Design Center vs General Contractor - Help!

4 years ago

We are currently remodeling our Master Bath, done through a well-regarded design center. Their subcontractor/GC is doing a great job, very meticulous with well thought out suggestions to improve function. Their tile guy is doing an equally great job with the Schluter shower system and tiling, he has very good attention to detail. I’m very happy with how things are going.

We will be doing our guest bathroom next. In passing, both the General Contractor and the tile guy have said that they also do work on their own. So, my question is this: Would it be a good decision to forego the design center and work directly with, say, the General Contractor? This project will be pretty much a swap out and not a redesign, as we did in the MB. I’m looking to refresh the guest bath. I have a pretty clear idea of what I want. But, I do appreciate the convenience of having everything handled by the designer and project manager.

Would the cost savings of not using the designer center be a smart idea?

Featured Answer

User

4 years ago

Those guys would be so final warning for that. It’s not ethical to solicit side business from your employers client. Based on that slime, and the fact that you don’t know what you don’t know about ”just a simple remodel”, you need someone riding herd hard on these guys. And their employer needs to know about their behavior.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Charles Ross Homes
4 years ago
An ethical contractor would not have approached you about going around the design center. A contractor shouldn't bite the hand that feeds them. Caveat Emptor.
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AJCN
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Probably you are having a good experience with this remodel because the design center is in charge and overseeing the project. I would stick with that. You'd have to make sure these guys have the right insurance coverage for every worker who enters your home, are pulling the right permits, doesn't put a sub on the job that you don't know and just shows up ones day, are scheduling the inspections, does the flood test, keeps the schedule rolling along without big delays, etc, etc, If something goes wrong, you won't have the design center boss to call. I'd stick with the design center.
Linda Dornan
Original Author
4 years ago
Please let me clarify... these contractors did not solicit me or approach me regarding the guest bath project. I only know they do other work because they would tell me they’d be on that project for the next day and so not at my house. In conversation, I asked the tile guy how he learned his trade and he told me he grew up working with his father and that they do kitchen & bath projects together. I apologize for not making that clear.
Linda Dornan
Original Author
4 years ago
AJCN, thank you for your comment. Those are excellent points. I don’t want to worry about the guest bath, just like I’m not stressed about the MB, and you’re right ... it’s because the design center is making sure things are running smoothly
Linda Dornan
Original Author
4 years ago
Sigh .... JuneKnow, please let’s not devolve into insulting comments. I have not yet discussed the guest bath project with the design center as I wanted to first see how they handled the MB. I appreciate constructive advice, as offered by AJCN.
AJCN
4 years ago
It's such a horrible experience to have a bathroom project go down the tubes. Once I found a really wonderful team, I had them redo all my bathrooms so that I could get them done before one of them retired or moved. It's such a good experience to know things will be done right. Don't throw that away.
Linda Dornan
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks again, AJCN. Your advice is solid and really confirms that working with the design center is the way to go. I appreciate your help