Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:55:41 -0400
From: James Fry
Subject: Update on Concrete Pipe Work (Pressing issues resolved, pipes still for sale).
Hello to all Chatlisters,
This post is to update you all about progress on a dilemma that I mentioned in a post a couple of months ago. The issue was that a logger had built a non-authorized bridge to our property, before cutting it indiscriminately, (also not part of the deal). The bridge, of course, washed out six months later, and we were left with 9 monster size pipes, (~ 8,560+ lbs each), getting plugged with debris and washing out stream banks. A notice of violation from DENR DWQ followed soon after, with orders to remove the pipes under penalty of a monster size fine.
We were not able to offset the cost of removal by finding a buyer for the pipes, and quotes for this work were quite expensive. However, when trying to pull together money to get the job done, I received a contact from chatlister Ken Vrana, for someone whom he highly recommended. I met with this individual, who goes by the name of Bobcat. He had some great ideas about how to do the job without needing one of the huge excavators that other bidders had said was necessary, and his bid was about $1,700 cheaper than the next lowest bidder. Also, he offered to re-grade and crown a totally washed out road, remove all of the old steel pipes, (which the loggers had discarded into the woods on both sides of the stream, and store the pipes on his property, all for the same price.
I’m always a little skeptical to go with the lowest bidder, but his ideas were sound, he had a good reference, and he didn’t even want to be paid until I was happy with the completed job. I gave him a shot, and he did a great job! He even got the additional work done within the same amount of time that others said it would take to simply remove the pipes. To boot, he said if and when he/we could find a buyer for the pipes, he would send me a check.
In summary, the pipes are out of the stream, the road is in much better condition than it was (and shouldn’t wash out any time soon. All of the scrap steel pipes are removed and given to a neighbor, which will do a final grading of the road with a box blade. The cost of removal was much less than initially estimated, and the pipes are still for sale, now in a more convenient location, (so let me know if anyone might want some concrete pipe for a good price).
I’m extremely happy with the work that Bobcat did and he was a pleasure to work with. I would be happy to pass his contact information to anyone needing similar types of work done. (No, advertisement was not part of the deal I made with Bobcat). Also, I’m quite thankful for Ken responding to my post with such helpful information, and also for the Chatlist, which made this all possible.
Sincerely,
James Fry