landscapping

I will start by apologizing.  I still need to get some pics posted.
Most will remember I posted about meeting with my PM about landscapping issues.
Here's what was done:
-Offered to cut out exposed waterproofing.  It would leave a small tar line on the foundation.  The waterproofing is warranted for 20 years and will not degrade in the sun.  We chose to leave it alone.  I will plant some vegetation of some sort.
-added dirt to the left side of the house countering the "hump" I was dealing with.  Reseeded and threw down loose hay (loose hay is my request, I didn't want more of that hayroll shit)
-removed the silt snakes along the back.  In doing so, moved the "grass line" back several feet increasing the grass lawn part of the lot.  (my wife was happy about that.  I have to mow more grass now, booo)
-cut back drain pipe.  added some more dirt.  reseeded and threw loose hay down.
-offered to build a mulch bed on right front corner of porch (severe slope).  I declined as I plan to build a nice stone planter.

I still have a decent slope on the back and right side.  There is not really anything that can be done aside from building stone retaining walls.  I can whine and complain all I want, but the fact remains the house had to be built several feet up.  As my PM politely put it, "you have a point A (top of slope) and a point B(bottom), there is only so many ways to get there...but you have to get there."

so, let this be a good lesson to actively ask questions and fully understand what is going to be accomplished.

Overall, I am happy with what my PM did.  He has improved my satisfaction with the back yard.  I still dislike the slopes, but I working on non-mowable solutions.

One more thing to add, while standing in the front yard yapping with the PM after we walked around the house, I discovered a bedroom window with a single crack.  My PM verified it was not something a kid could cause and said it was likely a small crack on the edge at the factory and spread later.  At his request, I put in a service request online and it was replaced in less then a week.  More kudos for Ryan's online service.  

Second Story deck?

From the day we found out that our walkout would be under the deck, I have considered ideas on how to install some kind of overhead structure that would funnel the drain water away giving me a covered patio.
Then my wife found this:
http://www.timbertech.com/products/finishing-touches/dryspace-drainage-system/default.aspx
I think it will fit the bill quite nicely.

For those that wonder about cost, I got a quote today from a lumber yard that carried Timber Tech.  For my 14'x12' deck, it will cost $585.50 +tax . 

Landscape issues and a meeting

I wish I had gotten off my bum and taken some specific pictures.  Many of you have seen the following concerns in previous posts.
Final Grading.  My arch nemesis.  My one regret in this house is that I didn't stalk the work that day.
So last week I finally headed into the backyard and begin to cut out the last several feet of that hay roll crap they put over the grass seed.  When I say "last several feet", I mean all along the back edge of the lawn.  That's a lot.  Why you ask?  Because gigantic weeds don't grow through the hay roll; rather, the large weeds just push it up tent like.  Once I cut it out, I was able to mow that shit down.  Bring on the lawn mower.  After mowing, I gave it a day or two and decided I can't take it.  Between pulling the hay roll and mowing, adding in some things I already knew, I was angry/frustrated/whatever
So I shot my PM an email.
Know this, while my PM was frustrating at times in his slowness to respond, he has always come through in spectacular fashion.  

My email to PM was something along the lines of:
"you said you would bring in dirt to ease the slope, cut one drain pipe, extend the other.  NONE of that was done.  Large rocks hiding under the hay roll prove no smoothing, grading, etc... was done.  There is a hump of dirt pushed up on left side attempting to cover waterproofing but failing.  The right side is worse.  Waterproofing sticking out and a slope dangerous enough to make a big guy like me struggle to keep my lawn mower from tipping over"
That was the cliff notes.

He responded and we have a meeting tonight at the house.  Not sure what, if anything, will be done.  I will keep you guys informed.  I will get some pics posted tonight so you can fully understand my point OR tell me I'm batshit crazy and to get over it.  It's ok, I can take it.