On Monday the lock box was removed and we received the final bill with all the credits and extra things we added. We are DONE!
Now, I know that I haven't been very good about blogging in the last month, but frankly there hasn't been a lot to say. We reached, "substantial completion" a month ago.
The cabinet doors are now all installed and the stained glass is amazing! I know you can't see it very well in the picture so you'll just have to trust us.
The porch/landing/deck was recently completed as well. Now we can use our back door.
Here is a better shot at the stained glass, but I still feel like it's much prettier in person. Due to our blog neglect, our faithful readers have been spared (or denied depending on how much whining you'd like to read about our microwave curse) the continuing drama with the microwave. This is a shot of microwave #2. After two tries of trying to fix microwave #1 and Sears canceling try #3 because the parts were back ordered, Brian got involved and invested more time with managers on the phone than I would of had patience for. In the end, his perseverance with automated messaging and years of experience in customer service got us a brand new microwave. I found this all rather interesting in terms of cost of services and warranties. Obviously, the microwave was under warranty so none of this nonsense cost us anything other than irritation. Every time the repair guy came out to fix it we got a receipt with how much the part would be if he had them and how much his time was worth. In the end over $500 was spent on the stupid microwave that couldn't be fixed. We didn't pay nearly that much for the original one.
I LOVE the hardware. I'm so pleased that I didn't back down and buy hardware before I was ready and had the guts to go and cancel a large order when I changed my mind. We are every pleased and especially like the long handles. I think it looks much better than two small ones on either end of the drawer, which was the original plan.
A few weeks ago Brian and I had a funny, but serious, conversation about how it was going to feel when we were really done. This is what we came up with: It feels like we are ending a relationship that was good. The best piece of advice that we received was this (and it came from another contractor):
"Any company can come up a good design and use quality materials. Costs should be relatively similar between companies. What should play heavily into your final decision is, who do you feel comfortable with in your house?"
I couldn't agree more. Incidentally, we didn't go with the guy who said this. The people at OAR practically became members of the family. The boys knew them and recognized their trucks. The workers seemed to know where everything was in the house and garage. At some point I stopped going to meet them at the door when they came to work. They had keys, they could let themselves in. While I made sure I was dressed everyday before anyone came to work, make-up was optional. In fact, I have taken two sick days this year and both days Rick has let himself in the house while I was sleeping. It didn't even phase me. I wasn't even embarrassed I was wear sweats. We got very comfortable with these people!
Our relationship with the OAR Group is over. It was great and I'd recommend them without hesitation to anyone who is looking at remodeling or adding on. They weren't the cheapest company we interviewed but we sure felt comfortable with them in our house.
So, while we will maintain Ranch Renaissance, it will now focus on smaller projects. Here is our short list of things that need to be done:
1. shelves for cubbies in the mudroom
2. area rug for living room and runner for hallway
3. new toilet for big bathroom
4. do something about the grout and faucet in the bathroom
5. outside landscaping
6. paint bedroom and get curtains
7. old exterior wall framed and made to look nicer
8. install old cabinets (the nice ones my dad made) in the family room for DVD/video game storage
9. tentative...new appliances. The white ones just aren't working for me.
Thanks for your interest in our big project. It's been an experience we've enjoyed sharing with all of you!
