Quote :

"they saved like $10,000 by doing most of the work themselves (except for building the cabinets and installing the cabinets & counter top),"

Very few companies build them in shop anymore anyway. Even most of the companies that were building all their stuff a decade ago just order cabinets out of a catalog today. You can drop $80k on a kitchen without getting anything built locally.

5/30/2008 1:41:49 PM

maybe, i know there were some weird things that my mom requested, and the cabinet people had to come back and work on it after the installed it all

5/30/2008 2:17:30 PM

the work is going so slowly

but goddamn it'll be SO nice once its done. As for the price, its looking like it'll be just under 20k

And for some more perspective, here are pictures of the house before I bought it.

5/30/2008 7:31:44 PM

Ugh.
I want this done!

Also, ^ just realized
...there are no HVAC vents in the kitchen. There had been two.

I want this contractor to do our bathrooms when we remodel those, but the way this has gone, that won't happen unless she agrees to a deadline (zorthage never signed a contact! ), and some financial penalty if it's not done...I don't think we'll choose her again.

I mean, I REALLY like her work. LOVE it. She's great with using space (like, the apt attached to her house, where elise used to live - so well done that you could expect to see it in a magazine), has good taste, and is highly ethical. But fuck...I think her guys ought to put in more than 15hrs a week? (That's an estimate, and including their longest day all week: 5 hrs on Friday)

6/1/2008 8:08:19 PM

And of course

There's no one here yet

Watch - the moment I start getting ready for my job interview is when they'll roll up, 4 instead of the usual 2, and be like 'sorry. gotta shut things off'

6/2/2008 9:29:22 AM

haha no hvac hahahahah

6/2/2008 9:33:56 AM

No one came by yesterday to do any work

And so far, no one has been by today.

I am, quite literally, dreaming about cooking in my kitchen

6/3/2008 3:11:23 PM

Quote :

"but the way this has gone, that won't happen unless she agrees to a deadline"

Good luck with getting someone to sign that as well as agree to it. Not trying to be mean, maybe it's different where you're at. My kitchen alone is going on 45 days and there should be ~45 days left.

To clarify a little on the contract part, someone may agree to the deadline but they'll make up the fees by charging you somewhere else. I knew the day that I saw you post this that you were going to make ^ response shortly. That's just how it goes with their business.

[Edited on June 3, 2008 at 3:20 PM. Reason : s]

6/3/2008 3:17:24 PM

That's what everyone says

...And I'm okay with that. To a certain extent.

Like I said to zorthage yesterday, it's understandable. To a degree. What's making me so seething mad is that the contractor isn't volunteering any information whatsoever, we're having to pry EVERYTHING out of her, smaller goals (your kitchen will be almost done, with plywood on the cabinets so you have a workspace, by 5/31, so that you can at least use your microwave and toaster oven) aren't being met, and especially frustrating is not knowing when the hell we're gonna have strangers in the house. There's been no consistency whatsoever. Especially when it's hot and we can't run the AC when they're gonna be here (because of the constant in-and-out) - for the most part, it's off.

I know I'm being a control freak. Tough shit. I'm not the only one in the world. Like I pointed out to him yesterday: If his company gave an estimated 8wk delivery on software, and were 4 weeks overdue, would they not be proactive in keeping the customer in the loop? He conceded they would be. I'd be satisfied knowing 'you're not gonna see our guys until Thursday, and they'll be there about half the day'. It shouldn't have been too hard to say 'Hey guys - You know I fell, and that pushed stuff back. So a new estimate on when the kitchen will be done is [date]'

No matter how common delays are, keeping customers so in the dark is not at all professional. You're busy. That's nice. Communicating with your customers is part of the business. I'm not asking for daily updates, but I do want to know what the fuck is going on. I used to smile walking into the damn room. Now I see red, and it's not because of the walls.

When the bathroom (or any other room) is done, meeting a deadline shouldn't be a problem if you work on the damn room. You know better than we do about how long a renovation is going to take, and so you're essentially setting your own deadline.

