So the guys came to install the hardwood floors yesterday while I was at work. I asked my Dad to go let them in and then either sit in the car while they worked or see if it was okay if he left and came back. He had just gotten over a 24 hour stomach virus from the previous day, which I felt really bad about, but he shouldn’t have to do anything strenuous, so what could go wrong?
Everything.
After about an hour of work, the super came and put a stop to them saying that I didn’t have approval to do the work. I made a point of asking about approvals at my co-op board interview and they said I didn’t need any. But the super wasn’t going to let them work until I gave the property managers the worker’s insurance and license information. Twenty phone calls and two broken fax machines later I was able to get that resolved from work and the super let them continue around 1:30.
The salesman told me the night before that there might be a chance of having to replace the plywood underneath the laminates because the floor felt a bit squishy. Well lo and behold, there’s water damage on the plywood when they rip up the laminates, so all the plywood needs to be replaced. My Dad goes with them to Home Depot so he can pay for the plywood and their van breaks down.
I shit you not.
My Dad (who was sick with an awful stomach virus just the day before and was only supposed to have to sit in the car while they did their thing mind you) had to help push their van half a mile to the nearest gas station, then walk back to my place to get his car so he could pick up the guys, go to Home Depot and rent a truck to buy plywood and bring it back to my place. Can you frakking believe that?
By the time I got home from work around 6:30, they were still working, replacing the plywood throughout. They were making an awful ruckus with sawing and hammering, but I ran into the co-op board president and he said they can make as much noise as they need to until 10PM. Fshew! So they worked until 9PM finishing the plywood in the two bedrooms which included three closets. After they left, I went in and the floors feel extremely solid. Way better than they were before. I’m really happy with the work they’ve done so far. Unfortunately my iPhone ran out of juice so I wasn’t able to take pictures of the progress. I will be sure to do that tonight.
Now they need to replace the plywood in the hallway and living room, then lay the hardwood. I’m thinking the plywood won’t take much longer (hopefully) since the living room and halls are square with no closets. I’m told laying hardwood doesn’t take too long once you get the hang of it, and these guys are (mostly) professionals so if all the stars align they may be able to finish today, otherwise it’s likely they’ll finish tomorrow. They’re also replacing all the molding along the floors which is nice.
As stressful as my day was yesterday, trying to get the license and insurance business cleared up with the property managers and super while I was at work, at least I didn’t have to push a van a half a mile the day after I had a stomach virus. I can only imagine how my Dad must have felt. I feel so bad, but he was such a trooper and really gracious about the whole thing. I think I owe him about twenty dinners out after all this.
