote from the contractor who did my laundry room, and will do my kitchen most likely (when we finally get to that!) to replace my front downstairs windows (overly tall beasts with circle tops that are going to cost a fortune). Will probably have the Anderson people out (local showroom, free visit and estimate) to compare.
It is not really a very hard job, if you have the right tools and experience. But as always, the devil is in the details. My contractor is careful with them (and knows he has a lot more money riding on me being happy!). The big box guy just wants to get them in and onto the next job, so don't expect him to be uber careful caulking, etc.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I spent a lovely day yesterday in the hospital getting two units of blood. This certainly allows for a long nap. I think next time I'm going to see if there is enough of a signal to get Wifi in there. Usually I read all day and listen to my iPod. Yesterday I napped a fair bit and am still tired to boot. This would make it a bad day to look at a Lincoln. (Incidentally on Lincolns and Caddys - don't much liek driving them but tehy are really nice to be a passenger in.
Welcome back. Nice to have you here, I was wondering why we didn't have any smart --- comments yesterday.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Incidentally on Lincolns and Caddys - don't much like driving them but they are really nice to be a passenger in.
3rd dealer for the day was an Audi dealership. I pronounce it Awwwdie but my wife said I would make an idiot of myself....pronounce it Owwdie. I slipped up a few times and then corrected myself.
The one salesman was busy so a nice lady helped...said she sold used cars for 9 years but didn't know too much about the new ones.
I sat in the Audi (pronounced Owwdie) and it is magnificent. Lots of room, the seats can be adjusted way up, lots of headroom, beautiful console and instrument panel, beautiful leather, big trunk, good vision all around. The standard model is impressive, but if you upgrade the to an S-Line you get seats that cradle you.
This dealership didn't have a standard transmission because they don't sell too many of them. The 4 cylinder engine gets only 211 hp but Edmunds says it is faster than most and extremely economical for a luxury car. The nice sales lady said you can get a chip for $4000 that will boost the HPs to 275. Edmunds gives the car a great write up if you don't mind that the handling won't be the same as a comparable BMW.
When we looked at Audis 4 years ago the salesman said it best...he was retired and sold cars for something to do and because his wife didn't like him being home all day...He said "Audis are between the BMW which is made for handling and fast engines, Mercedes which is more luxury oriented, so the Audie is a combination of the two.
I still don't know if I want to give up my convertible yet...or replace the convertible. I think if it becomes the going to Florida car it is between an A4 and a 5 Series BMW, but I haven't driven either one yet.
The End
(for now)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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It's actually 8' x 8' double 3/4" plywood mounted on (3) 6x6 posts with plenty of framing. It's only for wall ball so he can get his daily 100 throws and catches from both sides in without going to find a brick wall.
The pitchback works OK but it doesn't allow for placing a net in front of and stopping errant shots.
But, as they age, few cars can be more troublesome.
In installed Paradigm vinyl windows in my addition and renovation. 5 years on and they are just fine.
The last time I drove an Audi was 4 years ago when we bought our last cars. I liked it but I went with a BMW because it had the hardtop convertible roof....Audi didn't.
My wife tried it because we thought Audie was the only car that had AWD plus you could buy it with a manual transmission. I loved driving it. And the salesman took it up to 60 and then put 2 wheels into the gravel and the car just tracked like normal. I would have bought the Audi if I was looking for a sedan at that point.
She liked it and would have taken it but she had to try the comparable BMW 3 Series. That cost me about $15000, because she liked the BMW more
The new Audi's seats are even better than the ones I sat in 4 years ago. I believe it is the most comfortable car I have been in. Not even that low to the ground, it's easy to get in and out of. The controls are all easy to get at and the driving position is superb. The S model has even nicer seats, but the ones in the standard car are so good you don't need to move up.
Reliability, well, there is a 4 year warranty. I think they have improved dramatically over the years. I still see some old ones around so I think if they are kept up they will last. I would trade it in once the warranty is up if it caused a problem.
