Here is my workflow and checklist:
1. Night before work
- Check schedule around 8-9pm and print out Installation tickets so that I
have something.
- Put numbers and hours on each paper.
- Write additional notes on each one regarding to need to call 30' ahead,
verify something, whether job has removal/plumbing.
- I print out original drawing or previous drawing (for remeasurements)
on the back of paper if any.
- Check and prepare job address on the GPS or Google Maps.
2. Arrive at jobsite
- Arrive and park as properly and close as possible to the jobsite.
- Ring the bell or knock on the door. If no one answers, then I try one
more time and then call the customer number.
- If someone opens, then introduce myself and state my intention and
usually they let me in.
- On the way into jobsite, take note of entrance, stairs, elevator, corners
and other areas for installers.
3. Before measurement - Check details with customer.
- Ask customer to show me the cabinets or area to be measured.
- Inspect cabinets, identify sink cabinet and appliances.
- If any cabinet, support or buildup is not installed, then talk to customer
that we specifically require to have cabinets installed.
- If cabinet or farm sink is not installed, tell customer that GME do not
take any responsibility if customer insists us to measure and also there
could be remeasurement fee if we need to come back again after cabinet
or farm sink is installed.
- If support is missing and it is going to affect the countertop, then also
warn the customer and most likely not to measure until customer installs
support.
- If cabinets are all in order, then I verify with customer regarding
material, color, sink, backsplash and overhang.
- Verify what kind of range and refrigerator customer is going to
use/buy/install.
- If customer's sink is onsite, then check model, option and inside
dimensions.
- If new or existing range is onsite and check dimensions.
- If customer is getting sink from HD/Lowes/GME, then verify sink model
on the order. Ask whether they need to change it or not.
- Verify overhang and corner radius with customer and have them to
decide.
- Verify edge selection. Tell customer about inside corner if it is Ogee or
Bullnose etc.
- If all is good, then tell the customer that I will measure with laser and
then I will make computer drawing. Gently imply that I need certain time to
finish and I will call them when I am ready to finalize everything and ask
them to sign a checklist.
4. Start the measurement.
- Place and level tripod in best position to get all dimensions of the
countertop without having to move laser or shoot too shallow.
- Place laser on the tripod, raise it to cabinet level and level the laser.
- Check cabinet level in the front, back and other areas. Check laser
level again and check the cabinet level.
- Check with L-square inside corners, panels and other areas if needed.
- Check cabinet front line whether they are installed straight enough and
choose my main flat line to shoot.
- Measure and mark Center line on the sink cabinet.
- Place target, masking tape, plastic stoppers and find other points to
shoot.
- Laser measure cabinets, walls, corners, cabinets and other points
needed.
- Wall is measured at each 8"-12" or areas where it seems to be bulging
or crooked. Even if countertop has BS, wall is mostly measured exactly
how it is just in case if customer decides to remove BS.
- Double check with tape measure cabinets, center line and check on the
tablet. Fix small areas if needed.
- Double check with tape measure walls and check on the tablet. Fix
small areas if needed.
- Finish small details of the drawing on the tablet. Create countertop
layer and offset on the tablet. Finish all corners, radius, possible seam on
the tablet.
- Double check with tape measure everything else as needed.
- Save the drawing and take photos of entire job area and all needed
details. Take photos of all cabinet backside and wall. Take photos of sink,
range, stairs, entrance or other areas if needed.
5. Make the drawing
- Copy job folder from tablet into the computer.
- Start from template.
- Convert my laser layers into the GME template layers because colors
do not match.
- Offset, straighten, fillet and do other things to Geometry layer.
- Put sink center line. Find and put sink template on the drawing. If
template cannot be found (even from the website), then put a note or
decide to take the sink with me.
- Place and decide on seams. Place seams.
- If countertop has BS, then make straight wall lines and check it against
Wall layer to see if it works or does not have too much gap or run into wall
at certain spots.
- Place all dimensions on the Geometry layer.
- Get up and tape measure dimensions on the installed cabinets, existing
countertop, walls, corner to see if our countertop will work and can be
installed without much problem. If needed, fix some areas or offset.
- Finalize all dimensions and geometry layer.
- Place radius, FP, Stop edge, and edge polishing marks.
- Draw backsplash, place dimensions and polish marks.
- Place CL, Seam, DW, Range, Ref, Panel, Customer confirm and NoBS
notes as needed.
- Place countertop numbers from C1 - Cxx as needed.
- Write all job notes.
- Create and configure Layout page. Enter all job details into
spreadsheet.
6. Finalize everything with customer.
- With computer drawing finished, ask the customer to come.
- Brief customer about if there is small problem areas in the cabinet.
- Start filling out Site checklist and have the customer to confirm each
details. Show dimensions, radius and overhang as visually as possible to
the customer so that they have clear idea about what to expect.
- Once checklist is complete, then ask customer to initial and sign it.
- Ask customer that total sq.f and approx. installation date will be defined
in the shop if they call GME after 2 working days. Ask them specifically not
to call right away.
- Ask customer whether they have any other questions.
- Take a photo of checklist and copy it to job folder.
- Open PDF drawing and check details once more.
- Send all files to the shop.
- Pack all the equipments and tools, make sure that I did not forget
anything.
- Get all my stuff and get in the car.
- Check the next job, address, phone number if needed to call and go to
next one.