Thank for all the hugs and condolences. I am still very upset, and I am still crying randomly and many times throughout the day, but I guess it is to be expected. 
My husband helped me bury Tippy out under a very neat tree in our backyard. (It is about 10 trees growing together.) He didnt complain at all that we had to hack through tons of roots. I picked that spot because it is my favorite place in the yard, and under the tree grows the most beautiful wild violets. So now my Tippy will always be covered in flowers.
They worked on the fence yesterday. You think I would be happy, but I am not. The work they did looks horrible. And maybe it was my already fragile emotional state, but I was MAD. I called him up and told him it looked bad. He brushed me off, and he might be upset at me, but I dont care. I am not satisfied with the fence at all. There are so many little things wrong.
He put the fence on the inside of the corners, instead of the typical outside. It wont be as sturdy, and it isnt going to match up with the old fence. The wood posts are all different heights so nothing looks level. If it was a few inches I would not care, but I am talking there is a foot and a half difference in the posts...
He didnt use the brace pins I bought for the braces he just nailed them on, and he put the braces all the way to the top of the posts. So they braces are more than a foot higher than the fence. It looks bad, especially when it is right next to all our previous braces that are about 2 ft lower.
This is where my gate is going. This one looks especially bad to me. You can see to the far right one of the metal posts. The fence will only be up to the green part. So you can see the large difference. Besides the fact that the brace looks horrible!
My mother and I are going to redo all the braces today if we can get them off. It is going to be hard work, but I just dont think I can live with it.
The rest is permanent and I will just have to live with it. Sigh. I am trying to calm down about it, because it will still do its job. It will keep the goats in, but I feel like after spending $4,000+ it should look nice.
Puddle of Tears Pt 2
July 28th, 2014 at 02:07 pm
July 28th, 2014 at 02:25 pm 1406557510
What does your contract say about how the posts and braces were to be installed? Inside vs outside corners? It is standard that posts be level and equal. I hope you've held back some of the fee and demand they redo posts to match and re-instal braces as discussed. For $ 4K I'd take it to small claims court. You could hire 4 teens to do a sloppy job if that's what you expected.
July 28th, 2014 at 02:44 pm 1406558668
I agree with snafu, a sloppy job is not worth $4,000!
July 28th, 2014 at 02:45 pm 1406558737
I havent paid him anything yet. But I believe he has made it pretty clear that HE wont be redoing anything. And I cant blame him, its nearly impossible to redo.
He says that is the way he always does it. And I never specifically said where I wanted the braces, and if I wanted the fence on the outside... I had just assumed he would do it correctly, since he did the same fence last year and knew how we liked it.
I am kind of over a barrel. ARG.
July 28th, 2014 at 02:56 pm 1406559410
So sorry to hear about losing Tippy. Heart pain right now.
Sounds like a wonderful resting place for your beloved.
July 28th, 2014 at 03:26 pm 1406561194
July 29th, 2014 at 02:09 am 1406599763
In your shoes, I'd not pay and insist 'the work does not fulfil the agreement'. The money will be set aside waiting. What's frustrating and annoying is that sums were borrowed and you are paying interest on the money for all those supplies he's ruined. I'd bring photo evidence to the lumber/fence post, wire suppliers to let them know this guy isn't worth hiring in case they recommend him to others. I suggest changing spending plans and priorities to pay down the Line of Credit as fast as practical.
If he serves you for Small Claims Court, you will have an opportunity to show everyone in the community the poor work done and materials ruined in a basic agricultural [Deer type fence.
July 29th, 2014 at 04:29 am 1406608154
You may not feel like fighting with what has happened recently, but it is not your responsibility to re do his shoddy work. And he won't get a reference from you for this work, either!
Very sorry for the loss of Tippy.
February 15th, 2019 at 04:09 am 1550203767