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All we'll we are more or less done aside from from decorating that will happen who knowns when.
Still waiting for one replacement cabinet door, which just arrived, and a couple more of the large shower tiles have cracked...so still dealing with them on that, but otherwise finished and content.
man, that's tight though... I don't know how you manage with two boys
Its not that bad. Yeah I would love more room, but to be able to afford anything bigger...even to rent in our part of town is WAAAAY more than our mortgage, and we have any where near the conveniences right outside our front door that we have now. So, at least the reno updated it and makes it feel more open to tide us over for a bit.
Yes I know. Hopefully by then we'll be more in a position to do something else. I might be more willing to go somewhere else.
Its kind of hard when I'm a mile from the water for bike riding, have tons of parks and neighborhood kids for our boys to play with, and have tons of good restaurants, brew pubs, high end movie theater, bike shop, fitness center, pools etc etc etc all built in to the community within blocks of our front door.
Its really hard to give up.
Its like all the advantages of living in a city, but in a more suburban-ish setting.
Results look great! Gave me some ideas for when we do our kitchen and bathroom. Love the blue subway tile against the white cabinets.
We're in a similar boat though, we like our current house and area....but ideally would like more room (we have 2 boys also). So it's either drop more $$ into the house (we have the property to expand if we want) or look elsewhere.
Results look great! Gave me some ideas for when we do our kitchen and bathroom. Love the blue subway tile against the white cabinets.
We're in a similar boat though, we like our current house and area....but ideally would like more room (we have 2 boys also). So it's either drop more $$ into the house (we have the property to expand if we want) or look elsewhere.
Thanks! The translucent blue glass really sets off when the under cabinet LEDs are on. I forgot to do that in the photo.
Yeah...its tough in LA. houses SMALLER than our condo (990 sq ft) are going for $1 mil or more. No fucking way am I doing that.
It looks fucking awesome, David.
Having spent all my childhood summer's in Switzerland...I find that I'm more prone to loving smaller spaces. I know the American way is bigger is better (Tejas?)...but I enjoy a space that is well designed and decorated well.
Our "needs" in this country for huge vehicles and homes is kinda funny to me. Especially when I think about my Mother lugging 2 kids around in a 90's Civic Si Hatch.
Location Location Location...sounds like you're living the dream, man.
I live in a relatively small house... For me, it's not so much about room for people... unless you like to entertain a lot... it's more about places to hide all your crap.
Results look great! Gave me some ideas for when we do our kitchen and bathroom. Love the blue subway tile against the white cabinets.
We're in a similar boat though, we like our current house and area....but ideally would like more room (we have 2 boys also). So it's either drop more $$ into the house (we have the property to expand if we want) or look elsewhere.
But come on David, really? capturing yourself in the mirror?? You should know better. Its like watching cheap porn when you see the cameraman reflection in the mirror, once you see him you keep looking for it and miss out on too much of the real substance of the vid..
But come on David, really? capturing yourself in the mirror?? You should know better. Its like watching cheap porn when you see the cameraman reflection in the mirror, once you see him you keep looking for it and miss out on too much of the real substance of the vid..
I still haven't given final payment...and they weren't asking. Which was leading to wonder if or what info my supervisor had been passing on to the Contractor...As I think I mentioned the Supervisor left the company to start his own. And he was still going to see my job to the end. Well, I got tired of trying to get things scheduled with him. So, I just went back to the company to cut out the middle man. Of course they were clueless about anything. I was kept being told I'd get a call back. After two attempts in a week, I got tired of the BS and I wrote a letter defining everything and what my expectations were along with a time limit and I sent it certified.
CEO called me apologizing saying he had no clue of any of this and wanted to make things right. I did get my replacement kitchen cabinet door. And I have been waiting to get the remaining cracked tiles replaced. He sent a new supervisor to my place a few weeks ago to see what needed to be done. A guy was supposed to come this Monday...Sunday, I get a text saying there was an emergency and he wouldn't be able to come...OK fine.
I get a text asking if the guy can come Tuesday sometime from 11-2pm...I ask if we can Wed and he replies next Monday...so, I say fine I will reschedule so he can come Tuesday.
This is how Tuesday (yesterday) went down:
That was the moment I decided to no longer be the nice guy. Finally fed up with everything.
And I think they got the message. The guy showed up at 8:15am while I was still out dropping my kids off at school. I find it amusing they could suddenly send someone on Wed...you know like I originally asked...
Anyway, dudes here now replacing the tiles....Different guy than who has been the work the entire time...I hope he knows what he is doing, and I hope thats the end of cracking shower tiles.
Good shit D! Sometimes nice guys just get walked all over/taken advantage of. It's just professional courtesy to show up on time..
