I did some more googling and made some more calls and one called me back that seemed promising. He told me that he has no subs - everyone works for him. They make their own cabinets as well. Unfortunately he's really busy and won't be able to meet me until next weekend. But he asked me to send him the design drawings I have. We'll see.

Drew called me back and agreed to tinker with the contract and give me a couple of references. He said it would probably be next week, though.

Doug was going to go to the condo and measure yesterday but never made it by. He called and said he would try for this morning.

In online dating news, some woman emailed me with a weird statement that didn't make sense. I did some digging and realized it was a response to an email I sent her at least 2 weeks ago. Match showed that I sent it last night. Seems like a problem.

Rob, the last guy I talked to (makes his own cabinets) has been really trying to get my business. Our schedules aren't meshing during the week because my work sucks balls so we've been trying to figure something out. Since he already has my plans I emailed him to tell him he could just go out there an look without me there.

He called tonight again just to talk some more. He's been the most aggressive (in a good way) contractor so far. He told me he can give me a pretty accurate range once he looks at the place.

How do his cabinet finishes look? Building them is the hard part, but finishing them is the even harder part.

I haven't seen his work. We aren't that far at all.

OMG. Pfuj. Where did you find that?

what is pfuj?

Rob called again to set up a place to meet. I admire Rob for his eagerness but more so for his internet savvy. When he calls I see a picture of him on my phone. I have no idea how this happens.

Doug sent me the agreement to pay him for plans and such. He said he would start working on my project soon. I'm a little disappointed that he hasn't started already.

Drew sent me an amended contract. Haven't looked at it yet.

He literally found it at the cricket store.

instinctive expression of utter disgust. Where did you find so many cocroaches?

^^ Gosh .... Burn that cricket store down .

Are that crickets or cockroaches? I can deal with single crickets. Cockroaches are disgusting in any amount. But such a mass of insects.... whatever they are. Gosh ^^^^

It was a picture from premiumcrickets.com, which he didn't rehost. They sell crickets, which people buy to feed to weird pets. I think he was trying to make the point that the thread was quiet at the time.

tx for the explanation.

^^ . i was already thinking if he found that somewhere in his house in process of remodeling.

I just applied for a permit to add a unit in my basement, and anticipate months years of fun with the city's building services and inspectors (and, when it can't be avoided, contractors). Your blog and all the home improvement shows my mom watches inspired me to try to do (most of) this myself.

Good Luck!

Drew set me a modified contract which looked much better. I had also asked for a couple of references which he has not supplied. I'm pretty concerned that it's just about possible to reach him to talk to him.

I met Rob today. He went through a preliminary estimate. He doesn't have exact measurements but he's been to the condo and had drawings so he worked with that.

The estimate was very detailed. His price came out to 105,000 which does not include the tile (does include labor for tile), or plumbing fixtures (toilets, faucets, etc.) It did include cabinets and granite.

Although on paper I think this will end up being higher than Drew I suspect Drew will have more surprises. Rob is very organized and detail oriented.

Rob is the only person that has kept very good lines of communication open. He's let me know where he is on things every step so far. This is pretty huge and worth the extra cost. I gave him the go-ahead to measure and come up with a detailed design plan. He'll be sending me a letter of intent and he said there would be an upfront cost (I think 3,000).

I'm almost sure Doug will come in higher so I think Rob is my guy.

Rob has a list of suppliers they use on his website. After thinking about this some more I don't think Rob is the owner at all. I think he's a salesman and this is a pretty big company. He mentioned 7 crews.

He told me there was a list of his suppliers on their website so I decided to get started. I kind of have to start all over again with selections. Rob gave me a bunch of sample cabinet stains to start with.

Most granite places close here around noon on saturday so I decided to start with floors. I happened to drive by an open granite place that wasn't his so I stopped in. I can't use these people but I wanted to browse anyway. I don't think the look I'm trying to get will be granite. It will have to be quartzite I think.

Then I went to the floor place. I found some I really like but it was polished. I'm sort of worried about the slipperiness of this. It was super cheap and just the right look. They weren't sure they could get enough, though. I really can't order anything until I get true measurements.

I had a few more questions for Rob about various costs. I think the cabinets I want are going to be significantly more expensive than his guesstimate. I'm not too concerned about flooring. The granite he quoted was level 1 and I'm positive I'll go over on that. But there's a ton of little things like shelving in the closets, etc. that I'll probably want that I really need to keep a lid on.

The good thing, though, is Rob will have a very detailed spreadsheet of the exact costs once he measures and it will be plug and play for me after that. Nobody else has offered me this so far.

No matter what, though, I'll never get close to Richard's price.

I should really let this cost thing go somewhat. When I first decided to make the move my game plan was to simply not go over the amount I sold my house for. I'm well within this range with Rob.

In online dating (no) news, I've sort of half given up. Part of it is because I haven't devoted the time to it. Part of it is I have no clue how to be a successful online dater. I speculate there are other reasons but I don't want to sound bitter.

Talked to my Dad today. He indicated that the pod is still in the driveway. So I asked to talk to Mom and sure enough, they still haven't finished with the house. Ugh.

I also found out what they are trying to get for it. I'm somewhat surprised it is much less than I thought. It really isn't much more than what I got for mine. Location, location, location.

Pretty cool rainbow outside my window this morning.

too many girls with "The look"? ^^

On the serious note: have you looked into online dating thread? I mean, I know you are grown-up and all like that, but OOT delivers sometimes surprisingly good life advice.

Just tell me to shut-up, if I am too annoying. ^^