Finishing expectation during renovation

[Anonymous]

We are having a renovation done at our home. It is $200k worth of work. Is it too much to expect that all the outlets be the same height above the countertops? Or that things be centered on a wall rather than just close?

[Anonymous]

Why did you approve this before they moved on? Are you not checking in weekly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you approve this before they moved on? Are you not checking in weekly?

I actually pointed it out when countertops went in. They said they would fix it. They did adjust but it was still off. I pointed it out again before backsplash went in and they told me they would still be able to adjust it. Now the contractor thinks I’m being nitpicky.

I brought up the hooks not being centered the next day but he doesn’t seem to think it is a big deal. Maybe because this a laundry room.

[Anonymous]

im thinking they roughed off the fooor or ceiling vs with a laser then thry installed cabinets leveled them and now your outlets are off. Not an easy fix at this point.

Can't help with the hooks

[Anonymous]

I would negotiate payment over that. $200k, it should be perfect.

[Anonymous]

It should be perfect. It is not nitpicking but poor craftsmanship and attention to details. I’d withhold payment until done. This is 100% normal and ‘punch lists’ are expected. I used to be in the business. Do NOT make final payments because you will not get them to do. Also-the fixes should NOT be anything but perfect. You paid and contracted them to do job correctly

[Anonymous]

It should be lined up etc. we had a small kitchen Reno and I drew and marked the measurement for each outlet where it should be- it wasn’t complicated I just used the standard code measurements for distance and offset and one was still way off and then I came in to check and asked why that one was off and they fixed it.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends. While $200k is a lot of money to the customer, you could easily be using a cut rate contractor if your scope really should cost $300-400k. So the number you throw out is not determinative. Secondly, how far off are things? Millimeters? Inches? Feet?

Things being off center/not level could be nitpicky or reasonable depending.

Withhold payment if you can honestly say things are materially wrong. It’s your mechanism under the contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are having a renovation done at our home. It is $200k worth of work. Is it too much to expect that all the outlets be the same height above the countertops? Or that things be centered on a wall rather than just close?

Outlets being the same height? Yes. Something bring centered? Maybe not. If it requires a stud attachment, they are 16 oc, so it may not be available where you want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are having a renovation done at our home. It is $200k worth of work. Is it too much to expect that all the outlets be the same height above the countertops? Or that things be centered on a wall rather than just close?

Outlets being the same height? Yes. Something bring centered? Maybe not. If it requires a stud attachment, they are 16 oc, so it may not be available where you want it.

It doesn't need to be attached to a stud. They make blue boxes so it doesn't have to be. Yes, it should be even.

[Anonymous]

My contractor is currently cutting corner. I check it each evening and fix it myself or have him fix it. Adversarial relationship

[Anonymous]

This is why renovating SUCKS. Everyone goes through this. Contractors typically don't pay laborers enough to put attention in to detail so you end up fighting over everything or unhappy with the results.

[Anonymous]

Not many skilled craftsmen left. They used to have apprentice programs and were career carpenters, masons etc

[Anonymous]

I hired a contractor for major renovations. To do it required moving threee HVAC ducts. He had two moved and Denver ed the existence of the third. After two weeks of arguing an refusing to pay - I got it replaced. The subs had to come back which are into his profit. I think he lost money on my job.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your contractors do not care about quality, but just want to get the work done. Fire your contractors, and get better ones who actually pay attention to detail.