Okay then.
I just met with a contractor out at the property in order to get him to quote me finishing the walking trails. I made him walk all the way around the property, lol, so he could see what he's getting into. He quoted me $2,500 - of which I thought quite reasonable considering the amount of work I was asking for, for I not only want walking trails but also a couple of campground sites cleared out.
Near the end of it, he asked me who was doing the dirt work up front? Randy - and he finished off the last name and informed me he is months out right now. Yes, I thought, I'm already months into this. "well he said the dirt has to dry out quite a lot before they can do it".
By that point, we were over there at the intended RV portion of the land. I kicked the dirt which was dry a couple inches down. Uhh, no I could do that right now, this dirt is plenty dry enough.
That was disconcerting news. "Randy is backed up for months, we are trying to see if we can take some of his work to get him caught up." So I've been waiting all this time for nothing? I thought in my head.
This guy's pricing is right in line with the contractor I am supposedly using to do the install. It makes me wonder, if this other contractor does all the dirt work and install the driveways, how long am I going to have to wait for my current contractor to put in the septic system, the electrical system and the water lines?
Well, he's going to call me back after he talks to my contractor - but in my mind it's a foregone conclusion I'm giving the work to this guy and Randy - who could have told me right off the bat that he is booked up - can have the utility installation, IF he can get to it. I've already got the quote and for the dirt work? It's actually cheaper than Randy quoted me.
I'm going to get a bit more - assertive about this - now that I understand that the ground dries up within a couple of days, enough for them to do the work. As in, when it comes time for the utilities, I want dates, the day you are coming. As I said, and have said before, if he is was too busy, he could have just told me. It's not like I haven't asked this guy. But now? I'm not waiting any longer. This project will move forward with or without this contractor.
Ugh. Facepalm. Thank you Jesus, I'll just eat this and move on . Not worth getting upset over. I'm just glad I moved on with the walking trails. This guy said his trails are smooth enough at the end that you can ride a zero turn mower over it, you don't need a bush hog (a tractor that pulls a device that cuts down the brush behind it). I can't afford a tractor right now, I don't really want to buy a zero turn, they are a lot cheaper but still up there in price, but it's going to have to be done. I'll need one for the RV lots anyway to mow the grass.
Yes, I intend on doing some of the monthly work that needs to be done to save money. I'm home often enough to cut the grass, it's only 14 sites. Of course, I'd rather pay someone to do it to start with and not have a lot of extra work beyond trucking, but if I'm going to have to buy one anyway, I will likely do the work myself or, if James wants some extra work, perhaps I could pay him. I dunno, I'll figure all of that out as it comes to me to have to make the decisions to do it. I have already found a guy that does very good work at reasonable prices, having him come out twice a month probably wouldn't cost that much.
I'm getting a bit fired back up now that I have some hope that something is actually going to get done. I've been in limbo for quite a while and just put everything on hold. I have no control over these people, but still, the idea that he couldn't just have been up front and told me he's too busy.....