Waiting For A New Deck That I Shall Call Godot

/ Ally Bean
“Let’s go.” “We can’t.” “Why not?” “We’re waiting for Godot.”
― Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

• • •

AS YOU MAY REMEMBER THE stairs to our deck fell apart in the fall of 2020. Read The One About The Deck Stairs Betraying Us [No One Was Hurt] to refresh your memory or learn about what happened.

As a result of the aforementioned situation we immediately began the search for someone to rebuild the entire deck. This was during the lockdown portion of the pandemic, so I figured we’d have no trouble finding people who’d want to work outside in the fresh air away from the virus where it was safe.

I was wrong.

I’ll succinctly summarize the search.

Because our deck is elevated 9 feet off the ground with a hill below it, after seeing what was going on only two companies expressed any interest in the job. Only one company managed to give us a written estimate for the job, so last fall we contracted with that company.

• • •

ALL OF WHICH BRINGS US to today, a lovely Tuesday morning in the winter of 2023, a mere 28 months after the problem began. This is how things are going.

If the company had begun building our new deck on January 3rd as planned, then today I’d have a lovely series of before | during | after photos to show you.

Alas things are behind schedule.

[I shall pause here whilst you *gasp* in surprise, as I know you’re doing.]

Therefore instead of the finished deck that was estimated to be completed in 7 to 10 working days [January 11th thru the 16th], I’ll end this post with a bunch of photos showing the ongoing mess that now involves snow [because of course it does] + some photos that suggest progress.

Even as I grumble and wait for Godot, testing my patience, I’ll admit that what I’m seeing so far is darned delightful and sturdy.

Eventually it’s gonna be great.

• • •

The aforementioned dodgy stairs on the old deck will be the last thing demolished.

The floor of old deck is the mess on the ground 9′ below.

Scene from the kitchen window showing no real floor just loose boards + no more railing just a drop to below.

The installation of the new deck floor begins.

New deck floor coming together in middle of the deck.

The new deck floor shown with a few of the new posts that’ll be part of the railing.

And finally 5″ of unexpected snow on top of the crumbling old deck stairs making them the poster child for unsafe.

• • •

Now it’s your turn to spill the beans.
What are you waiting for in your world today?
Tell all in the comments below.

• • •

238 thoughts on “Waiting For A New Deck That I Shall Call Godot”

  1. Wow, I’m glad are finally underway with the deck. What a mess! I can relate to the contractor issues. We’ve been out of our home for a year due to mold after a leak and unsuccessfully remediation. I’m in a condo and the problem falls withing their responsibility. It taken *checks watch* 11 months for them to collect some estimates. I’m crossing my fingers the ball is rolling, but don’t have high hopes haha! You’ll need to share photos of the finished deck–hopefully it will be ready for your enjoyment very soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Oh, Ally, you are singing mytune.

    When we pulled our offer to buy a different house, we decided we would invest in an addition here instead. We engaged an architect, he delivered some multi-scenario plans, and went about getting estimates from contractors. Then the pandemic hit and no contractors wanted to be in anyone else’s space any more than we wanted them inside our space for months on end.

    Then people from the more urban areas started moving here because of the pandemic. They bought properties sight unseen for astronomical prices. Materials sky rocketed. They kept the contractors gainfully employed. Going to the big box stores for any building supplies became an investment.

    Now that things have calmed down, contractors are booked for 1-2 years out. Who knows when or if we will get that addition now. I envy your slow moving deck progress.

    And the deck looks great – even with the delays and the snow. Doesn’t fresh unblemished wood look wonderful?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Maggie, you got caught in a ridiculous situation with your planned improvements. My sympathies. I know Covid set us back with our planned upgrades but not like it did you.

      I know what you mean about buying building supplies– and the sticker shock involved. It’s an eyeopener but after all the supply chain woes during 2020/2021 at least we were able to get what we needed for this deck.

      If you can find someone to build your addition I hope it is sooner rather than later. We had difficulties finding someone to do this job. Our deck is too small so a contractor can make more money building a huge one elsewhere.

      I’ll share photos when the deck is finished… of course I don’t know when that’ll be. 🙄

      Liked by 2 people

  3. I’m still waiting on Godot as well. We bought this house in April 2021 and immediately engaged the contractor who built this house 18 years ago. Reputable. Nice work. Expensive, but the only one during Covid who would commit to starting in the same year.
    May arrived and the old kitchen was gutted. Completely. For over a year, the house was uninhabitable, and the four-moth construction frame and budget expanded accordingly.
    As of now, my kitchen is 95 percent done (we moved in), there remains a problem with the vent fan; the company sent one much larger and without the remote control so I cannot reach the dial to turn it on without a ladder, no one noticed until it was installed and the plaster and tile work around it all finished. it also sounds like an airplane revving up. The side gas stove has not been leveled and no one thinks it’s their job to do it, the cabinet for my good dishes has not even been constructed, and my new front door is sitting in the barn, because all the carpenters left two months ago to finish a “special project” at a restaurant. Haven’t seen any of them since hunting season.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. I think your deck is going to be great (good things come to he who waits). We bought furniture during the pandemic and were on about the same timeline as yours for delivery. It arrived in bits and pieces, with the final bit last week.
    Otherwise, my Godot is retirement in 9 months. As another blogger I follow said to me, “the best promotion you’ll ever work for.” Have to be patient!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Lynette, thanks for the encouragement. The deck is being built, slowly, but that which I see is lovely.

      You just got the last piece of your furniture that you ordered that long ago? Yay that it arrived, but that is a long time to wait. Like the idea of retirement being a promotion. Very astute.

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  5. I’m not waiting to have anything done but, thought I would be. He-Man gave me a towel/blanket warmer for Christmas and the place I want it to live in my bathroom didn’t have an outlet so, He-Man started calling the electricians in the area, got bids straight-away and the following week the outlet was installed. We were surprised we were able to get it done so fast.
    I love that warmer!