Like I said to Richard, the Lincoln was comfortable, but the Audi makes it no comparison...tasteful, comfortable, lots of room....it doesn't get much better.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
There isn't much choice there. Per the National Electrical Code, outlets have to be no more than 6 ' apart and every wall 2' or more has to have outlets on it.
Now with a little planning you can have outlets exactly where you want them in addition to the required 6' code. When I wired my addition and renovation, I put an additional 2 outlets and a phone jack on each side of where the beds were to go. Further I put extra outlets and cable connections on multiple walls in the family room.
Last Audi i drove was an A3 (when they first came out). Sweet driving, but a little pricey for me at the time.
there is a gorgeous dark blue A3 now in the parking lot at work. tan interior. I love it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Very smart. Its dirt cheap to install extras when the walls are open. If I ever move and have a house built, every room will be wired for phone, data, speakers and "home-run" to a central panel in the basement so I can wire in whatever I want.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
That's interesting. Dark Blue will be one of the few colors offered for the 2012 A4. Seems they have really narrowed down the list...pretty basic.
Got rid of a few grays and a dark brown. There is a basic black, white and red, 2 silvers, 1 gray, shiny black with flecks, and the blue...8 colors in total. Hyundai offers about 20 different colors!
I like a contrasting interior so the light beige or light gray could go nicely with the dark blue, called Midnight Blue Metallic.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
There isn't much choice there.
Sometimes there is a choice. In that house it was obvious where the TV would go, or they could ask. Why not put the outlet close to the corner which was a logical place to put a TV? No, they put it 5 or 6 feet along the wall so the cord has to run from the wall to the TV.
WE had a sofa away from the walls. How are you supposed to get a cord to a lamp next to the sofa? We had to have them install outlets in the floor.
Then, the case of the central vac and the outlet being too far away for the cord to reach it.
Those are the things to watch for...very carefully. Builders don't always think about how their work will be used.
It'sjust little things like that which would make things better.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Building contractors will rarely make design decisions, and I'm not sure it's fair to expect them to.
All too easy to put that outlet in the corner then find you want the TV in the middle of the wall; damned if they do, damned they don't. :confuse:
Good contractors will always work with you if what you want is both allowable by code and physically possible, but if left to their own devices you'll find they're not telepathic.
I concur with Mac - electricians follow the plans. If it's anyone's fault, blame the architect or designer.
As for putting a TV in a corner, that's a personal choice. IMHO, it takes up too much space there. The floor socket - very rare in a non-custom house. I too have furniture in the middle of room but don't have lamps. The outlet away from the central vac? Again blame the designer. The electrician has nothing to do with the central vac. The vac installer should've paid attention but then again it probably wasn't convenient to where the pipe could fit. But most vacs have a 6' cord - the outlet should be reachable.
Also not intuitive.
The things I mentioned were very obvious. They seem to only want to get the job done...without thinking it through. And in these cases they were shown what was to be done...but they didn't pay attention.
And these were pretty good builders, I have seen a lot worse.
Like the guys who did the interior of our warehouse. 2 guys were caught up in the air on a lift truck for 3 hours...they thought it ran out of power so were recharging it. One of our staff saw there was a switch on it that had been moved to off. Idiots!!!!!
The boss finally got enough of his workers together to do the dry wall and they ran out of dry wall. He sent his workers home while he drove for 2 hours to pick it up and bring it back in his Windstar van. The drywall was so heavy the rear bumper was about 2 inches off the road. Of course his gus had left, so we had to unload it....and that stuff is heavy.
So far the sinks have fallen off the wall. I am not much of a handyman but I could do a better job with drywall, it is all crooked and not smoothed over very well.
Not all workers are created equal....
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
All I can tell you is if we didn't watch those guys like a hawk who knows what they would do.
Custom or tract...it was a two story 150 year old log cabin thet became a living room/dining room. The 2nd floor was openned up so it was a room 2 stories high.
The rest of the house was built out to the sides....on one side new bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, office, on the other a garage. These guys had plans, they just put the outlets and central vac where they thought it would be easier.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Cary is a nice area, I also considered that area. They apparently have had a water shortage problem, their growth outstripped their water supply. They are also dominated by their major employer SAS and the founder of SAS has the reputation of treating Cary like a company town.
