It sounds that given your contractor, you need to be more proactive about what you want - let them know everything up front rather than waiting for them to ask you. Do you have a contract? Was any of this stuff specified in the contract - it should have been.

We want to hear!! This is the place to vent. But this is the time to channel your rage and yell at them. My father is a builder. A big part of his job during construction was yelling at subs. You're supposed to have what you wanted. It might be too late for the flashing, but you can tell them to halt while you get your correct windows.

During that time, you can make a list of what you want with your contractor and find out how long it will take to order your materials.

A remodel is a big deal. Getting the wrong stuff installed because it's convenient is a total waste of money in the long run.

I agree with Plllog,

Great advice.
" A remodel is a big deal. Getting the wrong stuff
installed because it's convenient is a total waste of
money in the long run."

Put your foot down, wait for as long as it takes them
and get what you want.

the thing that I have learned to realise is that the people you are dealing with do not seem to realise that for us his is all NEW STUFF
They deal with it all the time so think that EVERYONE knows all the details that you have mentioned above.
They do not stop to think that if we knew all of this we would not need to ask.

unfortunately we don't always even know the questions to ask. or when to ask them.
one of the many reasons I lOVE this forum

Everyone needs someone\somewhere to vent. It's impossible in a reno to anticipate everything (no matter how hard we try). What I'm not clear on is how come your contractor didn't know you want those things? You seems so clear and specific - is he not listening? To be fair different clients want different things - I think we as clients have to set the tone and be clear about our expectations. You really have to sit down and discuss what will be necessary to reach a more satisfactory outcome through the rest of your project. My experience with these kind of conversations is often I have to make some adjustments as well to get the outcome I want.

Oh dear, I hate it when that happens.

I have had similar problems in the past. For this kitchen project I've had the fortune of being able to be around every single day to make sure all the guys know what I want and need. I keep lists and talk to them at important times to make sure everything is correct. I'm lucky, my contractor and his team are really decent guys and they know I know what I want and they respect me to my face (who knows what they say behind my back?? HAHA).

I know you know this now, but, if you don't specify you want something different than what is already on your house (ie: you wanted a casement window in your kitchen but all the other windows in your house are double hung...) they're gonna stay with the overall style of your house. To be completely fair, unless you tell them you wanted something different, how will they know? Unfortunately, they're not going to go out of their way to ask you ever time, you know?. That goes for windows, mouldings, trims, everything. So it's really important to make sure everyone knows exactly what you want. Have meetings. Make lists and give them copies. Put it in their estimate or contract so there is proof you had said conversations. Don't be afraid of "annoying them". If they can't take it, they're not the right people for your project.

weissman said it correctly, you have to be very specific with most people. If you're not they'll decide what THEY think is right. Shoot, my (subbed out) electrician installed a new light switch on a wall that has an old light switch and he placed it TOTALLY uneven with the old light switch. It is such an eyesore in my new kitchen of completely straight lines that I could cry. He didn't leave enough slack in the wires so in order to even it out at this point, the dry wall would have to be ripped down and there'd have to be major re-wiring all over the room. I am so angry! How could he have done that? I didn't know I would need to tell him to make it even! Who would DO THAT??? duh. I digress.

Good luck with the rest of your project!!! Don't settle for things you don't want! Wait if you have to. Otherwise you won't be fully happy!! Go order the stuff yourself. Then you'll know exact lead times and you'll have the peace of mind knowing you ordered it. I ordered everything on my own and most of the places gave me 10-15% off anyways.

I hope it runs smoothly from here on in!!!! Drink a glass of vino (if you enjoy such things) and take some deep breaths ;)

I can relate. Yes, it would be good to know that an idea you're incubating needs lead time, special guy, special delivery, adjustment in adjacent measurements, or whatever. Hoping that in time all will be better for you. I'm now to the point where I don't point out some of the old sore points, but perhaps that's because I have NEW sore points. Nevertheless, hang in there. But voice yourself. You're the wallet. And the vision.

hi melissastar,

sorry to hear about your recent project issues. some suggestions in case this is helpful:

1. i have marvin windows, they are fabulous and absolutely worth the wait. hold out for what you want.

2. i am a professional project manager (not construction but the same principles apply). the PM in me would recommend you schedule a 2 hr meeting with your GC. sit down and review the entire project plan. he needs to outline all the key assumptions, timeline interdependencies and ordering lead times that make up the plan. be sure you understand the plan from start to end so you can understand the timing of when you need to make decisions, order etc. you need a copy of the plan and weekly updates to the plan from him. he or his pm if he has one should be doing this but that does not sound like it is happening so i would take control of the situation and get enough of the info yourself to avoid any further surprises and possible schedule delays. there is nothing i hate more than being rushed to make a decision when it could have been avoided, particularly on a big project with lots of $$$ involved.

HTH

Babs

thanks guys....I'm feeling better.