    Your new deck is going to be great when finished. It’s already looking great. Is it cedar?
    You’ll be looking forward to summer evenings on the deck with a nice glass of somethin’, somethin’ watching the day come to a close, and the stars light up the sky before you know it!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deborah, I’m impressed that you got an electrician to come to your home within a week of a call. You are one lucky duck. We’re going to need one after the deck is finished because I want the old lights replaced with something modern to go with the snazzy deck.

      It’s not cedar, it’s Trex. Long story of how we ended up with Trex, but now that it’s here and I see it in person I’m pleased. Looking forward to summer evenings out there with my “nice glass of somethin’, somethin’”. 😊

      Liked by 2 people

      • I’m looking forward to seeing the whole thing complete with you guys out on the deck one evening with that glass of somethin’, somethin’. 😀

        Oh, I am waiting for a part for my car (Pearl)! I only thought about house related things.

        It’s annoying. A nation wide shortage on a trim piece. We have no idea when it will be in. In the meantime my car is missing a piece of trim. (My fault) Pearl isn’t happy about either she’s used to looking pretty.
        He-Man wasn’t best pleased either when I came in and told him I broke my car. 🤷‍♀️

        Liked by 1 person

  6. This brought painful backflashes. We replaced our deck last year. Contracted in December 2021 to start first week in April. It’s a two week job (or so the contractor said). He started end of April (already behind). I planned a memorial day picnic since that was a month out. Nope. It took 8 weeks to finish. I like the deck but he had a breakdown of some sort in the middle of it and eventually left the job with some finish work to be done (by yours truly). By fall the screws on the back of the stairs started to pop and we can’t get him to fix it. It’s not a terribly big job to fix but if we do it (which we can) we have to find long galvanized screws and figure out why the first ones didn’t stick. The good news for us is that we didn’t have to deal with snow. I’m surprised they agreed to do it in the winter. Our contractor wouldn’t even agree to start in March.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Kate, I’ve thought of you often as this deck mess has unfolded. I knew your project dragged on but I didn’t know about the problem with finish work and now the screws. It’s defeating, isn’t it?

      The deck building companies work year round here, cognizant of winter snow storms, but not really concerned about them. These men are out there today in the aftermath of the snow, doing their thing like no big deal. Now if you want any hardscape landscaping or concrete work done, that starts in March.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Wow! I’m impressed. At the last house we had our screened porch enlarged. Started in October through November, then they got a bigger project at a restaurant so our project sat until March. They figured we weren’t going to use it during the winter but forgot we had to navigate all the piles and mess in the driveway all winter long. Your contractors are keepers!

        Liked by 1 person

        • Welp, your scenario is a bummer. We’ve been negotiating the dumpster, port-o-let, and the trailer in our driveway for three weeks now and I’m over it. But you had to do so forever… 😵‍💫

          Liked by 1 person

  7. We put a deposit down on a custom garage door and opener on 10/7/22 . . . it is scheduled to be installed on 2/7/23. Fingers crossed.

    But we had lucky timing on our deck. The wood got delivered a few days before the country shut down for CoVid & BFF rebuilt the deck while everything was in lock down. Of course, we couldn’t have the “Grand Opening” party until much later due to the pandemic.

    Good luck with the finishing touches on Godot.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Nancy, you were very lucky with your timing for your deck project. I hope the same luck holds for your new garage door opener installation. You can only do what you can do when it comes to home improvements. I realize contractors have their problems, so I am trying to be patient about Godot… but am soooo tired of this deck situation.

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  8. Oh house remodeling, fixing broken stuff is all hard nowadays. People complained no job during pandemic and we have no people to do our jobs. We have a lot of pending projects too and the waiting is getting on us too.

    Liked by 2 people

    • ganga1996, yes, yes! You said it, the waiting is getting to me. We’ve many small things we want to do around the house and we’ll do them ourselves, but it’s the waiting around for other people to do things that has gotten on my last nerve. Just. build. a. deck.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Is that a screen porch next to the deck? That and a deck would be delightful. At least you have lots of time until spring? I’m trying to think if I know anyone who had any kind of construction or remodel ever finished when scheduled. I’m only coming up with one sister who had massive addition put on her house. The contract stated that the contractor got a bonus if the work was done early, but had to pay a daily penalty for every day the work ran late. Perhaps it will not surprise you to know that this is my lawyer sister.

    Liked by 2 people

    • AutumnAshbough, yes it’s a screened-in porch in excellent shape so it doesn’t need to be replaced. The flooring will be different on the deck than in the porch and I don’t care. Eclectic is nice.

      I’m laughing at the incentive your sister wrote into the contract. In our case, the pandemic/supply chain situation reduced the number of contractors who’d even consider our project. I fear a clause like the one you mentioned would have chased this one contractor away. They have the leverage right now.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Waiting for identical twin girls. My younger daughter’s. We expect they will comprise the grand finale to a full slate of grandchildren.

    The new deck we have, ours being only two and three feet high, on two manageable levels, which is not to say it was completed without fits and starts.

    Your new construction looks lovely.

    Liked by 2 people

    • kairosia, grandbaby twins on the way! Well that’ll be fun. That’s the kind of wait that can be enjoyed, more than getting a new deck.

      I’ve no illusions about home improvement projects going smoothly, but the unexpected snow did get me grumbling, loudly. Still, like you said, the new construction looks lovely.

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  11. Oh, that new deck is gonna be great! I’m so glad work has finally started on it, for you. It’ll be done in plenty of time for the good weather….er…won’t it? 🤞

    Me, I’m “waiting on a jet plane” to whisk me away later this week for some time with friends (in the snow first, then in the sun). With plenty of home improvement projects of my own, to come back to.

    Deb

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, oh I really, really hope it’s finished by spring and the warmer weather. I want to sit out there… soon.

