The nearest I've gotten to my new kitchen
I'm not a very patient person.
Red tape,lack of information not doing things when I was told things were going to happen are things that drive me bananas .
...and I am a very assertive customer.
The new kitchen is planned and I am awaiting final costings as the original plans forgot to take into account some heating pipes.
Last week the plumber gave me just one hour notice of a no show ( without an explaination) and blocked me totally on social media after I told him it was inconvenient . His offer for another appointment has so far not been forthcoming.
The new local plumber is coming out on Sunday to give me a quote for some work and I'm hoping the kitchen fitter can sort out our " slot" very soon.
Project managing is bloody stressful
Since you're still in the planning stage, figure on at least 6 more months; nothing will move forward until you start plunking down chunks of cold, hard cash.
ReplyDeleteSix months is optimistic. Two years is more realistic.
DeleteEat shit and die fellas
DeleteI want it done before christmas
DeleteChristmas is but a day.
DeleteChristmas 2019?
DeleteNot saying I know much, but I do work for the largest home improvement corporation... in the world.
DeleteMy hub had his own business doing just this....our customers only waited the delivery time of the kitchen. He measured ev er y thing! (he was a plumber too). Some of those 80s/90s/noughties kitchens are still going strong. Still a fuckwit tho.
DeleteBeen there , done that and it never really gets easier. You just get more used to it or the workers are so good/nice that you tolerate it better.
ReplyDeleteI had to stop and count how many times I have been through this sort of thing .. 3 I think .. NY- Argentina - NY (different house) ...
*and I am never patient *
My dear John, a prerequisite of any "project" management is patience. A sort of what will be will be attitude and, most importantly, and it is my firm belief, "everything will be fine". And it usually is. Cortisol levels rising won't get you anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI once lived on a building site (my dream house) for EIGHTEEN months. The place needed to be taken apart before putting it together again. My oasis my desk in an empty room from which I would emerge every so often, like Aurora in the dust, to keep up the workmen's morale. No probs. Well, other than when my then husband came home in the evening (after the builders had left). He was a most exacting man. I had the time of my life calming him down, to then convey his critique, nay demands, to the builders (and assorted trades)the next morning without pissing them off big time. I assured them that their workmanship was amazing if only we could tweak this or that. It worked like a charm. Never underestimate how useful it can be (for a woman) to play dumb. And smile. Being tetchy will get you nowhere. It was so sweet. We bonded over pipes and subsidence and what not. I loved those guys. One of them even climbed a very tall tree our kitten had found herself on top of. They were top notch salt of the Earth type guys.
U
"My dear John, a prerequisite of any "project" management is patience."
DeleteYOU DONT SAY,!
just think of the money you save by doing your own project managing!
ReplyDeleteIf you were lying in a hospital bed you would be a patient person. In fact as a patient awaiting your cosmetic surgery you might play patience or read some verses by your favourite writer - Patience Strong.
ReplyDeleteYou need one man who can do it all. I have such a person. It makes house refurbs stress free and timely.
ReplyDeleteIf I had one there would be no post today
DeleteA good kitchen fitter should be able to do the lot in any case. No need for separate plumber.
DeleteThe plumber is sorting the radiators out
DeleteYou have my sympathy. It is stressful and it's also frustrating when it becomes apparent that promises and timelines have no meaning.
ReplyDeleteOn the strength of having managed my kitchen renovation, I got a job as project manager for a church that was spending millions of dollars on deferred maintenance and system upgrades. It's all about watching closely and telling the guys how much you appreciate their work. Keep smiling!
ReplyDeleteJohn we've been remodeling our home for two years now... patience is a must around here... Oh yes you would not believe the lack of customer service and just plain common sense and consideration.. Makes you wonder how people ever run a business..and keep it running..When really all we're talking about is communication...simple communication... a phone call... hello? We do our best just to do things ourselves.... We only bring someone in when its something we don't think we can do.. Good luck John... breathe... believe it or not it will all come togther... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteI know what you are living through. My x always remodeled every house we lived in ! What a huge pain in the bum.
ReplyDeletePlus I has just given birth. Came home to workers knocking out walls ! New baby with workers what a mess.
