Obviously the headline has been changed to be PC (politically correct), however I guess you know what he meant. And I don’t just mean bathrooms. Challenges (we don’t call them problems anymore) are inherent in remodeling and rearing its ugly head at the least opportune time.
The truth is, the odds of pulling off a major bathroom or kitchen makeover without a hitch (oops!) are slim. Very few things in life go perfectly, and if you take this into account when undertaking a remodeling project, your experience will be much more pleasant. These projects involve almost every merchant out there; designers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, cabinetmakers, etc. There are countless areas where challenges can develop (ugh!), ranging from discovering a frame that isn’t coded to cabinets that arrive damaged or in the wrong color. So how do you minimize tribulations ahead of time and what do you do when something goes wrong?
Over the years, I’ve found that most contractors really want to please their customers. A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders found that 64% of a contractor’s jobs come from friends, relatives and neighbors of their previous clients and 20% come from repeat business. That represents 84% of your new business; too large a number to risk not doing a satisfactory job. But what is the definition of satisfying work?
Most licensed contractors are aware of the “Industry Standards” that relate to the type of work they are doing. These are the acceptable tolerances regarding the installation of new or replacement products, and with these guidelines there is no question about what is acceptable and what is not. But there are problems that can arise that do not have clear measures of performance.
The most disappointing problem is when you envisioned something very specific for your project but the contractor didn’t get what you were trying to describe. This can be very difficult to resolve after the fact, so it is imperative that you carefully review all plans and drawings in advance. Don’t be shy about asking questions about plans until you’re sure they accurately reflect what you had in mind.
Damaged goods issues can be easily corrected, but patience is needed. From time to time something can happen from the damaged factory. First, the cabinets and countertops must be manufactured, packaged, and then shipped by one or more carriers. Truckers don’t always realize how important your materials are to you and aren’t always as careful as they should be. And even the most careful worker can make a mistake on the job, they are human. It’s realistic to expect that there will be some unforeseen problem, but being aware of it will make your experience less stressful.
If you chose your contractor carefully (see the December post Insider Kitchen©), when the “ship hits the fan” they will be happy to address any issues, in a timely manner. But be patient! If something needs to be replaced, there are time constraints that cannot be changed. The remodeler wants the job completed as quickly as you do.
In the rare cases, when an issue cannot be dealt with amicably, seek the help of an arbitration board. This is a service offered to mediate between the parties and provide an impartial conclusion. Fortunately, if you’re working with a licensed professional remodeler, it’s rare that you’ll ever have to go to this extreme. Just talk to your contractor; describe your concerns in detail and try to find a solution.
