Construction

You've completed your research, made your plans, signed your contracts, and received your financing. Now it's time to purchase your products and appliances 'n' roll up your sleeves 'n' get dirty. But seriously, this part of the project disrupts your daily routine, affects your family finances, taxes your communication skills, and makes a major mess of your home. This is not the time to go away on vacation!

While you've made an overwhelming amount of important choices to date, you're not done quite yet. In your mind is a picture of your perfect dream kitchen and now it's finally time for construction to begin. The first thing to do is put aside unrealistic expectations and understand that people, homes, walls, floors, kitchens, etc. are not perfect--it's the nature of the beast. Your new kitchen will be the best it can be--so take a deep breath and relax.

If you've done your homework in hiring and contracting, you should have one of the best contractors and/or contracting teams for your project. Contractors are people too and most of them are decent human beings who want to do a good job and make you happy. Their business is built primarily upon referrals and contractors want you to freely give their name to all your friends and family once your project is complete.

The construction phase should not be a war of wills because then no one wins. The approach should be non-confrontational from both sides. Things will happen that you didn't expect and it's important that everyone maintain a good sense of humor. Laughter will reduce stress and make the job run smoother.

Our special thanks go to David Hoenig, G.C. and Owner of Jinjee Co., for his contribution to the content in this Construction Phase.

ADDITIONAL READING
The Unofficial Guide to Hiring Contractors, by Duncan C. Stephens, published by Macmillan General Reference, a Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company