I KNOW MY JOB...............AHEM

So we had a basement flood last March 12/2011...the whole basement was gutted. Floors ripped up, lower walls all removed along with the insolation. Everything we had down there, was picked through, photographed, packed up and hauled away by ppl who specialize in doing all that for insurrance etc.
Finally, 3 months later, works begins to rebuild! We are thrilled! I am so excited to decorate it to my tastes. It was nice when we moved in, but the choices made ie; floors etc, were not what I would have chosen. Nor was the gas stove...So now is the time to make some changes....YAY!
The former gas stove is for sale...

We bought an insert gaz fireplace instead, to save alot of room and have a more sleek look....Below is our new fireplace, ready to have the wall built around it...


Now begins my interesting* experience....

Installer & sidekick come a cpl days prior to instalation. He measures out the closest he can put fireplace in the corner then puts a check on the wall....I then tell him, I am getting a mantel (from same store) because we are putting the flat screen above, and it's recommended to have a mantel to cut the heat from going directly to the tv etc...anyway, the mantel choices are 60" or 66" so I want him to measure 60" so I can then order the mantel to fit that. I don't mind coming out a few inches to do that...It will also make for abit more slate on this focal wall of the fireplace.

So he measures out the 60" and puts another check on the wall...photo below. We are all on the same page, he has made his mark, see u in a cpl days ....

Thursday ...I am downstairs talking to the forman/carpenter of the other team who have started working to put my basement back together when the fireplace installer arrives....
He starts to get his stuff together when I ask him..if he remembers our convo from 2 days ago....about measurements etc....when he replies..." I KNOW MY JOB"...as he is walking out to get stuff from the truck. So I safely assume he must....lol
After lot's of noise, inside and out, he seems to be wrapping up when I go downstairs to see the fireplace....Yup, all done, great job...but he is off by atleast 7 inches!...He comes along with is camera to document his installation...when I tell him...."Sir, you were supposed to make it for a 60" wall....He says, "I thought it was closest to the corner?" I reply....that was the 1st measurement...but don't you remember the 2 checks you made on the wall Yourself? The last one is the one we decided on....." I can tell he is frustrated but being as calm as he can, when he says, "Ok, I have to start all over" as he starts walking away....and I say " It's why I asked u in the beginning if u remembered our conversation of 2 days ago and u fired off I KNOW MY JOB...." .....................
He didn't say a word...I think it's because he was trying to keep calm AND knowing HE fucked up...
As he was getting his partner and tools, I spoke to my carpenter..asked if he will be able to cut the mantel to an angle so it will fit flush to the wall and actually fit more to my liking...He confirmed that he could...so when the guy came back, I saved him a cpl hrs of work ...told him I could deal with it...have mantel cut to fit flush...and he replys "Well yeah, it will look much better that way".....I just smiled , but thought....Dude, shut the fuck up...I just saved your ass...ARGHHHH
When Chris went to pick up the Mantel, he told the salesman the whole thing, so they would KNOW... He was sorry that happened and assured us that if I decide to change it , they would go back...I will wait and see if the carpenter can actually cut the mantel, because its partly hollow with metal inside it, and will take some special tools to cut it properly...So fingers crossed....
Just goes to show....u have to keep you eye on the ball even when working with Tradesmen who KNOW THEIR JOBS!!!