      I know you’re about to go have some fun. I’m happy for you. I’m looking forward to your posts about your adventures out there in the world, doing grown-up things that don’t involve building contractors.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. We need to make some MUCH needed improvements, and I’ve been dragging my feet, because just the thought of dealing with something like this makes me have heart palpitations. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but not by much. My point being, I applaud your patience. And it really is turning out beautifully!!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Kendra, I sympathize with your reluctance to start any home improvement project because they never ever go as planned. And the burden of keeping projects going against the odds is tiring. I try not to dwell on what isn’t happening, but my patience is at an all-time low. I do admit that what I’m seeing so far is pretty, so fingers crossed this works out for the best.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. On the other hand, try running a business with supplies almost non-existent or hugely overpriced, fewer people spending discretionary dollars, and so on. And then there are the people who are slow to pay, or reluctant to pay at all. I’m mostly spared that, but I certainly can feel like Godot when waiting for certain checks.

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    • Linda, I know you’re right about the stresses of running a business like yours, like this deck company, and I am not complaining to them about any of the delays. Just spilling the beans here. I am a kind person who will pay on-time WHEN this is all finished. Soon, I am hoping…

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Looks like progress and progress is good. We currently have a very nice and careful contractor repairing all the holes in our walls and ceilings after being rescheduled due to Covid last week. I have to admit that I didn’t expect it to happen as fast as it did. Especially since we spent most of last year waiting for men to show up and do repairs. Good men are hard to find. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jenn, well said. This is progress and I am all for it, no need to be mired in the past when you can move forward. I’m impressed you found a contractor who was able to adapt to your unfortunate bout of Covid. That stupid virus has caused so much trouble, I say stating the obvious, but still feeling the need to state it. Love your last line!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I scrolled quickly to the almost-finished deck. Glad to see it. Brava, Ally!

    What am I waiting for? Time this morning to pull the trigger on the publishing files for My Checkered Life: A Marriage Memoir. A bunch of emotions right now. Stay tuned! 😀

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    • Marian, thanks for stopping by to gaze and comment. While getting a new deck built after all this time is important to our safety, publishing your latest book will be a big exciting step forward for you. You go girl

      Liked by 1 person

  17. My goodness, after reading all these tales of woe, I am feeling even more grateful for the small deck we had added to the front of our house in summer 2021. We arranged for it in May, and it was built in August–and we thought that was a long wait! It cost a small fortune because lumber prices were through the roof then, and we did have to have them come back to re-do some finish work. But they came back! Right away! And this in Portland, which many (including some of those who live here) like to think of as a city in chaos. We’ve also had good luck getting work done on our house in Louisiana this winter. New roof, new heating/cooling system, updated electrical stuff, with no real problems. Now I’m feeling that we’ve been spoiled.

    What I can tell you from our deck experience is that you won’t regret it! It is so nice to have a nice perch to be outside in. Your space looks like it will be lovely. I’ll be crossing my fingers for you that the rest of it goes smoothly.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Rita, I’m happy to read about your positive experiences while doing improvements in both houses. It’s encouraging. Here delays and long waits are the norm now. Just finding someone to build this deck took over a year, then we had to wait for supplies.

      I look forward to seeing how your Louisiana house turns out. I know your Portland house is beautiful. I could move in tomorrow.

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      • Oh, thank you! It’s snug, but we like cozy. 🙂 Reading your conversation with Dale, I am feeling so grateful to have a very handy husband.

        One thing I just don’t understand: Why is the experience so different in different parts of our country? I will say that we initially tried to go with a small contractor for our deck project, and we couldn’t even get anyone to return phone calls. They were all swamped, which made sense as vaccines had just become widely available and everyone was rushing to do things they hadn’t been able to for a year. Then we went with a long-established bigger business that only does decks and fences. I’m sure we paid a premium for that.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Well Coach Ally…you reminded me not that long ago that you, too, survived interior remodeling, inasmuch as it tested your patience, big time. Here’s another hurdle — almost literally – in the form of the deck project! Love the pics and the fab view you have from your soon-to-be-safe-to-sit-on-deck. We’re still dealing with the downstairs bathroom, laundry room and hallway re-do…and then on to the kitchen. I’m learning which contractors like hot tea, which prefer coffee and whaddaya know? They all like cookies! Anything to keep them in motion. Sugar? Caffeine? Yes! xoxoxo 😉

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    • Victoria, yes you’re right that last spring/summer I did survive having 2 bathrooms remodeled at the same time– and it was a mess. BUT I am glad we did it and keep reminding myself that a safe deck is worth waiting for.

      You sound like you’re making progress with your projects and I’m laughing about sugar being the constant variable among contractors. When we had this house built in ’99 I noticed that Mt. Dew was what kept the crews going, caffeine and sugar in one place.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. As a person living in the province of Quebec, I cannot even fathom having a deck rebuilt in January. Mine is hidden by a foot of snow. I wouldn’t be able to schedule one (if there were workers available) until April, at the earliest!
    Back when my husband was still of this world, and if something like this had happened, it would have been: OK. Call the troops and let’s get busy. He would have built it himself with his buddies. Can I tell you how much his dying costs me in general? Sigh…
    As I mentioned above to Dorothy, my remodel is 99.5% finished. Finally. Just a few items to be sorted out and that will happen, I am told, next week. I am going to put my big-girl pants on and put my art up by myself. Only one place scares the bejeesus out of me but how else to conquer our fears?
    Now? I’m waiting for my sofa, coffee table and end table which is scheduled for tomorrow. Course I had my guests over sans sofa on Saturday but hey… we like to hang in the kitchen anyway 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dale, last week we had two days with temps in the 60s, which is unusual, but happens often enough that outside builders will work in January/February. As it was explained to us, for many of these men some work outside in lousy weather is better than months of no work. Tomorrow another large snowstorm is predicted so I don’t suppose they’ll be here.

      I get angsty about putting art up on the wall. I understand your concern. I also understand how not having your husband around to help/build would be difficult. I’m sorry about that for you.

