No Time Like the Present

So the plumber was here and looked the job over this past Tuesday. Nothing difficult. We went over the options and he gave me some ideas. Essentially I'm leaving it up to him to make it all work out. He told me he'd call me Wednesday (yesterday) with a price.

He also said he'd check on some prices to see if it'd be better for him to buy the water softener or if I should get it on my own.

How many stories have there been where contractors promised and didn't deliver?

This isn't one of those stories.

He called, and we decided that he should pick up the Iron Curtain iron filter and the water softener. I can get generic residential products at Home Depot or Menards, but for the same price he can get slightly better equipment.

I told him if he'll buy the products I'll pay him some extra to do so. It's worth it in gas and time savings for me. Plus, even though he's been a plumber for 20 years he's only had his own business for a year and it's good for him to get in front of the suppliers more often. I'll buy the water heater, since he can't really save me anything there.

Price we agreed on was $3,000.00, including re-running the gas line for the water heater. If the water heater costs me the $400 or so I'm expecting to pay, that'll be just over $500 less than the contractor I was going to go with, plus I get to help out "the little guy".

As of yesterday there was no date set for the work to begin. He'd check his schedule and get back to me in a few days.

"In a few days" turned out to be more like "the next morning". He called and said he's picking up the water softener and iron filter Friday (tomorrow) and would like to install everything this Saturday. HELLS YEAH!

Now I'm in a rush to go pick up a water heater. After working 9 hours, getting the kids homework taken care of, hitting the gym at work, and eating a quick salad for dinner (my brother just shit his pants after reading those last two items), it's time to go grab a 50 gallon water heater.

If he doesn't show I'll cry. In a manly way.

The only part that sucks is that the weather is supposed to be in the high 50's and sunny Saturday. Some of the best weather we've had since last fall.