I love how beginning to write each post happens when an idea pops in my head. Hopefully it touches on a topic you are curious about or need to consider. Sometimes these posts are rapid fire and completed in one sitting. More often, they develop over a few sessions of writing. Once in a while, my original idea gets tweaked by an unexpected event or visit from one of our clients. That is what happened yesterday. I am so excited about the feedback this client shared, I must pass it on to you.
We all know how thrilling positive feedback can be. Who does not love and appreciate being admired and complimented? Both are huge coming from a customer or professional that happens to be involved in a project with us. Receiving feedback from someone happy with our approach to remodeling and building makes everything we do worth every effort!
Lenny Santosuosso, our owner and craftsman extraordinaire, is a perfectionist who does everything the right way the first time. Yes, many claim this. However, Building Inspectors see every builder's
final results. To be complemented and referred by a peer in the industry, such as an inspector, is the top compliment any building professional can receive.
Yesterday, while I was writing the following paragraphs, a couple came in. They awarded numerous outside home improvements to us this past year. Being thrilled with the results, they are beginning to remodel the interior of their home. They mentioned, Lenny is the only professional they would hire.
That peaked my interest to inquire for details.
In the conversation, I asked if they were the couple a building inspector had commented to a few weeks ago? " Maybe, what did they say?", she asked. I answered, "Oh, some inspector commented to our client that, "Yes this is Lenny's job, I can always tell because his jobs are perfect." He went on to say, " Lenny's excellent work is so well known, it is tempting to sign off without actually going out to do the on site inspection. However, we must go out to see it with our own eyes. As I expected, once again, he did everything right."
The gracious lady and her husband nodded in agreement. However, she said "No that was not us or our project. Ours was with another building inspector who commented, " Lenny's work is impeccable! When I inspect Lenny's projects, every requirement is met, not one single building requirement is missing. That is important to me personally. My daughter is looking for the best builder for her home project. Lenny is who I will recommend!"
Why am I passing this on? Well, obviously sharing such feedback may help you make a decision to choose Apple Wood. However, it is more than that. In this newest series of posts, I sincerely want to help all property owners understand the possible solutions, best options, the distinctions, and differences that exist in the wide range of choices available to you in the building/remodeling industry. Success IS in the details. Being detailed oriented and committed to excellence is important. It translates into monetary gains or losses.
Last week we shared the top level of building remodeling professionals, Design Build Construction
and Remodeling Contractors. This category represents the best choice to insure true in house craftsmanship with the lowest concern for potential problems. Please review that post. It explains the advantages of Design Build ( soup to nuts) construction. Everything in your project is handled and supplied directly through the firms design and construction team.
The next or second option just below this top level is working with a local privately owned or "Mom and Pop" kitchen/bath retailer. There are many highly experienced excellent choices in this category.
Some may imitate true Design Build firms. It depends on their approach to handling the various phases of your remodel.
At times, simple replacement of cabinets into the same footprint is all a client is interested in accomplishing. If that is so, the design process is simplified. New cabinets that are the same size and configuration are simple to order and install. I would recommend new flooring, sinks, counters, plumbing fixtures, faucets, and also windows be updated as well. The moment you replace the old cabinets with new ones, anything original is going to look outdated and worn by contrast. Most Kitchen/Bath retailers can provide a hand drawn or computer generated design showing the new cabinet details.
Mom and Pop Kitchen/Bath retailers typically offer low to mid range prefab or semi custom cabinetry lines. Some with established clients, from years of experience, also attract truly custom built cabinet lines. The differences in the various levels is pronounced and a topic for a future blog post.
So how does this one step down from Design Build compare? What is the primary difference in results you can expect? Primarily, a direct company employee build team is not part of their business. This fact is key! It is directly connected to the overall satisfaction experienced by clients in and after the project is completed.
Installations and selections of the other components needed in the overall project may not be handled by the designer you are familiar with and trust. The designer /or owner subcontract with carpenters and installers. It is possible these professionals are excellent. It is also possible they are just people who think they know how to fix things or have limited carpenter skills. It is important to note; they are not actually employed by the showroom. The showroom owner will give you a list or business cards. It is your responsibility to contact these people and hire them yourself. They are sub contractors. What does this mean? Well, in the event you have any issues during or after the project, you will need to run down numerous people rather than make one call to your Design Build Firm. Getting what you pay for is very evident when you compare these two options.
Let me remind you of the many sides of remodeling:
1. It is an enjoyable adventure to realize your dream home coming into reality.
2. Even with the best team, there will be stressful days and times
3. The peace of having one person you contact responsible for everything is worth every penny
4. You must do your due diligence to research anyone you invite into your home to improve it!
5. Do not sign a contract or give any deposits without referrals and confirming the person has
a stellar reputation
When you select to work with a retailer who requires you to line up your own subs, be aware of the following. The process of very important selections for your flooring, plumbing fixtures, faucets, sinks, lighting, and electrical are up to you. When the designer/retailer gives referrals, you make all the effort without the help of the one professional who can coordinate everything perfectly for you.
Timeliness from beginning to end is key for client satisfaction. It is important you realize remodeling requires a logical step by step process to stay on task with completion and consistency. Every part depends on how efficiently, correctly, and promptly the previous steps were handled. If one sub contractor is not thorough or is slow, the entire project is halted until they catch up. When you are living in your home waiting for access to electrical, plumbing, or cabinetry that is delayed it is very irritating. The normal level of stress expected in a remodeling project can be multiplied greatly.
To end this post on a positive note I want to say, this approach is perfect for homeowners who love the process of being their own designer and planner. Hands on can be a true joy for those with the talent and skill to oversee their own project. Choosing all the components is exciting for them, if they have the talent and ability to select everything that truly complements the cabinet design and style. In that case, it can be a perfect fit. Often, however, it is overwhelming and the end result is disappointing with too many conflicting design components. A remodeling project is filled with more choices that need to be made than most are prepared to consider. You may find dealing with all the individual details daunting.
As always we are here to help you. Truthfully, the little more you will pay for the peace of mind of having one contact to be your Project Manager is worth every penny. We can help you discover what works best for you. We have numerous satisfied clients that will attest to trusting their home and dream project to us who will never award any remodeling or building job to just any Kitchen or Bath Retailer.
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