      You’re getting new furniture, too! That is on my dream list, but I’m not jealous about yours at all. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      • Which is amazing (weather, that is, even if it is caused by global warming – which we know is false… 😉 ) I do understand the workers needing to work, despite the weather. Have to put food on the table.

        I hear you. Mick was so damn good at all of that. He redid, including the putting up of a wall and the making of our cabinets for our kitchen in our first home together; redid the bathroom, rebuilt the deck, the shed… sigh.

        I went all out. New kitchen appliances, dining table and chairs. (My old table was just too big). and, when I realised that my sofa was just too big too, decided on a whim to get a smaller two-seater. 😀

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        • I figure our warm days are directly tied to global warming, as was our excessively wet summer. While I enjoy 60s in January, it is unnerving, too.

          Mick sounds like a great useful guy. The ability to do what he did is almost a lost skill. I adore Z-D but that’s outside his wheelhouse.

          A few years ago we bought a smaller sofa for our TV room and haven’t regretted it. Sometimes the scale of smaller furniture makes the room seem bigger and more inviting. I bet you’ll like your new two-seater.

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          • They are. I was talking about back in the 70’s when we used to have snowmobiles. We were able to leave right from home, cross the street and then go along the railroad tracks until we reached the field that led us to trails. Now? Never could we do that. We would have to put them on a trailer and drive for a couple of hours…

            He was very hands-on. I dated a guy who was pretty useful with tools but that was it 😉

            I am already picturing myself lying on it with my feet tow)ards the fireplace, while I indulge in reading a book! (Gosh, I hope I fit… I can’t remember having ordered it before Christmas!

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  20. This is a lenghty wait. I do think it will be beautiful when it is finished. The new deck parts shown look great and sturdy. I’m surpried they are doing this in January in the midwest.

    We have had our trials with terrible contractors. Our addition/new kitchen was such a frustrating, eye opening experience, which included a horrible contractor taking $5,000 from us and then ghosting us. My blood boils when I think about it, especially when I drive past his business that is STILL running. Mind blowing.

    The handle broke off of our freezer at least 6 months ago. Our appliances are cabinet ready – so they don’t look like appliances but like cabinets, so the handle is a cabinet handle. Well, our tower fridge/freezer have some serious suction and the freezer handle broke off. I don’t even know who to call. I’m going to add it to my list today though. Good thing we are tall people, because we have to reach to the top of the tower to grab the top of the door and yank it open. Many a fingernail hae been broken, I tell you. MANY.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Ernie, our winters have warm days mixed in among the icy ones, so building goes on year round. That being said, landscapers and concrete companies don’t work in Jan/Feb, starting work in March.

      I remember your experience with the horrible contractor who ghosted. That’s beyond infuriating, especially if he’s still in business. How can that happen?

      We’ve never had cabinets for our appliances. It’s interesting in a lousy way about what went wrong. I’ve never thought about the handle thing being an issue, but of course it is. No advice about how you get that fixed. We’re dealing with a burned out light above the cooktop that needs to be replaced BUT you have to take the whole exhaust fan/ light apart to replace one stinking bulb. Z-D is not happy.

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  21. At last, your deck seems to be coming along nicely in spite of the delays! It will make a great setting for the coming summer evenings, I’m sure. We’re trying to wait patiently for our condo’s turn to have our deteriorating wooden balcony replaced… (I don’t have much hope for this summer.)

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    • Barbara, I hope you get your new balcony soon. It’s awful to see the wood deterioration outside your door, that’s what we’ve been looking at for years now. I like how the new deck looks, but the snow out of nowhere did slow things down even more than the late start date.

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  22. Oh my word. What an ordeal!!! A friend had a crazy situation with her kitch remodel with countless, almost pointless delays. And my brother’s dishwasher, ordered through the company, had a weird crazy journey before finally arriving at their house at least six weeks late. I’m not sure what’s going on with these weird delays.

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    • L. Marie, I can’t decide if I think the delays you mention and we experienced are legitimate or if after our years of covid restrictions and supply chair woes we’re being played. Nonetheless the deck is finally being built and I am pleased.

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  23. I feel your pain on trying to find reliable contractors, then to have them do the work on-time. However, it looks like lots of progress is being made! It’s January and you won’t be using the deck for a while, so that’s a positive. By the time the nice weather rolls around it will be finished, and you’ll be sitting out there with a cool drink and a book. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, that’s how I see things happening, too. Get this darned thing built now, then run out there the first warm day of spring. Heaven knows I’ve been waiting long enough so I will appreciate it when it’s finished.

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  25. Oh you always make me smile, Ally Bean! I see some progress here, but I totally relate to your Godot reference. (By the way, I’ve read that play a couple times and couldn’t wait for it to be over.) We are waiting to have our basement overhauled…

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    • Barbara, I read excerpts of the play back when I was in college, but never the whole thing. The quote is one of those well-known tropes that seemed appropriate to the deck situation. I’ve never had a basement finished, that sounds very involved. Good luck.

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  26. I’m waiting in the lobby of a fancy car dealership while our car gets treated to a spa day. At least, that’s how I’m interpreting what’s happening when they keep bringing out pieces of my car to tell me that it needs to be replaced. You know who doesn’t show me dirty old air filters? The local Valvoline drive through oil change place. My car better drive like its brand new after this.

    Yay! You will get a new a deck and safe stairs! It WILL happen. I will it so!

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    • NGS, you’ve made me laugh out loud. Funny how the fancy car dealerships always know what is wrong with your car, long before you do. And it just happens to cost quite a bit to solve this new problem. Fingers crossed your car works better than brand new when you finally escape the car day spa.

      I appreciate you willing our deck to be completed. I’m sure it’s what’ll make it happen toot sweet.

