Construction Clutter – a.k.a. Pollution or ..?
23. Apr, 2007 
1 Comment
We are renovating … again! And while the prospect of our new look is very exciting, I am also very disappointed with the lack of general respect of our property by the sub-trades. Not all of them.
Most days, after they have left, I clean up empty cans, half empty cans, half eaten sandwiches, paper and plastic bags, paper coffee cups, old paint rollers, boxes, etc. etc. I don’t get it … we have an empty garbage bin right under their noses and yet they still choose to just throw things on our property! I ask myself … is this just lack of awareness, respect, or what?
Another gripe of mine during this process is the lack of concern about my plants. I have lost tulips that were about to bloom, iris, hellebores, daffodils, perennial geraniums, various grasses and who knows what else (their 2×4 planks are covering my flower bed, piled high!!) When I ask the fellas to please be careful around the plants they look at me as though I am crazy … is it too much to ask … just a little respect for these little plants just starting to emerge and show off their beautiful colours after a cold and miserable winter? I now have concrete renditions of most of these flowers!! Oh aching heart …
We didn’t choose to do this renovation … there is an underlying reason why the process started. If you are in our circle, you know the reason, but I won’t publish it here. Of course, once started, the “domino effect” kicks in and one tries to maximize the opportunity of actually finding anybody to do anything in this buoyant economy!!
Isn’t it time there was an education program aimed at construction workers regarding care of our environment? Shouldn’t they learn of the implications for everybody when they leave taps running, garbage strewn, materials dumped anywhere and plants covered with concrete! But then again … if I cannot make a difference in this one project (and I am here to remind them ..)what hope is there of changing attitudes and/or behaviour.
As with all things, it’s the minority that is the focus of my rant today. Overall, the guys are respectful and just want to do their jobs. However, for those of you who can identify with my words earlier in this post, please try to show some respect when you are on other people’s properties. We will be very grateful.
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Brenda, I know exactly what you’re saying. In my experience, it’s the same with a house-cleaning company, a painter or plumber from the rental office, or a carpet/rug cleaning company. It feels like shoddy workmanship is now the rule rather than the exception. Mediocrity rules. And then you think, “is it just me or others too feel the way I feel”. Painting that is done with little skill, or a caulking around the tub that looks quite shabby… After moving to my new home in New Jersey I hired a local cleaning company (never again, I thought, ten minutes after they were inside the apartment). My idea was to get the apartment cleaned thoroughly and professionally, and that I would take it from there for all future cleaning. Was I wrong! I asked the cleaning personnel if they had booties or some sort of a wrap to cover their shoes while they cleaned as I have a no-outdoor-shoes-inside policy because of all the dirt that shoes can bring in. I would not want any outdoor shoes in my bedroom where, say, a pillow could fall on the floor. After all, they were there to clean and how could they really clean and mop when the dirt from their own shoes would get relocated. Of course, they refused. Same with the rug cleaner who was on my Persian rug with his shoes on, and “no, sorry, we don’t take our shoes off”, that too a bit mockingly. I say, what is the point in cleaning when you are stomping on my rug and floor with shoes at the same time a cleaning session is going on? Hats off to Sleep Country Canada, though. Their staff would come in with booties if you so desire. They took care of my furniture and were extra careful of everything around them.