« Tower Turned Lighthouse | Main | Stuck on the HGTV Dream Home Stretch »
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 September 20, 2007 5:27 PM
Comments
My husband is a cabinet installer and has been a cabinetmaker/builder for years. He has to deal with alot of stress of making the builders or designers look good and meeting deadlines that often have been way surpassed. And cabinet work is usually some of the high stress areas of construction. Because of the details involved. Someone is almost always a little impatient or not happy with the time frames. So, You are right it takes trust and someone willing to work fair and hard with the contractor and the customers as well. And everyone involved has to have a vision and a willingness to work together to make the projects a reality.
Posted by: Carrie Miracle at October 11, 2007 3:16 PM
This is not just a home it is a place where a lot of familys in the coming years will enjoy well after we are gone.It is a very enjoyable look home it look like it has something for every one the view for sure walk yes the water would help heal your skin .I will say who ever win this home is going to have a lot of kin and friends they will not let them know they have won for a time I bet I know they will be happy I would be.
Posted by: janetbennett at October 19, 2007 12:53 AM
Living in So Fla, I can relate to the problem of finding competent construction help. We're still trying to finish repairs made necessary by Hurricane Wilma -- 2 years ago! The weather here doesn't help when outdoor work needs to be done -- if it isn't raining, it's too hot to work outside. But somehow wherever the HGTV Dream Home is built, they ALWAYS manage to finish on time, and the results are always spectacular. I can't wait to see the finished home!
Posted by: Victoria Taylert at November 7, 2007 11:38 PM
