Blog Series: Kitchen Remodel in Mexico – Week 2

Our kitchen remodel in Mexico is going about like we expected. Things could be better, but they could definitely be worse. We described Week 1 as “rocky”, so this week deserves to be labeled “promising.” Read below to see if you agree with our optimism.

Day 8 – Monday – June 27

Last week, Miguel told us the concrete bar and cabinet bases would be removed today. We are nervous/excited and just want to get it done. We have NO idea what is buried in there. If we find water lines and electricity, our plans for adding an island might be blown. 

At noon, Miguel sent a message that the demo guys will not be here today. Totally disappointed, but I appreciated the communication. Definitely an improvement over last week.

The demo delay was serendipitous because the A/C guys were ALL over the house installing copper tubing and drains. Brad was beside them every step of the way to ensure they were thinking through the schematic layout. Side note: the words “schematic layout” must not translate because they did not have a plan.

Suffice it to say, Brad has learned way more about HVAC systems than he ever wanted. Should we be concerned that Brad has to direct this show as he’s learning from Google and YouTube? Were we wrong to expect these guys to have years of experience under their belts?

At one point, the A/C guys suggested they could just leave a drain pipe exposed in the ceiling corner and build a drywall box around it. It was one of those moments that really should be on video. Picture it. The guys speak zero English, and our Spanish is poor. So, they climbed on a ladder and held up two pieces of drywall in the shape of a box, all while gesticulating wildly and speaking rapid-fire Spanish.

It was at this moment we realized two very important things. 

1. We are hostages in our own home until this project is over. They cannot be left to their own devices, lest the end result look like a treehouse. 
2. If you say the words “no, no, no, no, no, no no!” with crazy eyes, they will get scared and abandon the horrible idea. 

Day 9 – Tuesday – June 28

Miguel and one of his guys arrived at 11:30. They taped off the kitchen area, and demo of the bar began. Miguel left to attend to other obligations, but our lone amigo hammered out a good portion of it. Yep, our house looks like a war zone – again.

Tavo arrived with more pieces of our upholstered bed. The first time he brought them, we were perplexed. He only brought the rails and a plain, upholstered headboard (that we could have bought in almost any store for about half the price). It also had cheap yellowed plastic buttons for the tufting.

We explained that it was not what we asked him to build. We reviewed the photo again, carefully zooming in on the wingback feature and buttons covered in the same fabric as the headboard. With a sweet smile, he loaded the headboard back onto the roof of his SUV and said he would be back Monday. Sigh, this guy is so nice. I hate that it isn’t working out better.

The A/C guys continued installation. Try as I might, I cannot figure out their workflow. They just climb on ladders, fiddle with copper tubing, and keep cutting big squares out of our ceiling. They have cut out enough drywall to sheetrock another house at this point! 

Day 10 – Wednesday – June 29

Miguel sent a guy over to continue the concrete demo. In addition to the concrete bar, the previous cabinets were built on a 12-inch tall concrete riser. We have no idea why anyone would build cabinets that way. Our neighbors think water pipes might be inside the concrete, so we are holding our breath.

A/C guys kept climbing, fiddling, and cutting. This part of the project is excruciating because they keep every room in the house trashed (except the guest room, which they know is OFF LIMITS). Every time they cut another hole in the ceiling, I want to cry. It will be a miracle if the drywall guy can patch this mess. 

Day 11 – Thursday – June 30

It’s a Christmas miracle! Miguel arrived with 3 guys. They hauled off debris from the first 2 days, then completed demo before they left! The best thing is, there were NO surprises under all that concrete. We can breathe again.

In other good news, the new A/C units arrived today. Considering the pandemic-related supply chain backlog, it is a huge relief to have them sitting in our living room. 

Day 12 – Friday – July 1

A/C guys continued installation. The copper tubing and drains are complicated since they go around two concrete beams to get to the ocean side of the living room. With all the conviction of a NASA engineer, Hector assured us it is no problem.

The drywall team installed the new kitchen ceiling. Naturally, since things looked better, I failed to notice there was a problem. Brad came in from the gym and immediately saw the measurements were wrong. It was 4 inches lower than we requested. They will be back Monday to reinstall it at the correct height.

Miguel and Ruben came over and taped the design (according to their latest blueprint) on the floor and walls. This exercise helped them understand where the drawings were still inaccurate. It was also a good opportunity for us to make a couple of last-minute tweaks. If they would incorporate this step into their design process, they would save a lot of time and their customers would be happier.

Day 13 – Saturday – July 2

A/C guys continued pressure testing and running plumbing. The entire A/C installation was supposed to take a week, but a week has already passed. Is it a bad sign that the brand name of the A/C units is Mirage?

Day 14 – Sunday – July 3

TGIS (thank goodness it’s Sunday)! An afternoon at the beach with some friends was just what the doctor ordered.

Remodel Recap for Week 2

This week was very productive. We had a couple of hiccups, but the concrete bar and cabinet bases were removed without incident. We are SO relieved there weren’t any surprises!

Weekly Report Card

• Brad keeps his “A” from last week. He is seriously the MVP of this whole deal.
• Teddy and I slip down to a “B-minus.” Teddy barked more this week, and I cursed about drywall dust non-stop.
• Hector & the A/C Guys drop from an A to a “C.” They are killing me with the holes in the ceiling.
• Miguel deserves a “B” this week. Communication improved, and they knocked out a big scary piece of the puzzle.
• Tavo gets a “D”, bless his heart. He’s so nice and does a great job staying in touch, but the furniture is disappointing. 

There you have it, friends. Week 2 is in the books. Here’s hoping the momentum continues as the days get hotter Puerto Vallarta.