contractor chooses kitchen
Samuel Go lightly
18 days ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (33)
herbflavor
18 days agoRelated Discussions
Decision Time - Choosing the Contractor
Comments (11)Hi all - as always great comments from the GWers. Let me hash thru your feedback and see if that changes the "group think" at all. One thing to clarify, the KD is the middle bidder - we would hire him and he would essentially become the general contractor as well as sell us the cabinets. I do admit that the lack of detail from the low bidder is a bit disconcerting. I think, however, its just how they do things. Part of the price is because they are a small firm (2 partners + subs) that do NO advertising. All their work is word-of-mouth referrals and they are not hurting for work (they are currently already scheduling for this summer). They have given me referrals (I have not called any yet) and the architect says that their clients they've referred to these guys have all been thrilled. Since the plans show the two kitchen sinks, they have told me that they are included in the "plumbing to code" line of the bid. As for the second two, it is a a tough call, but $13k difference is nothing to sneeze at especially because the higher bid is higher still becauser we'd have to pay the KD for installation (and unfortunately we've never gotten a number for that, but I assume 10% of the cabinet cost). Our cabinet pricing is right around $30 and including all the trims, crown and end panels is around 72 individual items. Pllog, yes, this is the guy that came up with the piano shaped island (great memory). We ultimately changed the island shape again, but this is him. His experience shows - on Saturday we asked him about changing the doors for the cabinet over the oven since we've decided to put the kitchen TV there. He said, "just leave them off and we'll trim it out to finish it off. Keep the doors if you ever want to go back to a regular cabinet" Since our current TV is out all the time, that made perfect sense but never occurred to us. We were thinking pocket doors or a rollup door. As for the painting, the allowance in the highest bid was only for $2000. Not enough of a difference to matter given the overal scope of the project. Since we'll have time between finished drywall and cabinets, we might do the painting on our own anyway. If we had to choose, all other things being equal it would be to the middle or high bid mainly because of experience with the high bidder (whose contract is plenty detailed - about as detailed as the middle bid) and reputation and relationship with the middle bidder. Part of the appeal of the middle bid is that we think things will go more smoothly (coordination, etc) if one person (acting as GC) is responsible for the entire project. buehl brings up a good point about the relationship with the KD (middle bid). This guy accepts nothing less than perfection, so I don't think we'd have any issues about rocking the boat or making do if we run into problems. While he has known my in-laws for 30+ years its not the type of close relationship that would be damaged if our project were to have issues. My FIL has already offered to see if he could do better on the cabinet pricing saying that we can't really negotiate that with him, but he (FIL) could. As for my relationship with my wife, if anything she's the one that'll play hard ball not me, so no worries there. Ok, so there is more food for thought....how does that change our opinions??? Thanks again....See MoreSolar tube installation - how to choose contractor?
Comments (13)We would like to install solar tubes in my mother's recently purchased home, but I'm not sure who is the best type of tradesman to install - the roofer, a contractor, or what type of tradesperson usually installs tubes. As we're calling about roofing quotes, I have asked if they install solar tubes, but I'm concerned as they just say yes; however it feels more like a yes to get more business, not as regular procedure. Also, it it's not too late, hint - make sure to check out the contractor, etc. with L&I to see if they carry insurance, licensed, workmans comp. etc. You would not believe the number of people who either get angry if questioned or are expired, if they ever carried those items. (Sidenote - I like our solar tube in an interior bathroom; it makes it like I'm not in a cave. A contractor installed the tube during a remodel, but I'm not crazy about some of the work so he won't be called back.)...See MoreIn re Choosing contractors
Comments (27)I was on my phone last night and it was hard to reply in detail, but thanks everyone! I almost did not post because I almost thought it was an obvious choice; I am glad I did post. One interesting point is what I will call "framing". By the way the anecdote is told, Firm 1 becomes reduced to the business like firm and Firm 2 becomes the creative firm. But, they are both very creative --- that is why i chose them, because i liked their work (portfolios of residential projects on their websites). And, I am given to understand that they are both good business people, based on people who have worked with them (though I have more due diligence to do). However, their behavior in one meeting caused one characteristic to shine through, making it appear as though I have a false choice between extremes, which may not be fair. For example, as I have said, when it comes to just the pool and fence, Firm 1 did a pool that I bookmarked a year ago. It is a bit unusual and creative (but not whacky) and it was the pool that convinced me that, for our site (undulating lawn to a rocky coast, old stone wall, wild sea roses, grasses) a classic staid rectangle was not the way to go. So, yes, Firm 1 is creative. And Firm 2, while they didn't seem to think they should spent a lot of time prepping for a meeting with us (I don't disagree, I think Firm 1 was an outlier on that), is certainly professional ... maybe even moreso than Firm 1 as they seem to do a lot of corporate and municipal work as well as resi. JMC01 - They are both creative. I think the difference is a style of doing business. Firm 1 was willing to invest more time up front to get the job. That may be telling. Mags - We have driven by some projects they have done, but landscape architecture is a tricky one. How it looks years on has more to do with maintenance. And frankly it all looks pretty nice given the nature of the setting. You can't really see "errors", they are more like missed opportunities. Beagles, As I said above, a funny thing has happened. Before i met either, i saw them as fairly equal in creativity. Then one guy just had a different way of doing