What Clients Wish They Had Known “We waited too long to select the floor tile, and there were so many choices. The selection was overwhelming. We should have spent as much time on the tile selection as we did on cabinets. We felt very incompetent. Having [a selection specialist] who shops with you would help.”
Nancy Hanlon, Silver Spring, Md., kitchen remodel
“I was amazed at how much I felt I had to be [at home during the remodel]. If I wasn’t here, they made decisions without me. My husband’s tall, and the contractors hung the light fixtures too low, then they tried to convince me the lights — and the mirror — were fine. I had to tell them to rehang them. If you’re detail oriented and you care what the end product is going to look like you have to be there.
The other thing that was a surprise was that there were so many different guys here, a lot of people coming and going into the house. If you’re not going to be there, you have to ask yourself if you’re comfortable with that.”
Renee Jacobson, Pittsford, N.Y., master bathroom remodel
“I wish I knew it was going to take as long as it did. We planned for a certain number of weeks not to have the kitchen available and it pretty much was twice that. Part of it was their scheduling. I wish I had known more about my contractor’s ability to stick to a schedule and how well he was able to manage subcontractors. There were days where we were amazed by what they could get done and a lot of days when nobody was there and nothing was happening. We were left wondering. There should have been more communication as to what was going to happen next.”
Dave Olson, Fairfax, Va., kitchen and family room remodel
“Hidden costs were a problem. I had a two-story house on one circuit. Even though I’d upgraded all my panels, the electrician said it was a fire hazard. I never would have guessed it. When he saw what was inside the walls, he called it ‘homegrown electricity.’ Not up to code, confusing wiring. The plumbing too had to be upgraded and brought to current code. It was all a big added expense.”
Jill Greenfield, Leawood, Kan., kitchen and whole house remodel