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  27. Once they go going things moved fast, which is all relative today with contracted work, but at least the decking won’t collapse. I love the hazard sign on the partially non-existent stairs yet the entire edge is open to anyone wanting to dive off! Scenes like this make me happy I don’t own a home anymore Ally Bean. As to what I’m waiting for: a pair of black jeans I ordered online, yes without trying them on but a brand I like and wear anyway. Was just told they are coming 2 days early so YIPPEE!

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    • Deb, I’m focusing on how wonderful it’ll be to have a sturdy deck again. I haven’t gone out to walk on any portion of the new deck yet because too many bits are missing, but the men working on the project walk around like no big deal.

      I hope your black jeans arrive quickly and they fit. Z-D has been trying to get a pair of black jeans for months, but they never ship when they say they will. He’s given up entirely.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Well that’s disheartening for Z-D. I hate to admit it but I found these on Amazon and for a not ridiculous price in a brand I know. I let all that outweigh my growing dislike of Amazon itself. I clearly have little control when it comes to getting something I really have to have! 😉

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  29. Oh gosh, Ally, this kind of thing makes me mental. Delays, delays, delays! Arrrrghhhhh. But on the upside, it’s going to be gorgeous and HOW BEAUTIFUL IS YOUR YARD!!! With that hill and the trees! It’s going to be lovely and as soon as that snow melts and they can finish the job, it will be glorious.
    What am I waiting for? Not Godot. Nor a deck fix. I guess I’m waiting for the dryer to finish so I can put the sheets back on the bed? Not the most exciting wait but it’s all I’ve got today.

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    • Nicole, you said it: “Delays, delays, delays! Arrrrghhhhh” I know that we’re making progress with this deck, and that which is finished looks great, but I’m also tired of this major expense hanging over my head. I know we’ll enjoy the deck once it’s here, especially come spring.

      We all wait for that which we need to wait for. That sounds like a Zen koan but my point is waiting for the dryer to dry sheets isn’t a bad situation. Enjoy tonight’s sleep in clean sheets.

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  30. No caution tape? That looks highly dangerous! We replaced our deck soon after we moved in, so maybe 2013-14 and even in April, there were weather delays.

    I know exactly how you felt, with all that research leading to only one ‘choice’ in the end. It’s rather crazy how our world that we seem to have unlimited access to has shrunk. Here’s to a nice summer enjoying your new deck.

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    • Bijoux, there was caution tape BUT the unexpected 5″ of snow arrived with high winds and most of the tape blew off, ending up in a pile in a frozen heap in the yard below.

      You said it! I did copious amounts of research in anticipation of having this deck built. However once we realized we had one *choice* for who’d build it, we also accepted that they use Trex & only Trex. Suddenly we decided Trex was the bomb. 🙄

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  31. I’m amazed a contractor would even start a deck project in the winter. That would never happen here. Glad your seeing some progress though. My list of waiting fors is long and never ending. New flooring, new bathroom, new driveway, new roof, new porch, new furniture. Sigh. I probably won’t live that long…

    Liked by 2 people

    • River, it’s how they do things around here. Always has been. Of course everyone involved understands that there could be snow delays, but even then outdoor projects move forward.

      YOU’VE SAID EXACTLY WHAT I SAID TO MY HUSBAND YESTERDAY. I have a long list of things to upgrade/fix and have to wonder if I’ll live long enough, or dodge dementia long enough, to see them through.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. My husband is pretty handy so we tend to do these jobs ourselves (“we” because although my husband is the handy one, I always get roped into the job). We rebuilt our deck during the pandemic too. It took WAY longer then first estimated, but we only have ourselves to blame. The good news is that, once your deck is finished, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy it… and soon the pain of waiting will be – more or less – forgotten.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janis, I remember you two building your deck. I’m in awe of how you took on the project and reigned victorious in the end. You’re right that once this project is history I’ll forget about the angsty part of it and just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

      Like

  33. That is a long wait for a deck. You will appreciate it all the more? Isn’t that what I’m supposed to say?
    We have no major renovations going on, so . . . I had to wait 40 minutes for a bus this morning?
    Jumpins’, is my life boring. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  35. My son has had ambiguous stomach pain and nausea for several months. We’ve ruled out major issues through a whole battery of tests (Hallelujah), but everything we’ve tried/doctor’s have suggested is NOT working. We’ve tried medications and dietary changes and just about everything else we can think of. He was feeling better for a few weeks and then BAM – this past weekend took another turn for the worse.
    He’s functionally able to get through the days okay, but he’s up constantly at night and has been home from school all week with this relapse. And I’m slowly losing my mind trying every suggestion and remedy. Sigh.
    SO I’M WAITING FOR ANSWERS. Or, what is more likely to happen, it will slowly resolve on it’s own.

    Having had ongoing renovations for five years at my house, I feel your pain! It eventually gets done, but the waiting can seem like an eternity. But the decking that is complete looks great, and I bet you’ll be thrilled with the end result.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Elisabeth, I’m sorry to learn about what you’re waiting for because it sounds just plain lousy. The poor kid– and you trying to help him feel better. Stomach problems are one of those wonky things, every body is so different. I’d find your kind of waiting worse than waiting for a deck.

      We’ve had lots of things improved in this house so it some ways it’s just another project. My mind understands the time & process involved, but my heart wants it done NOW.

      Like

  36. Woohoo! It’s underway! That is an amazing feat, Ally! So glad you found someone to do the work. We don’t even have a deck or a hill and we’ve had tremendous trouble getting people to respond to our projects. Some day, I want to have a gas fireplace and painted trim. We’ll see if and when either happens!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, you know our problem then. Getting someone to call you back, let alone come to the house, then give a written estimate has been frustrating. At least now we’re on our way. Good luck with your fireplace. Ours is set up to be gas but we’re never bought the insert. Don’t know how that works.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Oh my. I have nothing to do but sit and count my blessings that life in my lane is well under control. You all are making me think I’ll think twice before deciding whether to redo a bathroom. Meanwhile, my sympathy goes to all who are suffering through the woes of undone construction.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. It is progress, maybe not at your tempo but still progress. I consider myself handy and enjoy a project. I’ve refurbed several decks. Enjoyed the fresh air, blood sweat and tears plus I now have a great collection of handyman toys. Good luck and maintain the patience.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Danny, if you can do projects yourself it’s great, but no way could we rebuild this deck. I bet your collection of handyman toys is nonpareil. Heaven knows the workers on this crew have enough tools and gadgets to build anything they might be asked to build.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Love your deck! Love your snow! And interestingly, your backyard looks kinda like our soon-to-be backyard. Then again, I’ve always said Wisconsin reminds me a lot of Ohio.

