Blog Series: Kitchen Remodel in Mexico – Week 4

Today’s post recaps week 4 of our kitchen remodel in Mexico. If you are new to the series, please start at the beginning to hear the whole story. Week 1 was deemed rocky. Week 2 was promising. Week 3 was not especially productive, but we were undeterred. 

Spoiler Alert: In Week 4, we took a little trip to Opposite-Ville, a lovely place where nothing makes sense and rivers of incompetence freely flow. 

Day 22 – Monday – July 11

Team Hector worked from 10:00 to 4:00. They unboxed compressors and started prepping the utility room. They placed the compressor that should someday cool our master bedroom. Of course, when Brad asked when it would be hooked up and ready to use, the answer was… mañana! (Remember that doesn’t necessarily mean tomorrow.)

No signs of life from Miguel. This week, his goals are to relocate the water for the island, repair the plumbing for our refrigerator, and move a few electrical outlets. He is also supposed to have the final, correct designs ready.

In unrelated news, the pilot light on our hot water heater will not stay lit. Knowing this is likely the original unit, a quick look at the rusted-out burner tells us it needs to be replaced. While I like a good hot shower, I might lose my mind if we add another contractor to the mix right now. As soon as one of these guys finishes something, we will get quotes on a new tankless unit. We are definitely camping now!

Day 23 – Tuesday – July 12

We received the “final” design drawings and noticed a few discrepancies. We asked Miguel and Ruben to meet us at our condo at 6:00 to review. You will not believe what happened next; Miguel arrived 10 minutes EARLY! Yes, folks, miracles do happen.

Still giddy from the early arrival, we asked Miguel and Ruben to draw the cabinet outline on the walls. They quickly caught the measurement mistakes we already noticed in the design document. Instead of going back and forth like usual, they brought a laptop (as we suggested weeks ago) so the plans were updated and finalized on the spot. We are dragging these boys kicking and screaming into this century.

Miguel informed me that his team would not be here until Thursday to move the plumbing and electricity. That’s only a 2-day delay. Besides, our building was scheduled to have the water cistern cleaned on Wednesday, so it works out perfectly for Team Miguel to show up the very next day to start plumbing and electrical.

Team Hector continued with the A/C project in our Master Bedroom along with installing the condensation drain pipes for the living room. When Team Hector left for the day, a drain pipe was hanging from the bedroom ceiling with a bucket under it.

Brad asked Hector to call him because he did not feel right about the drainage design for the A/C. After not receiving an answer, Brad typed out one of his famously detailed messages about the numerous failings so far, how long the project was taking, and his concerns about the drainage design. You will notice that when we mention “Team Hector,” it doesn’t mean that Hector, the boss, is necessarily present with his team. Of course, this is part of the problem.

In his response, Hector finally revealed that his team usually just works on new construction, where you don’t have the same challenges we have. Well, if you know Brad, you know he rarely gets worked up about things he cannot control. This was almost more than he could take in a non-air conditioned environment.

Day 24 – Wednesday – July 13

Water cistern cleaning took 5 hours longer than expected, which means we did not have running water for about 10 hours. Isn’t camping so much fun?! I am relieved we weren’t relocating water lines while the water was off. Plus, Miguel promised his guys were coming tomorrow.

Tavo arrived, again, with our bed. He made the requested changes, so we paid him and accepted it. The bed looks homemade, but it will do for the time being. Lesson learned on that one. Tavo, go in peace, sweet amigo.

Speaking of sweet. I made chocolate chip cookies in our air fryer/grill contraption. I bought it last year when the condo we were renting didn’t have a grill. It’s one of those, “I can’t believe I ever lived without it” appliances. It cooks bacon perfectly. I even fried a couple of eggs in it the other day.

Day 25 – Thursday – July 14

We waited all morning for Team Miguel’s plumbing and electrical guys. {Insert sound effect — wonk wonk} Our time would have been better spent trying to teach Teddy how to drive a car.

I reached out to Miguel around 1:00 pm to see if they had been in an accident or were caught in traffic. You guessed it – they will be here mañana. After 25 days, Miguel and I both know these are empty excuses, so he’s stopped offering an explanation. Miguel has now been deemed “The Work Nazi” — “No work for you!”

Day 26 – Friday – July 15

Waited most of the morning again for Team Miguel. After all, what’s a good kitchen remodel without some plumbing and electricity? Maybe I ask for too much. Reached out to Miguel at 11:30 to see if they were coming as promised. He replied that they had an “incident” and would be here – mañana. No sound effects this time. This is ridiculous.

While walking past the utility room, Brad noticed that Team Hector spent all morning installing both of the living room compressors… backward! The exhaust fans were pointing towards the condo’s interior. {Sound Effect – needle scratching across record.} Even Teddy Bear knows you don’t want to blow hot air INTO your house! 

Brad had to argue this point with the A/C guys (it’s only fair to start calling them “trainees” at this point). Finally, Brad retrieved the “engineer/instructor” who was supposed to be supervising. He was outside watching YouTube videos (perhaps on “How to install a mini split A/C unit?”). Thankfully, he immediately agreed with Brad and made the guys start over. Another wasted day in Opposite-Ville.

Day 27 – Saturday – July 16

One person from Team Miguel arrived at 10:00 am to relocate electricity. He didn’t actually relocate it, just chiseled some outlet locations in the concrete. Note to self: must be more specific with my requests. When I said to relocate the electricity, they didn’t know I wanted it to be functional. If I handed out a daily “Half-Assed” award, we might have a winner here.

Team Hector was a no-show today. Hector himself hasn’t been to the job site in so long, we have forgotten what he looks like. He really needs to come see his “trainees” in action. Their 5-day project has been going for over 3 weeks and they still don’t have a single new unit in operation.

Oh, and just when we thought the week was boring, we learned that the condo below us has a water leak directly below our master shower. Our building maintenance guy says he needs to “break it the shower floor” next week to find the source of the leak. Sir, can we have more jackhammers, please?

Day 28 – Sunday – July 17

Day Off – Went to see the new Elvis movie with friends. The movie was good, but the air conditioning was GREAT!

Recap – Week 4, Kitchen Remodel in Mexico 

This week was much the same as the previous weeks. Even though we are often frustrated, we are still having fun and feel lucky to be here. Bonus: We have a front seat to a pretty unbelievable clown-show!

Weekly Report Card

• Brad gets an “A” again for being the most knowledgeable HVAC person in the building.
• Teddy and I also get an “A” this week. We just kept our heads down and documented the chaos for you fine folks.
• Team Hector gets a “D.” They are getting it done, but only because Brad stays on them 24/7. 
• Miguel gets a “C” this week… not because the team actually accomplished anything, but him showing up early that day was a nice touch.  
• Tavo gets a “D.” If this is custom furniture, it must have been built for someone else’s house.

That’s all we have for week 4, amigos. Keep watching for week 5 to see how “break it the shower floor” goes!