SAVING MONEY!!

[Tom R]

A friend of mine's sister had me give her a price a while back on remodeling her kitchen, - - it's an old house that wasn't well built at all - - I've done a few small jobs there before.

Anyway, - - she didn't like my price, - - and went running around (kind of on a mission) telling everybody how I'm too expensive, - - allright, - - whatever. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Now keep in mind when I do the job, - - I do every phase, - - therefore there's no 'lag-time' in scheduling.

She called in some 'Fly-by-Night', - - no license, no insurance, - - but hey, - - she's gonna save money, right? No permits, - - no inspections, - -oh, and did I forget to mention, - - NO RE-COURSE?!?

He comes in and 'guts' the kitchen, - - instead of 'furring down' the ceiling joists to get things straight, - - he cut's about 3/4" off the bottoms of the only two joists that are sagging, - - then doesn't even 'sister' them (they're the two under the 'tub' above, - - HELLO!!! - - excuse me, - - I'm suddenly speechless!!) Ohhhpp, - - too late, - - it's already 'drywalled over'! They are now 3/4" less in width than when they were already sagging!

Now she's ready for 'her choice' of flooring company to do the ceramic tile floor. They lay the floor with 5/8" (READ - 5/8"!!!) grout lines so they don't have to cut any borders. She's furious, - - but 'stuck'!

Then the cabinets she ordered from HD finally came in (about 5 weeks), - - but several of them were the wrong size, - - so they tell her "don't worry, we'll simply re-order" (what's another 5 weeks, right?)

Now she's finally got the right cabinets in, - - but the 'Fly-by-Night' won't answer his phone, - - and she can't seem to track him down (it's hard to find people that aren't on the 'radar'). He posesses some of the money and all of the plan.

She tries calling 'her choice' of the countertop installer, - - but of course he says he can't even measure 'til the cabs are in.

She calls 'her choice' of the electrician, - - but he refuses to fish wires and install boxes with no plan of the cabinet layout.

At this point she's been 4 MONTHS with NO KITCHEN!! And the 'tunnel' isn't gettin' any brighter.

OH, THE HORROR!!! (of saving money)!!!

My friend says his sister now says herself she owes me a big apology for the 'bad-mouthing'.

I told him tell her that's not necessary at all, - - In fact it is I who owe a big THANK YOU - - for all the FREE ADVERTISEMENT!!!) 8)


P.S. There are a few BRIGHT SPOTS to this story

- - 'her choice' of the plumber had 'the rough' done months ago

- - 'her choice' of the painter says he's ready any time

- - there's still a 'path' thru the kitchen (between the cab and appliance boxes)

- - there's a 'Pizza Shop' just a block away (lunches and dinners)

- - did I mention once it's all done she'll have 'SAVED MONEY' ?!? :roll:

[Rich]

That's one of the downsides to all this construction business. Not many people understand the true value of a project. From the people involved to the materials in place - and how they are placed.

[Pokey]

At least she hasn't hired you to fix the other guy's work yet. lol. I also learned that it isn't always the best option to save a buck or two... My example is on a smaller scale. I just finished up my basement and it was time to by my doors, trim and ect. i was on a tight budget so i did my homework and did some price shopping. One of the main items that was too expensive at my supplier was 3 1/4" base. When it was all said and done i found a cheaper supplier with the same product, but it took me 3 hours to do more homework and 1 extra hour to pick up a trailer and go to the other supplier to pick it up. When it was all said and done i was happy i saved about $60, however if my time was worth $15 per hour i really broke even. Then i lost money on gas and the time i could have spent actually working. The moral of the story was it is smart to be conscience of pricing, but there are more things than just money involved on a project.

[Cole]

- - there's a 'Pizza Shop' just a block away (lunches and dinners)


Tommy, I love how you always find a good thing no matter what. :D

[giddonah]

It makes me feel like there's a place for me in this industry :)