I completely feel your pain. We built a house from scratch In Azeitao. We ran into the same issues in the bathroom. For what it is worth, this is what we decided: tile on all four walls because of the condensation when taking a hot shower in the winter…we have noticed that all bathroom walls get slightly damp after a hot shower in the winter. Regarding the shower head: I also hate having my arm wet when opening the shower head and I had a design that would prevent that. My builder, however, convinced me to move the shower head to an outside wall which would have easy access in case of future problems and mold…my arm now gets wet😜. I guess what I am trying to say is that there exists reasons for certain ways of doing things and we as Americans sometimes can’t see them. At the end I love my house and am very happy with the end product..with a few minor changes…always.
My wife (Andrea) and I live full time in Portland, Oregon. As Denise and Nancy know, we bought 1 of 4 apartments in the center of VRSA. The building is from the 18th century, and is totally being gutted by a Spanish developer, and Portuguese contractor. The good news for what it is worth, all 4 apartments will have similar finishes, from floors, to walls, appliances, etc. We do get some choices, which we are ok with, because I have to agree with Nancy that there is no way we can manage the rehabilitation from over 5,000 miles away. So glad you two have done your homework, your cost savings is incredible from one supplier to the next. Love the kitchen design, especially the island with built in counter seating "clever". Thanks for the updates, love hearing and seeing the progress.
My wife is excellent at navigating exactly what you're describing. As soon as we discover we are dealing with people who don't value punctuality, commitment, and honesty she takes over. I'm always amazed at how blunt and direct she becomes, essentially micromanaging but the people just react and course correct without complaining. It's like yeah, you caught me, I'll put the sink over there like we talked about.
I on the other hand am completely lost. In your situation I'd be so stressed out and she'd say honey, you want me to take this? 🤣 Lemme know if you want to borrow her for a few months.
This would drive me crazy!!! It is clear to me you have far more patience than I would have in such a situation and I respect you for that! My guess is that, when it’s all finished, it will be absolutely gorgeous! And when is the estimated completion date? Best wishes with the rest of it!
Great post. Although we are in the US, we have similar issues. We started essentially a whole house renovation in early May. We are still going and have been living in the chaotic mess since the first of September when we finally moved here. My fingers are crossed that they will finally be gone before Christmas.
Oh geez, I can feel your stress level as you go through this. Hardest part having Jose interpret all elements correctly in the spaces. You have to watch the builders like a hawk and nobody better than you and Denise to watch vigilantly as the design is placed in the rooms and triple check everything.
And what is it with tiling all four bathroom walls? We’re remodelling a bathroom and trying to get three walls of tiles removed and replaced with plaster and the builders have shaken their heads at our request and saying we are going against the norm here in Portugal. But can’t get a reasn why, it’s just the way they do some things here.
You must be living, breathing and dreaming 💭 every facet of this daily, we feel for you but you are chip, chipping away at it all and most importantly not taking your eagle eyes of one miniscule part of the project, bravo my friends! It’s going to be gorgeous!!
I completely feel your pain. We built a house from scratch In Azeitao. We ran into the same issues in the bathroom. For what it is worth, this is what we decided: tile on all four walls because of the condensation when taking a hot shower in the winter…we have noticed that all bathroom walls get slightly damp after a hot shower in the winter. Regarding the shower head: I also hate having my arm wet when opening the shower head and I had a design that would prevent that. My builder, however, convinced me to move the shower head to an outside wall which would have easy access in case of future problems and mold…my arm now gets wet😜. I guess what I am trying to say is that there exists reasons for certain ways of doing things and we as Americans sometimes can’t see them. At the end I love my house and am very happy with the end product..with a few minor changes…always.
Wow Nancy, where do I start.....
My wife (Andrea) and I live full time in Portland, Oregon. As Denise and Nancy know, we bought 1 of 4 apartments in the center of VRSA. The building is from the 18th century, and is totally being gutted by a Spanish developer, and Portuguese contractor. The good news for what it is worth, all 4 apartments will have similar finishes, from floors, to walls, appliances, etc. We do get some choices, which we are ok with, because I have to agree with Nancy that there is no way we can manage the rehabilitation from over 5,000 miles away. So glad you two have done your homework, your cost savings is incredible from one supplier to the next. Love the kitchen design, especially the island with built in counter seating "clever". Thanks for the updates, love hearing and seeing the progress.
My wife is excellent at navigating exactly what you're describing. As soon as we discover we are dealing with people who don't value punctuality, commitment, and honesty she takes over. I'm always amazed at how blunt and direct she becomes, essentially micromanaging but the people just react and course correct without complaining. It's like yeah, you caught me, I'll put the sink over there like we talked about.
I on the other hand am completely lost. In your situation I'd be so stressed out and she'd say honey, you want me to take this? 🤣 Lemme know if you want to borrow her for a few months.
I think you have talked me out of the cottage!🥴
Exhausted and crazy for me🫡
This would drive me crazy!!! It is clear to me you have far more patience than I would have in such a situation and I respect you for that! My guess is that, when it’s all finished, it will be absolutely gorgeous! And when is the estimated completion date? Best wishes with the rest of it!
Great post. Although we are in the US, we have similar issues. We started essentially a whole house renovation in early May. We are still going and have been living in the chaotic mess since the first of September when we finally moved here. My fingers are crossed that they will finally be gone before Christmas.
You are such a great storyteller, Nancy! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us!
Oh geez, I can feel your stress level as you go through this. Hardest part having Jose interpret all elements correctly in the spaces. You have to watch the builders like a hawk and nobody better than you and Denise to watch vigilantly as the design is placed in the rooms and triple check everything.
And what is it with tiling all four bathroom walls? We’re remodelling a bathroom and trying to get three walls of tiles removed and replaced with plaster and the builders have shaken their heads at our request and saying we are going against the norm here in Portugal. But can’t get a reasn why, it’s just the way they do some things here.
You must be living, breathing and dreaming 💭 every facet of this daily, we feel for you but you are chip, chipping away at it all and most importantly not taking your eagle eyes of one miniscule part of the project, bravo my friends! It’s going to be gorgeous!!