Andrew Kohn

It's nice to be reminded we live in a pretty great location!

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/05/01/man-arlingtonians-and-alexandrians-love-it-here/

A few blog posts ago, I wrote about a terrible contractor situation with a deck and a careless contractor. I can happily report the deck has been completed - just a month or so behind schedule. My biggest challenge during this whole fiasco was knowing how to deal with the contractor. It was my belief if I spoke up too harshly they would do crap work or take even longer. If I didn't speak up, they may never come back and take their sweet old time.

I would treasure any advice offered about effective ways to deal with contractors who become negligent. I've heard the usual give donuts and coffee - but if the project manager isn't there every day and the workers don't speak English, it seems ineffective to cater to the workers when the real boss is never present. How far can I push a project before I become that nagging client that all contractors complain about - both internally and to other contractors. I won't be taken for a sucker - but I'm also no T-Rex.

Please let me know your thoughts. They're greatly appreciated!

Proof our area is some what isolated from other regions in the country - although transportation is a national concern!

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/05/01/affordable-housing-not-quite-a-top-priority-in-the-dc-area/

"Some 14 percent of D.C.-area residents said that affordable housing (or lack thereof) was a leading concern in the region. Transportation issues came out on top, followed by “Economy/Jobs” and, well, you can read the rest..."

Do I have a contractor story for you? In the beginning it all sounded perfect - I had an old, rickety deck (500 sq. ft.) that required a complete re-do. After scouring the Internet, reading numerous reviews on Service Magic and Angie's List, the "highest" rated contractor won the day. The bid was not the lowest, but reputation, I believed, would pay for itself. Within a week of signing the contract, the old deck was hauled away and every thing was coming up roses. That was in February.

It's April 28th, and the deck still isn't complete. Did I mention the only way to enter the house is through an entrance that was serviced by the deck? After the initial joy of seeing the old deck removed, and a week went by without any action, slight panic set in. But it was raining on and off, so perhaps they were just waiting for better weather. I heard nothing from the company. DId they file for Chapter 11? Then a lumber shipment arrived. And then a crew arrived. Ahhh, we're back on track.

The frame was in place. And then the crew disappeared. Remember, the entrance to the house was only accessible by the deck. Rain again. Ok, I thought, they're waiting for better weather. And then a nice day came...and another...and another. All the mean time, getting into the house required a slick climbing maneuver up the frame - like a jungle gym. I called the company. Oddly, I expected them to call me. I was naive. There was a mistake in the order and it had to be sent back and re-ordered. Or at least that was one of the two versions I got from various employees.

Eventually the deck materials arrived. Slowly but surely the deck was being built. But then we discovered they mis-measured. "Need more material," I was told. So more wood was ordered and work was stopped. I thought to myself, why is this my problem and shouldn't I be getting some kind of compensation for my pain. Eventually the materials arrived - literally a bundle I could have picked up at Home Depot. Alas, if only I knew.

Work began again. With a few more phone calls - ones I made to the company - I was told we were in the home stretch. Workers showed up on Saturday AND Sunday! Yes! It's going to be done. By Sunday night, everything had been completed except three steps on a flight of stairs, the railing tops on those stairs, and minor gutter adjustments, etc. Easy squeezy! I was also waiting for the electrician to come and do some work - an electrician I was told the company would supply. But the deck needed to get done before he could work so I can understand the delay.

Monday came. No one arrived. Ok, they worked Saturday and Sunday - a day of rest is in order. Tuesday morning is here. A new employee has come to my house. "I'm here to make sure everything is ok and you're satisfied as the work has been completed." Sorry sir, did you see the pile of lumber to be removed on the front lawn? Did you see the steps that needed to be completed? He acknowledges these minor areas. And the electrician. "What electrician?" Ught oh. The one your company said they were getting for me. OK. He says he'll make a call and someone will come this afternoon. It's 4:00. I know how they operate. No one is coming today.

A work crew was supposed to come today and finish as well. It's 4:00. I know how they operate. No one is coming today. And no phone call either. Well, tomorrow, first thing, I'll make the phone call. And I can't promise it's going to be pretty. I'm sure they'll say they have to order more supplies. Maybe I should just go over the Lowes for them.

I live with the conciliation of those reviews. Mine won't be to pretty. Also with the fact that I am a Realtor. There's some power there. If a client needs a deck - let's stay away from this company. As I was told today, communication has been poor on this job. "Joe sometimes doesn't call us to say he needs more material." Well, it's time to get rid of Joe. That's what they've learned. For me, the lessons has been more nuanced. I'm sure a contractor will let me down in the future. But I will be better prepared! Questions, question, and expectations will be delivered before my first check. And an honest evaluation will be delivered with my last.

New to the real estate industry, I have thought long and hard about where to focus my efforts in the Washington, D.C. area. My initial limitation - I only have a license for Washington, D.C. (I started the process for gaining licensure in neighboring Maryland and Virginia almost immediately after gaining my D.C. license but I'm still waiting for the appropriate paperwork!) That bump aside, I've still thought long and hard - do I want to specialize where I live?

I love my city - Takoma Park, MD - and I understand the benefits to working in an area you know rather intimately. I know about the schools, the local shopping areas, and the ins-and-outs of local government regulations and restrictions. But, in my mind, I live here and want some separation. Will I help someone buy or sell a house here? Of course! But if I'm looking to target a specific audience, this may not be the place for me.

Is this just a personal choice? Am I someone that enjoys leaving for work in the morning and returning in the evening? Is this even possible in the real estate industry? It seems we're always on the lookout, targeting specific individuals but adaptable to any situation. Working in a large metropolitan region, I have the luxury to look elsewhere. Some are, by necessity, their local neighborhood experts. I guess, in the end, that's just not what I'm looking for. A million options present themselves in this business and I suppose it's my job to navigate through my comfort level and discover where my niche interests lie.

Has anyone else faced this interesting conflict starting out? I'd love to hear from you.