Update on Contractor and Strata Issues, Blog Action Day Reminder!
Over-charging under-working Contractor Issue:
Due to my brother's contacts in the construction field, we got an estimate on how many hours it should have taken to do what was done (two bathrooms, kitchen counters, baseboards, approx 28 hours). The estimate equalled roughly half of the time he invoiced us for. So, we drew up a calculation of our own that came to $786.11 (including the 28 hours labour at $25/hour, what his business card said he charged, plus parts). Mom wrote a cheque for that amount, and we enclosed a letter discussing our dissatisfaction (including pictures of several problem areas). He apparently went to cash the cheque yesterday, so he must be accepting it and not causing a fuss. He really had no leg to stand on anyway since he didn't charge us GST and therefore must not be a registered business and not declaring his 'work' as income. If he'd tried to take us to court or something, his cover would be blown. So, alls well that ends well.
Disorganized late-fine-happy Strata Issue:
Mom and I went down to the strata management office yesterday and got that settled. Apparently they aren't supposed to charge a late fee during your first month, so they reversed that. And in looking in my file, my cheque was still in there, not cashed as I suspected. So, she reversed the second late fee as well. So, to date, I have paid my strata and parking fee, and no late fines. Yay! I'm also cancelling the parking for the time being since I STILL don't have a roommate. Apparently planning ahead only leaves you $40 in the hole. Not really in the hole as in debt because I'm not in debt. I'm just saying - in a month and a half, not so much as a tire has hit the pavement in that spot, and I've paid $40 for it. Oh well! That's still less than a late fine :)
Just a reminder- Monday October 15th is Blog Action Day, and this year's subject is THE ENVIRONMENT! You have all weekend to plan something exciting for everyone to read! Personally, I was out taking pictures today for part of my post. It was a great day for it- sunny and fairly warm!
I ordered my Stephen Colbert I Am America (And So Can You!) audiobook on Barnes & Noble earlier this week, so I'm expecting it sometime next week. It was cheaper than in stores, and they even shipped it for free! Sweet deal, Barnes and Noble!
Due to my brother's contacts in the construction field, we got an estimate on how many hours it should have taken to do what was done (two bathrooms, kitchen counters, baseboards, approx 28 hours). The estimate equalled roughly half of the time he invoiced us for. So, we drew up a calculation of our own that came to $786.11 (including the 28 hours labour at $25/hour, what his business card said he charged, plus parts). Mom wrote a cheque for that amount, and we enclosed a letter discussing our dissatisfaction (including pictures of several problem areas). He apparently went to cash the cheque yesterday, so he must be accepting it and not causing a fuss. He really had no leg to stand on anyway since he didn't charge us GST and therefore must not be a registered business and not declaring his 'work' as income. If he'd tried to take us to court or something, his cover would be blown. So, alls well that ends well.
Disorganized late-fine-happy Strata Issue:
Mom and I went down to the strata management office yesterday and got that settled. Apparently they aren't supposed to charge a late fee during your first month, so they reversed that. And in looking in my file, my cheque was still in there, not cashed as I suspected. So, she reversed the second late fee as well. So, to date, I have paid my strata and parking fee, and no late fines. Yay! I'm also cancelling the parking for the time being since I STILL don't have a roommate. Apparently planning ahead only leaves you $40 in the hole. Not really in the hole as in debt because I'm not in debt. I'm just saying - in a month and a half, not so much as a tire has hit the pavement in that spot, and I've paid $40 for it. Oh well! That's still less than a late fine :)
Just a reminder- Monday October 15th is Blog Action Day, and this year's subject is THE ENVIRONMENT! You have all weekend to plan something exciting for everyone to read! Personally, I was out taking pictures today for part of my post. It was a great day for it- sunny and fairly warm!
I ordered my Stephen Colbert I Am America (And So Can You!) audiobook on Barnes & Noble earlier this week, so I'm expecting it sometime next week. It was cheaper than in stores, and they even shipped it for free! Sweet deal, Barnes and Noble!