I was having lunch at my favorite restaurant, Cardwell’s, with a friend of mine. We were polishing off the baked brie, when out of nowhere, a large man ran up behind me and gave me a big bear hug. My friend sat in horror as I jumped up and we swung each other around like kindergarteners. His wife ran up and we hugged, air kissed, and hugged again. We were all taking at once.

“How are they kids?” he asked.

“Great!  Is Scout ok?” I questioned.

“He is better. Did you design the room additions at your house yet?” she asked.

On and on it went. We chattered, they pulled up chairs and we caught up. I hadn’t seen them in almost six months and we had a lot to talk about. My friend chimed in as we talked politics and about the crappy economic. They were called that their table was available and we hugged good bye.

“Who was that?” my friend asked.

“Clients,” I said.

She looked at me like I had a third lip. “Clients? Are you kidding? The only time I saw my contractor after my kitchen remodel was in court!”

I get that a lot. People are amazed when I tell them we have “Sinn Groupies”, better known as “serial clients.” We will do three, four, five jobs. I am working on a bathroom which is the sixth project for a client!

In my initial meeting with people I always tell them, “Remodeling is a little like marriage, it can be really, really good or really, really bad. You have to be on the same page and communicate. At the risk of offending you, I’m gonna use the “f “ word. Remodeling is actually supposed to be FUN!”

Again, I get the third lip look. Most people have horror stories of what went wrong on a renovation. I have story after story of what went right on a renovation. It starts with me having a clear understanding of the client’s wants, needs and budget before designing. When people know that you have their best interest at heart, and that they don’t have to have all the answers (that’s my job), they lighten up and have a good time. Ok, I’m going to say it again. We are all going to have FUN!