A Little Progress on the Bathroom
Posted on March 25, 2009 - Filed Under Guatemala, Simple Life | 7 Comments
Thought I`d give you all a progress report on the bathroom.
The roof is done, of course:
This is my cool blue tub which I cannot WAIT to use! 
The toilet and sink are matching blue. And this is the wall tile:
Our floor tiles will be mottled light grey because there is no such thing as matching blue tiles for the floor.
It`s going slower than anticipated (surprise, surprise) and the builder is out after the tiles because he tried once again to raise his prices and I`m so over people trying to screw us over. I don`t care if his initial quote was higher, but you just don`t change things in the middle. Especially after you`ve WRITTEN IT DOWN! So now he says the installation fee was only for the toilet and the sink and it will be double to install the tub. Yeah. Thanks. Bye. We know it was for everything and though Irving just wants to finish the whole thing, I say it`s the principle of it all and refuse to pay the guy more to do what he said he would do for the original quote. What do you guys think? Would you just pay him the double price and let him think he`d gotten away with it AGAIN?
Oh, the other thing that irks me about this guy is that he keeps saying how “lucky” or “blessed” we are, as if the money just falls into our laps. He also doesn`t realize that we literally cannot afford to pay him this extra money if we still want to feed our children this month . . . everything was carefully budgeted. He just assumes that since I`m white and since Irving doesn`t appear to work (the builder is nearly always gone when Irving heads off to work a night gig, which most of his work is!) that we must be amazingly rich. As if we`d be living on the in-laws` property if we were. 
Also, he, like most Guatemalans who have 0 computer experience, doesn`t realize that when I`m sitting here at this little desk all day long, I`m actually working, not just playing games!
He does amazing work, but I`m tired of people thinking they can take advantage of us. Even if doing something about it means I don`t get my bathroom right away . . . anyone feel like doing some plumbing? 
Comments
7 Responses to “A Little Progress on the Bathroom”
Talk to Me, People!
yeah, I think people here think I am just playing on the computer all day, lol. Although I am for part of the time, thanks to twitter, reading blogs, etc.
I think we are moving to Panajachel within the next year! It’s not definite but we’re pretty sure.
You definetly shouldn’t pay him anymore, Gen. You have it in writing and he is just trying to take advantage. Your smart enough, you could probably do it yourself!
In civilised world, have it in writing is a valid and binding contract. Apparently not in a 3rd world country! (Hey, I come from one so I know what you’re saying. Of course, having a formidable father and a mum from the town’s famous family deters a lot of people.) You’ll just have to stand your ground and tell him you’re not gonna pay more. What is he gonna do, leave the work? I can tell you right now he doesn’t have a lot of business installing tub if that’s a luxury in that part of the town! Seriously, I admire you even dipping your toes into foreign waters…this would have been the death of me, or I’ll be inflicting it upon someone else.
Oh, next time have heaps of papers next to your computer and whenever anyone is around pretend to glance and shuffle your papers around, or scribble something while you’re on the ‘puter. It’ll seem like you’re working on something really massive! LOL
What a meanie! I can’t believe he is doing that to you guys. Maybe your MIL put him up to it… KIDDING!!! Seriously though, you shouldn’t pay him any more. I am sure he needs the work enough to give in. I’m sorry you’re dealing with stress like that.
No way. Tell him you’ll get someone else to do it, easier than he’ll get another such job. I love the blue!
Hey if you need help with some construction etc. I have tools and live in Guat City. I wouldn’t mind doing some work for you for a little $. I used to remodel homes in the USA before moving here. I know I won’t be getting an American wage, but it’s something to do, you sound nice, and I enjoy the work. Let me know.
Thanks for the offer, BJ. At the moment we aren´t doing much of anything, but I´ll let you know if we need help.