Don’t you think if a news organization said “The city is on fire.” and left it at that, people would be furious? Evacuation information would be the bare minimum expectation. Hell, when people’s houses burn down local news will typically discuss what might have been done differently to prevent the fire and also how to support any relief services for the impacted family.
Let me tell you why I’m especially pissed off about “journalism” right now: we’ve just seen a new peak of contextless bullshit. “Screaming, immolated citizens say city is on fire, fire says fire is often a good thing, fire continues to burn. ”
Yeah, I had a similar dream. I researched prefab units, modular homes, and other manufactured housing options as an alternative to custom work. The build, inspection, delivery, installation, and dealer horror stories were everywhere. I found one contractor (through a referral) who did a great renovation job for me. Of course, he retired to Florida. It’s an industry where someone who does a quality job could have a great career, but instead it is overrun by bait and switch firms and other con artists.
Yeah, I’m running about 50/50 on honest contractors versus absolute sleazebags. Something about this industry seems to attract a certain kind of narcissist who gets off on screwing customers over. Having to hire a contractor I haven’t had a good experience with previously is always a source of acute anxiety because of the likelihood I’ll end up having to put on my assertive asshole hat to get them to do the work they were paid for, because they’re trying to take advantage of non-confrontational people.
This is kind of happening to a friend right now, although for a renovation, instead of a new build. The contractor has not paid the subcontractors, and there have been threats of a lien against their house for that. They are currently looking for a new contractor to finish it up, but it’s a buyers market… and they’ve been out of the house, living with her parents (with two elementary aged kids and a kid in a localish college, so she’s home on holidays/some weekends), for… over a year now? The architect they worked with said this is the first time this contractor has been a problem, as she’s worked with him for years.
And apparently, it’s a “buyers market” for renovations where we’re at, so it’s tough to find a good, reasonably priced, who won’t screw you and move on, because they can…
First rule of thumb, don’t try this in Florida. Sure, there’s a few good builders, but they are booked to the gills. Hell, I’m not sure you want to try this in Austin. I’ve seen homes merely 5 years old that are already falling apart.
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