Following last week’s feature about Day One of the bathroom renovation project, the next few days should be straight forward. The contractor showed up for the job and made a start with stripping out the old fixtures and tile. Like with every renovation project though, it’s important to keep on top of the contractor’s timings – what are they getting completed? And what isn’t getting done on time?

In general, a project schedule should be put together by the contractor, showing each step of the project listed out with dates corresponding to them to denote when they will be completed. For example, demo day will be called out, installing the new toilet, vanity, shower, etc and tile work. Everything that needs to be completed should be drawn up on the project schedule so everyone knows what they’re doing and most importantly, what you as the client should expect to see completed as the project progresses.

Back to the bathroom renovation project…

On the whole, day one of the bathroom project goes fine. Maybe the demo was a little slower than called out on the project schedule though. But as we spoke about last week, the contractor was a bit late and needed to make a few extra trips to Home Depot. 

Maybe you’re expecting too much, too soon… The contractor has been so reassuring that he’ll adhere to the project schedule and get the work done.

 

Three days later, the demo is done (yes – a day later than scheduled!) and the new shower is getting framed out. The designer you hired for the project has been doing site visits throughout and has been setting expectations about the schedule and discussing what needs to be done to the contractor. He continues to reassure that he will catch up on the work. 

How can he be so behind already? I mean sure, his kid was sick and he was playing Mr. Mom… We’ll just give him the benefit of the doubt – life happens. After all, he did say he’d get caught up…

Having doubts about the project schedule or timings from Day Three or Four of the project (let’s say within the first week) is unheard of short of an unexpected field condition that may set things back. If a big issue like foundations, a previous plumbing leak – something like that is unexpected and could delay the project. But how can they possibly be behind when things have barely taken off yet in the bathroom?

 

Above anything else, having a project plan and schedule is incredibly important. It is not only for yourself to keep track of things on site each day, but it keeps all parties accountable. 

Make sure your designer and contractor agree with all the dates so everything has been agreed in terms of timing. It can be so easy for contractors and tradespeople to just take their time with work, and before you know it – it’s been months – and not much has changed. To avoid this – keep reviewing the project and the work being carried out in relation to the agreed project schedule. If you can, lean on your designer for additional support.

As you can see, already a few red flags are beginning to creep in. In general, most projects run a day or two behind schedule, and there are unavoidable delays that can occur, like stock levels and late or lost deliveries. These sorts of delays are unpredictable and so are generally accepted. Problems start emerging when work is taking longer than planned and agreed but aren’t a reason to fire your contractor. At the end of the day… They’re doing their job, right?

 

The next day, your designer stops over and sees the cement board up in the shower, but notices the lack of waterproofing within the shower. You overhear her say, “This is looking great. What’s the plan to waterproof the shower?” 

Wait a sec – Waterproof the shower? That isn’t done yet? Perhaps he just didn’t get to that yet – benefit of the doubt, right? But surely that is one of the first things that should happen when installing a new shower… Doubt starts to creep into your mind but you do your best to ignore it.

His response, “It’s a cement board, no water is getting through it.” After a brief pause, you overheard your designer say, “My understanding is that it’s standard to waterproof a shower… I’m actually working on a bathroom remodel right now because a shower didn’t get waterproofed and their kitchen below flooded as a result…” 

*Alarm bells start ringing in your head* Please tell me this isn’t happening… You have a great designer on board so you’re sure this will get sorted one way or the other.

You have a chat with your designer, who is being careful not to directly tell the contractor how to do his job, but is also looking out for you and has your best interests at the forefront. It’s clear that following the conversation the shower needs to be waterproofed. You tell the contractor that you’re not comfortable with a cement board only shower and he needs to waterproof it properly. He agrees to do it to make you happy and you send your designer a text to let her know and to also ask her to keep an eye on it. 

Your doubts are starting to set in… Should you fire your contractor? 

Technically, no. They have said they will waterproof the shower properly as discussed so there shouldn’t be any serious worries at this point. However, because you haven’t witnessed a bathroom renovation firsthand before, and technologies, standards, and methods change over the years, you’re not sure how or what any of this should look like when “done properly”.

Luckily you have a good designer on board who knows what they’re looking for and can keep a close eye on things on your behalf.

Tune in next week for the next installment – Will the waterproofing get installed correctly?