So I finally had a chance to sit down and actually read my April issue of House Beautiful. I enjoy that magazine more and more with every issue! This month brought a really interesting article entitled "Confessions of a Contractor," Q&A with Stephen Fanuka. Stephen is the head of Fanuka, Inc., an interior renovation and fine millwork company. Here are the most interesting excerpts!
What's the most unrealistic expectation a client has?
That the job will be perfect. No such thing. Painting and tilework and brickwork aren't done by machine. They're done by craftsman - who, yes, are human.
tzd editorial: Boy, is this true ... and I am guilty as charged! I am a somewhat obsessive perfectionist, and I am all about the details. It's hard for me to delegate because part of me thinks that I can do it best myself ... no matter what "it" is. When I do delegate - or in this context, hire someone to do the work for me (because let's be real - I don't have time to become a master tile layer) - I expect the best. Fortunately, I have worked with some of the most talented craftsmen in Charlotte ... and I have been extremely satisfied! But I do constantly remind myself that work done by human hands is necessarily "imperfect," which is - in itself - more perfect than something made with a plastic injection molding machine or the like. It also doesn't hurt that my twin boys have given me (and my house) more than a little experience in "imperfect."
How do you feel about interior designers and architects?
I love designers. They tend to create as they go along, which often leads to a better, or should I say more personalized job. I like architects, too, don't get me wrong. But they're more authoritative and don't deviate much from the original plans. And they'd prefer you didn't deviate from them, either. Architects pretty much give you a realistic idea from the beginning about what the job is going to end up looking like. Interior designers are more prone to improvisation. In terms of price, things tend to be a wash. Let's say a designer tells you the job will cost $70,000. Well, it might end up costing $100,000 after the changes. Architectus tell you the same job will cost $100,000 and it's wind up being about $100,000, but there won't be many, if any, changes. So their different paths will get you to about the same place.
tzd editorial: That's a pretty provocative statement! I have both friends and clients who are architects, so I'm not even sure I want to weigh in on this one. I will say that I have certainly experienced the authoritative architect. I was an onlooker to an almost heated discussion between an architect and a general contractor about various types of insulation. In that case, I think the architect just has so much "pride of ownership" in his design - which he labored over for years - that he can't bear to have it altered in any way ... and I understand that feeling! I'd love to hear what your experience has been!