A home project can put you in unfamiliar territory. You may be looking at an expensive finish that doesn't seem right, questioning something your contractor has told you, or wondering whether you're being too particular about a detail.

Those moments can be difficult.

You don't want to create unnecessary conflict with a team you've hired and trust. But you also don't want to accept something you're going to notice every day for the next decade simply because you're unsure whether it's actually a problem.

That's one of the reasons we created Private Consulting.

When Something Doesn't Look Right

I recently spoke with two homeowners who found themselves in almost exactly this position.

One was dealing with a bathroom renovation. They had hired one company to supply the flooring and complete the installation. The hardwood floors had gone in beautifully, but the tile work in one of the bathrooms was taking weeks and the finished grout lines were inconsistent and visibly crooked.

They were disappointed with the result, but also tired. By this point, they simply wanted the bathroom finished.

The other homeowner had a different problem.

I’ve received a pretty expensive item and I wasn’t thrilled with the finished product. When I asked my contractor he seemed hesitant but then said it was fine. Am I crazy for thinking that it should be returned?

Their new windows were beautiful, expensive, black and triple-paned. But several of the bedroom windows had muntin bars that didn't fully extend to the frame, leaving a noticeable gap at each connection.

They brought the concern to their contractor, who wasn't particularly concerned. So they sent me photographs and asked a very reasonable question: Was this actually a problem, or were they being too particular?

Sometimes You Just Need to Know What You're Looking At

In this case, I didn't think they were being unreasonable. Windows are an expensive product, and the finish wasn't what they expected. The same was true of the bathroom tile.

That doesn't mean every imperfection needs to become a major dispute. Homes are built by people, and no construction project will be perfect. But there is a difference between accepting the character of a handmade home and accepting workmanship or fabrication that falls below the standard you paid for.

The important part was figuring out which one this was.

The Next Conversation

For both homeowners, the next step wasn't to confront their contractor or demand an immediate solution. It was to go back to the companies responsible.

For the bathroom, I suggested they explain the problem to the company that supplied and arranged the installation and ask them to address the workmanship.

Understandably they were hesitant. They were nearing the end of the project and the thought of demolishing a completed bathroom was exhausting.

But I asked them one question: A year from now, will you regret not saying anything?

They knew the answer.

Both bathrooms were eventually demolished and redone. The new tiler and the company involved in the original installation agreed that the workmanship was unacceptable, and the company covered the cost of the correction.

The window manufacturer was contacted as well. They agreed to replace the affected windows and covered the labour required to remove and reinstall them.

In the end, everyone got to the same place: the homeowners were happy with the finished product, and the companies had an opportunity to correct work that hadn't met the expected standard.

You Don't Always Need Someone to Tell You What to Do

This is an important part of consulting. While the answer may seem obvious when you're listening to a story, it's not when you're dealing with it. The value isn't necessarily in getting a definitive answer from someone outside your project. Sometimes it's having someone help you determine what the real question is.

Is the product defective?

Is the installation acceptable?

Is this simply a matter of personal preference?

Is there a warranty or standard that applies?

Should you raise the issue now, or is it something that can reasonably wait?

And perhaps most importantly: who is actually responsible for resolving it?

Those are useful questions to answer before you decide how to approach your team.

What Private Consulting Is For

Private Consulting is designed for those moments. You can bring a specific question, decision, concern, photograph, drawing or document and use the time to work through it.

Maybe you're still planning your renovation and aren't sure where to begin. Maybe you have a floor plan you'd like to understand more clearly. Maybe you're trying to decide whether a change is worth the additional cost. Or perhaps you're already in construction and something doesn't feel right.

You don't have to arrive with a perfectly defined problem. Bring the situation. We'll work through it together and identify what you need to understand, what questions you should ask and what your next step could be.

The Takeaway

You know your home better than anyone else. You also don't need to become a construction professional to make good decisions about it. Sometimes you simply need enough perspective to know whether something deserves another conversation.

If you're questioning a decision, a detail or something you've received from your project team, don't ignore it simply because you're unsure whether it's worth raising. Understanding the situation before you act can be just as valuable as knowing what to do next.

That's what Private Consulting is there for.