Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy

Author:Richard Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

Green renovation was once viewed as a movement started by tree-hugging extremists who built houses out of old tires and drank rainwater out of recycled tuna fish cans. But now that people have discovered the financial benefits of conservation—usually the tipping point in any industry—a wealth of new products and technologies has been developed to meet the growing demand. Being a proponent of green, I am constantly forced to reeducate myself on these new advancements to implement them for clients looking to renovate on the cutting edge of this revolution.

Laura was not a Stealth—someone like Sally or Rebecca who incorporated green elements into their designs without advertising their decisions. Laura was what I call a greensleeve, a rare breed of people who renovate houses in mint condition just to be recognized as environmentalists, which in my opinion is both environmentally irresponsible and just flat-out crazy.

Before leaving, I would encourage Laura to cancel her remodeling plans and focus on conservation: solar tiles for the roof, a tankless water heater, a sprinkler system that uses gray water collected from the showers and sinks to water the yard. I would try and dissuade her from ripping out eighty-year-old floors just to replace them with salvaged materials that may have been taken out of another house where someone might have been suffering from the same condition. If my sales pitch proved ineffective, I would look her in the eye and tell her the truth about the stress she will have to endure if she gets pregnant during her renovation. Whatever it took, I would not go quietly.

But first, I would accept the beer she offered me at the conclusion of our tour.

Howard had retreated to the bosom of his reptile room, and Laura needed a glass of pinot grigio to wet her worn-out whistle. Who was I to let her drink alone? She did some of her best talking after a couple glasses of white, and I was under the impression she had one before I even got there. We reconvened out by the pool away from the gazebo where Howard’s rodents were indeed thawing in the sun. Laura wasted little time.

“So, before we talk about the house, you have to fill me in on Rebecca and Derrick. I can’t believe they’re still married. None of us thought it would last a year.”

“Why’s that?”

“You’ve seen them together. They’re totally wrong for each other. Not to mention all the rumors that were floating around at the time.”

“Rumors?”

“About how Derrick had a girlfriend when they got married, and Rebecca was just too desperate to see the signs. I personally thought she was really sweet, but when it came to guys, well . . .” Laura stopped to refuel. “You know how this town is. Rebecca didn’t exactly have the looks to compete, and it’s not like she was getting any younger. I think she saw Derrick as her last chance to land a husband. It’s so sad when a woman settles for less just because she wants kids.

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