Does Your GC Make Housecalls?

15 years ago

--OR--

Are Your Cabinets Too Well Made?

I've never had Euro style, full overlay cabinets before. They take some getting used to, accounting for the hinges, having the separate boxes, etc. I didn't expect to have "maintenance" issues however.

I was in the middle of the holiday and expected half a mob for dinner, so was just putting things like the new sponges and ice maker filters away, without reorganizing. Wouldn't you know, one of the filter boxes was sort of half on top of some packaging and popped up to jam the drawer shut. Totally shut. No wiggling or anything.

The cabinets are too well made. There's a solid side, a full overlay front, and an apron at the top for the front to close against. No way to get in. We tried. :( Visions of having to have the cabinetmaker come unmake the cabinet beset me.

I e-mailed my GC. He said he'd stop by Monday morning. Fun for me, because I rarely see him with tools. He removed the trash drawer from under the jammed drawer. Then the door to the sink cabinet next to it, and the top drawer on the other side. He was able to slide something flat and thin in between the cabinet box and the drawer face and push down the filter box. All better!

I said that at least now I know what to do. His response? "Don't do that! Call me. If I'm away for a long time I'll send the cabinetmaker. Don't do it yourself. It's a good excuse to come for a hug and a kiss."

My GC was there for me when the wind blew down the bougainvillea arch and outdoor light. He sent a crew right away, who did a beautiful job, and kept the kitchen tile work going on schedule. My GC was there for me in the middle of the remodel when the main water line to the house disintegrated. He had a crew out right away to dig the trenches and the master plumber to do a proper job replacing it, followed by a grounds crew to fill it all back in and clean everything up. Now, a year after the kitchen was basically finished, my GC was there for me right away, unjamming my drawer and distributing hugs (cousinly hugs--nothing creepy).

I wish you all wonderful contractors who make housecalls and take care of you no matter what goes awry.

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Comments (11)

mtnrdredux_gw
15 years ago
Too late, you should have sent those wishes a year or two back.

My contractor hired a site supervisor, who brought his dog to work, how cute. The mangy mutt DUG up three or four wisteria vines that had been carefully trained around our pergola untold years ago. Moron. No amount if money brings them back.
marcolo
15 years ago
The Internet connects me to people who live in different parts of the world. I have also just learned that it apparently also connects me to people who live on entirely different planets!
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breezygirl
15 years ago
LOL Marcolo! My GC makes house calls too. Oh, wait...I'M the GC ;). I'll tell DH that he should hug and kiss his GC too.

I'm so glad you had a great one. I know they're out there!
melissastar
15 years ago
You're just trying to make me sick with envy aren't you Plllog?
marcolo
15 years ago
What are you complaining about, melissastar? Your GC does house calls too. Every eight months or so. To steal things. But, still.
wizardnm
15 years ago
I am also lucky, very lucky.
My GC cemented my mailbox in when he saw it was getting wobbly. He built me new steps that go down to the lake. He stopped one day and plugged in the heat cable that's on my roof because he saw some ice build up. He's the sweetest guy and I know I can call him about anything and his wife is just as nice. I had them over for dinner after the kitchen was done and he really enjoyed showing off his work to her. He also brought his son over, who will be graduating from architectural school this spring.
He told me to call him if I had any problem with anything too. Some of these guy's are really nice and not in it to rip you off.

Nancy
plllog
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh, dear. I was just trying to give everyone a happy GC story, as a change from the bad ones, not trying make people feel bad or envious. :( If it's any consolation, I do pay for the repairs when he sends out crews....
rhome410
15 years ago
ROFL, Marcolo...twice.

DH is my GC and he's not this responsive, Plllog! Maybe I should be stingier with hugs and kisses, and write him a check once in awhile....Hmmm...
Sharon kilber
15 years ago
Iam glad you, did give a happy GC, story. My husband, is a GC and his customer's just love him, and he, would do anything for them. Get tired of reading about all the bad guys all the time. When I, know there are some real gem's out there.
rjr220
15 years ago
My BIL is that type of GC. Unfortunately, he lives 1500 miles away from me.
melissastar
15 years ago
So any of these gems live near Baltimore?

Plllog...no worries. I should have put a grin at the end. I was smiling when I wrote it.