And stunts like the countertop place pulled yesterday give me no faith in anyone's ability to do shit on their own without being followed up on. We were told friday we'd have a quote on countertops, for Avonite and granite, by the end of the day. Surprise! Nothing. Yesterday, close of business: nothing. I left a voicemail an hour after closing asking someone to follow up with me, about our quote.

It was in my email less than 5 minutes later. For the wrong material (that ended up being cheaper, and the one I liked best, fortunately).

[Edited on June 3, 2008 at 3:38 PM. Reason : lkfjd]

6/3/2008 3:36:46 PM

The business as a whole is just hard to deal with and that's fact. Your ^post is probably the same sentiment felt by 90% of people who have work done.

Last week, we had our hardwoods sanded and stained/lacquered, etc. The contractor said he was finished and left-we stayed in a hotel room that night. Came back in the morning to find tiny pock marks everywhere. I called the contractor back to the house, had him look at me, and asked him if he used old lacquer (what I knew caused the pock marks). He flat-out lied to my face and we got in a shouting match-he finally admitted he used old stuff. I screamed at him, called him a fucking liar, etc., and watched him for the next two days restrip everything, open new cans, etc. Had to stay in a hotel 2 more night, yay!

Just saw this...

Quote :

"I think her guys ought to put in more than 15hrs a week? (That's an estimate, and including their longest day all week: 5 hrs on Friday)"

They are putting in 15 hrs/week on their other 3 contracts too, guaranteed.

[Edited on June 3, 2008 at 3:56 PM. Reason : d]

6/3/2008 3:55:08 PM

the floors look great!!

6/3/2008 3:56:02 PM

Jess, thanks
sd2nc, I'm not saying they're slacking off. But I also know she typically doesn't do kitchens - most of what she does is additions and bedrooms. Some bathrooms.

Correct me if I'm wrong in thinking that a critical room like a kitchen takes slightly higher priority over something like an addition. Not a whole lot, but enough to warrant some extra labor over here. I mean, that's one of my concerns: if we were to have her do the bathroom work, we'd be out of an even more critical room. I'm not willing to risk much more than a day or two delay on the bathroom, so we're probably gonna have to find another contractor, as timeliness isn't something she and her crew seem to be big on. It's already a major room we'll be unable to use for a while, because it's gonna be a considerable renovation, and I don't exactly relish the idea of having to shower at friends' places, pullen pool, or my parents' any longer than we have to.

And man, about your floors, I wouldn't have even asked if it were old - it's giving him another opening to be difficult. I'd have simply told him the floors weren't in an acceptable condition, properly refinished floors do not have pock marks and that they needed to be redone. He might have balked about it, but if he'd wanted to shout about not doing it again, I'd break out my camera, and let him see me look up the number to the BBB.

--
As I typed this up, she came, and made a checklist of everything still to be done. Some of it, she knew still had to be done, and some of it she was surprised about. Her husband is having teeth extracted Thursday, so they're working on 'emergencies' til then. At least one of her guys will be here Thursday and Friday; the stuff I was wondering why it wasn't done when it was supposed to be done? She didn't even know it wasn't done.

[Edited on June 3, 2008 at 4:26 PM. Reason : ldjf]

[Edited on June 3, 2008 at 4:27 PM. Reason : lkgjf]

6/3/2008 4:25:56 PM

that situation seems sucky. are they giving you a deal on the work or something? can you demand a discount because of their tomfoolery? that's what i like to do when i get screwed.

6/3/2008 4:33:22 PM

I haven't asked yet; less than a third of the money has changed hands.

6/3/2008 4:35:07 PM

The fridge and stove are in their place; today, we started moving canned goods and dishes into some of the upper cabinets, and planning where things are going to live permanently.

