Always, ALWAYS, call ‘The Guy’

Sometimes when I talk to my sister, I tell her about something my husband did that totally pissed me off…or that he didn’t think through. She always has the same reply…”Do you think you’re in this alone????”

Then she proceeds to tell me something her husband did or said that makes you squint like Clint Eastwood and shake your head at the same time. Then we burst out laughing.

One thing we both know for sure is that doing home-related projects with our spouses DOES NOT WORK.

Before we start an agreed upon project, I always ask Bill, “Do you want to be the Chief or the Indian?” If he chooses Chief, he runs the project and calls all the shots. If he chooses Indian, he follows my lead.

He has ALWAYS chosen Indian…and within 5 minutes of starting the project, I am on the couch watching past episodes of The Waltons. He just can’t help himself and must always start a project by telling me what I’m doing wrong. And by the way, I’m not exaggerating on the 5 minute comment.

Two years ago we agreed to repaint the living room, dining room, hallway, kitchen, cupboards, and stairwell to the basement. Since we live in a very small house (962 sf), these are not large areas. By taking on the largest project of our relationship would have meant a slow, painful death for one of us…or a divorce.

I took it upon myself to ‘Call the Guy’ for an estimate. I found painters in our area, read reviews, made phone calls to set up appointments, and only one company responded. It was an interesting response because when the gal called me back, her very first question was, “What is your budget because we aren’t cheap?” The reviews on this company were outstanding. At this point, in order to avoid death or divorce, I didn’t care what it cost. In my mind, it was going to be done right and there would be no stress to either of us.

The salesman, Andy, arrived on time (I’m a stickler for punctuality…score one for Andy). We had a great conversation about death and divorce, and I hired his company on the spot. There were a few details to work out and paint colors to choose. Since I wanted the kitchen cupboards painted gray, he told me why I shouldn’t choose gray. We went with white. Since I don’t know too much about paint finishes, Andy told me what the best would be for the ceilings, cupboards, walls, and crown molding. I gave the reins to him by telling him I wouldn’t tell him about paint if he didn’t tell me how to bake a pie. We shook hands and agreed.

The cool part of this, at least for me it was cool, is that I got to pick the start date, the time the painters would start every day, and the time the painters had to be out of the house every day. I actually felt in control of this project! Since our contract signing took place in November, I chose February 8th as the start date. With Christmas coming as well as a couple of vacations at the end of December and January, I chose Monday, February 8th. Start time 8am. End time 4pm.

Someone came to remove all the cupboard doors to take back to the shop for prep work and painting. That would take a total of three weeks. Monday the 8th rolled around and I went to work at 6am like always. When I got home a little after 3pm, the crew was starting to clean up and they were out by 4pm. Friday at noon they were 100% completed with all the painting except for the cupboard doors. Oh…I also paid extra to have all the hardware professionally installed with the cupboard doors. I left nothing to chance.

Four-and-a-half days and they were done. No death. No divorce. Not even a spat. Although the price I paid would have afforded me a good ten-day vacation in another country, it was SO worth it. Fast forward two years and each time I look at the walls or the cupboards it brings a smile to my face.

One of the best parts of this contract was that their workmanship was warranted for two years. As Andy explained to me, if I got mad at Bill and threw a cast iron skillet at him, and it went through a wall within two years of the completion date, they would repair the wall and repaint it free of charge. How can you beat that? The time has come and gone and the walls and skillet are still intact.

Always, ALWAYS, call The Guy…..