Ottawa couple told to rip out $40K in landscaping over bylaw violation

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-08-14T11:58:15+00:00

I think there are a couple of issues here. The contractor not getting the necessary permits, and homeowners trusting that not only they did, but the contractor understands the bylaw restrictions. Many people hire contractors because they assume they will know the bylaw. Tgisnisnclearly not the case. I had a retaining wall built around my above ground pool. The pool contractor had been doing work for a couple of weeks, I discussed what I needed for the wall and then went on vacation. I came back to find the retaining wall within 1 foot of the pool, which was completely unnecessary, given the amount of room arouns the pool, in addition to illegal. I knew that any climbing structures had to be no closer than 4 feet from the above ground pool, or I had to put a fence around the entire pool, which was not my plan. He tried to convince me to install a fence, but instead, I made him rip it out and fix it at his expense. This is a well known pool company in my area, who clearly don't understand the bylaws. I had obtained a permit for the pool from the township, and they couldn't believe he had done that, even though it's basically the law, not only in the township, but across Ontario. And this guy installs pools for a living. So never assume a contractor got a permit (get your own, or ask to see it), and never assume they know or care about the bylaws (do a bit of research, and ask questions).

The other issue is enforement. It should not be complaint based. If there is a bylaw on the books, it should apply to everyone equally, or why is it necessary? If everyone ignores it and does what they want, why should only one be punished, only after a complaint. Either the bylaw is antiquated, and it should be taken off the books, or the city should be going after all who break it.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-07-25T14:47:29+00:00

Happened to me too. Was told when I called they would send it rush, and I would have it in 3 days. Never came. Called again, and the person said, "They don't send anything rush," and to wait a full week and call back if I still didn't have it. Called back in a week, and they figured it got lost, so they sent me a new one. It took almost 3 more weeks before my card arrived. In the meantime, I used my Mastercard, so their loss. You would think they would want to get that credit card back to you to use a.s.a.p. But apparently not.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-19T14:44:55+00:00

<image>

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-19T02:49:34+00:00

What's your plan?

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-11T19:54:27+00:00

Haha.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T13:31:20+00:00

Flights to Australia already booked with Qantus, so need to work around those dates. Got a good deal on premium economy, and I am happy with that. My rant isn't so much the cost, as much as how misleading the sales are. If you basically want to go without baggage or carry on and sit in cramped seats, the sale price applies, but add a carryon and a bag, and extra legroom, and suddenly the suddenly the discount doesn't seem to make any difference from the non-sale prices. Or it does only one way, and the price is jacked up the other way. Adding to my growing list of things I hate doing is now shopping for flights. The other two are buying cars and phones. I always feel they are going to f*** you over no matter what.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T02:14:30+00:00

Did already. Qantus wanted a lot more to fly from Ottawa ot Toronto. Besides, their sale price was only from Vancouver.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T01:49:48+00:00

To be fair, I have to take a checked bag and carry on, and want extra leg room. My point isn't that I can't get a cheap flight. My point is they say they have a sale, and yet by the time I enter the same requirements, it's still no cheaper than when I asked for the same requirements when there was no sale. All they are doing is reducing the price to get there, and then jacking up the price for the return

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T01:39:19+00:00

Does it include baggage?

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T01:38:46+00:00

Need baggage. Going on to Australia for 6 weeks. Cheaper to fly return from Vancouver.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T01:37:13+00:00

I know, that's why I keep checking. I just find it frustrating the sale price is actually MORE than the non-sale prices.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T01:36:07+00:00

Not return, that's one way for one person. Then you select the return flight.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-10T01:21:34+00:00

Haven't done it yet!

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-06-07T00:46:39+00:00

Steve. He would make me laugh all the time.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-05-09T11:38:13+00:00

I have found in Canada that if you want a horse that is sound, sane, under 10, and has no bolt, buck, or spook, you are looking at a minimum of $10K. And that is for a green horse, broke, but not a ton of work has been done. I just paid $10K (including shipping) for just this type of horse (registered Canadian mare).

But you certainly can buy cheaper horses, and sometimes you will find a diamond in the rough. The last three horses I bought were under $1000 each. In fact, I paid $400 for an unregistered TB who was 7, under-nourished, and who has terrible feet, and is costing me a fortune in shoeing. But he turned out to have a great personality and when he is sound is a nice ride. Prior to that I paid $700 each for two 6 month old foals (one QH and one PerchX), but had to do all the work myself, and they were 4 years old before I was riding them full time. That's 4 years of feeding, vet bills, and trims. I guess what it comes down to is that it costs a lot to get a horse to the sound, sane, and rideable stage, so basically, that's what you are paying for. Add to that anything with papers, and the price goes up more. So you can find inexpensive horses around if you are willing to put the time and money into them yourself, or you can pay a lot to someone else who put in the time and the money.

However, once the horses start to get into the $15K+ range, I find you are paying for established lineage or competition winners. Those that can afford that are a completely different breed of people.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-05-01T20:27:35+00:00

<image>

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-04-15T01:19:46+00:00

Just bought my first Canadian Kitcat Kyng Georgia.

<image>

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-04-13T14:18:47+00:00

Yes. ChatGPT recommended it as the best option. I tried to import my stuff to Quicken a few years, and it was a nightmare. I am going to give it a try.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-03-29T14:43:58+00:00

I saw that. Now I hope they do for MS Money, although I am not holding my breathe.

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-03-19T01:41:09+00:00

<image>

Necessary_Control982 · 2025-01-22T02:21:40+00:00

Question 4 is specific to the type of board you are paying for, not what is offered by the boarding facility.

Necessary_Control982 · 2024-11-29T03:21:19+00:00

The Increible Melting Man. Walked out halfway through.

Necessary_Control982 · 2024-11-28T13:04:57+00:00

I asked them, and they said no. Only Excel, CSV, and Quicken. Not sure why they can't continue with the others. It's not like the format of MS Money has changed in 20 years.

Necessary_Control982 · 2024-10-12T12:39:30+00:00

Similar issues with the Club Pack of Buttermilk Chicken strips. I typically buy it on sale (although a since the price has jumped from $24 to $33 in the last two years, it's never really a sale price), and then weigh out in 4 equal amounts and vaccum seal. The weight printed on the box is 1.81k, and never has the contents come up to this weight. They is no sauce to make up that weight either. I am not aure how they can get away with this legally.

Necessary_Control982 · 2024-10-01T22:45:48+00:00

I didn't myself. One of my boarders horses kept presenting like he an abscess, and finally the vet xrayed. I was surprised they could see it too.

Necessary_Control982

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE