Rigamaroll
The meeting seemed to go well. It was in the super super smoky apartment in Bloomington. They all took their seats and allegedly discussed the project. They had two different versions of what work they believed it would take to get her back living in the townhome.
Version 1: “Everything the way it was”
Version 2: “Everything the way she wants it”
I kept looking for version 3 : “The only version that exists in reality” but alas. Nothing.
It sounds like her homework after the meeting was to pick a version and then cross out what she didn’t want to do. She called her son and asked him to do it. But her son brought it home to me and asked me to look at it. And I crossed everything off.
Why? I’ll give you a list. (Because who loves a list more than me?)
The estimate included things like sheetrock. Which is covered under the insurance claim. So she isn’t paying it out of pocket. That’s straight up theft.
It included all new top of the line appliances.
She only needs a toaster, a toaster oven and a microwave. That is legit all she uses. Plus the appliances she had have been professionally cleaned and are in offsite storage. She already paid for that. Is still paying for that. Every month.
It included all new interior doors, interior door hardware, interior trim, bathroom fixtures, etc. All that shit is in our warehouse right now. (Not far from her purse collection) encroaching on our available storage space and a constant smokey reminder of this ridiculous situation whenever we get too near it.
It included so many other things as replacements that she doesn’t need, because I moved it in that horrible day last September and she has been paying for it to be stored ever since. Every month.
It included a master bathroom finishing cost of over $30K which included both a walk in shower and the double vanities yet retained the closet and I am telling you that isn’t possible and who in their right mind says ok to a bathroom remodel of that size without first seeing a drawing?? Not it.
Finally, it included finishing the basement. Nope. No ma’am. No reason to finish the basement because you are living on the main level. If you insist on returning to that place you are living on the main level. I am done with the hospital visits. I simply do not have it in me to go through that rigamaroll even one more time.
So S said “what do we do?” And I said “I’ll take care of it.”
So the next day I sat down at S’s computer and pulled out my best man email voice and emailed the contractor (et all) and shared that “my mom was confused” and “maybe just finish the claim first so she can understand what she has to pay for” and “give me the lockbox code so i can get another contractor in there to get a second estimate.” Within the hour superstar emailed back with a very firm reply. “Homeowner'“, he said, “has a clear understanding of what is happening. She has made it clear that she is the decision maker and they are to talk to no one else.” He went on to say “This reply is out of courtesy”. Cool.
So we went on vacation. And when we got back our old roommate called S and said “what should I do about that quote? They are calling me non stop.” And S told her to have them finish the claim, change order the items to alter the doorways and get them out of there as soon as possible.
And then she changed the subject.