Taffycat
Crunchy Cat
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2006
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How does that song go...? Meh...!
Our own dear neighbour from Hell is causing us some headaches. For a while, we've had a leaky roof. One of those intermittent type leaks which are darned difficult to pinpoint, because with a tiled roof, there can be seepage, where rainwater enters from one point, but finds its way to another, then finally, onto a portion of our bedroom ceiling.
Anyway, we had a word with our builder, who has previously carried out various house-repairs for us and in whom we have confidence. Tiles would need to be stripped off, so that a proper inspection could be carried out. So, to be fair about it, we let our neighbour know (we're semi-detached) and even provided her with the builder's name and contact details, so that she could ask any questions beforehand. She rang him several times with questions, which he answered. Fair enough.
When the inspection was made, lo and behold, it turns out to be her loft extension which is causing the problem. It was built right on the party wall, about 30 years or so ago. Materials were a bit different then, and so, over the years, they have rotted and allowed water to penetrate through to our property. She was given a quote of £760 to have it put right (which involves renewing the side of the dormer which has failed, as I understand it.)
Ouch! She's not happy, so has elected to call in another builder - which of course, is her right. She can call in several, if she likes, no problem. But of course, they have to access OUR roof, in order to be able to inspect HER structure. Once again, okay, nothing we can do about that. However, instead of getting on with it, she just announced that he "would call one day next week..." (which was this week.)
Ideally, we would have liked our builder to be present, to see that whoever is going to actually DO the job, intends to use the correct (and long-lasting) materials, and not be using inferior stuff, likely to fail after a few months. (Trust me, we have jolly good reason to be wary of this family.)
Do you think she will extend the courtesy of letting us know the name or number of her builder....? No of course she won't. She claims that she doesn't have a clue who he is, because "my son is handling it all.." Okay, so in saying that, you are now probably imagining a sweet old lady, who has to rely on her offspring because she is too feeble to manage. Hah! No... she still works part-time and her level of nosiness probably means that she could tell you the life history of anyone who lives within a mile of her! She's in constant contact with her son, yet apparently, the little matter of asking the builder's name, in order to pass it on to us, has eluded her.
We were up with the lark this morning, because she informed us yesterday, that he would be calling today. Then just an hour or so ago, she came around again, to tell us that he now would not be coming until tomorrow morning. So, who exactly IS he...? "I don't know, my son is handling it all..." okay, yes, but surely you can ask him? "Well YOU can do that tomorrow, when he's here!" Doh!
Blood out of stones comes to mind. No disclosure, so we can't check for a website, or speak with him directly, which I guess, is her intention. As always with this woman, everything becomes weighted on her side. She seems to think we can all have a big discussion tomorrow... well yes, maybe if our builder could be present to speak/act in our interest. But it's Saturday and he has unbreakable commitments.
Oh to be living somewhere remote in the Outer Hebrides...!
Our own dear neighbour from Hell is causing us some headaches. For a while, we've had a leaky roof. One of those intermittent type leaks which are darned difficult to pinpoint, because with a tiled roof, there can be seepage, where rainwater enters from one point, but finds its way to another, then finally, onto a portion of our bedroom ceiling.
Anyway, we had a word with our builder, who has previously carried out various house-repairs for us and in whom we have confidence. Tiles would need to be stripped off, so that a proper inspection could be carried out. So, to be fair about it, we let our neighbour know (we're semi-detached) and even provided her with the builder's name and contact details, so that she could ask any questions beforehand. She rang him several times with questions, which he answered. Fair enough.
When the inspection was made, lo and behold, it turns out to be her loft extension which is causing the problem. It was built right on the party wall, about 30 years or so ago. Materials were a bit different then, and so, over the years, they have rotted and allowed water to penetrate through to our property. She was given a quote of £760 to have it put right (which involves renewing the side of the dormer which has failed, as I understand it.)
Ouch! She's not happy, so has elected to call in another builder - which of course, is her right. She can call in several, if she likes, no problem. But of course, they have to access OUR roof, in order to be able to inspect HER structure. Once again, okay, nothing we can do about that. However, instead of getting on with it, she just announced that he "would call one day next week..." (which was this week.)
Ideally, we would have liked our builder to be present, to see that whoever is going to actually DO the job, intends to use the correct (and long-lasting) materials, and not be using inferior stuff, likely to fail after a few months. (Trust me, we have jolly good reason to be wary of this family.)
Do you think she will extend the courtesy of letting us know the name or number of her builder....? No of course she won't. She claims that she doesn't have a clue who he is, because "my son is handling it all.." Okay, so in saying that, you are now probably imagining a sweet old lady, who has to rely on her offspring because she is too feeble to manage. Hah! No... she still works part-time and her level of nosiness probably means that she could tell you the life history of anyone who lives within a mile of her! She's in constant contact with her son, yet apparently, the little matter of asking the builder's name, in order to pass it on to us, has eluded her.
We were up with the lark this morning, because she informed us yesterday, that he would be calling today. Then just an hour or so ago, she came around again, to tell us that he now would not be coming until tomorrow morning. So, who exactly IS he...? "I don't know, my son is handling it all..." okay, yes, but surely you can ask him? "Well YOU can do that tomorrow, when he's here!" Doh!
Blood out of stones comes to mind. No disclosure, so we can't check for a website, or speak with him directly, which I guess, is her intention. As always with this woman, everything becomes weighted on her side. She seems to think we can all have a big discussion tomorrow... well yes, maybe if our builder could be present to speak/act in our interest. But it's Saturday and he has unbreakable commitments.
Oh to be living somewhere remote in the Outer Hebrides...!
) He gave a name, business name and his business landline number (incorrect when we checked it) plus mobile number. Don't think he was too happy about it because his composure changed, making him appear a bit uncomfortable.
