Paraphrasing Madam Pompadour – Après le déluge, moi
Predictably, after the flood we need to deal with the damage.
First call is to our home insurers to get that going. Yes, we’re covered. They will send an inspector and we’ll go from there. By the time the inspector arrives a few days later, edges of our beautiful new floor tiles are curling. The inspector says, OK you can remove the damaged tiles and replace them. Wait a minute, I’m not going to remove them. I expect a professional installation – I mean if my car had a dent, do you expect me to beat it out and get recompensed for the hammer rental?
The inspector agrees. get three quotes and send them to us. Once the work is done, we will re-inspect and if the work is finished, we’ll send you a cheque for the cost less the $250 deductible. I get one contractor – who is acceptable to the insurer – to visit. He pulls up a couple of the swollen-edged tiles and say “These are done for”. I point out that there are more curled-edged tiles now than the day after the flood and that the underlay is damp. “Yes” says the contractor. “I’ll quote on replacing all the tiles and any underlay that’s visibly damp.” I disagree. Let’s do all the underlay since it’s inexpensive and easier than working around the ‘damp’ areas. And, since the tiles were on special (end of run), you need to forget about replacing some – they all have to go and be replaced with like quality. “OK”, says contractor. He will inform the claims adjustor and they will be in touch. I tell the insurance company if they want more quotes, then they need to find qualified installers willing to come and do the work. They concede and accept the one-and-only estimate.
But wait! Before we get to replacing the flooring, we need to get the dishwasher fixed. Mrs. B calls the Maytag dealer where we purchased the dishwasher that caught fire that was replaced by the dishwasher that leaked and arranges a service call. The nominally loneliest repairman shows up and diagnoses the problem and solution. He explains there’s a $60 call-out charge for the diagnosis, a $60 labour charge for the repair (which he estimates will take 10 minutes), and the cost of the parts needed will $100 or so. He might be able to fit in the work next week. Since our fight isn’t with him, I tell we’re unhappy with all that but give him a cheque for $60 and tell we’ll be in touch.
Since the undeniable original sin lies with Maytag …