6/8/2008 12:51:47 AM

I think your house might have been built by the same company that built my parents' house. Same wood paneling, same flooring, same counters

6/8/2008 12:54:18 AM

6/8/2008 12:54:37 AM

since you've put yourself in a tough spot now, you'll know that contracts with specific time clauses are vitally important to your sanity and pocket book.

I had a contractor redo the siding on my house. He did half of it and asked for full payment before he did the other half (I made a partial payment for supplies). We didn't have a contract either. I told him to fuck off and I'd hire someone else. Guess who finished the job (albeit slowly) and came looking for $.

I had the shingles redone with a contract and they were done in 3 hours, paid after completion and a thorough once over by their foreman and me.

[Edited on June 8, 2008 at 12:59 AM. Reason : v]

6/8/2008 12:58:00 AM

Part of this is that when the details of the remodel were being hammered out, matt and I were split up. So it wasn't my place to ask to see the contract, or anything else that would have given me the chance to say 'you haven't signed a contract? wtf mate'

And he's a much more laid-back, trusting person than I am. The contractor is good for her word, thankfully.

6/8/2008 1:02:19 AM

Looks really good!

6/8/2008 1:07:04 AM

thanks

After we redo the living room over the 4th of july weekend, we're gonna throw a party

I can't wait.

6/8/2008 1:10:44 AM

Counters go in monday, and sink and dishwasher on tuesday


it won't be completely done, but I'll be able to cook! and wash dishes.


Holy shit, I am a simple, easy woman

6/14/2008 1:57:20 PM

looks good

6/14/2008 2:08:20 PM

thanks

6/14/2008 2:09:02 PM

Counters being installed while I was heading out for work.

6/16/2008 5:29:49 PM

They are taking their good sweet time on that kitchen, lol.

It looks nice though. A nice modern update to what was a very much old fashioned (looking) kitchen. It looks like it'll be a shit ton brighter. Money well spent as long as they don't drag their asses on the rest of it, haha.

6/16/2008 5:33:31 PM

god, I know


but they're installing the sink and dishwasher tomorrow.

I'm gonna be all over that like white on rice.

I took wednesday night off work so I could cook

6/16/2008 5:34:52 PM

wow, we're remodeling our kitchen, but it's not going to look anywhere as awesome as that!

ours is an 80's ranch style with poor cabinet space, no dishwasher, no pantry, cheap flooring and 4 layers of wallpaper. so far we've gotten a portable dishwasher (no room to install one) and tried our best to strip the wallpaper. we also built a pantry in with the water heater and put in a breakfast bar between the kitchen and the living room. we're going to put up paintable wallpaper (with slight texture) and paint it a nice bright but medium blue. also going to put up tile design paneling behind the counters rather than wallpaper. also going to install a light above the sink (and change out the overhead lights) and eventually replace the flooring.

but for now it looks like complete shit.

before and now-ish (before a few more minor modifications):

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/kitty_b/House/housejune2008003.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/kitty_b/House/housejune2008018.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/kitty_b/House/housejune2008004.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/kitty_b/House/housejune2008019.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/kitty_b/House/housejune2008005.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/kitty_b/House/housejune2008020.jpg

6/16/2008 5:44:16 PM

I like the pass-through


...And the fridge full of water. Something about filling the brita pitcher from the tub feels inherently wrong

6/16/2008 5:51:02 PM

haha, the fridge was full of water because we were going to be spending 4 days working on the house and then moving in and we had some helpers. trust me, all that water was gone in a couple days. we actually had to restock on the 3rd day.

6/16/2008 6:51:27 PM

wow, those counters look really nice

especially with the red walls

6/16/2008 6:53:15 PM

^thanks!



Z took a picture when he got home.

I can't wait to see them!

