We've been without a kitchen sink since May when the remodel started. We are so ready to be able to wash dishes in the kitchen again. If I'd chose differently, the sink would have been installed by August. The hold up is the counter top.
This week brought devastating news. We had paid Eco Design for the countertop with a $5,000 check for materials at the end of June, then an additional large amount at the end of July for installation. Eco Design (ED) is an intermediary - they hosted a kind of fair when one could see all kinds of green building materials and if a person decides to purchase, ED obtains a quote from the contractor. My contract was wtih ED, not the actual contractor, Scan-top.
When I went by ED this week to return a sample, I found the doors locked shut and a noticde of bankruptcy on the doors.
When I told Scan-top, they were shocked. The news kept getting worse:
- ED never passed on the check they received in June to Scan-top . They cashed the
money and kept it, even though Scan-top had paid for the "Icestone."
- In spite of this, Scan-top asked me for more monies in the end of July, saying
it was necessary before Scan-top fabricated the materials
- This additional monies ED also kept.
- ED didn't own the building they were in; since they are bankrupt, we cannot sue (If someone knows I'm wrong, please tell me so!)
Fortunately, I used a credit card to pay for the second round of payments. I'm in process of reversing that.
So that's why we're stalled. I could beat up on myself for working with ED, for not getting references. But I'm not going to.
I sure wish I'd chose the counter top supplier my wise contractor friend recommended, but at the time of the quote, their cost was twice as much as ED. (ED later upped it, AFTER the materials were ordered and there would be a restocking fee. They did have a good reason, but it was their fault for not comprehending the plans well enough.)
My husband calls it a fiasco. I call it a costly mistake. But I believe God can bring good through our mistakes. I'll let you know when I find it!
Yesterday I lay eyes on our beautifully formed counter top sitting at the Scan-top store. Of course they want some money before we start. ED won't give it. How much will we?
