Insurance only covered up to a certain dollar amount. We're going to be way out of pocket to replace all of the damage.

Invest in a sub pump...

Discount no.. extention to pay yes

posted by justincredible

Insurance only covered up to a certain dollar amount. We're going to be way out of pocket to replace all of the damage.

Doesnt sound right but I believe you have looked into all of that

We have a sump pump. That wasn't the issue, it works just fine. The waterproofing failed miserably, though not necessarily due to a poor system. Turns out, after three attempts to fix it, the issue was the city paved over the end of the drain pipe that ran to the road. It runs essentially to the edge of the road, which leads me to believe our road has been widened significantly over the years since the waterproofing was installed in 1987. Due to the clog, water couldn't drain, so it was all coming back into the house. Since clearing the clog we've seen zero issues, though we're waiting until spring to reinstall flooring and make all other repairs.

posted by Ironman92

Doesnt sound right but I believe you have looked into all of that

It's right. Unfortunately.

Good ole' sovereign immunity 

Essentially, it was all a big giant fuckup, though not necessarily any individuals fault. But we're the ones stuck dealing with it.

On a completely unrelated note, the mandatory $12/year fee to post goes into effect on Dec 1.

Since the city covered up the end of your drain, wouldn't they have any part in this?

posted by CenterBHSFan

Since the city covered up the end of your drain, wouldn't they have any part in this?

The end of the pipe was essentially invisible, they would've had no idea it was there. We had no clue it was there. Like I said, it was installed in 1987. I think the roadway slowly encroached on it, and the ground around it slowly started to obscure it.

My plan is to dig out around it and take a sawzall to it to shorten it a foot or so so this doesn't happen again.

posted by CenterBHSFan

Since the city covered up the end of your drain, wouldn't they have any part in this?

This is what my "sovereign immunity" post referenced.  Would this principle apply?  Or am I off?

Well, you did have the use of the $3,300 for six months, and they did not (obviously because of their own negligence).  That will probably be their argument if you ask for a discount.  On the other hand, you can always say, “hey, we are the ones who brought the missed billing to your attention, and now you finally spring it on us just prior to the holidays …..so how about I send $2,800 and we call it even”.   Might work.

posted by justincredible

On a completely unrelated note, the mandatory $12/year fee to post goes into effect on Dec 1.

Way to ruin the weekend. 

posted by justincredible

Sure. My problem is that they are likely to want their money ASAP, even though they couldn't be bothered to send a bill in a reasonable amount of time. Any way you slice it, sending a bill 6 months after services were rendered, after screwing up once, and then assuring us a bill would be in the mail the following week, is ridiculous. I don't think trading a discount for prompt payment is an unreasonable ask, but it appears some do.

I’d ask for a discount. My response was saying you won’t get close to what you want. And if they say no, you’re kind of screwed (aside from making them work to get you to pay).

Honestly not sure why you would ask for a discount because it took them a long time to send a bill.  They still did the work and are entitled to be compensated for it.

Just because you forgot about it and now Christmas is upon us isn't their problem......

For me, a "win" would be to put it behind me. I'd cut them a check and forget that they even exist.

posted by wkfan

Just because you forgot about it and now Christmas is upon us isn't their problem......

But it is my problem that they forgot about it for almost 6 months.

posted by queencitybuckeye

For me, a "win" would be to put it behind me. I'd cut them a check and forget that they even exist.

This is my likely course of action, but it's still a super frustrating situation. In the end they'll get their money and a couple bad reviews.

A few years ago I had an old landlord that only accepted rent by check.  He once forgot about a check and deposited 5 months later.  I was not happy. 

In the end, the only reason they'll likely get paid is because we called out their initial incompetence in not sending the bill after the first month. Had they called us this week requesting access to our basement to remeasure, could we have just said nah?

posted by justincredible

In the end, the only reason they'll likely get paid is because we called out their initial incompetence in not sending the bill after the first month. Had they called us this week requesting access to our basement to remeasure, could we have just said nah?

I would say "No, you already did this." 

posted by justincredible

This is my likely course of action, but it's still a super frustrating situation. In the end they'll get their money and a couple bad reviews.

I would sit on the bill until you are financially ready to pay it.  Or budget and pay it off within 6 months.  I would not pay it all off up front, no way.

Hospitals move slow with billing as well....would you ask them for a discount?

posted by slingshot4ever

Hospitals move slow with billing as well....would you ask them for a discount?

I'd imagine the owner of the hospital wouldn't assure me the bill would be sent the following Monday, after fucking up once already and inconveniencing us to come back out to our house, and then wait 4 months. But, if they did, sure.

They just called my wife and left a message asking us when we plan to send payment. No apology for the delay. 

I know, I know, I'm not entitled to an apology. I won't request one.