If you talk to 10 different people and ask them how the remodel went on their kitchen, you would hear 10 different stories. Most would think that that the fault would lie with the places that they bought from or hired to do the project. Unfortunately, the blame points more towards the consumer and their buying habits. Why is this most ask me?

When we go to do or buy anything, the first thing we think of is; “how can I save some money and do this for less money.”  We ask around to family and friends for their advice or some godly words that will steer us in this direction. As soon as we start out this way, this is where it will go down hill from then on. Let me share a story that will enlighten what I am trying to say.

There are many places that sell cabinets. Some offer installation of their products and some don’t. Most good establishments will have good installers that they hire. Kitchen cabinets are usually shipped across the country and in this process, cabinets get jarred and racked from the bumpy and unpredictable roads. I had a client recently who was buying a home from a builder that had already chosen and ordered the cabinets. The builder wanted to save some money so he had the finish guy install the cabinets instead of us because he could do it for less. The finish guy does nice work but he is not a full time cabinet installer. He did what he was hired to do at the price he gave; hanging the cabinets. Phase in now when the client moves into the house.

The client moves in and notices that a good portion of the doors and drawers do not line up well. She calls the builder and gets; “call the cabinet guys to adjust them.” Fortunately for her, we are willing to go out and do that for her, even though we didn’t install them.  Most places would have told her that they were not responsible.  Being in this trade well over 30 years now, I have witnessed that most workers are not responsible.  What went wrong and caused this client to some inconvenience?

Our whole trade is based on giving bids for the consumer on what they want done.  Unfortunately, most will low ball a bid to attain your work.  Low prices seem good at first until you get to the end and it comes up short.  Good, honest places will ask you many questions and listen to your responses.  This is a vital area to make sure they come up with ideas to match your lifestyle.   Believe it or not, most clients will spend more on their project for ideas and thoughts the salesperson has.  I have found in my 37 years in this trade and 34 has been owning my own business that a good price lasts as long as the project is being done but security, happiness and feeling special last the lifetime of you and your project.

Take the time to search for good people to handle your project.  The extra money that it costs is not because the business charges more but because they asked good questions, listened and included everything that it should come with.  Money spent right will be the difference for a pleasant and fun experience in the beginning, middle and the end of the project.  I can still hear a friend saying once that they saved money on their project.  What it looks like and the amount of complaining they do about it shows it.  What is happiness and a pleasant experience worth to you? Only you can answer that.  Choose wisely!                     Tim Holick

 

This entry was posted in Kitchen Remodeling on July 16, 2013 by THblog.