If you like a controlled community, you'll love Cary. If you feel your property is yours to do as you wish, you'll hate it.
Richard
I totally agree. I don't want them, or electricians, making any decisions. In the houses that we renovated, we always told them to wait on the outlets and lighting fixtures until we had moved in the furniture, oriental rugs, etc. We put everything in place and then do the outlets and fixtures. Reason? We want sofa tables, sofas, chairs, and lamps placed where they will stay. Then the floor and wall outlets are placed exactly where we need them. We decorate the bookcases with books and art objects first. Then we know where we want the accent lighting. Even the dining room chandelier can't be hung until we try the table with and without the leaves, plus place the sideboard and china cabinet for the best seating advantage. Our current dining room chandelier is three inches off center, and there is a reason for it to be this way. It's the same way for kitchen undercounter lighting. There are certain art objects against the tile wall that we want emphasized. We don't just space the accent lights evenly apart. We've had some electricians to try and argue with us. My response---we know what we want, and we're paying you to do it that way.
You do have to watch these guys. We drew a design for the center of our kitchen backsplash. Part of the design included black square tuxedo buttons at every point where four tiles met. The drawing was detailed and clearly marked. HE decided that they wouldn't look good, so he left them out of the design! Their purpose was to coordinate with the black granite on the counters. I was beyond furious. Naturally, it was too late to insert the buttons. To remove the tile and begin again, it would have pulled the dry wall down. I told him to glue the black square buttons to the exterior of the tile which would give a three dimensional look---pretty clever idea I thought---and one that would save his stupid chosen mistake. He then tried to argue that the buttons would fall off in a day or two. Well, after five years, the black buttons are still there. They actually look neat this way rather than being inserted. What chapped my butt was that he made an executive decision which indicated that we didn't have good taste. Needless to say, we won't need his services again. Still, I bet that he never forgets what I told him about doing what the customer wants. :mad:
Richard
Richard
Richard
I think we have shortadog dishes.
Assuming he's sticking with Ford, his shopping Expedition may have led him to change direction.
Maybe he now Aspires to become a Country Squire, possibily in Granada, or Cortina, perhaps even Victoria.
I wonder if he's Probed the idea of becoming a Grand Marquis and moving to Versailles or Capri?
However, departing from his Explorer is the action of a Maverick, I just hope he doesn't end up Mainlining Thunderbird and have problems with his Köln! :sick:
Clever....but maybe he is getting a boat and became a Mariner or possibly, he has gone on a trip to Milan.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2 things that I thought about, after making a key part of the movie the American movie maker says give the kid a couple of bucks!
The other thing is I believe Richard says this part of the movie was supposed to take part in his neck of the woods. Richard is that your neighborhood? Is that you dancing?
Read this first:
This is how this remarkable scene, that was included in the movie, was developed and filmed. Look at the expression of the boy. At first, he seems uncertain and waiting but as the intensity of the music progressed, his lost expression was gone and an expression of pleasure and happiness was recovered; thanks to this guitar player who happened to pass by.
After this magic moment passed, the boy returned into himself leaving this part of his externalized beauty in the film. This truly was a memorable part of the movie.
This is a good story. I never knew it was true.
This scene was not a part of the script until the camera man happened to catch it on film...The family was well paid; and beat poverty by accident.
Watch the little boy especially at the end...
How this scene came about
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/deliverance.asp
that wasn't the case. The boy wasn't autistic nor could he play the banjo.
My plan worked! Once I had every vehicle under roof(or deck) the storms began to weaken so the storms only consisted of some gusty winds and quite a bit of rain. In fact, the Jeep will have to remain under the deck for several days until the back yard dries out- otherwise I'll leave some deep ruts in the yard.
Regardless, thank you for the kind thoughts.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Sound, fatherly advice alert:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ef125fb/761
Youngster needing financial advice on his first post-college purchase.
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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