House Remodeling Thread (long)

[snapdragen]

After seeing some of the stuff our contractor tried to do, your outlet doesn't surprise me. Aside from that, the kitchen looks great!

[Tuckervill]

Hideous.

And, you should have him put in a beige one instead of white--it won't stand out near as much. Even if all the others are white. Beige is better in this case. (I hate beige outlets, otherwise!)

Karen

[tulip]

Talked to the GC this morning. He tried the old "that's the ONLY place it would work" argument. Not buying it. I told him that there is a better solution, we just have to find it. I'm disappointed that he was there when this happened. It would be more comforting if the electrician had done it. I would understand if the electrician has no aesthetic sense.

It will get worked out one way or another. I've learned SO MUCH from this project...if anyone is doing renovations and wants some Lessons Learned, let me know.

[bmccasland]

Tulip - that's awful!

To disguise it, can you find some bamboo wall paper, and use that to cover the outlet cover? With a beige outlet, and the wallpaper covered plate, maybe it would be hidden? Unless the whole panel is going to be replaced. Just a thought.

[Trek420]

Tulip, that's awful! But is the kitchen counter going to be a seating area? Do you plan bar stools there and make it a sit-and-have-a-glass-of-wine-while-we-watch-you-cook-at-the-housewarming-party kinda thing?

If so a stern reprimand, "replace it with a bamboo switchplate for me and don't do it again" might do. And even then who wants cords around their guests knees?

If not, they'd better replace the whole piece, it's like a zit on a puhrty gals forehead.

[tulip]

Yeah, I've had a zit in the middle of my purty forehead too many times in my life!

Redhodie, thanks for that link to the switchplate-o-rama place. That would be the simplest solution. The counter will be cantilevered 12 inches on that side of the peninsula...so it would have been okay if they had put it higher even. I just wish they had done what they said they would do and what is on the plans...put it on the end! Something about drawers and such. I think the electrician didn't put the box in the basement in the right place...I have been asking about this switch for some time ("you're going to put an outlet on the end of the peninsula, right?") because there were no wires coming up from the floor before the cabinets went in. And it's required by code, so I wanted to make sure that nothing would prevent the inspection from passing.

If this had been the first or second thing, I would be more understanding. OR if they had just called me to discuss it beforehand! But I've been way down on the priority list for months. The guy who's been doing the grunt work (not cabinets, but other work) seems to be quite a slacker and really not very conscientious in terms of finishing work, cleaning up, and doing what he's supposed to do. For example, he plastered the ceiling where the old wall was but didn't do a great job. I figured that was just the way it was going to be, so I painted. His boss decided to replaster it, which is good, but now I have to paint the ceiling again. Before that, I had requested that everything be "paint-ready" so that the cabinets would not be mussed up by paint, but it wasn't done completely and I have to paint around the cabinets in some places. It's just one thing after another it seems. At least they finally came and took the old toilet out of my yard.

This was supposed to be done by Christmas, then the first half of January, then February first, now I'm looking at March 1st. So sorry to complain, but it's been going on for way too long.

Also, I love the cabinets. They are handmade, hand crafted by some really wonderful and very efficient people. This is like punching the craftsman in the gut. Plus, they are EXPENSIVE and putting the outlet there is just plain wrong!

I did not have enough know-how to be my own GC in the beginning of this adventure. Now I do, and if I ever have to do this again...

But I do love the space and I'm looking forward to living, cooking, and just enjoying it. Thanks for the perspective on the outlet.

[withm]

Tulip

There probably wasn't enough clearance on the end of the peninsula to have the conduit for the receptacle run up the side where the original plan was. For that, blame the cabinet designer.

If the code requires the receptacle, leave it as is for now. After the inspection make the cabinet guy replace that panel. You can remove the receptacle and cap off the wires (no loose live wires.. that's a no-no). And since the execution of the original design did not allow room for the receptacle, as designed, it's on the cabinet guy to make it right. You should not have to pay for that.

I can see where it would be useful to have a receptacle on the end of the peninsula, but on the back side like that is useless. Will cause a tripping hazard for anyone sitting there, or if you have a hot plate on the kitchen table, reaching over to the peninsula that's even worse.

Good luck.
Martha

[Zen]

At least they finally came and took the old toilet out of my yard.

WHAT?
Now where will you plant the geraniums?

[redrhodie]

It's looking fantastic! The cabinets are really gorgeous. So nicely made, and the hardware compliments them nicely. Before I read your comment, I just thought it all looked great. The outlet didn't draw my attention.

I know you want it moved, but here's something to consider. This place makes bamboo switchplates:

http://www.eclectic-ware.com/Eclecti...tchplates.html