    Just let me know when the deckwarming party is and if I should bring a side dish, salad, or dessert.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Mark, I agree that Wisconsin and Ohio look similar. Probably why I like visiting WI, kind of like home but different.

      I’ll get back to you about what to bring to the party. I was thinking of making pitcher of sangria.

      Liked by 1 person

  41. 28 months?? That is nuts! Good for you for exercising your patience. If it was me, I’d find that little delay at the end (from Jan 3 to when they actually started) to be the most painful of all. It’s that last bump on the road that hurts the most!! But clearly you’ve endured to get a sweet new deck. Yay!

    Liked by 2 people

  43. Insanity, thy name is “contractor”? 😀

    Can’t wait to see the “after” photos! I remember the gorgeous photos-of-all-seasons from your back yard. How about photos-of-all-seasons of the deck? You may want to consider renting out the deck to a horror film director, with the snow on the steps, I can imagine a ghost, or a zombie or two climbing up those steps… Slowly but surely 🙂

    When we had to spruce up our fence, our favorite fence guy came back with a “summer, maybe spring” verdict :O (Our story had a happy ending due to a cancellation in his busy schedule, though nothing like the 28 months of your contractor!)

    Liked by 2 people

  44. It’ll be marvelous when it’s finally finished. We did our mudroom/sunroom addition in the middle of the pandemic and there were all sorts of delays, so I feel your pain. I waited 3 days for an KeySmart key organizer that was supposed to be overnight delivery. It finally came today.

    Liked by 2 people

  45. We ordered new roof tiles in April 2022 and they were installed in December because of a shortage of concrete. New windows should be two months from order to install, but I’m not holding my breath! Shortages of materials and labour are a problem for all trades in our area.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margy, your story rings true with me. We had some windows replaced a few years ago and while the new windows arrived in a couple of months, they were the wrong size. This was discovered after the old windows had been removed and destroyed. Thus we lived with wedged in wrong windows for a few more weeks because *miraculously* Pella was able to manufacture windows quickly. Funny how the wrong ones took months to make, but when forced Pella could do that. 🤨

      Liked by 1 person

  46. It’s a hard time to get anything done, but I’m hoping things will change soon. Your new deck looks wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing the railing. The snow will melt. The sun will come out. The work will be done. This is the NewRobin, the one that is almost positive about life.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Robin, hello NewRobin! You are definitely projecting positive vibes this way and I appreciate it. The deck will be finished, there will be steps and a railing system, and I shall fret no more about this project… eventually…

      Like

  47. Just read your original post (written before I knew you as a blogger) SCARY stuff! Glad he was not hurt. could have been bad…very bad. As a deck builder myself, I enjoy seeing the progress photos. There really are so many options when it comes to building decks as you alluded to. They can be a little tricky to bid, until the homeowner knows exactly what type of railing system (and flooring) they want. I was telling someone again this morning, if I have to chase after someone for a bid, that tells me a lot. Just picking up the phone when someone calls me, or returning a call, puts me head and shoulders above much of my competition. I don’t know what it is, why people in the trades (carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc) have such a hard time telling someone they are too busy.

    Liked by 2 people

    • DM, yes when the stairs gave way Z-D could have been hurt, but he jumped and landed soundly. The look on his face was one for the ages. He was completely shocked. I mean, so was I, but I didn’t have to jump to safety.

      You’re right that by answering the phone when someone calls, you show a level of professionalism that seems to be rare. Good point about why tradespeople won’t tell you they’re too busy to take on your project. That I’d understand, but all this stringing people along, “we’ll be in touch” but never are, that’s off-putting.

      Liked by 1 person

  48. Love your title Ally! And I’m really liking the look of the new deck in that second last picture. I’m surprised that they would even work in January? I suppose the weather has been mild enough so far, but the snow….yea….and maybe more on the way. I’m not waiting for anything, other than for the pandemic to end…..I’ve managed to dodge Covid so far but know more and more people getting sick. I gave up on renovating for now.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Joni, the first two weeks of January were unusually warm so it makes sense that the project started. Now, however, we have snow and more normal cold January weather, so we’ll see how this plays out.

      I like your idea that you’re waiting for the pandemic to end. Me too. We’ve not gotten Covid either, but many people seem to be ignoring it entirely and I have to wonder/worry where that’s going to take us. More Covid on the horizon?

      Liked by 1 person

      • I think a lot of people just figure they are going to get COVID eventually so why bother being careful anymore. While that may be the case, I still don’t want it, as I worry about the long term effects. I was thinking that you had already finished your deck, it seems so long ago that you first posted about it! There’s at least a foot of snow out there this morning…and it’s coming down heavy.

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        • I imagine you’re right about how people are reasoning about Covid. I’m with you, I don’t want and definitely don’t want any long term effects from it. I’m a doctor’s daughter so I’m inclined to err on the side of caution when it comes to easily transmittable diseases.

          We’ve been trying to get our deck built but have been thwarted by contractors who were’t interested in the job. The weather prediction here was for 4 inches of snow today, instead we got sleet and rain. No work on the deck today.

          Liked by 1 person

  49. I’m not waiting for anything. For the past ten days I was waiting to get the IV tube out of my arm. Yesterday the nurse pulled it out. So I’m fine. That’s what I was waiting for. (I had a respiratory infection that required a special kind of antibiotic.)

