We bought a new house last year from an older lady who had found the upkeep a bit too much. As a result, this spring, we’re gradually catching up on some deferred maintenance.
One of the things we need to replace are the fabric awnings, which are dirty, faded, and starting to become threadbare.
I called three companies for estimates. One came in substantially higher than I expected. The second guy visited about three weeks ago.
He showed up for the appointment, visibly rattled, and asked if he could borrow my tape measure.
“I just came from a job over in (neighboring borough),” he said. “The guy had a huge pile of cocaine on the coffee table and I swear to God he had powder all around his nose. I couldn’t wait to get out of there and I think I left my tape measure at his house, but I don’t want to go back to get it.”
Three weeks later, we still don’t have an estimate from that guy. Maybe he went back to get his tape measure and they decided he’d seen too much.
Also, if the awning guy were going to come over and give you an estimate, wouldn’t you hide your cocaine at least temporarily?
“In America, first you get the money. Then you get the power! Then … you get the awnings.”