I'm generally very nice. Usually, too nice.
Push or wrong me and Sarlacc starts making an appearance. 4.5 months and all the bullshit...no more nice guy. No more excuses. And its great that you tell me sorry, but you're not calling the shots anymore, I am.
I kinda feel bad for the supervisor who took over getting the brunt of my frustration...but I have a feeling they ALL work this way, so, tough shit.
I still haven't given final payment...and they weren't asking. Which was leading to wonder if or what info my supervisor had been passing on to the Contractor...As I think I mentioned the Supervisor left the company to start his own. And he was still going to see my job to the end. Well, I got tired of trying to get things scheduled with him. So, I just went back to the company to cut out the middle man. Of course they were clueless about anything. I was kept being told I'd get a call back. After two attempts in a week, I got tired of the BS and I wrote a letter defining everything and what my expectations were along with a time limit and I sent it certified.
CEO called me apologizing saying he had no clue of any of this and wanted to make things right. I did get my replacement kitchen cabinet door. And I have been waiting to get the remaining cracked tiles replaced. He sent a new supervisor to my place a few weeks ago to see what needed to be done. A guy was supposed to come this Monday...Sunday, I get a text saying there was an emergency and he wouldn't be able to come...OK fine.
I get a text asking if the guy can come Tuesday sometime from 11-2pm...I ask if we can Wed and he replies next Monday...so, I say fine I will reschedule so he can come Tuesday.
This is how Tuesday (yesterday) went down:
That was the moment I decided to no longer be the nice guy. Finally fed up with everything.
And I think they got the message. The guy showed up at 8:15am while I was still out dropping my kids off at school. I find it amusing they could suddenly send someone on Wed...you know like I originally asked...
Anyway, dudes here now replacing the tiles....Different guy than who has been the work the entire time...I hope he knows what he is doing, and I hope thats the end of cracking shower tiles.
I feel your pain, our contractor sucks too. Lots of random delays and severe lack of communication between the PM and the owner and the subs. There were several days where no one showed up even though they were supposed to or someone came by, realized he didn't know what to do, and just left without doing anything. I had a heated call with the owner of the company and basically told him I manage multi-million dollar international programs utilizing over a hundred people across the globe for a living and remodeling a kitchen is not that hard. He got better for a while and then got crappy again. I'd never use these people again and have told other people similar things. We're also withholding final payment until everything is finished to our liking. At the end of the day, I do like the progress and the result but the trip has been FAR less than easy. At this point I feel that I could have GC'ed this myself and done it in about half the time.
I feel your pain, our contractor sucks too. Lots of random delays and severe lack of communication between the PM and the owner and the subs. There were several days where no one showed up even though they were supposed to or someone came by, realized he didn't know what to do, and just left without doing anything. I had a heated call with the owner of the company and basically told him I manage multi-million dollar international programs utilizing over a hundred people across the globe for a living and remodeling a kitchen is not that hard. He got better for a while and then got crappy again. I'd never use these people again and have told other people similar things. We're also withholding final payment until everything is finished to our liking. At the end of the day, I do like the progress and the result but the trip has been FAR less than easy. At this point I feel that I could have GC'ed this myself and done it in about half the time.
My call with the owner was him kissing ass. He said he called me as soon as he was done reading my letter and wanted to make me happy, etc etc etc.
My thoughts are: These guys don't want negative publicity...they want to keep their homeadvisor, yelp, etc reviews kept positive. What they REALLY don't want is a complaint filed against them with the certification board because that black mark follows them everywhere. I'm also sure the owner has no idea of whats happened the last couple days.
I wouldn't say I've had a lovely experience with these guys...but based on all the people we've spoken with who have gone through this we have had it "pretty good" in comparison. Still makes me insane to know that this is how the world of construction and contracting is run...how is that allowed? Any other industry and we'd all be fired and never work again.
I just read this to my wife, these are the exact same BS delays we've been getting for months, as a result, the same texts we have started to send, hilarious.
Glad it's finally working out and what a scam, I'll never hire a GC again.
I just read this to my wife, these are the exact same BS delays we've been getting for months, as a result, the same texts we have started to send, hilarious.
Glad it's finally working out and what a scam, I'll never hire a GC again.
Its just obnoxious. I could have done a better job (and sometimes I did) AND I could have highered a better caliber of sub contractors with regards to certain people.
I just read this to my wife, these are the exact same BS delays we've been getting for months, as a result, the same texts we have started to send, hilarious.
Glad it's finally working out and what a scam, I'll never hire a GC again.
Originally Posted by Sarlacc
Its just obnoxious. I could have done a better job (and sometimes I did) AND I could have highered a better caliber of sub contractors with regards to certain people.
Same.
