How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel
No matter how well it goes, building or remodeling a kitchen is a tough, disruptive process. But there are things you can do to make it a more pleasant memory. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Be prepared. It's always going to take longer and probably cost more than you expected. If you know - and act on - this in advance, you'll need fewer sleep aids during the process.
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Isolate yourself from the dirt and noise as best you can: Seal off or at least tape plastic over the doorways and openings to the rest of the house. Get a portable toilet for the workers or let them use one you don't need - one that's not in your living area.
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Make sure your children and pets can't get at the debris generated by the process - it's easy to get hurt. And keep them out of the project area.
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Set clear time frames for the workers to arrive and leave (say, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday). Otherwise, you may have workers in your midst while you're trying to entertain, help your kids with homework or just live like human beings (difficult enough anyway). You need your space.
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Set up a room as a temporary kitchen, using your old refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, even the range and the old sink cabinet, if you can.
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If you're going to wash dishes in the bathroom, make it one you won't actually use as a bathroom for the duration. Honest, you won't like it.
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If a contractor or craftsperson tells you that he or she needs a firm decision on something - or an actual item - by a certain date, give it to him or her. This is one of the primary reasons for cost and time overruns.
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Be nice and professional with everyone, including the workers; they'll mostly reflect back to you what you present to them.
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Write down any problems or things you don't understand - but be sure to talk to the concerned party.
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Make as few changes (major and minor) as possible. Changes are usually more expensive and typically cause delays.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're a couple, make one of you the primary contact. Even if you have a general contractor, things come up on a daily basis and it's better all around if everyone knows who to contact.
Make yourself available to the process by phone or pager - and proximity. Things will always come up that must be dealt with promptly; any single delay can escalate amazingly quickly into multiple delays. You'll never know what hit you.
Insist that your contractor sweep up every day, inside and out, and regularly haul away the trash. If you're acting as your own contractor, do it yourself. But be sure to do it.
Avoid trying to help. However easy it looks, it isn't - even picking things up and carrying them around takes a certain skill and practice. Also, you may simply be in the way.
Praise is good. Craftspeople (even contractors) like to hear about it if you appreciate their efforts; they may go that extra step, too.
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Comments
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Nov 22, 2005
Some homeowners will be run over by contractors (they can be ruthless). Get in writing an agreement that protects you! Remember you have power in the negotiation process. For example, in a recent contract with a contractor I made him agree to finish by a particular date (2 weeks after he said he would finish). If he did not, he would lose 15% of his wages per extra week. He was very shaken by this request, and my reply was simply--"Why are you worried? This is 2 weeks after you're telling me you will be done!" He eventually did agree to this--and I am sure the project would not have been done on time otherwise. Contractors will do anything they can to eliminate their risk and put you at risk of paying them more, waiting longer, and not having the final product as it was promised. You do not have to stand for this! If the contractor you're talking with is not providing written guarantees that will safeguard your expenses and satisfaction, don't be afraid to tell him "Have a nice day," and search for another contractor. The time you spend in the process of searching for a good contractor, who will back up what he promised in writing, will pay-off in the long run. Good Luck!