6/16/2008 8:45:45 PM

i really liked the wood paneling. i wouldn't have changed it but it's not my place haha

6/16/2008 8:49:21 PM

seems retarded to me, i have completely gutted a kitchen including taking out all the cabinets, floor and a wall, with 2 guys working for me, and it was completed and ready to use in 4 days

6/16/2008 8:59:11 PM

^^god, I hated that shit so much

6/16/2008 9:03:13 PM

ooh, looking good

6/16/2008 9:06:35 PM

Quote :

"Something about filling the brita pitcher from the tub feels inherently wrong"

hahaha, i laughed so hard at this, b/c i'm doing that everyday now... kudos too for changing the door hardware from brass to pewter/nickel

my cabinets are shipping in the next week or two.
electrical & drywall are done. we are refinishing our wood floors next week.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/j1.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/j2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/k1.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/k2.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/k3.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/l1.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/l2.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/l3.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/prosper0/kitchen/l4.jpg

[Edited on June 17, 2008 at 11:23 AM. Reason : .]

6/17/2008 11:14:57 AM

You really fucked that window. No room for trim or anything.

6/17/2008 11:18:47 AM

ahaha, my "kitchen" has been my screened-in back patio for the last two months. Getting close to done, just moving all the lights now, waiting for the fridge cabinet/closet thingy to be done. Oh yeah and new tile backsplash with different outlet covers




Was this, from a different angle, lololol





[Edited on June 17, 2008 at 11:38 AM. Reason : m]

6/17/2008 11:19:34 AM

^That is an awesome kitchen

6/17/2008 11:32:52 AM

Why did they put the switches/outlets right on the green decorative tiles. They couldn't have placed them on the lighter tiles? Also, you should switch out the light over the sink to a different fixture, maybe a more modern pendant fixture to match your hood better.

[Edited on June 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM. Reason : +]

6/17/2008 11:36:51 AM

haha I just edited that, forgot about that. New tile and lights coming, that's the old backsplash and the old design, good question. I have done a lot myself and had a lot done, unfortunately a lot of shit's been done out of order.

[Edited on June 17, 2008 at 11:41 AM. Reason : a]

6/17/2008 11:39:10 AM

Oh man I could do some serious cooking in that kitchen!!!!

6/17/2008 11:40:40 AM

prospero, I think I would LOOOOOOOOOOVE your house. It looks very old

Quote :

"kudos too for changing the door hardware from brass to pewter/nickel "

They were actually a copper color. We've kept the copper light I found in a thrift store, that's going to go over the dining room table - once all that's done, I'll get pictures. I would have loved to keep the original hardware, but polished, except
1) It wouldn't have matched
2) cleaning it up may not have worked. Shiny is a requirement, because I'm like a racoon



sd2nc, I tried sooooooooooo hard for a hood in the middle of the kitchen. I'm jealous.

^I'm breaking it in tonight: I have a sink and dishwasher now! HOLLA! I just have to decide WHAT to cook: something new and exciting, that might not work out perfectly, or something we both know and love. Say, maybe, waffles.

I've got pictures uploading now

The first thing I did when I got home from work today was load the dishwasher. I never, ever, ever thought that'd be something I'd miss.

6/18/2008 2:26:52 PM

All the dishes we've used since Memorial Day


FINALLY! RUNNING WATER OHMYGOD :swoon:


I guess the countertop people had scraps, because they left us a corian trivet and cutting board, complete with glue dots on the back so we can pick them up easily >.<


The view from the den door


That's our pantry, on the right


I tried to show counters, sink, tile, wall, and cabinets equally well in this


And this is what you see when you walk in the door

6/18/2008 2:54:57 PM

it looks soooooooooo much better today, most everything is complete

6/20/2008 12:37:02 AM

ahaha, I just noticed the Riad can next to your drinking cups

6/20/2008 12:40:45 AM

no tile backspalsh?

how much were the countertops alone?

6/20/2008 12:41:39 AM

some kitchens don't need it but i'd add a tile backsplash to that one

6/20/2008 12:42:48 AM

wasn't a fan of adding tile, with the dark countertop/floor tiles. The backsplash of the counter is enough.

^^ around 3.5k

^^^ everything from the kitchen had to go somewhere

6/20/2008 12:46:15 AM