Never expect it to be done on time and I hope you factored in the cost over runs. Remodeling is never smooth.
Good Luck !
cheers, parsnip xo
Started my little bath addition in April 2016. Still not done yet.
ReplyDeletePatience is a virtue my friend....meanwhile I recommend extreme gardening....I over use the shears
and pruning saw every time I get too frustrated.
I have done several renovations and have started to do more work myself. There are always those days when you just say"F--k it"
ReplyDeleteIt gets better.
You need to stay calm, this is just the beginning. Many many upsets will follow. You'll ''catch more flies with honey." Also remember it will cost at least 25% more than expected, prob more like 50%.
ReplyDeleteAnd take 6 months to a year longer.
DeleteWe moved into so many homes that needed refurbishment .. kitchens and baths especially. You always vow you will never do it again ... if you are lucky, you can keep that vow :)
ReplyDeleteRemodeling is similar to opening a can of worms. Please hang in there and don't just take 'whoever' you can to do the job. We have done that and the screw-ups they have done have caused some major upsets. Have you ever seen "The Money Pit?"
ReplyDeleteYes it is. No platitudes from me who camped out in a corner of the living room while the whole house got new windows.
ReplyDeleteBe patient, just keep thinking about how wonderful your new dream kitchen will be. Remodeling ain't easy.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, things take 3xtimes as long and cost 3xtimes as much as you expected! Worth it in the end, though.
ReplyDeleteJohn - here the locals have a 'jack of all trades' - he is fantastic and always comes exactly when he says he will. He also knows other tradesmen who fit the bill. Can't you ask around? Most village areas have a chap like this.
ReplyDeleteRegarding wooden bench tops. To avoid dents be particularly careful when putting down shopping bags with cans or jars in. Good luck with the next plumber, I agree, renovating is very stressful.
ReplyDeletePatience is a virtue, or so I've been told.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how hard it can be to get workmen to show up for a job. I mean, we're giving them MONEY, and they act like it's an imposition!
ReplyDeleteReno's (especially kitchens) are a frustrating combination of Heaven and Hell.
ReplyDeleteI have been known to make people cry, when they disappoint me
ReplyDeleteDid I hear you say you wanted it done by Christmas? hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! It would be more likely that you can learn all the crafts yourself (plumbing, electricity, woodwork, painter) and do all the work yourself than that it will be done in less than six months!
ReplyDeleteDo you mean Christmas 2017 or 18. I told you we were related. I hate excuses, and let downs - makes me sooooo GRrrrrr angry.
ReplyDeleteStorm Brian is battering Aberystwyth and we're talking kitchens. John!
ReplyDeleteBatten down what's left of the hatches!
Should have married a plumber instead of a professor!
ReplyDeleteWe were so pissed with the attitude of "proper" kitchen companies, that we built our own. It's not as bad as it sounds! We sourced old wood cupboards and a dresser, plus an old lab sink and various new bare wood pieces. All painted with chalk paint and waxed to protect. We also used IKEA solid wood worktops to bring it all together. It is the best kitchen i've ever had, and after four years it looks brand new. Thankfully the husband is very practical and I LOVE painting x
ReplyDeleteAww it will get done John. All this will be but a memory and you'll be happily pottering about in your new kitchen, making culinary delights for your Prof.
ReplyDeleteWhere I live in the NE of Scotland no problem. Not sure what the answer is John. But we have never had any problems. We just had our garage roof fixed, no probs. Came when they said, got over the problems, like if they had done what they quoted for the gable end of the house would have collapsed. Other lot coming to fix the dormer windows next week. Who are these people who mess you about? Name and shame.
ReplyDeleteI have just had a new kitchen installed due to a flood. The firm sent by the insurance company were amazing. It might be because I told them I was (and did) going to blog the whole renovation. I think they were following the bog posts too as any tiny niggles were immediately dealt with the following day.
ReplyDeleteFridge-freezer door better opening the other way, with handles on the left. Built in appliances much more expensive to switch out if they go wrong, so I would go for free-standing, but horses for courses. Get a cooker with a double oven, much more versatile. If the sink isn't under a window, I would move to under the one shown. Tall wall units that go up to the ceiling would look better than those with a gap above on the left wall (and would give more storage). The corner wall cupboards on the left will enclose the space, run of shelves along the window wall shown could open it up and be good for display, although would need dusting.
