Life lessons from building a garage

One of the down sides of owning a home that is 102 years old, that has a garage built in 1950 is things fall apart. The garage is one of those things, that fell apart, like the back wall fell off. It was a matter of time before the city hauled my happy butt into housing court.

Well, this was the year that it would get replaced. I mean, you really shouldn't have to put tarps on stuff to keep it dry, and the neighborhood feral cat population shouldn't consider your garage their personal sanctuary. Now you have the picture.

Got a quote from Santora Garage, the price was good, I know Bobby Santora from working at a garage door company, I know his work, and I was ready to go for it, but....., yeah you know there always is a but.

Let me start off with the first contractor's crew knew what they were doing when it came to building walls, and plumbing. But as far as cement, they really had only one guy that had a clue. And it wasn't the original crew that I talked to that rehabbed that house.

Long story short, things went against instinct and we ended up with a contractor that didn't know what he was doing. They tore down the garage ok, I mean, you really can't mess up pulling down a garage that was being held up by a prayer.

Then they framed it out. I say, "Um, the door opening you have framed is 7' 2". Nine foot wide doors need a minimum of 9'2" rough opening. (Yeah, I used to be in the business a few years ago). Oh, and by the way, those footers you dug are not city code."

The door opening was fixed, but the footers weren't. Me, I was thinking fine, it won't pass code and you will have to eat the cost, I am tired of not being listened to.

Well, on a Friday, when I had to run to Bowling Green to pick up 5 ferrets that were part of an animal abuse case, they decided to pour the cement. Now, mind you it is HOT as Hades, and even in the newspaper there were comments from cement workers on the problems of pouring cement in the heat. The cement sets up too fast, and it cannot be worked. Even a couple of guys I know (ferret owners) said it was way too hot to pour late in the afternoon.

Nope they didn't listen. And they poured while I was gone, with only one guy who knew what he was doing.

One side of the foundation was bowed, the other was one foot short. Never mind when it rained there was a wonderful lake in the middle of the garage. Not a pretty sight. And it would never have passed inspection.

Let's just say I wasn't a happy camper, neither was hubby. So they had to tear it out. They framed it up a second time, and it was eight inches out of square. No, I don't think that is going to work.

Now, this contractor goes out to find someone to do the slab or foundation for the garage. Enter Mitch Santora (remember the contractor I first mentioned? His brother, small world.)

We get to talking, Mitch's crew has the frame work for the pour down and ready to go, and done right. Footers dug to code, a good gravel base, wire, framed up ready for the pour. The day they poured, Mitch is there early doing some fine tuning and tweaking. The whole crew shows up, and then the cement. Everyone stepped up and did his job, and did it well. No screwing around, let's get it done and get it done right.

The job is impeccable. There is a rise to the slab so if water gets in, and trust me it won't, it will drain to the front and out. The finish is perfect. The parts of the drive that had to be added were added and perfect. High quality work.

Now, I talk to the original contractor and tell him to pay Mitch and he can walk away from this job. This has been in process since April, with an agreed start date of June 1 and a finish by the end of June. I have been more than patient.

Now enter Bobby Santora, Mitch's big brother. (Who by the way helped with the cement work), he orders the lumber, has it delivered, comes out check the stuff, tells me, I'll be back at 6:30 tomorrow morning (this morning, Saturday of a three day weekend) as long as it doesn't rain.

Bobby is good to his word he and his son are here starting the job, the other guys show up within 10 minutes of Bobby and his son. Power tools. What a great sound in the morning, and I mean that.

They did things the old fashion way. One piece headers, the peaks, all done the old fashion way, built to last. Built with quality.

Bobby's crew knew what to do and did it. The walls were built and raised. By 10:30 AM the peaks and roof on. They did this all in an on again off again cold rain. By NOON the garage was up and shingled. Amazing to watch, a symphony of work and motion.

Now, enter Ron Iacoboni, the siding guy, he and his helper sided the garage by themselves in the rain, using hammers, not air tools in four hours, again a quality job.

In the matter of two days, the garage from Hades was done, and done right.

By the way the Santoras do indoor remodeling too during the winter. I wouldn't hesatate to call them and work on this house or the shelter (that is another story for another day).

Bobby Santora's phone number is: (216) 661-7227 (Santora's Garage)
Teamm Construction (Mitch Santora): (216) 374-6907
Ron Iacoboni: (440) 888-1840 (R-Nu-Vinyl Siding)