C is for Contractor

This is the third day of the A to Z Challenge. And here it is 11:10 pm CST. I'm just now writing my C post.  My word today is Contractor. 

Someone said you should ask him two questions: how long and how much. Believe me, we asked and those two questions have a way of changing, almost daily. If you watch any of the HGTV renovation shows, you know that.

We hired our contractor because he'd been used by some of our neighbors. It wasn't that they gave him a glowing recommendation, they said he was the best of the worst. That, along with our previous experience interviewing contractors got this guy the job. And his personality. A good personality always helps, doesn't it? He told us our renovation would take four to six weeks at the most. If we had known ... but that comes later.

I blame myself for this huge mistake. I like to hire people I don't feel intimidated by, someone I think I can get along with.

Evidently Mr. Contractor watched way too much HGTV, and considered himself quite the decorator/designer. Every thing I suggested, he told me why I couldn't/shouldn't have it: from paint colors to ceramic tile to granite to ... everything! Actually, I think he had a little passive aggressiveness in him and that's why the book cases don't go to the ceiling. Though one of you suggested only writers/readers understand the concept of floor to ceiling. Maybe that's true.

Still, I got the feeling Mr. Contractor wanted to give me everything I wanted... to a point.

Example: the ceiling fan in my living room. I told him I wanted it to give off a lot of light and he agreed. My old ceiling fan didn't have a light so I was ready to have an overhead. One day we came in and there was a beautiful ceiling fan but the light was a little of nothing. He was so proud of it, raved about how it matched things so well. I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't want it. Should I have told him to take it down? Yes, it's pretty... just not functional for readers.

Was I supposed to go to stores and pick out everything I wanted? Because I didn't. Mr. Contractor picked things out and gave me choices. That was okay I guess. No stress for me. But who's in control here?

Like all contractors--or so I'm told--he disappeared for days at a time. He'd tell us he'd see us the next day then we wouldn't see him again for a week. I still don't like the colors he painted my kitchen, dining room, halls. And because of the color and design in my ceramic tile, it looks dirty all the time. I sound like a complainer, don't I? Look at the pic--this is how we lived for months!

Did I tell you during this time, we planned a wedding too? Renovation started in March of 2014
Daughter got married August 23, 2014
And the renovation went on and on and on...

I don't think there's a question you can ask a contractor that will get you the right answer. Or maybe even a straight answer. So my advice is, if you decide to renovate your house, make it easy on yourself and don't! Just buy a new one.

Tomorrow D is for doors, dust and den, I guess.

Did I tell you Mr. Contractor lost some cabinet doors? Maybe my D word should be Don't!