ReplyDeleteAnything fucking else?
DeleteNooo, tall units up to the ceiling might be practical but they're not as aesthetically pleasing.
DeleteArgh: tall wall units on the right wall. I would switch positIons of sink (to under window) and Washing machine.
ReplyDeleteThe sink is under another window we have three in the kitchen
DeleteJohn you may be miffed, but this person has good suggestions. Fridge should open the other way, tall cabinets = no dust/ more storage. And where is your dishwasher? It should be hard right of the sink. With cabinets above for storing the dishes.
DeleteWorse things happen at sea.
ReplyDeleteTake Depp Breaths, then either go for a long, brisk walk or take a swig from that bottle of good wine you grip under your arm at all times John... it's going to be rocky for a while. There's no way but Onwards!! Good luck,
ReplyDeleteGotten ? Sorry JG, but just " got" would have been fine !
ReplyDeleteThere's absolutely no need to be so insulting.
DeleteWicked!!!! the lot of ya.... Don't despair John, I have faith in you, if you wish the kitchen is to be finished by christmas. Thy will be done.
ReplyDeleteYou are the man for the job, kick some arses and howl from the roof tops if you have too and may the force be with you.
This is why we decided to move to a house that had already been updated and had an extension added, so there was no further work to be done on it. Managing months and months of building work would have driven me insane.
ReplyDeleteThe blueprint looks lovely, hope it all goes well for you.
ReplyDeleteWe had a new kitchen about three years ago, I hadn't been prepared for how much disruption there would be but it was worth it.
The end result still gives me a thrill every time I open the door.
Can't wait to see the finished result, it'll look lovely and as an experienced project manager I can safely say the whole process is usually one third planning, one third panic and one third frustration = totally worthwhile at the end. xx
ReplyDeleteif you use the IKEA fitters you will have no problems. What people dont know is that IKEA kitchens are not exactly the same as a normal kitchen unit. The pipes etc are run UNDER the bottom of the cupboards in behind the kick boards this way it makes a lot more space inside the actual cupboard and is easier to get to rather than ripping the back board off of a unit if there is a leak. I am a complete IKEA kitchen convert. I was going to get a solid wood one. But then I couldnt get the design to fit and the IKEA one held so much more than another one would have. they really do think of everything. As long as the fitters can make the date it will be done on time. And the price is the price it doesnt go over! Good luck. My only piece of advise is get paper plates and throw away cutlery, keep the microwave accessible. its going to look fab! I cant wait to see the end result!
ReplyDeleteI am actually going to fit IKEA kitchen cupboards in my lounge as they are the exact pit for either side of the chimney.
DeleteAbout five years ago my kitchen imploded due to a "slow gradual leak" - insurance speak for take that suckers- we will pay you out a minimal amount although your kitchen is unusable. Thus embarked my kitchen reno- which I thought would take maybe 2 months and $X. Fast forward - 5 months and $ XX. But I want to say it was worth every tear and rant and rave and time spent on my knees scraping almost 70 years of 3 layers of vinyl off the most incredible hardwood floor ( my only bit of hard labour, if the truth be known). I have an amazingly functional & practical kitchen that makes me smile every single day. It is the one thing that makes me stop putting my 50's house on the market because nowhere else will I get exactly what *I* wanted. It is a plain old white kitchen with amazing features like corner drawers and a massive pantry - nothing flash, but everything eminently workable and practical.It was worth 5 months of BBQs ( the BBQ was the BBQ from hell- a bitch to light) and crockpot meals and washing up in a plastic basin in the laundry. Come Christmas I had a functional, but butt ugly kitchen - the drawers and door fronts were in , but they were only in shitboard because the kitchen fitter was such a perfectionist he would not install the good stuff until he knew his dimensions were spot on. Was it worth it - yes, did I cry and swear, absolutely. I'm still trying to rack up the courage ( and $$ ) to upgrade the laundry... be strong - it is totally worth it.
ReplyDelete