Tip to contractors: If you need your clients to postpone moving back into the home you have been renovating for them, don't wait until the last minute before a holiday weekend to let them know.
We had been looking forward to getting back into our house next week, on Wed., April 11. While the downtown apartment we've been living in since Oct. 24 is lovely, we're more than ready to be back in our own home.
So, it was disappointing to say the least when late Thursday night, I found an email from our contractor Dave Rannala asking that we push back our move-in date at least three, preferably five days.
"I would definitely recommend it," he wrote.
He noted that Travis, the journeyman carpenter working on our project, "has done everything but stand on his head to keep the trades moving through the house." We know that Travis has been at the house working every day -- Saturdays and Sundays included -- for the last few weeks. Still, when I was at the house earlier in the week, I did wonder how everything would get done on time. Dave confirmed my fears.
"I am sorry that this is the case but due to scheduling complications with trades, due to their busy schedules etc., we are struggling to make up for lost time."
In the big scheme of things, another three to five days is not much for a project that has suffered a few detours that were beyond anyone's control. But I wish we had known earlier on Thursday, so we could have made a few calls. Now we have to stew until Monday, hoping the movers will be able to accommodate our request to push back our moving date on 48 hours notice. I'll have to try to rearrange my days off from work. I'll also need to rescheudle a visit from a technician to rebalance the front-load washer and dryer. It's a good thing I hadn't yet made the call to book a date for the reconnection of cable for television, Internet and telephone.
So, while I had hoped to have some great photos of the reno to show for this week, many elements are still under protective covers. But here is what could be seen mid-week.