    Your deck is going to look great. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product. I suspect you’ll appreciate more for having had to wait.

    Liked by 2 people

  50. Yay for the win of slow and steady progress to the finish line soon! I’m waiting for the snow in our driveway to melt…and the arrival of more snow today and the day after that. THANK goodness for 4-wheel drive vehicles. I’m excited to see your photos of the deck. Are those composite boards for the surface? I’ve heard good and bad reviews on the decking as it can get very hot. Our deck needs TLC too – it’s over 30 years old and we need to desperately get it painted or stained, but first the removal of the stain that was to last for decades that didn’t last 3 years. It has started to peel off, but not all of it. It’s very unattractive IMHO. Lumber in our has been quite scarce, as well as expensive, so we haven’t even thought about price quotes for replacement. We’ll be doing a revival of our retaining wall, aka, redo this summer. But first… there are white layers of snow to cover all flaws and allow us time to dream and plan. 🤣😂😁

    Liked by 2 people

    • Shelley, you’re right that this deck project is one of slow and steady progress. The boards you see are Trex, a composite decking material. I know I’ve heard there are issues with how hot it can get in direct sunlight, but it is what this company uses and seeing how this is the only company we could find to do the work, we went with Trex. 🤷‍♀️

      We had that allegedly super duper long-lasting stain on our wood deck, too. I don’t know that it did much of anything other than cost a lot of money. The company that sold us on the idea is long out of business.

      We had a retaining wall replaced a few summers ago. It looks nice and was worth the cost as will the deck be when it is completed. I’m nothing if not shallow when it comes to home improvements. Sure, make it sturdy but also make it pretty, sayeth I.

      Good luck with your snow. We’re getting sleet/ice today rather than snow. It’s a day to stay home.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Oh, Ally, my head was nodding as I read your reply. Our friends who have the Trex love the washability of it. It definitely doesn’t have the stain that fails factor! I would’ve made the same choice.
        I LOVE this line, “Sure, make it sturdy but also make it pretty.” 😍🥰😊 I’d add now that we’re not as in love with DIY projects to save $ not time, I’m guessing our retaining wall project may involve some younger folks who enjoy all the aches and pains. 😏
        We got enough new snow yesterday to remind us of our age and preferred limitations to making our muscles hurt all in the name of “I’ll do it myself!” 😣😫

        I wish you much joy as the project completes and the finished product is revealed for us here so we can congratulate you!

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        • You know, and I’m sure you do, that there is no joy in staining a deck, especially one up as high has ours is. We did it many times. Trex used to be significantly more expensive than real wood, but now the price is about the same.

          As for the retaining wall, the one that was there was removed and replaced with a new one made from limestone indigenous to this region. Didn’t cost much more to use the limestone and it blends perfectly with the flora and fauna of the land.

          In the long run we’re hoping that thees upgrades to the property will translate into a higher resale value when the time comes to sell the house. In the meantime we’ll enjoy the pretty.

          Liked by 1 person

  51. I’m waiting for the snow to stop, at least for a few days so we can rest up, and the snow can melt from the branches and not bring more down. Not happening. 🙂 We’ve gotten about 18″ of snow this month so far, and this evening we have 1-4″ more. It has all been heavy wet snow, the kind kids love for snowmen. That is if kids played outside anymore. 🙂 Your deck is sure looking good, and I know it will be a beauty when it is done.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy, you experience the kind and depths of snow that I remember from my childhood. This region doesn’t often get huge amounts of snow, just a few inches now and then. In this subdivision kids play outside and there are many snowmen to prove it. Thanks for your encouraging thoughts about the finished deck– and boy don’t I love the idea of finished. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  52. After my plumbing fiasco three years ago, and having to get all of my electrical outlets replaced last Fall (both at considerable expense), I’m just waiting for things to no longer need fixing. And I’m sure the waiting will be in vain….

    Liked by 2 people

    • evilsquirrel13, yep, I hear ‘ya. I, too, want to no longer be waiting on home repairs, but I’m a realist and know they never end… until you give up on home ownership, I suppose.

      Like

  54. Oh, your new deck will be wonderful. Better it takes Forever now than in, say, June when you want to be out there on it.

    My personal Godot is my furnace inducer motor, which I’ve been waiting for since before Christmas. The old one is still making the peevish whiny noise, and I’m OVER IT. We are past “mid January” when they told us it would be in. The noise is driving me batty.

    Liked by 2 people

    • nance, excellent point. And along those same lines, it better damned well be finished by June. 🤨

      I’m sorry that you are waiting for your furnace to be repaired. Noises from machines that should be quiet are the worst. You know your electric coffeemaker will hiss when it brews which is okay, BUT there should not be any whiny noises from a furnace. Hoping your motor arrives today.

      Like

  55. Have you heard that old saying, “These things were sent to try us?” Well that applies to every construction project that has ever been done anywhere. Sometimes I think all the stalling is to make sure that we’re so grateful when the project is finally completed we won’t point out any imperfections or problems…..

    Liked by 2 people

    • Ann, you’re a shrewd woman with that observation. Yep, I think you could be right, by the time this ends I’ll be so tired of this whole project I won’t look closely to find any mistakes. 😐

      Liked by 1 person

  56. Well congratulations on surviving disintegrating deck without bodily harm. I don’t have a dangerous deck but I do have a scary trip of grass by my garage. It reached out and tripped me, which caused me to run into my house with my face on my birthday. I am currently waiting for my body to finish healing.