When we do our master bath (hopefully) next year, I'm going to GC it myself. The only hard part will be drawing up plans and such for permits but I think I can figure that out...
Dreading doing my bathroom. I have a gym buddy who's a GC that I was asking for just info. He's quick to give you a spot but sucks at texts. Imagine working with this guy and he's one of the cool GC's
Make sure to get insurance if you are hiring subs. Being the owner/GC, in Florida at least, means the liability is on you, from what I've read. My wife didn't want me doing because she wanted it done quickly so I stopped researching but I would hate for someone to cut a finger off and sue me.
Originally Posted by SamDoe1
Same.
When we do our master bath (hopefully) next year, I'm going to GC it myself. The only hard part will be drawing up plans and such for permits but I think I can figure that out...
Make sure to get insurance if you are hiring subs. Being the owner/GC, in Florida at least, means the liability is on you, from what I've read. My wife didn't want me doing because she wanted it done quickly so I stopped researching but I would hate for someone to cut a finger off and sue me.
Thanks for the heads up. I'd make sure to hire subs that come with their own insurance for things like that. It's no different than if I were to call a plumber to fix a leaky pipe.
Been awhile...but long story short. I contacted the contractor over a month ago about some issues. The shower tiles started to crack again, a small chip in the kitchen counter fell out along the edge, and I found some minor defects in one of the cabinets doors. After a week they finally sent someone out to look at the stuff and he said ok head be in touch. Another week later he set up an appointment to have someone come look at the counter. They never showed. The guy wouldn't answer his texts. And then I spent 3 days being shrugged off by the office. Lucky for me I keep notes. I sent a certified letter to both owners and some 3rd party I found on the licensing board site. I spelled everything out to a T and gave them 2 weeks to reply with a written record of how they were going to fix or I was going to file a complaint with licensing board and post negative reviews all over the internet. They date came, nothing. So, I followed through on my word. I wrote negative reviews everywhere, and I filed a complaint with the license board.
Still waiting to hear from the board as this all happened last week. But those idiots decided to reply my review on BBB site. They poorly try to discredit me...they actually sank low enough to try and blame the chip on my kids, and then just said Im a liar. Of course I sent a short concise reply...but wow what a bunch of shit sticks.
Oh, while I can't prove it...one of them very maturely created a fake gmail account with my name, and then went on homeadvisor and some place else so that I would get bombarded by calls from contracting solicitors and immigration lawyers. Damn shame I don't answer my phone for number I don't recognize...and the Hiya App works great to identify numbers after the fact. And I keep records, logs, and screen shots of everything.
That is insane they have stooped that low rather than standing up and fixing their mistakes. Sorry you are having to go through all this and deal with all these issues.
Sorry to hear about your troubles, I thought it was all squared away by now. I know it sucks to pay top dollar and they won't even stand behind their work. Did you pay them everything for the job?
Been awhile...but long story short. I contacted the contractor over a month ago about some issues. The shower tiles started to crack again, a small chip in the kitchen counter fell out along the edge, and I found some minor defects in one of the cabinets doors. After a week they finally sent someone out to look at the stuff and he said ok head be in touch. Another week later he set up an appointment to have someone come look at the counter. They never showed. The guy wouldn't answer his texts. And then I spent 3 days being shrugged off by the office. Lucky for me I keep notes. I sent a certified letter to both owners and some 3rd party I found on the licensing board site. I spelled everything out to a T and gave them 2 weeks to reply with a written record of how they were going to fix or I was going to file a complaint with licensing board and post negative reviews all over the internet. They date came, nothing. So, I followed through on my word. I wrote negative reviews everywhere, and I filed a complaint with the license board.
Still waiting to hear from the board as this all happened last week. But those idiots decided to reply my review on BBB site. They poorly try to discredit me...they actually sank low enough to try and blame the chip on my kids, and then just said Im a liar. Of course I sent a short concise reply...but wow what a bunch of shit sticks.
Oh, while I can't prove it...one of them very maturely created a fake gmail account with my name, and then went on homeadvisor and some place else so that I would get bombarded by calls from contracting solicitors and immigration lawyers. Damn shame I don't answer my phone for number I don't recognize...and the Hiya App works great to identify numbers after the fact. And I keep records, logs, and screen shots of everything.
Um, holy hell... Have you found a posting they made where they put your telephone number in the posting from an account you did not create? If so, i would talk to a lawyer about filing a civil suit against them. It absolutely is provable who made the account (original sign up IP address is recorded by Google and kept permanently),along with the IP addresses used for most posts on sites like HomeAdvisor, etc. Sometimes some sites only keep the IP logs for 30 days, but it's there...
06-01-2017, 07:05 AM
so I stopped researching but I would hate for someone to cut a finger off and sue me.
