Roller Coaster
In the grand scheme of things remodeling is a huge challenge for everyone involved, from conception to designing the space to selecting materials and hearing how much it is going to cost. That is before we start swinging the hammer. Some clients have summed it up as an exciting roller coaster ride, others a stressful time they would sooner forget than do again.
Some blow up in the Design Phase, unable to commit to the process for a myriad of reasons. Typically, we are blamed for ruining some part of their life by not giving them what they want for the price that they want it to be.
Those that love remodeling their homes can’t get enough. They savor using their creativity and share the excitement generated by using their imagination to problem solve on the fly. They love to see their vision come to life and want to go on the ride again, and again.
How people handle the stress of having their nest disrupted is interesting to study. In my experience, 95% of the time it is described as wonderful or exciting. Sadly, once in a blue moon, we get to the end of a project and find that the client has felt victimized by the remodeling process. As hard as we try, some clients end up feeling unsatisfied and worse, that they actually paid good money for this abuse.
I say with gusto “at Levco, we remodel for you, and with you, not to you.”
The Ups and Downs of Remodeling
Be Prepared
If you are going on an adventure, it is wise to have a general idea of where you are going, how you plan to get there, and what to expect along the way. It is in that vein that I utter the scout motto Be Prepared and share this cute graph. We share expectations and fears at the time of contract signing to inject reality from the get-go.
From a contractor’s perspective remodeling takes patience and nerves of steel to learn and do well. We try to avoid the pitfalls as best we can but inevitably, we occasionally miss a turn. That is when we shift gears and do whatever is in our power to fix it, because we are pleasers by nature.
Other than That Mrs. Lincoln, How Did You Like the Play?
As I once finished an extensive project, I hesitantly subjected myself to listening carefully to a client who did not enjoy the experience at all. They replayed every painful moment of the remodeling project with heart felt emotion sparing no one for their failures and missteps along the way.
As it wore on, I inadvertently faded out for a moment and flashed back to a poignant moment in my childhood. In an effort to train our kitten not to pee on the furniture by rubbing its face in it, my dad managed to make the kitten run away. Go figure. As the fog of being berated was lifting, I marveled at the awesome workmanship we had accomplished. Despite that, our best intentions were unappreciated.
I could not wait to return to my happy place and figure out, for the life of me, how to fix the process that had allowed the problem to happen.
If the Heat Is Too Hot, Get Out of the Kitchen
This is why many contractors flip houses and build spec homes. If I think long and hard about it, remodeling is a contact sport, not for the faint of heart. Knowing that the next project is our chance to knock it out of the park always fills me with joy.
Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, click here to email me directly, or call 208-947-7261
If you or someone you know is considering remodeling or just wants to speak to a trustworthy remodeling contractor, please contact me. You’ll be glad you did.
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