renovation purgatory

[cimorene]

No word from the plumber this morning! It's been one week since we heard he was sick and waiting for covid test results, which he should have got last Wednesday at the latest. We assume we'd be told if it turned out positive, but I suppose nothing is certain.

Tenant continues, blessedly, staying with her bff locally, eating there, but gradually unpacking her heaps of stuff that's here so she's on the other side during the day while we have to continue using her bathroom and kitchen (just for the water and dishwasher in the kitchen, we've moved our stuff out, but that's another level of inconvenient too), but we have to keep the door or a makeshift gate mostly closed in between to keep cats from going over there and aggravating her currently-dormant cat allergies, destroying her stuff or escaping when she has the door open. So it's a Big Production to go over there and I feel like I'm intruding every time I have to go get water or use the bathroom.

And normally you would call, right, to make sure the contractor doesn't really have covid? But the only number we have is HIS, the boss plumber's, he doesn't have like a secretary, and HE's the one that might have it - he could be extremely sick if he does (or he could be quite sick even if he doesn't since the other choices are still airway infections), and should he have to be answering the phone about that now, then? Do we call the contractor-contractor then, and ask if HE knows if this plumber has it or what, even though it's not his regular plumber? And obviously if the guy IS sick he's too sick to do our plumbing, nor should he be doing it while he's sick, but like... I'm gonna cry, here. I'm afraid to use the bathroom for the whole middle part of the day of each day because I feel like I'm intruding on our tenant's space and also feel guilty because she can't actually use the space and move in properly because we're still using her kitchen and bathroom every time I have to go get cold or hot water, wash my hands, or use the bathroom. But the sitting around nervously trying to make sure the coast is clear to reach the bathroom is probably the worst. It's ludicrous and juvenile.

And it's down to +6 this morning (+7 now) and ALSO half our radiators still don't work because that's ALSO a thing that plumbers fix. I'm huddled in piles of blankets and an ugly sweater trying to knit myself a warmer sweater for around the house. I'm miserable.

Comments

[syderia]

Sometimes, I have consultants during with me who don't call me when they should. (To start with, after a couple of go-around, they change).
And usually, their explantation is that I am very busy (true) and they don't want to disturb me.
My basic answer is, you're not in charge of managing my time, or my phone calls. Phone have a silent option, a decline call option, and answering machines. I tell them that they should always call, and that if I'm not available, I simply won't pick up.

And I think maybe something like this is going on, here. Maybe your plumber is sick, maybe he's busy, maybe there's something else. But it's not your responsibility to sort it out for him. What you want is for the water to be turned on in your house, and he's the one who is supposed to do it, you have a legitimate reason to call.

[cimorene]

That's a good point! I will try to remember it when I need strength to overcome the feeling of imposing on people in future.

[princessofgeeks]

I think you could definitely call either number. And the sooner the better. You are not being a meanie. You are just seeking information. Fingers crossed for you.

[cimorene]

This is what everybody told me but I was still like ?????????????. Fortunately Wax called them. He said he was out sick all last week and will try to make it here Thursday, implying that he is going to be working before Thursday as well on other stuff perhaps?, but he sounded very sick still, so not holding my breath. (EVER AGAIN.)

[isilya]

It really sucks that renovating involves so many aversive tasks—-I’m totally in awe of your ability to strip wallpaper and paint, and knock down cabinets, and deal with flooring. When I think about doing any of that my mind just gives me a big flat NO. Like I don’t know where to begin and I don’t want to do it and I wouldn’t be good at it and I feel unhappy and stressed at the idea of trying to do it.

But I like managing contractors and I like calling them and I like chit chatting with them and I don’t really mind or dread having to reprimand/correct them.

In an ideal world, we could swap skills!!! If I spoke the language I would call your tradies for you!

I think this is why so many people have partners with complementary skill sets. I have certainly felt quite jealous of people with handy partners.

In the immediate short term, would offering your tenant a discount for the month make you feel less inhibited about sharing the kitchen/bathroom?

[cimorene]

We are totally going to offer her a discount.

And yeah, it's really sad one of us isn't good at calling people and being mean to them!

Wax's brother has done it some for us in the past but it's not always practical. We share almost ALL of each others' unfortunate weaknesses, right down to both having lacking executive function, just not completely equally, and both being intimidated by crowds and new people and everything. The only real non-overlap I can think of is that Wax doesn't cut herself accidentally in food prep as often (so she usually chops things finely) and I am not afraid of heights (so I climb ladders and on stools). :/

But in the microcosm she did talk to the plumber yesterday and he will try to come Thursday (but he sounded terribly sick still although he said he was just out sick last week).

[viggorlijah]

Shared bathroom is so so awkward! I would be seriously contemplating jars at some point.... someday soon you will get to close a door and contemplate the world in total privacy.