    Liked by 1 person

  57. Oh my goodness! At least the finished product of Godot is going to look beautiful!

    For me, I’m waiting for the new company that I’m going to be working for to send me the onboarding paperwork. I start February 7th (on my birthday), so I know it’s a while away. I’m thinking they will send it later this week or early next week

    Liked by 1 person

  58. Ally, I get that waiting for Godot must be very frustrating. Our recent home “improvement” thingy is…after our kitchen faucet assembly up and decided to retire last week and we had a new one installed, now the sink’s garbage disposal has gotten wind of the faucet’s decision and wants to punch out as well. Since everything always happens in three’s here, we are now not-so-patiently waiting for the third appliance to decide its working days are over and then we’ll set about fixing all three.🛠

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bruce, our kitchen faucet bugged out a few years ago, too. Soon thereafter, and I really don’t want to tell you this but, our oven and cooktop stopped working well enough to be called useful. We replaced them during the pandemic dealing with supply chain woes BUT we got them eventually. May your oven and cooktop NOT give up the ghost. You have no idea how much that costs.

      Liked by 1 person

  59. A fence … my kingdom for a fence! But your situation is much worse than others since we have not been waiting as long … and we don’t have to worry about snow (although tornadoes and rain and wind can mess up a schedule). I reassure myself that at least we’re getting to “float” the costs since we won’t pay the fencer until the work is complete. Given that we recently had to pay off the hardscaper and floor people, waiting for the fence isn’t a bad thing 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  60. Ally, I know it’s late and annoying, but it will be so sturdy and needed. Soon Gadot, soon.
    It looks like you are using some of the new-fangled products that will last a long time; woot woot.
    Well, almost 2 years later and I still have unfinished projects in my house from when we redid flooring and my laundry room. I can only blame my very busy husband, so I will wait patiently.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Suz, I like your take on this deck project. I am trying to be patient. Yep, we’re using Trex for this new deck so that we’ll never have to stain one again. I’m sorry your home improvement projects are stalled, but at least you know who’ll be doing the work… once he gets to it.

      Liked by 1 person

  65. We have to replace the roof on our house prior to July 24th to keep our insurance company from cancelling our policy.🙄 I know it has to be done but we’re dragging our feet on shelling out $10K for the new roof.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, we had to replace our roof a few years ago and while it was expensive I’ll admit that I like knowing it’s up there and protecting us. It seems like a more *fun* investment than say a new water heater or furnace. Those are the ones that make me snarl.

      Liked by 1 person

  66. Pokey is as pokey does … I remember when the incident occurred and waiting for the materials hung up in the supply chain. Well, the guys arrived early that morning to deliver deck supplies, now thwarted by the most-recent snowfall, now likely needing the orange netting like they use to cordon off large areas at parks to ensure no one, even the local squirrels and bunnies go near.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, you got that right about pokey. We’ve been wondering about how the squirrels are coping with this mess. They use our deck as part of a freeway system from the trees in front of the house to the forest behind the house– and vice versa. I bet their daily commutes are a lot longer now, what with roadway construction. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  68. WOW! I’m so glad that it is finally coming together! Hard to believe it’s been almost 3 years since you started the process, and it’s only now getting done. Your house is on quite a hill! I think you are going to love having it this summer. I’m picturing you sitting out there with an iced tea and your computer, doing some blogging. Maybe with a cocktail and ZD, watching nature in the wooded area behind your house. Between your bathroom and the deck, you’re giving the local contracted economy a boost! They should thank you in their newsletter.

    Liked by 2 people

    • J, YES THEY SHOULD THANK US. This has been quite a year for home improvements around here. The plan, pre-Covid, was to do these projects two years apart [’20 then ’22] but we didn’t have that luxury so we did all of it in less than one year. So much for plans, eh?

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  69. I have a 12ft x 30ft roll of sheet vinyl floor in my family room waiting to be installed. I decided to rip out carpet when I found out I was pregnant. In May 2021. My kid just turned a year old. 🫣

    Liked by 1 person

    • Chelsea, I’m smiling here. Your waiting sounds familiar to me. It’s not making the decision to do something that is the hardest thing, it’s the waiting for it to happen. Good luck with your new floor… whenever you happen to get it.

      Liked by 1 person

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  71. When you’ve waited as long as you have for things to start, I can imagine your impatience to get it all done & dusted. Keeping everything crossed that day comes soon and you can be out there, on your deck – whatever the weather – enjoying a glass of wine/cup of tea or coffee/cocktail – and safely enjoying the view.

    What I’ve been waiting for in the past few weeks are:
    – a working mobile phone (working through the various potential problems took 3 weeks to resolve AND I have no landline)
    – a working CPAP machine (which took 20 disturbed nights of sleep, multiple phone calls and many trips to collect replacement parts to resolve)

    I have a number of other tech (and non-tech) issues which need resolving, and now I can get back to that particular to-do list once more. My cup runneth over I tell ya 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, you’re right, of course. I know it’ll be finished this week, weather permitting. But I want to live on it, not imagine living on it, so I am impatient.

      I’m sorry to read about your phone issue. I don’t like the little buggers but I realize I need one to survive so I can understand how not having a reliable one would be frustrating. Does anyone have a landline anymore?

      Don’t know a thing about CAP machine but have no doubt there are many parts involved and replacing them would be like getting your ducks in a row. Nary impossible.

      Liked by 1 person

  73. Your nine vertical feet look more like fifteen from your photos, Ally. That deck is UP there! At least it appears you’re just a railing and steps away from the finished product.

    As for “waiting for”, let’s just say I’m relieved Godot hasn’t shown up yet. I was waiting for the inevitable violence associated with protests tied to the recent “incident” in Memphis. So far, mercifully, it’s been peaceful gatherings throughout the land. Let’s hope what I’m waiting for never arrives…

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dave, the crew is making good progress on the deck today. The snow has melted and they’re very focused on getting this job done. I’d guess they get paid a bonus for finishing within a certain timeframe.

      I’m with you in that I hope the violent protests don’t happen, but I understand the horror and frustration. Things have to change so that all Americans feel safe and protected by the police forces we pay for.

      Liked by 1 person

    • San, our old deck was a problem from the beginning, long before the stairs gave way a couple of years ago. Now that we’re on our way to a new one, I can barely contain myself.

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