Remodel Consultation

Many times cries of, HELP! come in from people in need. People exhausted from haphazard efforts to resolve a problem. Elite Concepts by Michael Nantz provides a consultation service to assist in such matters. I flew out to Amarillo, TX yesterday to meet with a couple who can't seem to find the answers they need to complete their backyard swimming pool. A broad statement I know, especially since at first blush the site looks complete. Beautifully landscaped with stone pathways, flowing waterfalls, etc.. From their perspective are cosmetic concerns with finish materials, waterfall volume and a general lack of understanding why some things were done the way they were. From my perspective, post afternoon discovery, begins with disappointment in our industry. How pool builders and pool designers can operate with incompetence in this high end market, or any market for that matter, is extremely disappointing. From undersized plumbing to waterfall containment to improper setting materials to proportion and scale of design, are just a few egregious errors identified. Remedial action is required or longterm issues, such as system failures, material loss and ongoing maintenance and repair, will prevail. The timing here is off by about 18 months. Had I been contacted during the process by the pool builder or client, simple adjustment and direction would have nipped all the aforementioned in the bud. My point is this, the resources are available, if only (in this case) the builder would admit he's in over his head and reach out to experienced industry professionals... A few bucks in consultation fees is a cheap education and preventative to what may be a costly repair and court date. All too often ego and greed cloud good judgement. I've said it before, education costs once, ignorance costs again and again. Now I get to have the talk with my sub's as to why Amarillo, TX is a great place to work, regardless of the 6 hour drive...

Design

Those in the design world understand - Design is Design. That said or understood, I accepted a clients charge to move my experience in this realm to the interiors of the house addition currently underway with Elite Concepts. The client had a bad/costly experience with a previous interior designer and wishes not to return. Based on the clients satisfaction with current visual ideas and aspects within my work, the request came about the interiors. I will always defer to the professionals in a given field that I have no experience in, but in this case, its not too far of a stretch for my expertise to move from the exterior (design) to the interior (design). So now Mike Nantz of Elite Concepts, contractor and designer, will move the 6" needed through the threshold of the door, from out to in. The focus of interiors will begin with a trip to Highpoint, NC next month for a visit to Funiture Market combined with a buying jaunt in that same area. The materials may have changed but - Design is Design.

I do want to clarify here. The size and scope of the project, in this case a 2200 sq.ft. addition of a traditional American home, would certainly weigh upon my decision to accept such a charge. If this were a 2200 sq.ft malachite antechamber in a russian palace, I would be way out of my league...