Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2019 - 24

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Crises Averted

J

"Of course, no one store had all the hardware
we needed in the color desired and the lengths
required," said McClain, who explained that this
was a case of having to go above and beyond when
design duty calls. "The truth is sometimes there is
no replacement for hoofing it around. As nice as
it would be to trust the product counts online, they
simply are not accurate."
After years of experience, Lori Carroll of
Tucson, Ariz.-based Lori Carroll & Associates has a list of trusted vendors, manufacturers,
shippers and what she calls white-glove service
professionals to handle her firm's projects with
efficiency and expediency.
"A dedicated team, proper planning and attention to detail virtually eliminate any worry
over mistakes or deadlines,"she added."From the
moment a client signs off on a project, we follow
detailed processes and procedures to assure missteps are kept to a minimum. We will do almost
anything to deliver a project correctly and on time;
my team and I have personally made deliveries
any time day or night to make sure we exceed our
clients' expectations."

Designers speak to
solutions for common
project challenges

BUMBLING BUDGETS
UST LIKE WITH EVERY INDUSTRY, things can fall through the cracks in

the design profession. No matter whether you are just starting out
or have been in the business for 30+ years, no project is ever perfect.
Something will undoubtedly go wrong, and it is best to learn from
prior mistakes - be them your fault or out of your control - to ensure
they don't happen again in the future.
KBB spoke with several designers about some of those project challenges,
which can include the product arriving late or the wrong product delivered,
budget issues, nightmare clients and scheduling conflicts.

PRODUCT DELIVERY WOES

Issues in this category can affect a project schedule, the client's mental state
and a designer's reputation. In a case with Chris Dreith of design-build firm
The Home Improvements Group in Woodland, Calif., she had been using
a specific line of cabinetry for many years, but problems arose when the
company's quality and attention to detail took a backseat.
In this particular kitchen project, the order was delayed extensively because
of communication issues between the cabinet company and its various distribution hubs. Because of this major oversight, which included damaged
product and door fronts that didn't fit, many members of the team lost money,
and other projects had to be pushed back.
"By the time the damaged cabinets were replaced, and we were able to actually complete the kitchen, we were more than six months past when we had
originally planned to be finished," said Dreith. "I now work with companies
that understand that my clients are the final users and they must be honored,
appreciated and understood."
In another example, John McClain of Orlando- and L.A.-based John
McClain Design, was down to the wire to complete a project two days
before the clients' housewarming party. Because the finishing hardware
hadn't shipped on time, the designer and his team scoured the city in search
of similar product.

24

By CHELSIE BUTLER

According to Joy Young, owner of New York Citybased Townhouse Kitchens, budget is always an
emotionally charged issue for most consumers
contemplating a new kitchen.
"Because construction and kitchen cabinetry
costs can feel nebulous, and they don't know what
is appropriate to pay for their renovation, they
often feel mistrustful and frightened at their lack
of knowledge about what a kitchen should cost,"
she explained, and advises that this conversation
take place within the first 20 minutes of your first
meeting with a client.
In the case where a client is planning to stay in
the home long term, Young may suggest a more
extensive kitchen renovation with high-end appliances and custom cabinets. If the homeowners
are planning to sell soon, she might suggest a
mere facelift.

"A dedicated team, proper
planning and attention to detail
virtually eliminate any worry over
mistakes or deadlines."
LORI CARROLL, Lori Carroll & Associates

/ SEPTEMBER 2019 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)
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Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2019
