You have my deepest sympathy. I’ve seen quite a bit of that. Many people think of construction “how hard could it be?” And while it isn’t exactly rocket science, it is really easy to screw up and then go on to put halfway good work over bad.

I do maintenance and small remodeling these days. A plumber associate referred me to an elderly widow with a large home in Orinda. It’s a tony suburb about 10 miles to the east of Berkeley/Oakland. The original home is not bad, but a bit odd. Concrete slab, living room and dining room are gigantic and not especially user-friendly. Huge brick courtyard in the back. A lot of square footage for only three bedrooms, one of which she uses for an office.

Her husband, who passed before I met her, built a rental unit above the garage, and partly above that end of the house. It’s not horrible, it does shed water, but OMG, so much weirdness and mediocre construction technique. It could’ve been pretty nice. The floorplan is weird and the kitchen not too appealing.

I’ve seen quite a bit of it - amateurs trying to save money and wasting it instead. Amazing how many people hate and fear building inspectors when such people could’ve been the best friend they ever had. I have run into a couple of dicks in that category, but more often the inspector provided useful and timely advice.

I know what you mean about making mistakes. Many times after I complete one leg of a project I see something that I could’ve done better, and easier, but I didn’t think of it in time. Drives me crazy. Often I wonder if I will ever do that particular task again, and hope that I will remember that lesson if I do.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K