This page contains links and personal experiences
2. Poor - No attention to details, possibly requiring re-work, etc. 3. Satisfactory - just got the job done. 4. Very Good - Acceptable work and would recommend. 5. Excellent - superior work and attention to ALL details. |  Christmas 2001 |
| Dates | Job Description | Contractor | Cost |
Rating (1-5) |
notes |
| Oct. 1993 |
Home Inspection (pre-purchase) |
Carson, Dunlop & Assoc. |
$350 Well spent! |
4+ |
All inspectors' recommendations 100% correct!
However, estimated repair/replacement costs too optimistic - i.e. low-balled. |
|
May, June & July 1994 |
Plumbing - Extensive replacement of ALL galvanized water supply lines to copper, with partial 3-line supplies & bypass for water-softener. |
D.M. Mechanical | ~ $1,000 | 2- |
My first (but not last) experience with the Apprentice from hell! My own knowledge and persistances saved this from an Unacceptable 1 rating & complete redo! |
| June 1994 | Rental Hot Water Heater replacement/upgrade. | A.B. Mechanical | None | 4 | City of Kitchener covered cost of rental installation! |
| Sept. 1994 |
Electric Wiring - Additional circuit required for new deck lights. |
Victoria Electric of Kitchener Ltd. | $500 | 4 |
Another experience with an Apprentice from hell! Otherwise,
would have been an Excellent 5 rating:-( What made me choose them over the other bids was the fact they wouldn't accept the minor wiring job, without also 'bringing up to code' the main panel input - for a nominal additional cost! |
| Oct. 1994 |
Wood Deck & Balcony - Restoration/replacement of old rotting & unsafe structure. Also: drywall, tape, mud & trim two-piece powder-room/bath on main floor. |
Sutherland Construction, Burlington. | ~ $10,000 | 3 | My design came together with only a few minor hitches, but, contractor cut a few too many corners! |
|
Nov. 1994 & Nov. 1995 |
Garage Door Installation - chose an insulated Wayne Dalton: ThermoWayne 8'x7'6" RP38 |
KW Door Installations Inc.
(Al Pfluegl) |
~ $1,000 | 2 |
My first experience with the Owner from hell! Manufacturing defect in originally installed door, but, KW Door Installations head wouldn't believe it possible until, after months of inaction, I called Wayne-Dalton directly - they all came out to inspect and confirmed the delamination defect. Replacement door installed worse than the original:-( |
| May 1996 |
Alcan Insulated Storm/Screen Door installations - two (2) full-view installed outside of living room french-doors; openning to back deck. - one (1) standard outside side door. |
Consumer's Choice | ~ $1,000 | 4- |
Original installation by poor craftsman ... from hell!
Had them leave incomplete what they couldn't properly accomplish, and withheld 15% of the total cost until the work was completed to my satisfaction. A much better Serviceman was quickly sent and did a very commendable job completing the remaining work. |
| Dec. 1996 |
Boiler Installation - Old boiler died - chose a Viessmann Atola to replace it. |
K-B Combustion Ltd. |
~ $4,000 |
4 | Glad I tossed that !@#^$ GlowCore instead of repairing it! |
| Nov. 1998 |
Repair/Replace Flat Roof - small (10'x20') flat roof section at very top of house leaking:-( Estimates range: $750 - $1,200 Chose a 45mm EPDM Rubber Membrane and requested additional 4" of rigid foam insulation be directly applied, then new plywood deck and finally the membrane. |
Alt Roofing Inc. | $1,000 | 3+ |
Flat-roofing options were:
|
| Dec. 1998 |
Main bathroom rough-in - assistance with plumbing changes and installed in-floor radiant heating, connected to existing radiator lines. |
Whiteway Plumbing | ~ $1,000 | 4 | Pro part of total main-bathroom renovation - 1st big DIYS project! |
|
Jan. 1999 thru Apr. 1999 |
Main bathroom tiling/grouting, fixture (toilet, tub, sink, faucets) installations and finishing.
  |
self (part-time)
 |
~ $5,000 including tile, fixtures & supplies  |
4 |
A very big project indeed! 
 |
| Aug. 2001 |
Whole-house water filtration & treatment:
i) 2 micron filter unit ii) Trojan UV system (see picture - far right column) Prompted by Municipal water problems everywhere ... just can't afford not to! |
self | ~ $800.00 | 4 |
I've become quite a competent plumber. |
|
Dec. 2001 thru Mar. 2002 |
Cathedral ceiling in room above garage with beams, etc. - prompted by water leaking into ceiling, the inadequate insulation as well as the astetics. |
self | ~ $2,000 | 4 | Yet another challenging DIYS project! |
The following ratings are used in the table below: 1=worst ... 5=best
Local to Waterloo region, except where noted.| Supplier | Items | Value rating | Expertise /Assistance rating | notes |
| Caeran, Brantford. | My Hayden 6000+ SuperVac Central Vacuum System dealer ~$800 (+ DIYS installation cost) | 4+ | 4 | Should have an entire page on Central Vacs for the amount of research docs I have! |
| Vacu*Mart | My local source for all Central Vacuum parts & accessories. | 5 | 4+ | The parts, knowledge and GREAT prices, making DIYS installation a breeze! |
| Glenbriar Home Hardware |
Previously, my main plumbing source:
|
3+ | 4 | Hard for them to compete with the prices and stock offered by the new BBS (big box stores) |
| Snider Plywood Specialties Ltd. |
My Benjamin Moore dealer for interior and exterior paints & stains.
Also, Foam mouldings, various pilasters, stamped tin for ceilings, etc... |
4 | 4 | Very knowledgeable and helpful |
| the Home Depot |
|
4 | 3+ |
Close to a one-stop DIYS center!
Would like to know all their product multipliers. |
... more links to come!
