I don't know if that's the norm or not, but I can understand your frustration. I'm waiting just for custom cabinet doors and they are about 3 weeks overdue. But at least I have a functioning kitchen. I guess you just have to keep reminding yourself that "this too shall pass." Good luck.

Here we go again! Why do these guys make promises they can't keep, then suggest that the homeowners expectations are too high??? Who gives remodelers these expectations?? I think we all appreciate honesty more than they guess. Please don't let them lead you to believe that you're being "difficult". My friend went through this same scenario for months and was at her wit's end. Good luck!

Sometimes, I think that people in business all somewhat think like "Colonel Jessup", from A Few Good Men. Here's my rendetion of Jack Nicholson, as your custom cabinet maker.

Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup Custom Cabinet Maker): I know deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you don't want me on those cabinets, you need me on those cabinets. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline on Garden Web. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a wo/man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand to post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup Custom Cabinet Maker): You want answers?
You: I think I'm entitled.
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup Custom Cabinet Maker): You want answers?
You: I want the truth!
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup Custom Cabinet Maker): You can't handle the truth!

Here is a link that might be useful: Quoted section from A Few Good Men

Sherilynn, although bloomin's post is not a funny complaint
your post had me laughing. I wanting to get in Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup Custom Cabinet Makers) face and say slowly while glaring into his eyes: Don't get COCK-Y with me. I have neither the time or the inclination to educate you on honesty and the honor of promises. I prefer you said sorry, and get on your way with fulfilling your obligations to me, otherwise, stand to post and get ready for a cock fight.

These custom cabs - so this is an actual brick and mortar store? Have you driven down there and asked them face to face what the hold up is?
Sometimes there are things that happen beyond their control - their wood supply didn't show up, people quit. My place was up and running smoothly by the time I was a customer but previous to that they had had a fire which put them behind.
Sometimes its best to actually go in and talk on site rather than call, if that's possible.

While it is very possible that something out of the owners contol may have happened to slow things down it was wrong of him/her to suggest the homeowners expectations are too high.

Thanks, guys, for the support.... and sherilynn for the chuckle! And sjerin, you really hit the nail on the head. And mary - Unfortunately, this cabinetmaker is about 200+ miles from me, or I think I'd be down there every day! But it looks like Sunday is turning out to be the firm delivery day... so we'll see. It just baffles me... this is THEIR business, they do this for a living. How is it that they can't estimate how long a project should take? I really am not asking for a miracle as far as completion time, I just want people to do what they say they will do! I know, I know... silly me!

Oh well... I'm sure in a few weeks I'll forget all about the troubles when I'm enjoying my new kitchen!

bloomin...

Terible and Sherrilynn, You guys are so funny! Are you out of work because of the writers' strike.

Re the promises not kept, I will remember the use actual date numbers, like, Jan 24, rather than two weeks from now.

Lotta jerks in the world. Have you noticed that jerks treat women worse than they treat men. And then our men, our supposed supporters, our dh's, agree with the schmu(oops) other guys, the contractors. Seems to me like a guy thing. I admit that I see things from a woman v man perspective. Long time feminist.

In the end, it'll be ok. But it's crappy to be the recipient of outright lies. Sucks!!!!

westsider40, I have experienced exactly what you're saying about men being treated differently! I had a backyard fence put in. DH noticed many things wrong and I showed all of these things to the contractor. After 2 more times coming out to work it still wasn't done correctly. I gave up and told the contractor to call DH and get this resolved if he wanted his money. Then after DH leaving two more messages he still wouldn't call DH back (always called me).
Then we leased our rental house to a man with a child. He had excuse after excuse about paying rent late using his child as his sob story every time. If he's going to pay late, just send the extra fee and quit the sob story b.s.. So told renter to deal only with DH. Guess what? I won't even bother to tell you because I'm sure you already know.

If you think this is bad, don't try building a house. In my experience almost everyone in the trades over-promises (or is overly optimistic, depending on the way you look at it). My custom cabinets were one of the few things that were actually delivered on time. However, they weren't installed on time because the electrician, plumber, drywaller and floor installer over-promised (well, lied, in the case of a few).

This is just the way the construction trades are. I am convinced they follow the motto: it is easier to ask forgiveness than seek permission. Let's say they tell you the truth about when your cabinets will be in: "Well, I can't really say. We only have 10 employees so if even one quits or goes to jail it messes everything up. Our best finisher's wife is pregnant and also has a 2 year old. Last time she was bedridden her last 2 weeks. If that happens this time he will be out those two weeks plus a few after the baby is born. I can already tell you are a perfectionist and my second best finisher won't do, so I need to wait for this guy. Also, my dad, who founded this shop, has prostate cancer and if he dies the shop will close for 3 days...."

Or, it could be he just doesn't know but thinks he can't tell you that (because you'll respond, "everyone I know who got their cabinets through HD or Lowes got them in 12 weeks"), so he just tells you what you want to hear.

I'd say it's realistic NOT to expect delivery when promised -- work coming in on time is probably the exception rather than the rule. It would be wise not to schedule time off for installation until the cabinets are actually on site! However, the cabinetmaker was out of line when he said your expectations were too high. He should be apologetic, not trying to lay the blame on you.

As with any business, customer service and can vary. We had a great local cabinetmakers that we used for two homes.

Anyway...I do hope all your cabinets arrive as scheduled and that they are fabulous!

Cameron

Mine were three months late. I still waited even though I was given a chance to get out of the contract because all of my quotes went up. I waited, they were beautiful. No problems other than the horrible wait.

I wonder if the over promising has anything to do with the holiday... Always nice to have extra money coming in by lining up a few too many jobs this time of year... Then they most likely complete the ones for the "squeaky wheels" first.

Just a thought...

After being in the industry for some time now.... I will always tell people it will be LONGER then I expect....
If my contractor tells me he is 1 week behind ... I tell the costomer it will be 2 weeks before I can start... That way I look GOOD instead of BAD.

I don't want the sale and have a costomer complane for weeks about why the job is not done. I try to tell it like it is. On the other hand if there is a problem ...

like the wood supplier has no wood.... but I can get the junk wood that is available that my competators are now getting ... because it is the only wood available at this time and they just want the work and the pay check. I sent 3 letters out to people last year telling them this .... they actually thanked me and didn't mind the 3 extra weeks for completion.

( sometimes.... they can actually HANDLE the truth..)
HEhehehehe.......but not always...
Scott

I'm so sorry that your cabinets are late and throwing off your remodeling plans. But in defense of custom cabinet makers, ours has been fabulous, on-time and is a true craftsman. We are working with him through our GC, I don't know if maybe contractors get priority since they will often provide cabinet makers with lots of repeat business. If there's been anything that's not exactly right, he fixes it and covers the cost. I think we just lucked out, and I wish you the best of luck in getting your project completed too. Happy New Year!