The Brackets

It can only be said that decisions create our future and therein lies this story.

When ordering a hanger one has to select a method to bolt the shed to the slab, and at the time the default option was chosen over other types that involved bolting the legs onto the top of a concrete slab. The default option is a cast in the bracket and at the time of signing the pen wavered, but assurance was given that if they were needed early, it would be so.

Looking back now one can genuinely see the implication of that decision - I shall explain. 

These brackets create a point of intersection for the commencement of the two primary tasks in the project - the poring of the slab and erection of the building. Nothing can proceed if these brackets are not available. The DA approved plans require the building inspector to site the brackets to approve the concrete pour - no brackets, no slab. If you chose a bolted connection the link is broken - get the picture - no - read on.

In early November the hanger was ordered from Maxi Sheds in Queensland with the brackets only a few weeks away - no worries. Mick had me back on schedule by erecting the form-work, and all looked good. On the 12th of November, I had mail and was asked for the $165 for the delivery  - a little more just pain for the card but its all good.

The rest will take another month to reveal itself but creates a trail of uncountable emails - telephone calls  - cancelled pours - anger and finally total mental meltdown and leaves the writer purchasing Valium in the party pack..!

By late November the site is shut down, but finally, Maxi Sheds supplies a consignment note number, the brackets are in Mudgee, it's just down the road from the Airport. The contractors off to the depot to find a bag of bolts - no brackets - more emails to Maxi Sheds. 

Moving this drama to the first week of December and Maxi Sheds emails me to say the shed will be delivered on the 5th, but the brackets are still MIA. By the 9th noshed - more Valium - more emails and one feels they are now a cast member in Ground Hog Day. 

The shed delivery is now the 10th with the brackets. Finally, the shed arrives with all the hardware, but later that day a phone call gives me the words I cannot bear to hear - "no brackets". More phone calls, emails and I now am actively seeking something stronger than Valium.

Next day Maxi Sheds rings to say the brackets are on a truck to be delivered that day, but the following day an email from Mick says - "no brackets" - I am now a broken man......!

The resulting phone call to Maxi Sheds is not fit to be written down anywhere, but it went something like "I want @##%^*# brackets" -  BANG....!  

My wife entered the fray and rang Maxi sheds to see if the brackets would ever be delivered while the writer sat in a corner mumbling and munching on assorted tablets.

Maxi Sheds rang back later in the day to explain that the courier did not deliver to the address specified and he decided to give it to another courier but did not check if they would deliver to the address specified, guess the answer. Finally, the new courier agreed to provide to the airport, and on the 12th of December, we have brackets.

The moral of the story - NEVER chose cast in brackets and never take the word of the supplier that they will deliver before the shed.

Mick from AYR Concreting rode in to save the day and will pour on Thursday the 19th - Legend.

Postscript: The writer is now doing well in rehab and will be released for the pour.