Ode to 8 point construction

It's not everyday that you feel you want to write a blog in praise of your contractors. Part of me worries that if I tell others about how great they are, word will get out and they will get busy and not have time for us. Ken and Henry from Eight Point Construction in Stone Ridge, NY came by yesterday to outline the costs for digging out and putting a concrete slab in the basement. They were really nice about it and although it was a little higher than we had anticipated they did what they could to minimize the cost, or rather maximize the value we got - i.e. use the excavator to remove trees, level ground and maybe (if we can get a permit) remove the beaver dam.

That evening we went for Dinner at Hasbrouck House and Ken was there with his wife. When we went to pay the bill, the waiter told us that our dinner had been taken care of by Ken Gore of Eight Point Construction. He had already left (we tend to be on a later dinner schedule than most of Ulster County) so there was no argument. This is just another example of how they do business. They are always professional, really interested in the project and always trying to help out in one way or another. They are polite, respectful and a pleasure to have around. How many people can say that about their contractors?

If they had a web site I'd link to it here...but they don't. This is Ulster County!

Comments

Paradox farm

If you wander along Springtown Road, past DeJoux House, you will see our mailbox opposite the front door. It's not especially distinguishable except it is rather large and sits on an old tree stump. It's a rusty old thing but it seems to have survived the snow plows and drunk drivers of Springtown Road. It has always bothered me that on the side of the mail box you can see the vague outline of the words "Paradox Farm" which was clearly a name that DeJoux House was more recently referred to. Occasionally when wondering the fields I would stumble across some incongruity and wonder if that was indeed the "paradox" that the farm was named after. Yesterday morning, for some unknown reason, I decided it was time to resolve the paradox. I sent a quick email to the previous owner June Finer to see if she knew anything of the Paradox Farm ghost on the side of the mailbox. This was her reply: once upon a time we, (myself and russell gilmore---my ex), met a...

Maria Deyo - a chilling tale

We arrived at the house this weekend to meet with the contractors who had poured concrete in the basement on Friday. When we arrived we found a family standing in front of the house taking pictures. Being the friendly types we are, we went over to chat. They told us they were on a haunted house tour and were looking at the house because their daughter had been talking about the ghost at our house for the last couple of days. She had bought a book called "Spooky Hudson Valley" and in it was the story of Maria Deyo and a tragic tale of a mother killing all three children and then killing herself. The family were wonderful and excited to be shown the house. They showed us the book and at the beginning of the story was a picture of our house. The book went on to say that Maria sent the men to the fields and then she slit her daughter's throat and the throat of her other two children...then killed herself. All this happened on September 13 th 1801. There was...

Inspiration for the future look

Daniel has found some wonderful reference materials for keeping the history and character yet not making it a museum. I love the big kitchen table plan for the kitchen inspired by Lutyens and some "behind the scenes" pictures of victorian kitchens. He also showed me some country houses from Axel Vervoordt that I really love. http://bit.ly/uX1eW Simple, authentic yet modern. We discussed putting a full length plate glass window in the old hay loft window on the end of the house. Wow. I can't wait.

DeJoux House

Search This Blog