1 year, 1 month later...

You're not going to believe this (*I* can't), but we're moving in next Wednesday, 5/3. The countertops are being installed tomorrow, then Max will connect the appliances so we can move in. It's been such a LOOOOONG process, but it's going to be worth it (IMHO).

what's left to do?

Unfotunately, we're not exactly done with Albrecht & Son yet. We still need our warranties and installation/user guides for the a/c, thermostats, and back door before the final check is written. The first time we asked for this, we received a brochure for the a/c and a user guide for a different model thermostat. Their second attempt included a user guide for a thermostat in Spanish! Oh, and again, wrong model. See what we've been dealing with? It's stuff like this since October. They can't do anything right the first time. It's ridiculous. In the last 2 weeks Max and I painted and installed trim and baseboards, put in the fridge (Thanks for your help, Spotts!), stove, and dishwasher, put in the vanities, sinks and faucets. Max is aiming to finish the baseboards this week, plus connect the water supplies to the sinks. We need to finish the kitchen cabs this weekend (glass doors, finish exposed sides with trim, toekicks) and hopefully get the coutertop guys out here next week. I'm getting window covering estimates in the next couple of weeks, too. Max talks about moving at the end of February. I'll believe it when I see it. We still need the closets and pantry put together...(sigh)

week 45?! whatever!

I know I promised to keep the blog up to date no matter what - but boy! - it got REALLY ugly!! If we thought it was bad in the fall, we had no idea how much worse dealing with Albrecht & Son would get. It has been extremely frustrating and depressing that thoughts of abandoning the project was brought up several times in the past months. (Of course, "litigation" was mentioned as well.) I did continue to take pictures but talking about the remodel has been a sore subject to say the least. Why are we starting again? 2 reasons: 1) we have made great progress in the last week that we're getting excited about the house again, and 2) Max's friend, Bob, told us to update the blog. Someone reads this? Ok then, let's blog...! Here are some pictures to see the transformation of the kitchen.

Opening the cabinet boxes was a bit scary because our window of opportunity to send damaged cabs back was closed. We just crossed our fingers and appreciated the touch-up kit included!

The cabs are full overlay, slab (flat) cherry wood w/ a cabernet stain...

Fun, huh, to see the transformation in successive pics like this...

The floors are 6" wide Santos Mahogany planks...

It's looking like a loft, isn't it?