Geez, kel. I can't believe that! Wait, yes I can. Our granite was supposed to be installed last Monday. When no one showed up, we called him and he said he didn't have a sink template, which was a lie. Then a couple days later, nothing. Called again, well, he needed to know where to put the holes for the faucet. Maybe he'll be there Thursday or Friday. He's 100 miles away and DH just happened to be in his town and dropped by the granite shop. There was our granite, NOTHING had been done on it, yet! What a LIAR! I was so mad (I'm sure you feel the same way) I couldn't hardly speak all day Friday. Electricians and brickers (for FP) were supposed to be there, too. Nothing. I was furious. I can stand just about anything but a thief and a liar. I mean, what good is a man if he's a liar???? UGH. Well, our 2nd closing date approaches on Sunday and I'm certain that's not going to happen. At this point, I'll settle for anything before Christmas. Our granite guy was also paid several thousand dollars upfront (to facilitate his showing up on time). A lot of good that did. Good thing he wasn't there when DH showed up. No telling what would have happened.
Oh, and one of GC's workers backed into my car door while leaving at 2:30p.m. for the day!! UGH!
I feel sorry for the GCs. I'm sure they are doing all they can. I really think they're getting strung along just like we are. I'm sorry for your troubles. I think yours are far worse than mine. I hope it's over soon for all of us!

have you actually seen your cabinets - do you know that the guy has actually made them? at this stage - it might be worth sending someone over to the shop to pick the cabinets up and getting someone else to install them.

I asked the builder if the cabinets where even made. He said he trusted him that much and he was really shocked by what he was doing. I just can not even believe how much I have been feed a line to. I really do not know what will happen if they do not show up on Monday. LOL!

I'm having a hard time buying it. If the cabinets are made, he's ready to collect his $ as soon as he installs them. A motivator, I would think.

I'd have a hard time not telling my builder that I just was SO eager to see the cabinets that I was just gonna go to the shop to "visit" them if they weren't there by Tuesday morning. Just to get a peek at them (wink). Perhaps that will get passed on to the cab. guy and he'll finish them up. Or give your builder his next line about how the dog spilled paint thinner on them, blah, blah, blah...

You know, that's probably a good idea to go to the cabinet shop and ask them to show you what they're working on. At least you'd see with your own eyes (kinda like my granite deal!). Anyone can tell you anything they want over the phone!

I completely agree, Kelly. If you have the name and address of the cabinet guy, I'd go there at your earliest opportunity. At this point you don't know who is stringing you along, and it' s time to find out who it is.

Wishing you the best! Kate.

I think that is a good idea. I am going to call the builder Monday morning and tell him I want to see the cabinets. He can not refuse to tell me who he his can he? This is just crazy. I mean come on! The builder told DH Friday morning that he talked to the cabinet guy and they were loading up the trailer and would be there Friday afternoon. Why would he keep on with the lies? Something is NOT right here. I will keep y'all informed.

I would be paying a visit as well, Kelly. Time to see what's up, girl. Good luck and keep us posted. My sympathies, I understand your frustration so well....

Amy

Kel~

Oh my. I'm so sorry you are still waiting on those cabinets. I was hoping they showed yesterday. :o(

My guess is your cab man is feeding your GC a line. I'm learning some subs just say whatever they know you/the GC want to hear to get you off their back and buy themselves a bit more time. Hardly professional, but I guess it works for them.

Especially difficult are the trades that are custom making things for you. Because they know you are not likely to cancel your order and go to someone else. The wait list would just be too long. So you are at their mercy. IT stinks.

I'm sorry you are having to wait on a sub so late in the game, and one so vital to you construction progress. I'd definitely be asking to see the cabinets if they aren't there by 8am on MOnday morning. And don't let GC say he won't disclose the source. You're paying for them. You have a right to see them!

Play tough. Don't be rude (which I know you are not!) but be firm. Demand to see your cabinets. If they really ARE made and ready to install, that cabinet man will probably drop everything else and get yours installed.... just to get you off his back!! ;o) LOL!

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Your frustration brings back memories of our build last year!! Since then.. we moved and are building again (lost a screw somewhere!1) Nothing worse them dealing with lies and disorganization! Hang in there.. it is much like having a baby, the last couple months are so uncomfortable, but after the birth (completion) it's just joy!

I wouldn't beat around the bush, I would just tell the GC that you want them installed by Monday. It is not your responsibility to see if they are made. You have a GC to do that stuff for you. That is what you are paying him for. What does your contract say about delays? It sounds like you need to sit down with him and wave the contract terms around and start hitting him where it hurts the most, in the bottom line.

minnt - that is how DH feels. He does not see how it is our responsibility to check on the cabinets. BUT, I think the GC is not doing it. I think by just me stating I want to see the cabinets my hope is they will get their butts in gear. I guess we will find out.

I agree...time to put some pressure on your GC. My favorite (not) excuse line was from our granite guys. Our builder said they forgot to set their alarm clock. They would be out in a week instead. What the heck?

Nobody WANTS to realize they are being suckered, but you are. How far away are you from the cabinet shop? Just show up during business hours. IS there even a shop? Is this person supposedly making these cabinets from sheets of wood, or is he modifying something from a factory? (Has he even ordered the stuff?) See cabinets. See paperwork. Check dates. If nothing jibes, get your money back!

There are a lot of "oughts" and "whose job is its" and such involved. I would just get real practical now to move things along. You need to know, since you have a closing deadline, exactly how close to being done the cabinets are. So, call your GC and ask him to go over to the cabinet shop with you. For that reason.

What is your plan B here? If the cabinets don't look close to ready for your closing what is your plan? Delay the closing? You can't get any custom-made by Dec. 20--could and would you just go buy some ready-made ones? It would probably best to have your Plan A, B, C (and possibly D) clear in ya'll's minds before you start in on the GC about this. Power to the agile!!

Best of luck.

BTW, our GC has already repeated that oft-heard saying to us: "There are no choir boys in construction."

Hey Kelly,

I'm sorry your cabinets didn't show up :-(

Let us know what happens Monday morning.

(If it makes you feel any better, nothing happening here, either!)

Kelly,
I know just how you feel. After the flooded, ruined wood floor fiasco, tension between our trim/cabinet guy and his boss boiled over. The trim guy left Monday while the ruined floor was being torn up and we have not seen him since. His boss came by here Tuesday and I persuaded him to try to smooth things over to get the trim guy back. I got an email from the boss Wednesday saying that the trim guy would be back, but that he had gotten a full time job at Lowe's and would have to work weekends and evenings.

Well, guess what - he has not been seen or heard from! I expected to see him here yesterday to finish up the upstairs trim, finish out trim in the kitchen, family room & bathrooms, and to take measurements for the library shelves.

Nothing.

I told DH today that if nothing is done on those projects by the end of the week, I will tell the GC that I consider the custom interior company that has the trim contract in default and ask him to find someone else.

I like the trim guy but he has taken three months to do what should have taken 4-6 weeks. :-(