28 June 2006

closure, finally

in the last "house" post, i mentioned the tile error and some other bullshit we had been dealing with on the building of this thing. i mentioned in the comments on that post that i'd decided to write another letter to the builder. the first letter i wrote to them was written in December (a full 9-page epic that i'm still very proud of, maybe i'll post it on here if people are interested in reading it. let me know.). i sent the new letter early last week and two days later received a call from the owner of Holmes Homes. he was understanding of my complaints and frustrations and even commented on the sarcasm (if it's not obvious from my blogging and poetry, i'm a very sarcastic person), and how he could appreciate it. also, he was amenable to meeting with the wife and me.
we met at our house this past Monday. we showed him the 6-inch error to the foundation, which caused our house to be 6-inches shorter (length-wise) than it should be. he said it's definitely an error, that they accept full responsibility and also, unfortunately, that it's nearly impossible to fix. we figured that. but, he was willing to compensate us for the error and for our frustration. we asked if they'd be willing to finish the first-floor half bath (which was to be merely roughed in for future finishing) and he said they would. good news.
we have come to terms with the errors and understand that these things sometimes happen. we're just happy that Holmes Homes is owned by someone who cares about his business and the work they do, and is willing to do what is right. the owner is a good guy and it was reassuring knowing that if we were to have any future issues that it will be dealt with properly.

the right tile was finally laid down and it looks great. the carpet was installed and the only thing left are the appliances and bathroom accessories (toilet, sink, etc.). we heard that our closing date should be sometime between July 7 and July 10. only a week and a half away. my god, we are so fucking ready.

because of the impending move that we will be undertaking shortly, i will probably be quite scarce on this blog. also, we still have to have Comcast come out to install our cable internet, which will probably be a nightmare in itself. i will do my best to update from work, when time and need arises, and will pick it back up again regularly once things have settled down.

in the meantime, keep and eye out for my weekly column, Background Noise, on Christopher Cunningham's fabulous blog, Upright Against The Savage Heavens. i intend to keep publishing the column every Sunday night (or Monday morning (from work) throughout this transition).

12 comments:

Kat said...

Yay! Finally.

It's good to know there are still companies that do the right thing!

Good for you!

Hopefully, we'll be ready to leave Florida on July 27th. Bill is in the middle of signing all the junk for the apartment. Send good vibes?

I would love to read the nine page letter. Post it!

j.b said...

it is nice, isn't it? in this age of big business, consumer-be-damned bullshit, it's nice to know that there ARE companies willing to do the right thing for their customers. especially when he could've just as easily said SCREW YOU and probably not have been hit at all with the word-of-mouth i might've created. hell, they've TOO much work right now to keep up.

good luck on your move. hopefully, it all works out.

if i get enough votes for posting the letter, i will. i will, of course, change the names of the innocent and guilty to protect them. :)

christopher cunningham said...

good deal, j.b.

you must post the letter. it's 'what's right.'

Anonymous said...

Don't these people know who you ARE? It's a disgrace!

Anonymous said...

Frimp here.

although we've already intercepted your letter to the Holmes people, it would still be a benefit to others to realize that openness is something that you can actively participate in, or have it thrust upon you. you should publish the letter. or we can do it for you if you like. we've been watching these Holmes people very carefully. the owner is having that "problem" with his "you know" again. but that's neither here nor there. and while we can neither confirm nor deny that we had anything to do with your delay, we here at the NSA REDACTED for any role our REDACTED may have played in this fiasco (we don't make surveillence installation errors). we agree with you in your letter where you note, "I'm not a violent man, but this kind of ineptitude makes me want to crawl up inside you and beat the shit out of your organs and bones from within, you twisted morons, you weird nutdigging freaks..." of course, I'm paraphrasing, but we still agree. this wankery will not stand. even if it is our fault. which we won't confirm nor deny.

end transmission

j.b said...

oh wow...my friend Frimp. don't forget, old Frimpy pal, i owe you a serious, "redacted" ass-kicking.

since there seems to be at least a modicum of interest in this letter, i will post it. give me a few moments to edit it for any "sensitive" material (names, dates, distinguishing birthmarks, etc.) and i'll put it up.

oh, and thanks Frimp old buddy for doing whatever you might've done to help us out.

Glenn--
it appears these people have NO idea who i am. don't they realize i'm a minor celebrity in an even minor community of minor celebrities? jesus.

Luis said...

JB:

Great to hear about the house.

Post the letter.

Frimp Sandwich is probably upset
some of the old bugs were carted
off with the old tile, but rest
assured he likes the toilet seat
down as he/she likes to work
clandestinely...

j.b said...

ha!
at least my wife won't get mad at him...

Frimp is good. i like him best scampi, but fried works well, too.

BMcG said...

Delighted for you and your wife mate – congrats – just sorry I’ll miss the house warming.

Chris – “wankery” – love it – you have no idea how much that will be used after my several bottles of wine this weekend.

j.b said...

thanks man. i wish i could have all of you come to the house warming party instead of some of who we'll be inviting.

we'd warm this house up right.

wankery. is that a word? it sounds like it should be.
i like how some words in Britain or Australia or wherever mean bad things and they mean nothing at all over here. or vice versa.

bloody is one of them. it means being covered in blood here. it's a mild expletive over there. bloody funny.

Anonymous said...

You should have contacted the local newspaper:

MINOR POET IN NEW HOME FIASCO!

j.b said...

ha!

wait. who are you calling a minor poet? do you know who i am?!

:)

it would be more like:

UNKNOWN (AND, FRANKLY, IT'S BETTER THAT WAY) POET IN NEW HOME FIASCO!

:)