We’ve had our fence package on hand for a good while already. Unfortunately, we’ve had to wait for a little while, as we decided to get post holes dug, and therefore we had to wait on someone else’s schedule and not our own. You might say we should just do it ourselves, but the ground over here suuuuucks, hahaha! Its pure rock 😆 So, we’re hiring that disaster out.
Its ok that it took a while. There was a whole debacle, but long story short, we ordered half of our fence package, and when we went back to order the other half, our guy didn’t have the green treated wood anymore 😳 Did you know they’re phasing it out?? We did manage to find some, but it was a pretty significant effort and it cost more than we were originally getting it for. Teaches us for not being as organized as we should’ve been. All in all, though, we managed to get what we needed! We had someone help us get gravel as well, so when it came to post hole drilling time, we were ready! The kids were out on the deck, enthralled…
and Brady was on the ground, following behind with posts and judging everything being straight enough. (Don’t worry, they’re not set. Just in there.)
It was pretty cute and going according to plan. I decided to play it lazy and microwaved taquitos for the kids so they could stay outside and watch.
And then it SUPER wasn’t going according to plan anymore 😆😩
On this particular hole, the drill went down, and when it came back up, it had our lines hanging from the drill.
They cut our power and our internet line.
Whats done is done 🤷♀️ They continued to dig holes and I makeshifted the rest of supper out of fruit-to-gos and desserts 😬
Brady began calling our service providers and getting that up and organized. Our loving neighbour brought over some drinks and gave us her wifi password. We sipped our bevies and speculated what was to come.
The work was finished in quick time, and Brady and the contractor agreed on a price for the job. And they left. We put the kids to bed shortly thereafter, and then I went to pick up Subway from Martensville, because, no power. Can’t complain about a good excuse to get Subway!
SaskPower did eventually make an appearance. Three guys came in with shovels and dug down by hand to find the split wires. There were a few, they said. Apparently they were marked off by about 8” but the flags placed specified not to dig mechanically within a metre of them, so while they could’ve been more accurate in placing flags, they were covered by their disclaimer. The SaskPower guys also mentioned that the drill was dangerously close to hitting the gas line. THAT would’ve been a mess!!! But, the guys who came out to reconnect our power were great sports and got things done quickly. We had power back by 9:30pm.
Who is that weirdo taking a picture of our back alley? 🤔😆
I’ll admit that the evening was pretty unsettling. Brady received a call that indicated that the contractors we hired plan to try to put it on us. They said “It is your job as the homeowner to know where posts are allowed to be placed.” But it isn’t. Thats why we hired a professional!! We hired them to dig the holes. They could’ve dug them with shovels for all I care. Its not OUR fault they used a bobcat and a drill where they weren’t supposed to! Goodness. Around 10:30pm, Brady received a text from one of the workers, saying he was in our backyard taking pictures and wanted to speak to Brady again. Brady declined, which I think is more than fair. The guys pictures are just going to show he dug within a metre of the flags anyways, but 🤷♀️ His call.
SaskTel came out today to try and restore our internet, and was able to fix it temporarily, but they’ll be sending someone out another day to replace/repair the conduit. So, temporary lines are better than none, but still. Ugh.
We still have to get a hold of Access, because while we don’t use them ourselves, the Access line installed got nicked in the process. But we haven’t been able to get through to them yet.
Sooooo beware the tiger trap in our backyard! 🐯 There is a pallet overtop of a gaping hole that we have to leave open for all of the services to be repaired. Its SUCH a mess.
I don’t desire to throw any company under the bus, so I won’t name anyone, but man. This is NOT a fun thing to figure out. And I cannot believe they’re going to try and put the blame on us. Brady even asked the SaskPower guys working in the backyard and they said they had no leg to stand on, which is reassuring, but it doesn’t mean any of this will be fun.
New territory. Always. Wish us luck!