Interview 4

Oct. 16, 2021 / 7 pm / Phone

Interview Questions

  1. What are your feelings towards remodeling projects?
  2. What is the hardest thing about planning and envisioning a remodel?
  3. Why was this hard?
  4. What if anything have you done to overcome this problem?
  5. What don’t you love about the solutions that you have already tried?

Notes

What are your feelings towards remodeling projects?

    • Frustrated and excited, cautiously optimistic
    • Material not delivered
    • Contractor not delivering what was promised
    • Talked to him before hand and trusted him
    • I expected him to know how to do things since this is what he does all the time
    • We did not have written contract
    • He was licensed, found him through google, bet we did not communicate through email
    • Home Depot promised 72 hr shipping on flooring, it never arrived

What is the hardest thing about planning and envisioning a remodel?

    • I wanted a completely new look from what it was now
    • Most recent was a kitchen remodel
    • Removed a wall (did not have a contract with the contractor)
    • I didn’t have a floor plan
    • I just gave him some pictures of what I wanted
    • My previous home was similar, open floor plan, used similar colors
    • I knew what worked before and what I liked

Why was this hard?

    • When after starting we realized that a wall was load bearing
    • I only saw the price and not the scope of work
    • Had to redivert electrical and HVAC
    • Cost extra

What if anything have you done to overcome this problem?

    • Envisioning what i wanted was not difficult
    • The bones of the house are good, it had a big yard for my family and pets
    • I have done the same things in my previous (small) house
    • Shaker cabinets have been in and out of style for 100 years
    • Flex black granite, brushed nickel hardware,
    • 8 previous remodels
    • Like Behr premium plus paint won’t use anything else
    • Originally I looked at magazines

What don’t you love about the solutions that you have already tried?

  • I have limited money
  • Next time I will compare estimates
  • Live in remodel of 2,200 sf for 2-5 years
  • Previously, asked husband for input but the taste are different
  • Flooring doesn’t go with anything
  • Had to buy new dining room set
  • Sees self as creative, pragmatic

Summary

  • Emotions: Frustrated and excited, cautiously optimistic
  • Values: Low cost, trusting of professionals
  • What is the user trying to do: Remodel / upgrade entire home
  • Current solutions: Live in remodel but hires contractors to do the work because they are faster
  • Deficiencies of current solutions: Unreliable contractors and suppliers, feel like she needs to do the work herself in order for it to be done right
  • Typical source of advice/knowledge: Contractors, suppliers, previous experience
  • Other pertinent information: Envisioning the remodel was not difficult because she has used the same components in 8 other homes. Relies on contractors to know what they are doing. Upset because a structural modification of a load bearing wall incurred additional cost and extended project duration