Through Lattice Windows: The Plumber, The Tiler And The Kitchen Designer
“My home is in a state of disruption,’’ writes Leanne Hunt. “All the kitchen contents are in boxes in the dining-room, my fridge and freezer are resisting the warmth of the winter sunshine on the patio, and the microwave oven is working overtime heating up ready-made meals from the local supermarket.’’
In spite of my pre-project qualms, however, having my kitchen renovated has so far proved relatively pain-free. Pain-free, that is, for me, not for the rest of the family. We have different ways of handling these things. I defer to the experts; they keep a beady eye on progress. For me, what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve. For them, the sight of a gap in the cupboard doors is a cause for intense irritation.
This is my view: I am the project manager. I have a team. I like my team and they like me. All is happiness … and soon I will have my space and privacy back.
But my family takes a different view. What about the drain-pipe that has destroyed the facade of our face-brick house? What about the strip of metal edging on the floor that doesn't align with the closed door? What about the fact that the chimney of the extractor fan doesn't quite reach the ceiling because there is a cornice in the way? I smile and say, "It doesn't matter." But oh dear, the consternation this causes!
Still, I don't want to pick a fight with my plumber. He is nice, and he's been looking after my pipes and geysers for ten years. I like the fact that I can chat to him as an equal and that he knows, if I require his quick assistance in an emergency, that I will pay just as quickly. Besides, I can't blame him for putting the drain-pipe where he did because that's what I asked for. My husband says he ought to know better and should have advised me on a better position for the pipe, but the damage is done. If we move the pipe, we'll have a patched-up hole in the face brick. I reckon … let's just buy a trellis and grow a creeper over the pipe. Apply some creativity, for goodness sake!
Needless to say, he wasn't satisfied. I told him, if I have to be project manager, he has to be content with my decisions or take responsibility himself. That didn't go down well because he has no intention of taking responsibility. The drain-pipe stayed and has become a lively point of conversation every time anyone asks the question, "How's the kitchen going?"
The tiler also posed a challenge. For some reason, he never quoted me on a single job. First it was the plastering of the bare brick wall that we discovered behind the old kitchen cupboards. Then it was the chipping away of old plaster on a section of wall that we wanted to paint. Then it was the plastering and painting of that section of wall, and finally it was the actual tiling. Each time, he gave a rough verbal estimate and promised to email the quote … but it never arrived. My family dreamed up all sorts of theories about his sinister intentions, but I took the view that, "He's a nice guy. I'm sure he's just busy." The truth is, the tiler is prepared to help me in ways that go beyond the call of duty. I gave up trying to choose tiles that would match my surfaces and finally asked him to choose them for me. He came back with three very affordable options and recommended the best match. A day later, the tiling was complete and I felt that it was a job well done.
As for my kitchen designer, the guy who must steer the project through from conception to final tidy-up, the relationship has again been good. Only once have I had to confront him on an issue. He led me to believe that the cupboards would be installed within one day and it didn't happen. My family said I should have known he was deceiving me, but my approach is always to wait and see. If the installation had taken a day, the designer would have received my unreserved admiration. As it was, I let him know that I was seriously disappointed in his poor judgement of how long the job would take. Surely, after working as a designer for eight years as he had, he should have some idea of what was possible and what was not.
My electrician understands this and explained clearly how long the task of connecting the appliances and fitting the plugs will take. I respect his honesty, even if it means waiting another whole weekend to get our gate bell reconnected and stop rushing outside whenever a car hoots in the vicinity of our house.
Today a car hooted in the driveway and it was the plumber. He'd come to check if I was satisfied. I told him meekly, "Actually, the drain-pipe has caused some strife in the household." Far from being offended, he replied, "If you're not happy, we'll change it. No problem." Oh, the simplicity of it! That's why I put so much store in staying friends with my team!
Incidentally, the invoice from the tiler did arrive … and it was exactly what he had promised it would be. It just goes to show!
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To read more of Leanne’s superb columns please click on
http://www.openwriting.com/archives/through_lattice_windows/
