Vent space re: contractors ..little or big ..emo, grumpy- let it out
Kimberly N
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (45)
Fori
8 years agostephanj
8 years agoRelated Discussions
An epiphany and time to vent...a little long winded
Comments (20)I hear a lot of the same comments, especially about Ikea cabs, Corian counters, lavender walls, not using tile or wood for the floors, our vintage stove, not all appliances being the same color, etc... Luckily, only 1 person was rude enough to say so after seeing the project in its 90% finished state (dh's uncle, grrrr). Everyone else has had the decency to at least find something they liked (usually more than one thing) and keep any negative thoughts from being spoken. Just as I never would tell someone their baby is ugly, I would not expect someone to say something like that about our reno if they knew we had just chosen everything and put a lot of effort into it. I am at the point of my life that if someone likes what I do, that is wonderful but not a necessity. Our immediate family needs to enjoy it because we live here. The kids are free to express their opinions, but unless or until they pay all the bills, they don't get an actual vote. I used to worry so much more about what people thought of me and of my stuff. I learned that they are more focused on their own lives and my real friends are happy for me if I am happy (as I am for them). I love seeing someone get excited about the changes, but even if they didn't, who is to say I'd want my house to look like theirs. Our friends all have lovely homes done in differing styles, but the one naysayer (dh's uncle) rents a house and has not invited us inside...hmmmmm.... I may not have decorated as our friends did, but that does not mean I can't appreciate that they did nice jobs of it. I think that if one person is happy, that is contagious, so people we know seem enthusiastic about our house now. They all would try to be polite prior to the reno, but now there is real appreciation instead of just trying to make me feel better about the ugly house we bought, lol..... I think you need to discuss and listen to dh's opinion on things and then do what works for the both of you (with the person who cooks and does the research for the new kitchen having a stronger vote). My dh had some opinions about things so I incorporated them into the plan. He did not care about most other stuff and let me get what made me happy. I'd run choices by him, but mostly he either agreed or said he'd go with whichever one I preferred because the choices I showed him all worked. It was important that he have some input, so I deferred whenever possible. This way, it is our house/vision and not just mine. That said, your guy sounds like he trusts you, so as said before, stop asking ;)...See MoreContractors venting
Comments (29)Hey, Joseph, you've proved our point, haven't you? If they weren't all crooks and incompetents you wouldn't have work! Of course they are not all crooks and incompetents, but finding the good ones is very dicey. It has nothing to do with what they charge. I've paid a lot and I've paid a little over my many years. I've had bad work that cost a lot and good work that didn't. One of the most frustrating things is that it generally takes a couple of years, sometimes even more, for the bad work to reveal itself. I have a BIL who definitely undervalues himself, so he would be what you'd call "cheap". He does fantastic work, he's a perfectionist, and he stands behind his work. If any problems arise even years later that may be related to an error of his, he makes it right for free. I guess he can afford to do that because it's a very rare occurrence. Unfortunately he's 2000 miles away. I flew him and his brother out in 2009 to build a deck, do some light plumbing and electrical because I unexpectedly had to have my parents move in and urgently needed the work done. Everything was exceptional and I have such peace of mind knowing the deck supports are properly done, etc. I would have flown them in again for my kitchen but he is totally booked two years in advance. I think having a good work ethic, having skill of course, but also having a realistic self-knowledge of what one can and cannot do well separates the good from the bad. Too many contractors take on work that they really cannot do better than a competent DIY'er. Either they don't know they won't do it well (incompetent) or they know they can get a poor job past a witless homeowner but they want the money (greed). And PS - "3 bids" does not mean the HO will pick the cheapest. It's a way to get an idea of the person who would do the work (if that person is the hands-on one), what they would actually do (very hard to get apple-to-apples so it's up to the HO to try to compare) and to see how the prospect thinks and analyzes what the best way is to do the work (if the solution is not glaringly obvious)....See MoreAnyone else ready to cry, scream, or give up? Contractor venting here!
