We’ve all heard the horror stories. After signing an agreement for some household upgrade, unexpected complications arise, the contractor comes and goes at his or her own flighty schedule, and the homeowner’s life is turned upside down.
Part of the problem is the nature of construction and renovation; unforeseen problems will undoubtedly crush any expectation of a job’s cost and duration. The twin pillars of your project, time and expense, repeatedly fall, leaving you desolate and unsure of how much longer your wallet and psyche can take the punishment.
We’ve all heard the horror stories. After signing an agreement for some household upgrade, unexpected complications arise, the contractor comes and goes at his or her own flighty schedule, and the homeowner’s life is turned upside down.
Part of the problem is the nature of construction and renovation; unforeseen problems will undoubtedly crush any expectation of a job’s cost and duration. The twin pillars of your project, time and expense, repeatedly fall, leaving you desolate and unsure of how much longer your wallet and psyche can take the punishment.
An older friend of mine wanted to improve his home, and asked that I interact with the trades people.
I remembered a countertop guy from when he placed new granite in my former home a decade ago. Figuring the devil I know is preferable, I went to his shop and picked out an attractive stone slab. But for almost two months, my friend was not ready to move forward. The stonecutter checked in periodically to gauge the situation.
When my friend was finally ready, the rock boss and his assistant showed up to do final measurements. Not the agreed-upon time, mind you; it seems the boss's son had agreed to my 9 a.m. proposal unaware his father's commitment to another client at that same hour. They came, did their work, and proposed installation by the following Monday.
I was surprised, then, when I received his noontime Thursday phone call suggesting they could get it installed late that afternoon. Juggling appointments with other clients, I confirmed the new plan.
More than 60 minutes after our agreed-upon hour, the truck showed up and, without explanation for the delay, the men went about their business.
Installation went almost according to plan; a bowed wall interfered with the very straight backsplash, one piece of stone had been mis-cut, and one piece of granite that had not made the trip from the shop.
We agreed to meet the next day to complete the work. Again, I was on time and the contractor was not. But when he arrived, he quickly took care of the final details.
More than once in our interaction, I felt annoyed. Why couldn't he be more punctual, or call when he’d be late? Why must I make another trip to facilitate his work?
But I realized this skilled worker was juggling simultaneous projects; he has to, lest he spend all his time waiting on undecided clients like my friend. To spend a few moments waiting for him was not the greatest injustice in human history.
Ultimately, I cut him slack I would've wanted in that situation. The final result was gorgeous, and though it cost a little more time than originally planned, he did not charge for the extra work that was needed.
There are those who believe any inconvenience is grounds for loud complaint. But I prefer doing as I’d want done to me.
Besides, not only do the counters look great, I now have practice being patient with contractors. That will come in handy at my friend’s place when the electrician, plumber, and insulation people get involved.
Pat Grimes, a former South Bay resident, writes from Ypsilanti, Mich. He can be reached at pgwriter@inbox.com
