Thank you for this cautionary (and beautifully written) tale. It’s one of the most useful posts I‘ve read on this sub in a long time. I too expect to need a new roof soon. An open-ended clause in the contract, to the effect of „we won’t know what we’re dealing with til we take the old roof off,“ is seemingly impossible to avoid. I guess the best one can do is try to deal with a company that has a reputation for honesty, and hope for the best.

I think you can take building materials to the dump on Reisterstown Road, but there’s often a long line of contractor trucks waiting there. The last time I went there, I waited an hour. Baltimore shouldn‘t make it so hard and time-consuming to dispose of construction material — I think that’s why there’s so much illegal dumping in alleys.

Our Xfinity bill increased by about 15 % in each of the past two years. It enrages me.

I‘ve wanted to try shape note singing. Is it true that one doesn’t need any musical aptitude or ability to read music?

I‘ve been a member at that gym for years. I‘ve found the staff always to be polite and friendly. Also, the gym is highly racially integrated, both among the staff and the members.