business which sets him apart. It makes the playing field unlevel. BLFenton, They are all people we can contact. Lucy, exactly! Mags, I tended to think the way you did about the firm that just sort of showed up to chat and didn't do any legwork. But, in fairness, thinking back to the last time we hired a landscape architect for another home, no one did what Firm 1 did. MissyMoo, One of my problems is I hate saying no. So I am loathe to talk to a third contractor in any detail and def. won't bring in a 4th. Firm 1, spending so much time on us, will make me feel bad for turning them down. There is a lot of scope for creativity in our job because it's a large lot with grade changes and we want three separate areas ... and that is just the back of the house. And frankly they always want an oceanfront job to add to their portfolios. emmarene, That's a good point. Communication styles... Maddie, LOL. All landscape architects need topographical surveys to start with, showing major trees and elevations. So neither of them will be seat of the pants... JoaniePoanie, That is my inclination, but that was why I wanted to check here to see if I am being unfair to Firm 2. Good point on Firm 3. They do some commercial work nearby that i love love love. KSWL, You are too funny! Firm 2 is cute. Really cute. I regretted-having-sweats-on-cute. That's actually a bad thing, because then I have to have my make up on every time he is coming over, etc. Contractors, what can I say? The only human beings I know personally for which I have truly hostile feelings are the GCs for my CT house. But I must add that I really like my Maine guys. Were they on time? Nah. On budget? ha ha. But I really like them and never felt ripped off or ignored. Yayagal, If I had to try to quantify creative, Firm 2 might be slightly more than Firm 1, but as I said, it was Firm 1's pool and fence I bookmarked a year ago and still want to emulate. Just because he ended up impressing me with customer service should not erase my first impression of him as creative... Marcolo, Cost is even more nebulous than usual with landscape architecture. For a project of this size, the design fee will probably be, IIRC, about 8-10% of the total cost rather than by the hour. So who knows who will cost more in the end? If I were to pay by the hour I could compare hourly rates but I prob. don't want to do it by the hour. Ellendi, Good point, in re the pool, although we could always copy it , but that isn't very nice. Or do something inspired by it, which sounds nicer but is the same thing IMHO. I don't think of us as edgy but I do always want something a little bit different. I find a lot of landscaping too perfect. I would like the landscaping to feel like our house does. Lovely, but imperfect, a bit off here and there, a bit worn here and there, handed down, and anything but NEW. I do not want a sprinklered lawn mown in alternating stripes....See Morechoosing a general contractor
Comments (17)Time and materials can work out, particular if you're not working from a formal set of plans, and are doing things "on the fly" (as we are). We got a budget from our contractor originally, and 2 months later, we are "on budget" -- the only things that have cost more are either those that we changed - floor refinishing, additional electrical work - or those incurred because the city required changes (we need a sprinkler head in every enclosed space, including every closet, and they made us replace every outlet in the apartment with a tamper-proof outlet). When we started, we didn't even know how many closets we'd end up with, so this isn't something the contractor could have estimated originally (when you live in a city apartment, you create storage whereever you can find an inch of space -- for example, we created storage behind the bed, under the closet (which is on a "mezzanine"). The space measures 14'L x 2-1/2'D x 2-1/2'H, and needed to be sprinklered! But it's a fabulous storage space, so it was well worth it!!...See MoreSamuel Go lightly
18 days agoSamuel Go lightly
18 days agoHelen
18 days agoartemis78
18 days agoSamuel Go lightly
18 days agoartemis78
18 days agoherbflavor
18 days agodan1888
18 days agoHelen
18 days agoThe Kitchen Place
18 days agoSamuel Go lightly
18 days agoSamuel Go lightly
10 days agoshirlpp
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agomcarroll16
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoshirlpp
9 days agoTish
9 days agoThe Kitchen Place
9 days agolast modified: 9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
9 days agoThe Kitchen Place
9 days agoKendrah
9 days agoThe Kitchen Place
9 days agoKendrah
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
9 days agoSamuel Go lightly
8 days ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGNHow to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
Keep your kitchen clean and your home's air fresh by understanding all the options for ventilating via a hood fan
Full StoryMATERIALSKitchen Ideas: How to Choose the Perfect Backsplash
Backsplashes not only protect your walls, they also add color, pattern and texture. Find out which material is right for you
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN3 Steps to Choosing Kitchen Finishes Wisely
Lost your way in the field of options for countertop and cabinet finishes? This advice will put your kitchen renovation back on track
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNChoose Your Kitchen Cabinet Glass
Textured? Frosted? Seeded? Find the cabinet glass style that will set off your kitchen to its best advantage
Full StoryOUTDOOR KITCHENSHow to Choose the Right Size and Layout for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Consider your space, entertaining style and outdoor living needs when determining your outdoor kitchen’s configuration
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink
Learn about basin configurations, sink shapes, materials and even accessories and specialty sinks
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNHow to Choose the Right Depth for Your Kitchen Sink
Avoid an achy back, a sore neck and messy countertops with a sink depth that works for you
Full StoryDOORSContractor Tips: Choosing and Installing Doors
Picking a door involves more than just visual appeal. Here's what you need to know to make sure your doors and hardware last
Full StoryWINDOWSContractor Tips: How to Choose and Install Windows
5 factors to consider when picking and placing windows throughout your home
Full StoryKITCHEN CABINETS7 Reasons to Choose Dark Kitchen Cabinets
A deep color on your kitchen cabinetry can offer coziness, elegance, drama and more
Full Story
Rho Dodendron