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September 20, 2007
At Their Mercy
The last two months of building a home -- particularly one on a fast-track schedule like the 2008 HGTV Dream Home in Islamorada, Fla. -- can bring a certain dread to the builder: Now I'm at the mercy of my subs.
If they come through, you come through. You can ramrod them, wrangle them, but you also have to trust them, as two examples from the HGTV Dream Home construction demonstrate.
* When builder Juan Dellanos first saw the tiles for the countertop-to-ceiling backsplash for the kitchen, he didn't think it would work. But installed as designed, the mosaic pattern of glass tiles "looks gorgeous, beautiful," says Juan. "That's why they're decorators. You've got to get along with your designers and decorators. They're there to make the home look as pretty as possible; I'm there to make it as strong as possible."
* Only two weeks before the huge glass-enclosed tub and shower in the master bath had to be completed, they hired a local sub Juan has worked with before, and he knew that if she said she could turn it around, she would. And she did--great work on a complicated job in about half the normal time.
"The more you work with someone, the more you trust them," says Juan. "She did wonders with that glass."
This link has other tips about project coordination.
Posted by Richard Wall, HGTVPro.com Staff at 5:27 PM | Comments (4)
September 6, 2007
Tower Turned Lighthouse
Topped with wrap-around windows and housing the staircase for the three floors, the tower of the 2008 HGTV Dream Home in Islamorada, Fla., is its most striking feature.
The end product is also slightly different from the original concept, because the builder knew how to approach making that change in plans:
* He had a good sense for the aesthetics of the design;
* He recognized an opportunity to enhance that theme;
* He effectively communicated his ideas to the client and his supervisors;
* They collaborated on making the change.
The tower now flares out at the bottom, about 6 inches starting about 10 feet above ground, resembling a sturdy lighthouse. Builder Juan Dellanos once lived near an island lighthouse, and he thought the HGTV Dream Home's tower would benefit from that suggestive connection to the sea.
"I love lighthouses, and I know they always flare out at the bottom," says Juan. "I put that idea out there, they liked it, and I'm glad they did."
It worked. But it never would have happened, says Juan, if the parties hadn't already developed a trusting relationship built on communication and respect.
Enlighten us with examples, good and bad, of how you've handled design changes. Send us your wise advice.
Posted by Richard Wall, HGTVPro.com Staff at 5:22 PM | Comments (5)
