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The contract has been signed and your remodeling project has begun.
It's 7:00 in the morning. The Project Manager has now arrived.
The excitement of finally getting the job started helps you overlook
the following realities:
- You didn't really want to get up at
7:00 to let strangers into your house
- Cooking breakfast on a camp stove because your kitchen's getting
all torn up isn't really as easy as zapping coffee in the microwave
- You have your own schedule to keep and now it has to be adjusted
to the workers who are under your feet
- Construction is noisy
- Construction creates a lot of dirt and dust, not only in the
construction area, but throughout the house
Your living room has become decorated with cardboard boxes
- People are now asking you to make on-the-spot
decisions. You must respond immediately or you'll delay the job.
Unfortunately, the state of bliss lasts only through the beginning
portion of the remodel. The rest of the time, you're acutely aware
of the minor annoyances and nerves can get shot.
We want your remodeling project to go as smoothly, carefree and
fast as you do. Still, we understand the stress involved when workers
are sawing and hammering in your home.
Here are some tips from Del Sol Constructions on how to better
SURVIVE THE PROCESS
- Know the schedule of the project. In advance, candidly assess
how you expect to react to each part. This will give you 2 defenses
with which to sustain yourself during the project.
When things really start getting to you, you'll be able to say,
"It'll only be a couple more days (or weeks) and this phase
will be over."
When you see yourself acting irrationally, you can say, "Yes,
this is the part in which I expected that I'd probably go crazy."
Being able to get outside of yourself that way helps you cope,
and can give you the ability to look for solutions.
- Remember that contractors and construction workers are human.
They can make mistakes just like anyone else. For those times,
store up an extra dose of patience and discuss your concerns with
Del Sol Construction’s Project Manager. You can be assured
that we want you to be happy when the job is finished -- our livelihood
depends on it!
- The first stage of the remodeling process, such as framing,
drywall, etc., usually goes quite fast. This may awake some false
expectations about when the job will be completed. The final stages
usually require a lot of detail work requiring complicated scheduling
which can make the job seem like it will take forever. We can
not rush through these stages -- doing the detail work right is
what gives the job its quality.
- Realize that other members of the family may have different
perspectives on how the job is to proceed (e.g., She wants it
done right, no matter how long it takes. He just wants to get
it done.) These differences can lead to family tension. Take time,
not only to talk about the remodeling job itself, but to discuss
how the family is reacting to each other during the remodeling
process. Discover the differences and allow them to strengthen
the family.
- If you are not satisfied with something, tell the Project Manager
(not the electrician or plumber) right away. Don't let dissatisfactions
build to the point of a blow up -- that won't help anything.
- Be sensitive to the signs your body gives indicating excess
stress. If the remodeling process significantly disrupts your
normal routines, design pressure release valves, such as a weekend
away, dinners out or a party.
- Sometimes during a remodeling job, something will go wrong
in an unrelated part of your house. Stay cool. If it is caused
by the work being done, we will take care of it. If not, it's
your responsibility but, chances are, the Project Manager can
help you solve the problem.
After The Remodeling Is Finished
- When the job is finished, plan something special as a celebration.
- If a problem occurs with an element of your completed remodeling
job, determine how it has come about. Has it happened because
of something you've done, or is it a defect in the product or
workmanship?
- If the problem is a product or work defect, please put your
complaint in writing and mail it to us. Make sure you explain
the problem. If the product is covered by a manufacturer's warranty
(and often it will be), we'll help you gain satisfaction. If it
is a work-related problem, we'll do our best to make it right.
- Del Sol Construction stands behind its work. We rely on your
satisfaction for the future of our business. Even after the job
is over, we want you to remain happy with the work so that, when
your friends talk with you about remodeling, you'll recommend
us.
- If you've appreciated our work, please remember to call back
when your next project comes up. And please refer us to your friends,
relatives and neighbors.
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