kitchen progress (or lack thereof)

15 years ago

On May 30 I met with the woodworker/cabinet guy. We knew he was retired and only worked on projects he wanted to do. We also know him from the community. He liked the idea of building a simple kitchen made to look like it had beenin the house for many years. He liked the primitive style photos I showed him and our house. He agreed to do the work for a very low price and suggested it would take him a few weeks to get far enough along that I should come see the progress and we coudl talk about finishes. I told him I did not want to go into fall without a kitchen and he said it would be done long before fall.

Fast forward to the end of June. I called him and he said he hadn't started yet but was starting the next week. Hmm.

Last night, I got my husband to call him. DH didn't want to because he didn't want to offend him but I thought maybe a little offense could be a good thing at this point. I has been 9 weeks. I also grudingly admitted that this older gentleman may respond better to a man calling him :/

He said he has the materials and had started on the cabinets that day! What a coincidence. Hmm again. DH also asked him by what date he expected to be done and he said August 1st because we wanted it done by fall. At least he remembered. I'll drop dead if it's done in time.

I think this is a case of you get what you pay for. I sure hope he lives up to my expectations especially with making me wait so long.

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Comments (7)

rhome410
15 years ago
Do you mean September 1st? I don't know how many cabinets you have, or what building challenges they may present, but I suppose it's certainly possible he could get them done in a month. Maybe he just didn't feel pressed because he had until fall? Maybe just drop in and check progress "just because you're so excited?"...Soon.

Being married to one, I know that woodworkers tend to work on their own schedules, at their own pace, and may wait until the last minute to start, but may also work through the nights to get things done. As far as I know, retirees also tend to work at a more leisurely pace, so with the combo of woodworker and retiree, you may just have a very laid back guy! :-)

Best wishes.
ajpl
Original Author
15 years ago
Oops, yeah September 1st, end of August is what he said.

I do think he's very laid back. Our kitchen isn't big and we only have a straight run of primitive style cabinets with no uppers and an island 4X8 so hopefully he will get it done close to when we are expecting. And if I ever have to do it again I'll just make a deadline even if I don't need to!
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mike_r_2000
15 years ago
Yeah, the carpenters I've known have all been pretty laid back but when it comes down to it they'll get it done on time and done right. Of course you can't say they're all like that - I knew one guy who was a carpenter for movie sets and he was really high strung and driven.
ajpl
Original Author
15 years ago
I really, really want to have a kitchen soon. This cooking on the old range without a countertop or oven that works is getting to me. Even my Dh and son are starting to whine about the lack of cookies and bread. At least I know they appreciate my efforts when I am able to cook!
shellmo
15 years ago
I hope he comes through for you! Based on my current experience and reading this post I'm seeing a trend on how some of these guys operate ;-)) If you are having countertops installed, give him a date a week before that you really "need" them done. If it wasn't for that, I'm not sure I would have any at my house (and we're supposed to close in 2 weeks). Of course, I am wondering If I'll be getting any doors or drawers on them!

Hope they turn out exactly like what you were hoping for!
scootermom
15 years ago
Ajpl, we have been without an oven since January, so I feel your family's pain. My kids have discovered that chocolate chip pancakes can help curb the cookie craving (if you eat them in your hand w/out syrup, they taste kind of like a warm muffin...very yummy!).

They really miss making hot pretzels when they have friends over...so a couple of times we've cooked them outside on the grill. If you double-pan (using a really old pan on the bottom, since it will darken) and use a silpat, watch very carefully, and drastically shorten baking time, they come out ok. We've done cookies this way too, though they're more delicate and prone to burn.

When we went on vacation to a rented beach house, we baked something every day...cookies, blueberry muffins, even just Pillsbury crescent rolls. The kids were in heaven.

My daughter, when asked by friends what she wanted for her birthday, replied, "Banana bread!". She received a few loaves, which she stashed in the freezer.

Hope your carpenter suddenly feels motivated to step things up! Send him a 6-pack of Mountain Dew or something.
ajpl
Original Author
15 years ago
shellmo, We're doing the countertops ourselves. I'll only have DH to harass when they are late! LOL

scootermom, I've baked a few times at my mom's house and she keeps sending stuff up to us when my Dad comes to help DH work on the house which is realyl nice. I'll tell my son about the pancakes! We've made "grill dough" a few times which wasn't bad too. It sounds a bit like your pretzels. The recipe was for a garlicky recipe but I made it cinnamon-y once and it was almost like a cinnamon bun!