They had engaged the services of their trusted consultant to ensure the problem was being dealt with correctly.
The situation was diagnosed, project drawings and specifications supplied and, in this case, the consultant also participated in the selection of the contractor who would perform the required repairs. Well, as luck would have it, the consultant just happened to be a more trusted friend of the contractor than he was of the housing co-op. As a result, repair costs which quite easily could have been done for under $3,000.00 were billed out in excess of $17,000.00.
Our housing co-op is now on the right track and it has been estimated that, over the last I 0-years since this unfortunate incident occurred, in excess of $1,000,000.00 has been saved in unnecessary repairs.
Another project involved a large commercial building in downtown Winnipeg. Each year during periods of heavy rain or during Spring thaw, the basement of our downtown building would flood. Once again, the consultants, after great deliberation, established a plan. Complete excavation of the property was recommended, along with new weeping tile lines, sump pits and landscaping. This package came with a price tag of approximately $250,000.00, but the repairs were necessary, right? WRONG. Fortunately the owner, a contractor who had been giving the problem some thought, proposed an alternate plan. The project was completed and the water problem was solved for under $15,000.00, which was $235,000.00 less than would have been spent, or more importantly, wasted!
Finally this one from my friend Marilyn Ewanochko, an Associate Member with the PPMA. Helping out a close friend who had been seriously ill, Marilyn called me to look at a seepage problem that recently started to plague her friend's basement. Marilyn informed me that a local foundation repair contractor had diagnosed the problem and recommended the excavation and waterproofing of at least one complete foundation wall.
After a quick appraisal, the true source of the problem was discovered.
It was not a foundation problem, but rather a leaky hot water tank.
These stories and hundreds just like them do not mean you are next,
only that it could happen to you. Protect yourself by taking your time,
speak to property managers who may have had similar problems and make sure
the repair makes sense to you.
Mr. Rennie can be reached at 633-4750