Renovation or changing products can change your quality of life. However, more people find it aggravating and vow never again. This is even after due diligence of shopping for styles, process and features. There will be problems you were never told to prepare for by anyone... until now.
So spend a few minutes reading through the very real problems of renovating or replacement. It will save you from real problems later.
My Lifetime in Renovations
I know this personally. I renovated my house 3 years ago and now am in the process of moving. We built our new Framingham store, which once housed the Salvation Army second hand store (great people, btw). Our 120 year old Dorchester store has been remodeled 8 times in my 30 years at Yale.
Framingham Before Photo Februray 2015 - Framingham After Photo June 2015
So I understand being a consumer and being a supplier on the other side at Yale since 1986. The products change, but the strategy on how to be happy with the finished product does not. Most of this seems basic, but it is crucial. Following are a few tips for a smooth renovation. Scroll down if you are replacing products.
Pick the Right Partners
This is absolutely critical. You have to be on the same page with everyone involved; the architect, general contractor, subcontractors and suppliers (more about them later). You want to work from a plan and not design in field.
For example, we were able to be on time and budget in a 20,000 square foot renovation in our Framingham store, because we had Bergmeyer Architects plan every detail down to lighting placement.
My own 1,000 square foot renovation did not quite go as smoothly (to be polite) due to lack of planning among other things.
How Do You Pick
The bane of every professional existence is social media. We all hate it because what we say about our own stores no longer matter. This is precisely why you should use it to vet every professional.
Forget about industry awards, because they give zero insight on how you will be treated. If an architect doesn’t have any ratings, have them show you their work. Talk to past clients. Spend the time, because it will save you a ton of time.
Appliances or Lighting Issues
This is classic good news and some very bad news for you to consider. First, appliances and lighting are more functional than ever.
Back when I was selling appliances in 1986, we sold one-speed Maytag washers, but now you will buy a 5-speed washer with twice the capacity using half the energy.
You can also buy a wall oven controlled by your phone. It will tell you how to properly cook your food. LED lighting, induction and smart cooking are all wonderful innovations and are definitely worth considering.
Yet chances are you will still be unhappy bordering on extremely upset with whatever you purchase.
That one-speed Maytag in 1986 lasted 15-20 years. Yet that new 5-speed machine will not last as long and require more service. In a kitchen full of appliances, there is almost 100% certainty you will need some kind of service.
Yet, unlike the car business where service and repair are crucial, technical appliance repair is almost nonexistent.
Even in high-end brands like Electrolux, Samsung, Bosch, Thermador and LG to name a few of all the appliance dealers from the internet to box stores to mom and pops, only 20% of the dealers have service and only 5% have more than a couple of techs.
You have to prepare for this eventuality. Before you buy, you have to know who will be fixing the eventual and certain problems. It is as important as features, benefits and prices.
How to Protect Yourself
Although I am not fond of recommending sites causing me consternation, social media is still the only way to protect yourself.
Similar to the example above, Google, AngiesList, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints are the best sources of information.
Suppliers should have multiple ratings. Read through the reviews. You will gain insight on how you will be treated by understanding how they have been treated.
Lastly, this process can be fun when executed properly.
Seeing your vision coming to life is also very personally rewarding.
Additional Resources
Looking for answers before you buy major appliances? Get the Yale Appliance Buying Guide with detailed profiles of the major brands plus answers to the 10 most asked questions. Well over 185,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
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