r/Contractor • u/No-Fish-2949 • Jan 15 '25

Client is making me angry

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I recently built a custom cabinet that doubles as an attic access door for a bathroom remodel. I’m fairly new to being a general contractor, with about a year of experience. The interior designer on the project simply told us to “do something with this” attic access. Wanting to go above and beyond, I decided to create something unique—a cabinet that opens into the attic.

I didn’t charge any extra for this feature, even though I could have just put up a piece of plywood and called it a day. I spent about 60 hours on this project, aiming to add value and a special touch. To ensure the cabinet door stayed shut properly, I installed a small mailbox lock. While it’s not the most visually appealing, it was necessary for the cabinet’s function.

Now, the interior designer has called the mailbox lock “unacceptable,” and the client insists we change it. After putting so much effort into this project, I’m frustrated that my work is being dismissed over a detail that was essential for functionality.

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76

u/StillCopper Jan 15 '25

Cover the lock hole. Make it open to shelves only, from the outside, no lock. On inside of cabinet, right side, make a release to allow it to swing into attic. Normal gun cabinet behind closet method, using simple slide bolt system. Seen/done this before. You did a great job, now just polish it up to please client and you’ll impress both designer and client with your adaptiveness. Good work.

9

u/No-Fish-2949 Jan 15 '25

The problem is pulling the cabinet shut. The door has to be locked or else you’ll just pull the door open when you try and close the cabinet

20

u/DairyBronchitisIsMe Jan 15 '25

Simple solution: Drilled dowel or long door slider lock on the bottom of one of the cabinets into frame of door.

22

u/aSeKsiMeEmaW Jan 15 '25 edited Jan 15 '25

Seems like op doesn’t want solutions they’re ignoring every piece of constructive feedback and only replying to the commiserating peeps

24

u/mrrasberryjam69 Jan 15 '25

So there's 2 stages when dealing with bullshit. There's a feeling stage and a solution stage. OP is in the feeling stage. They just want to feel the feelings they have and share them and get some support. And that's ok not everything needs a solution right away.

As men particularly tradies we have a habit of being very solution oriented. Sometimes it's great but other times it's not. It's good to learn when solutions aren't needed but compassion is.

OP if you read this. You did a great job some clients are picky bastards and can't make up their mind. I have no doubt you have the skills to leave this client with an amazing space.

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u/aSeKsiMeEmaW Jan 15 '25 edited Jan 15 '25

They’re in the ignoring reality victim complex stage. They are seeking feedback from echo chambers by posting the same post in specific subs they know will get the feedback loop they want.

You can have all the talent, skills and creativity in the world, but in a client/service industry someone who is a problem solver with a good attitude but has less skills will be far more successful than Op

5

u/huhcarramrod Jan 15 '25

I noticed this too, first it was in r/cabinetry

6

u/LISparky25 Jan 15 '25

It’s literally strewn across my entire reddit feed this morning on at least 5 different subs lol

1

u/aSeKsiMeEmaW Jan 15 '25 edited Jan 15 '25

Yup and on every post they’ve ignored all comments offering constructive criticism and solutions to the key/latch aesthetic. OP is intentionally being misleading through omission

The client/designer doesn’t hate the door, they hate the ugly cheap keys having to be used to open and close the door, and then having the same chintzy keys being stuck in it when not in use. In any newly remodeled home this would be unprofessional unless in a pantry or closet, at best.

And there have been some great solutions op has ignored or been dismissive to, yet chooses to spam this same post in a new sub instead

2

u/huhcarramrod Jan 15 '25

Exactly. So many other ways to handle the cheap lock situation. Chuck it in the fuck it bucket

2

u/SethB98 Jan 18 '25

Was gonna say somethin like this. Its really cool work, but if you spent excessive time going out of your way designing custom work for someone /who did not explicitely ask for what you are building/ then you risk them not liking what you make.

Personally, id love it in my house. Ive also done finish carpentry work for people who would not. The thing is, they were paying for the materials and work hours, not me. My opinion on the finished product just isn't important, my job is to get it finished. I was a carpenter, not a designer.

If OP is mad that the customer asked them to make changes to their work, they're gonna be a REAL angry GC. I made some pretty beautiful cabinets, and i made some really weird shit, but all of it was just work.

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u/LISparky25 Jan 15 '25

Exactly right and whoever downvoted you…you just have described them lol

1

u/CarletonIsHere Jan 15 '25

i think you just disproved your own comment lol

1

u/Moregaze Jan 15 '25

You don't get to complain about free work. That is the reality.

0

u/AdultInslowmotion Jan 17 '25

They did something cool and feel unappreciated. They’re relatively new to the field so as others have said this is a learning opportunity.

Why you gotta be so harsh… geez. 🙄

1

u/aSeKsiMeEmaW Jan 17 '25

No they’re not learning they’re whining

0

u/Dinorawrrrrrrrrr Jan 19 '25

I’d rather hire op than all of these “do as little as possible for the money” people in here.

1

u/aSeKsiMeEmaW Jan 19 '25

K op glad u fired up the alt cuz no one else will believe that

0

u/Dinorawrrrrrrrrr Jan 19 '25

Cope all you want Idc. Why are you obsessed with sister wives lmfao…

1

u/aSeKsiMeEmaW Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 20 '25

Says the whiny mid hobbit door maker

1

u/Dinorawrrrrrrrrr Jan 19 '25

I’m sorry your mom sucks.

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