Editor,
Re: Completion questions for White Rock condo buyers, PAN, March 21
Alex Browne’s article about the Ishikawa’s dilemma resonates with a number of purchasers at the Soleil building. I am one and I know several others who are severely inconvenienced personally and financially with the longer than usual delay in completing the building.
Yes, RDG sold the pre-sale buyers with an August 2022 delivery; that was our 50th wedding anniversary so it meant something special to us; more than just a good looking building in a prime location. I’ve watched and photographed the construction almost every month since it began, visited the site frequently and struck up conversations with various contractors on the site.
Sure, I can tell you about concrete poured, ripped out and re-poured, lack of equipment on site, piecemeal and patchwork work, at least one unit with the wrong finishing that may have to be gutted and refitted.
Metro, the main contractor has had their fill of problems, shortage of labour and materials and availability of sub-contractors. RDG has had their fill of obstacles too, extra environmental work, re-design in some areas, difficult negotiations with utility providers would only be a few.
With the all the delays I couldn’t guess at the financial challenges for both the contractor and the developer; substantial.
The clients are having their challenges, too, and none of their own making that’s for sure. Several I know are in very difficult positions with interim accommodations.
We put many of our belongings in storage and ordered new furniture based on a promised Nov-Jan delivery of our unit. We have to prolong one storage contract and take on another for the new furniture as well.
Other clients have similar extra charges as well as a range of other increased costs.
Though I could recount any number of anecdotes and could paint both the developer and the main contractor at fault, these are less important that what really counts.
Just get the job done!
Bruce Riddick, South Surrey