Getting so FRUSTRATED!

15 years ago

I swore I would be very Zen about it. That I'd accept that these projects always take longer than they say, and that the delays and complications are inevitable. I didn't have very specific target dates in my mind, but assumed I'd have a kitchen for the summer. Ha!

I'm losing my patience. In the entire month of May, all that has been done has been to install a radiant floor heating system, and some spackling. I think workers have been to my house an average of twice a week this month. And never for a full day, a few hours at most. Trim work is supposed to start next. It was supposed to be finished this week, but they didn't even start. No one has been here the entire week.

We have talked and complained to the GC and our KD, who has been acting as the project manager, and they have apologized, but claimed that the guys who are supposed to do the trim work are still on another job, and they underestimated the time that job would take. That they didn't know how long it would take to install the radiant heating, so they didn't schedule anything else that week, that nothing else can be done until the trim work is done.

This is not my first remodel. We renovated our NYC apt., kitchen and two bathrooms, right before we got married, nearly ten years ago. Back then I naively believed the GC when he told me when the work would be done, and planned to move into the apt. on that basis. Well, the day before we were moving in, we discovered there were no TOILETS, the one essential.

I thought I learned my lesson, so I had no expectations. But I think we were too laid back, until now. We didn't complain about the schedule, we just "let it be."

I want to see my new kitchen!!!!! Aargh!

Vent done.

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Comments (7)

edlakin
15 years ago
very frustrating.
cate1337
15 years ago
My sympathies. A while back, someone posted an article that has been a big comfort to me as things stretched on. Maybe it'll hit a note with you, too.

Cate

Here is a link that might be useful: Why We Needed a Prenup with our Contractor
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WHile I understand the frustration of you pitted against the DH, I think you made it worse with this "I looked at him and told him he was creating a cry baby by giving into it and I walked away". I'm really hoping SS did not hear/see that and as at a table setting I'm not sure how it could have been very private between you and DH. I'm guessing the other adult friends witnessed this also. I doubt DH or child are non too happy with the incident. You called them both out for all to see. I'm not saying I think you're wrong to want backup and consistent 'rules', punishment ect, but I'm thinking making an issue over the iphone and vid games on it in a setting were games were part of the reason there was your wrong step. Ignoring kid's fit, fine. Quietly pointing out to kid his behavior was silly and all the others were having fun, fine. But putting DH in spotlight and calling kid crybaby in front of all, not so fine. If I read this wrong, please forgive me, I know it's hard to tell a whole story in these small spaces, I'm just going on what and how you actually told us here. I think there are two problems now. 1. Dh is not consistent with SS and sending kid double messages which are 'no', and also 'oh, okay, if you whine about it'...and 2. you put them both in bad light in front of others and DH came out defending son. No win situation. It may have been better to ignore SS fit, and once DH did not by giving kid iphone, it would likely have been better to deal with DH at home in private away from friends and SS. Like being between a rock and a hard spot. There was really nothing you could do, but you ended up letting SS play Dh against you. Yet another reason it likely should have been dealt with later, kid just learned he can win with dad against you by even more crying and whining. Good for him, bad for you. I think it's good long talk time with DH. He's not helping SS and you're ending up being the bad guy.
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Jean Farrell
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh, thank you Cate, I needed to read that. My GC and KD are nothing compared to that -- I hope! We'll see.

My first contractor on my NYC renovation was pretty good until the end. Getting him to actually finish was very hard. There was one time where he called us and told us he was right around the corner, and would be over in five minutes. And then he never showed and never called. We didn't hear from him for weeks. It was totally bizarre.
bluekitobsessed
15 years ago
Jeanie, I feel your pain. A couple of weeks ago I was in the exact same situation with a whole week in which nothing happened except that I spent a lot of $ that I didn't have, and I posted a rant ("Kitchen Held Hostage, Week 5"). Then my granite went in and I got happy. Now nothing's happening again, no workers from last Wed. until next Tues., and I'm mildly cranky again (can't do plumbing until floors get done, can't finish elec until tile work done, blah blah). I want my kitchen back!

You are absolutely right to take a Zen attitude. Your contractor is (I think) right in that nothing can get done until a critical piece gets done. Good finish people do take forever because they want to get it right. If it's any consolation, they'll run just as over their time estimates on your job as on the job before yours. In the meantime, hang in there, and rant away.

I'm so glad I can rant here instead of to my girlfriends & family, who just don't get it!
polie
15 years ago
I share your frustration. We're getting our bathrooms remodeled, so while there is a 1/2 bath with a functioning toilet, we have to go to the health club everyday to shower. It's been 3 months and while there is progress, it's way s-l-o-w-e-r than I thought it would be. I guess contractors are so fearful of not having work at all times they overbook, so jobs start later than planned and finish later than planned because their crew is juggling multiple jobs. It's so frustrating. When I think of various service providers, I think most of them would be out of business if they dare act the way it appears that, alas, most contractors do. I know there are mean and nasty customers out there, but there aren't too many other lines of work that seem to generate such negative press as do contractors.
gvstevens
15 years ago
cate1337, thanks for pointing to the "why we need a prenup" thread. It was a great read!
cate1337
15 years ago
Jeannie & Gvstevens - I'm glad you liked the article! I thought (think) about it every time I get that where-is-my-contractor-and-why-isn't-he-at-my-house crazy boyfriend vibe. It makes me feel more sane to have the feeling identified, and in the N. Y. Times! I wish I could remember who posted the article in here originally, to give credit for the link.

Getting so FRUSTRATED!

Comments (7)

edlakin

cate1337

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Jean Farrell
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Getting so FRUSTRATED!

Comments (7)

edlakin

cate1337

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Jean FarrellOriginal Author

bluekitobsessed

polie

gvstevens

cate1337

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Jean Farrell
Original Author