Comments (39)Ok. I actually know this one. (Anyone not looking to know about Acrylpro should skip this whole entry.) If your tile is larger than 6x6 you cannot use Acrylpro over redgaurd. Period. Really. Even according to the people that make it. Redguard (a waterproofing membrane) and Acrylpro are both made by custom building products. From the horse's mouth ... You can find that under "technical/installation" and here's the link ... http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/products/setting-materials/mastics-adhesives/acrylpro-ceramic-tile-adhesive.aspx# And here's the phone number ... Notice it states you can use it on tile up to 8" but that isn't when used over redgaurd, as you can tell in the first screen capture. I had 6x24 tile. When I mentioned we can't use Acrylpro my guy said, "what do you do all day?" "I do it all the time and it's never been a problem." I showed him the screen capture and it stopped him in his tracks. He just said, "what do you want me to use instead." That's when I called the helpline. You need to use a MODIFIED thinset - one that comes in a powder form and you have to mix it. Here's what I texted my guy ... We didn't get the brand they quoted but my guy took it to heart and read the fine print and brought back the only thinset at HD that was rated for large tile. More from the help line (I called back three times and each guy was great) ... "Anything pre-mixed in a bucket is mastic, not thinset. Any contractor knows this." (No, they don't.) "If you have redgaurd and large tile it's like sticking the lid on the bucket and the Acrylpro won't dry." (Or like water between two sheets of plastic.) "Thinset cures chemically." (Aaaah, that's why.) Google thinset vs. mastic. Or don't because it will freak you out that your guy is even considering using mastic. You might also want to ask what kind of grout he's going to use since there's new grout that doesn't need to be sealed and won't stain or grow mold....See MoreKitchen Remodel - contractor, Lowes, or piece it out?
Comments (36)I redid my son's kitchen with about the same number of cabinets as you have. We found decent looking and surprisingly well built RTA Chinese cabinets through a local discount builder supply for $6500. That was including an upgrade from particle board to plywood carcases. They assembled them for $25/cabinet. (At higher end kitchen places we were offered the opportunity to buy the same cabinets for nearly twice the money). I was able to install them without any problems in about two days work. Because of the plumbing and electrical work needed I tore the kitchen down to the studs, and took up three layers of prior flooring down to the subfloor. Moving plumbing and gas cost about $2000 with the plumber, I was able to pull an electrical permit myself in his town and added a new subpanel and completely rewired the kitchen for the cost of materials, less than $1000. Granite countertops were a splurge at $2400. Prefinished maple hardwood floor ran about $600. Very nice, nearly new pre-owned appliances came from Norm's for about $2000 for stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. A decent hood was $600, building a soffit to hide the exhaust pipe was just cost of materials. I hired a plasterer for blueboard and plaster which was about $1000 for that room. So with incidentals (permits, paint, remaindered sink, faucet, and light fixtures), we spent about $16,000 in total, doing everything I could myself. We could have saved $1500 or so by using laminate countertops, and most of the plumber's bill if I'd been allowed to do the work myself, but it's hard to imagine we could have completed the project much cheaper....See MoreNothing Left to Say
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
8 years agoUser
8 years agoEric
8 years agoFori
8 years agoMDLN
8 years agoEric
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoMDLN
8 years agoEric
8 years agostephanj
8 years agoEric
8 years agoKimberly N
8 years agoKimberly N
8 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
8 years agoediblekitchen
8 years agostephanj
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoEric
8 years agoNothing Left to Say
8 years agoAnnKH
8 years agocluelessincolorado
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoKimberly N
8 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
8 years agoNothing Left to Say
8 years agoEric
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoLavender Lass
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agosherri1058
8 years agobeachem
8 years agoNothing Left to Say
8 years agoUser
8 years agocluelessincolorado
8 years agobeachem
8 years agoRachel (Zone 7A + wind)
8 years agopractigal
8 years agoKimberly N
8 years agoLE
8 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
8 years agostephanj
8 years agoNothing Left to Say
8 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
8 years agobeachem
8 years agobeachem
8 years ago
Related Stories
REMODELING GUIDESContractor's Tips: 10 Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You
Climbing through your closets and fielding design issues galore, your contractor might stay mum. Here's what you're missing
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: 10 Hats Your General Contractor Wears
Therapist, financial advisor, mediator — for the price of a single good contractor on your remodel, you're actually getting 10 jobs done
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING20 Things You Might Be Forgetting to Spring-Clean
Clean these often-neglected areas and your house will look and feel better
Full StoryMOST POPULAR8 Little Remodeling Touches That Make a Big Difference
Make your life easier while making your home nicer, with these design details you'll really appreciate
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESBudget Decorator: Let’s Go Thrifting
Dip into the treasure trove of secondhand pieces for decor that shows your resourcefulness as much as your personality
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGLet’s Clear Up Some Confusion About Solar Panels
Different panel types do different things. If you want solar energy for your home, get the basics here first
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: What Your Contractor Really Means
Translate your contractor's lingo to get the communication on your home project right
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNNew This Week: 4 Subtle Design Ideas With Big Impact for Your Kitchen
You’ve got the cabinets, countertops and appliances in order. Now look for something to make your space truly stand out
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGN21 Dream Showers Let You Soap Up in Style
These sensational showers have it all: spectacular design, luxurious materials and sleek high-tech features
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Fees, Demystified
Learn what a contractor’s markups cover — and why they’re worth it
Full StoryColumbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!
Joseph Corlett, LLC