You really need to supervise every little thing and not go on holiday when the builders are in.
You also need to check every dimension of every object. Don't assume that all washing machines or boilers are the same size in one country or worldwide.Allow for gaps and projections - the door opening, any pipework under or behind the object.
In Cambodia we had a hotel room with a shower which needed attention. I wondered whether our room was a different problem or if all the showers were a nuisance. I diplomatically and inquisitively asked the owner of a hotel, which was a converted old building, "Did you have any difficulties? Did anything go wrong?"
Most people are not secretive by nature. Even if they think you would be repelled or bored, if you give them the go-ahead, they talk. They are dying to tell you the catalogue of their woes, if you are willing to listen sympathetically.
He replied, "Everything went wrong!"
I have just supervised renovations on three buildings. Constant troubles with all three.
As the tenant of a flat in Singapore, I watched the painters in the communal corridor very carefully. I asked them to paint the back door which opens onto the corridor to match everything else. They did it.
I told my neighbour who faced us. The contractors then said they were not asked to paint the doors.The doors belong to the owners.
In the UK, much more effort goes into keeping all parts of a buildings or estate looking the same. In a building in London, the front doors and exteriors of windows are done by the management, paid for through the maintenance charge. you are not allowed to make any changes to the doors, not to paint or varnish or stick on anything.
Problems
1 BOILER SIZE
The height of a boiler or washing machine or dishwasher is right but it projects beyond the cupboards. Yes, our boiler sticks out. The door had to be cut.Now instead of a sealing door, we have a gap.
Check the boiler or dishwasher size a second time on delivery. This might be too late or too costly to remedy. Cost of a more expensive item.
DISHWASHER - FITTED OR FREESTANDING
We ordered a dishwasher on sales. But it was not the fitted version.
Cost of redelivery.
Delay in getting another out of stock item delivered.
Another day off work supervising and checking you have the right size to fit.
2 DISHWASHER Doors clashing.
The door of the dishwasher placed in a corner hits the opening of a pull out drawer at right angles.
The handle was removed to prevent the drawer being used and opened.
3 BOILER
The builder came back and added the handle panel to the door. Instead of making it match, by cutting off the door and adding the handle underneath, he nailed it on. But the projecting door handle hits the wall. The handle stops the door lying flat against the wall.
You need a door stop to prevent the handle hitting the wall.
You have trouble reading the central heating controller on the wall behind the door hinge.
The next post will be on carpet woes.
AUTHOR
ANGELA
You also need to check every dimension of every object. Don't assume that all washing machines or boilers are the same size in one country or worldwide.Allow for gaps and projections - the door opening, any pipework under or behind the object.
In Cambodia we had a hotel room with a shower which needed attention. I wondered whether our room was a different problem or if all the showers were a nuisance. I diplomatically and inquisitively asked the owner of a hotel, which was a converted old building, "Did you have any difficulties? Did anything go wrong?"
Most people are not secretive by nature. Even if they think you would be repelled or bored, if you give them the go-ahead, they talk. They are dying to tell you the catalogue of their woes, if you are willing to listen sympathetically.
He replied, "Everything went wrong!"
I have just supervised renovations on three buildings. Constant troubles with all three.
As the tenant of a flat in Singapore, I watched the painters in the communal corridor very carefully. I asked them to paint the back door which opens onto the corridor to match everything else. They did it.
I told my neighbour who faced us. The contractors then said they were not asked to paint the doors.The doors belong to the owners.
In the UK, much more effort goes into keeping all parts of a buildings or estate looking the same. In a building in London, the front doors and exteriors of windows are done by the management, paid for through the maintenance charge. you are not allowed to make any changes to the doors, not to paint or varnish or stick on anything.
Problems
1 BOILER SIZE
The height of a boiler or washing machine or dishwasher is right but it projects beyond the cupboards. Yes, our boiler sticks out. The door had to be cut.Now instead of a sealing door, we have a gap.
Check the boiler or dishwasher size a second time on delivery. This might be too late or too costly to remedy. Cost of a more expensive item.
DISHWASHER - FITTED OR FREESTANDING
We ordered a dishwasher on sales. But it was not the fitted version.
Cost of redelivery.
Delay in getting another out of stock item delivered.
Another day off work supervising and checking you have the right size to fit.
2 DISHWASHER Doors clashing.
The door of the dishwasher placed in a corner hits the opening of a pull out drawer at right angles.
The handle was removed to prevent the drawer being used and opened.
3 BOILER
The builder came back and added the handle panel to the door. Instead of making it match, by cutting off the door and adding the handle underneath, he nailed it on. But the projecting door handle hits the wall. The handle stops the door lying flat against the wall.
You need a door stop to prevent the handle hitting the wall.
You have trouble reading the central heating controller on the wall behind the door hinge.
The next post will be on carpet woes.
AUTHOR
ANGELA
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