Jessica Overcash Pictures
12 weeks waiting windows. Cabinet delivery is repeatedly delayed. Contractors who are booked and can’t start your project until June (maybe).
Setbacks related to COVID-19 and supply chain issues have contributed to significant delays on most renovation projects as local designers, contractors and suppliers struggle to recover from the pandemic and keep pace with demand.
The Alexandria area, just like the rest of the country, has seen a significant increase in demand for home remodeling projects since the outbreak of the pandemic. In fact, a recent study revealed that more than half of Americans say making their homes more useful and comfortable is of utmost importance.
Many homeowners in Alexandria are still finding ways to move forward with their plans.
“My kitchen is too small.”
“We need more storage.”
“I’d like to have a proper home office, separate bathroom sinks, and what about a soaking tub?!”
From new countertops and hardwood floors to updated fireplace surrounds and new paint colors, we all have a “wish list” for a makeover, says Kaki Ernst, Alexandria-based interior design consultant and owner of TruleyHome. Ernst says she’s heard these “questions” almost daily since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I love what I do, and I’m lucky to be as busy as I am,” says Ernst. “I want all of my clients to be happy not only with the end result but also with the process… Yet today is the challenge.”
Alexandria has a vibrant housing market where buyers are willing to pay premiums for what they want and contractors pay above-market prices for materials that have to be met or at least come close to deadlines.
As long as the demand for renovations ranging from simple bathroom upgrades to full kitchen renovations continues, designers and contractors say it will still be difficult to deliver their products and services efficiently, especially due to the massive shortage of building materials. This, along with other factors, stems from a “perfect storm” of obstacles including a shortage of skilled labor, unpredictable weather, tariffs and port congestion – simply not enough inventory and manpower to keep up with current demand.
In today’s evolving supply chain, there’s no quick and easy solution, and it’s hard to do it alone, according to a spokesperson for Ferguson, a local bathroom, kitchen and lighting showroom. From shipping delays and product losses to raw material shortages, the most experienced homeowners dive into their renovation projects believing the same rules apply. But that is not the case anymore and consultation with a trusted partner is the secret ingredient to meeting supply chain challenges.
Redesign in the world of COVID-19: the local perspective
Ernst says it has been remodeling the Alexandria kitchen since January 2021. It ordered the appliances last April, with the original delivery date set for August. She said the kitchen work was mostly completed as they finally received the fridge in October. However, they were still waiting for the Wall Furnace to arrive.
“Building and remodeling work changes daily, and I feel like my job, now more than ever, is about connecting with my clients, vendors, and contractors to keep us working together and setting expectations for this ‘new’ way of redesigning,” she said. From the customer is now coupled with the need to deliver news they don’t want to hear. We can do that, but it won’t be fast. Sharing news of the physical delays and how it will affect the scheduling of their dream projects is like a rain cloud on a sunny day.”
Cindy Beckham, a TruleyHome client, says that while she didn’t have to change their original kitchen layout, she did have to adjust her family’s schedule along the way.
“We expected the project to be completed by early September, and for the most part it was,” Beckham said. “Kaki and our contractor worked hard to meet the deadline, but in the end, our refrigerator and oven were delayed due to the pandemic. I feel bad for our contractor, who scheduled an appointment for his team based on original delivery dates. The worst part of the process was the lack of transparency and clear communication about Realistic hardware delivery dates and the impact this has on our contractor scheduling his team.”
According to Ernst, pre-pandemic design consultants and contractors were able to rely on scheduled delivery times, but more recently, that is no longer the case. “This has become a major timing issue, from contractors and suppliers to designers and the homeowner. Everyone is dealing with new delivery dates and rescheduling the next vendor or subcontractor in line.”
It’s hard to find anyone in the construction field who doesn’t have supply chain problems. One of the challenges is to “keep up with changes in availability and increased cost that change daily,” says Matt Burton, a project consultant in Northern Virginia.
“Our sellers do a great job of keeping us up to date, but I have to get back to customers a lot and step back,” Burton says. “Now we’ve come to the point where I use a lot of ‘ifs’ in my conversations in exchange for promises or giving hope.”
Elisa Baber, owner of SweetSpace, says providing furniture at her local design business during the pandemic has been challenging.
“In an ideal world, as designers, we would choose furniture, buy it and then ride with the big reveal,” Baber said. “Now, it all seems so fragmented, and we accept items as they come in due to increased delivery times. Also, there is at least one item that has been ordered again or is no longer available between getting it and delivering it to the customer. This often leads to customer frustration and more Work for the designer.
Regarding some of the biggest epidemic headaches, Baber adds, shipping has been a huge challenge to work around. ‘Available and ready to ship’ items often turn out to be an additional six weeks in addition to the time it takes to make and receive them. “These delays make it difficult to schedule installations, which usually need to be done weeks in advance. Really, the only thing we can do is keep communication open with our customers and set expectations for the unpredictable.”
Tina Trumbo, an Alexandria homeowner who worked with Ernst to renovate a bathroom and laundry room recently, had to change her ideas and plans due to a lack of materials for her project. We had to make different decisions about the tanks so as not to put the project off for months. We sacrificed quality for timeliness.”
At first, Trumbo explained, she was worried about being forced to pivot. However, the affordable cabinets turned out to be perfect for her family’s purpose. “Even with the extra time and delay, it was worth it. We’ve been spending a lot of time in our home during the pandemic, so investing in new and fresh spaces will continue to delight us and reduce anxiety.”
Trampo advises other homeowners to explore remodeling options in the meantime to work with a designer who is attentive and can help not only choose materials but obtain them. Our designer [Ernst], was able to get new products when the products we initially wanted were no longer available. For me, investing in a designer to remove that from my class was the best decision for our redesign.”
Tips to consider before diving into remodeling amid the pandemic
Ernst offers several tips if you find yourself ready to enter a remodeling project in the current climate:
- Create “appearance books” to help communicate your vision and desires for your spaces. This can be in the form of images from magazines, Pinterest boards, or even a folder on your computer where you save the images.
- Make finishing decisions sooner to secure costs, especially items such as appliances, cabinets, tiles, and flooring. The pandemic has affected the cost and timing of these items the most.
- Give yourself plenty of time, sit back and enjoy the ride. Don’t start a project until you know you have all the materials on hand. And if you like it, buy it (the stock may be gone today tomorrow).
Ernst adds: “Building or remodeling your home is exciting and stressful at the same time. Balancing budget, design, and timing is a huge task. Surround yourself with people you trust and know they are working hard for your best interest. I build my business on forming these relationships not just with my clients But with sellers and contractors.”
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