Blog Series: Kitchen Remodel in Mexico – Week 3

Welcome back to our dramatic saga blog series about our kitchen remodel in Mexico. If you are new to the series, please start at the very beginning to hear the whole story. Week 1 was deemed rocky. Week 2 was promising. Keep reading below to see how Week 3 went. 

Day 15 – Monday – July 4

Team Hector worked on the A/C plumbing for about 3 hours. After that, they were nowhere to be found. We were actually happy for them to leave because Brad had a gig at Whiskey Kitchen. We had a great time with expat friends celebrating the 4th of July. It warmed our hearts that so many friends we’ve made in the past year came out to support Brad. After all, living in paradise doesn’t mean much if you aren’t surrounded by friends.

Later in the evening, Miguel stopped by to discuss the price of the final kitchen design compared to his bid. It’s a lie to say we’ve never come in over budget on a remodel. Still, whenever it did happen, it was because we decided to make upgrades after the fact.

Naturally, we pressed him for examples of things that increased the price. He mentioned a few things like cabinet hinges, design, and paint, all of which were known when he bid on the job. We have heard about the ol’ local contractor bait-and-switch and how it usually comes towards the end of the project. Looks like it’s our turn in the barrel.

Day 16 – Tuesday – July 5

Team Hector scared us when they acted like the living room A/C units were too big to install in the space available. They even said something about not realizing a concrete beam was there. Remind you, this is the same concrete beam they were plumbing around for over 2 weeks. For a split second, I thought Brad might lose it. As always, though, he kept a cool head, got out the tape measure, and talked them through it. Crisis averted.

Sweet Tavo proudly returned with our modified bed. The headboard had a mostly wingback look, and the buttons were replaced with larger buttons upholstered in the same Sunbrella fabric as the bed. Definite improvement. It wasn’t great, but we can live with it.

Tavo then started assembling the bed. The white upholstered bed rails were exactly 2 inches off the ground. The back legs were stained but the front legs were not. As much as I just wanted to be done with it, this white upholstered bed will look like Pig Pen lives here if it is only 2 inches off the ground. Back to the shop, Tavo.

Day 17 – Wednesday – July 6

Starting to question if Team Hector has ever installed the high-end units we purchased. They’ve cut so many holes in the ceiling, it looks like the place was invaded by a swarm of giant Mexican termites.

Miguel came over to discuss the proposed price increase. I’m happy to report that he understood the assignment and returned with something more substantial. We went back and forth before meeting somewhere in the middle.

Brad also had the great idea to split the change order into 2 installments. The first to be paid immediately. The final will only be paid if the project is completed to our satisfaction by August 4. Hopefully, there is light at the end of our lovely camping experience and some incentive to get this deal done!

Day 18 – Thursday – July 7

Not wanting to raise expectations of what a full day of work might render, Team Hector arrived around 2:00. They dropped off some more compressors and were gone by 2:30. Nice job, fellas.

After pacing past the A/C boxes for a few hours, Brad realized the units were a different version than what we ordered – a far less expensive version!

Brad immediately reached out to Hector, who didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. Thanks to Brad’s extensive research and newly attained knowledge of Mexican HVAC systems, he expressed that it was, in fact, a big damn deal. Once Hector realized Brad was relentless, he agreed to make it right.

Folks, I try to think the best of people, but my intuition tells me this was Hector’s attempt to make a little extra profit. Lord have mercy, I want these guys done and out of here.

Day 19 – Friday – July 8

Team Miguel was the first to arrive today around 10:00. I would like to say there was a train blocking the intersection or a backup on the freeway, but we have neither trains nor freeways in Puerto Vallarta. {Loud Sigh}  Miguel’s drywall guy is currently the only contractor on my good side. This is helpful, considering how the A/C guys have trashed our ceilings.

Team Hector arrived around 11:00 and started hacking away at our master bedroom ceiling. Once again, they used zero critical thinking skills and installed the unit the wrong way. They just stood there looking at it, devising a plan to rig up the drain to go around the concrete beam it was butted against. 

Brad took a deep breath and explained if they simply turned the unit 90 degrees, the drain pipe would be pointed in the right direction. Another crisis averted, but also half a day wasted. Their common sense cards have been officially revoked.

Day 20 – Saturday – July 9

Team Hector arrived promptly at 9:00. I noticed the “engineer” was wearing a polo-style shirt with embroidery on the pocket. Stitched beneath an A/C logo was the word “Instructor.”

My head almost exploded! Is it possible these guys are STUDENTS, and he is their INSTRUCTOR?! Earlier this week, I questioned if they had ever installed these units. I was being facetious, but maybe I was right. This would also explain the 27 giant holes in our drywall and the fact that it has taken them 3 times longer than expected.

Are we paying full price for a $3 beauty college haircut?! Memories of brassy highlights and botched bangs haunt me. 

Day 21 – Sunday – July 10

Day Off. We did nothing. All day.

Recap – Week 3, Kitchen Remodel in Mexico 

At this point in the project, we are playing defense. Team Miguel doesn’t really want to work, but they want more money for the work they do. Hector was probably trying to pull one over on us with the cheaper units and the student crew. We’re going to have to drag poor ole Tavo over the finish line. It’s a good thing Brad and I are retired, because getting this bunch to do anything correctly is a full time job!

Weekly Report Card

• Brad keeps his “A” streak. If you are ever replacing your A/C in Mexico, he’s available for consults. Consider it a public service, haha!
• Teddy and I also get an “A” this week. Teddy slept through most of the chaos, and I didn’t audibly freak out.
• Team Hector gets a “D.” Lots of mistakes and shadiness this week.
• Miguel gets a “C” this week. I didn’t drop the grade because of the change order, but they really didn’t do enough work to register a score.
• Tavo gets a “D.” I am sure he’s as ready to be done with it as we are.

Amigos, Week 3 was crazy, but we are undeterred. We are learning the rules to this bizarre game, and are determined to win. Game On!