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Interesting article on 'remodeling coaches'

16 years ago

Here's an article about "remodeling coaches" who do everything from help home owners stand up to designers and architects to help DIYselfers.

The Portland Oregon firm referenced in the article has an interesting website: http://www.maitralconstructionllc.com/

I find this fascinating!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Calling in the house therapist -- NYT article

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Comments (4)

rgillman
16 years ago
I read it. Found it fascinating that the first couple mentioned was intimidated by their architect and afraid to suggest moving the garage to where they wanted it. HUH? And these are adults???
plants4
Original Author
16 years ago
I understand your point but unless I'm making things up there are quite a few people on GW who have had a hard time standing up to their architects and designers. And presumably later perhaps their GCs and subs who want to do things on the fly.

I was most interested in the idea of being able to call on someone for assistance with tricky remodeling issues. I've found that all the reading and videos in the world pale next to a few minutes with a friend who knows how to do something. But not everybody has friends with expertise and sometimes their expertise is not adequate for the question at hand.
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There is a reason that Coach B wears what he wears... The following from a site called SuperBowlNation: " "The colors don’t always remain the same, and the sleeves may not always be attached, but you can be certain on every New England game day, the coach will be taking the field with it on. And the reason behind it all is peak-Belichick. According to Yahoo! Sports columnist Dan Wetzel, the tradition started back in 2003, when the NFL entered into an apparel deal with Reebok. That agreement stated that the league’s coaches would be required to wear the company’s gear. Belichick scoffed at the idea that coaches should be models on the sideline and decided to wear the most simple option: a grey hoodie. In true Belichick fashion, the coach wouldn’t simply acknowledge Wetzel’s discovery, instead dancing around the explanation without giving a true answer. Belichick wouldn't confirm the genesis of the story when I asked him about it in 2012. He didn't deny it either or stop the line of questioning or explain much of anything though. He just, as is his way, changed the subject, claiming he liked the hooded sweatshirt for practical purposes. "It's comfortable," he said. "I carry stuff in my pouch." What about chopping off the sleeves? "I have short arms," he noted. That single act of (alleged) modest rebellion birthed the most famous look in the NFL. "
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boxiebabe
16 years ago
WOW! That service sure would've saved a lot of headaches for us in the pre-remodeling stage. I've forwarded it to my GC, who with his exceptional communications skills - would be GREAT at this!
petalyn_comcast_net
16 years ago
Hello,
You make an excellent point. Most peoples understanding of the remodelling industry amounts to that of a childÂs understanding what goes into making a thanksgiving dinner. Intimidation around the professionals in its mildest form can simply come from the fact that they are the builders, designers, architects, etc, not Mr. and Mrs. Home-Owner. It's what they do for a living, and while the average person would like to make simple suggestions, they're smart enough to know they often don't have the experience needed to validly challenge the GC or the architect etc. There are, of course wonderful professionals out there doing a great job and who care very much not only about the project but also about their clients.
In my experience, it is most often the wives who are largely left to manage the project, and interact with the pros. Theirs is a special brand of anxiety and it is very typical for communications to break down. Regardless of her best efforts and intentions, bravely interacting on behalf of her spouse and whole family, within the visceral world of construction is daunting... for anyone. Having someone they can lean against and help them to:
1. Ask the (silly) questions that need to be asked anyway,
2. Make sure everyone is on the same page... literally (documentation)!
3. Develop greater confidence around their particular preferences, and have the pros design around them rather than the other way around,
...Is tremendously effective in decreasing the all too typical (and unnecessary) stresses of home-remodelling.

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