Granite install issues!!

11 years ago

Our contractor told us there would not be a seam in the granite. The exact conversation was: when we pointed to the corner and asked if the seam would go there he replied, "no, it will be one piece". At installation I saw that the installer had cut the granite and placed a seam at the faucet behind the farmhouse sink. The contractor's partner and installer both state that they always planned to use a seam; however this fact was never conveyed to my husband nor to myself. Originally the contractor who spoke to us apologized multiple times, but as of a couple of days ago he changed what he was saying to now say that he always meant it would be one piece of granite but it would be cut; however he never said anything to that fact.

When we saw the finished product the seam was visible from over 18 feet away. The owner of the installation company came out and attempted to fix the color match on the seam. While it is improved it is still quite visible. It is not a terrible seam- it feels flat to the touch and is not horribly wide, considering we did not expect the seam at all we are still quite disappointed and my husband us angry. I paid the contractor in full today as in our contract it does not mention granite at all. I have not paid for the installation of the granite yet as I am not sure how to proceed. The granite installation company has said that there is nothing more that they can do and that they will not come out again unless if we hire an expert to come and examine the seam and write something up saying it is below industry-standard. This is upsetting to us as we expected above industry-standard performance. They charge seven dollars a square foot over the other company that we looked at. If we wanted industry performance we would have, someone cheaper. We went with this company based on our contractors strong recommendation. We never asked to see examples of the company's seams because we did not expect to be using that particular service (we did look at edging). It is more visible in person than it is in the photo, but is the best they could do. I would really appreciate some advice.

Featured Answer

Depo

11 years ago

That really is a well done seam, in my opinion. This is easy for me to say, but your husband needs to look at the over all beauty of your new countertops, not focus on one tiny seam. That is such a small area that perhaps the fabricator could not drill the faucet hole without putting too much stress on the area and risking breakage during transit/installation? Don't blame them for something your contractor told you (all one piece). Enjoy your new kitchen, you honestly will not notice the seem once you settle in.

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Comments (14)

hatetoshop
11 years ago
I'm sorry you were misled to believe there would be no seam -- it must be so disappointing. But I want to assure you that no one else will notice the seam. Once you have decorated and accessorized your kitchen, this tiny bit of the granite will be the last thing you, or anyone else, will look at.
Samantha Kohn
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you- but my husband is really focused on it right now and wants to withhold payment, but I am concerned about a lien being placed on our home:(
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User
11 years ago
Unless it was explicitly written in the contract that there would be no seam, you will probably have to learn to live with it. I have been in situations where I was told one thing and then it was reworded back to me implying something else, when we both knew what was intended. I also withheld a payment once, and yes, I was slapped with a lien notice. I contacted an attorney. He gave me some free advice. Pay it, it is not worth fighting to get the lien off the property. I only owed $800, so I took his advice and paid it. I suggest either pay it or work out some kind of discount;)
User
11 years ago
OH, and make sure you get a lien release from them at time of payment. You never know if they used subcontractors.
Natalie
11 years ago
Hi---though it's not that bad of a seam, what is bad is the color epoxy they used. It's making it much more noticeable than it should be. It looks pinky/gray in tone---hardly what I would call, cream, ivory, gold, or tan---which should have been used. I suggest asking them what they recommend doing about the BAD color choice and not so much for the seam itself. Perhaps it can be easily remedied with epoxy paint---but, let them tell you, not the other way around.
Here's some info regarding removal of the resin seam. I hope this is helpful. Keep us posted and Good Luck!
http://www.ehow.com/how_8478552_remove-epoxy-resin-seams-granite.html
marilynellis
11 years ago
If there's a seam in the back there must be one in the front too!
User
11 years ago
The front is a farmhouse sink. That seam isn't bad at all. It is granite after all. But, you should have been informed ahead of time.
marilynellis
11 years ago
Yes. It's a non issue. Let go of it and move on!
ycity
11 years ago
A seam is pretty standard. We have one in the same place.
Aine
11 years ago
I feel your pain. ..
While it's not absolutely horrendous... it's also - NOT what you wanted... in fact, it's exactly what you didn't want.
Further, you took the time to communicate this.

I am currently experiencing a similar situation with a tiling contractor.
I am also very specific and careful to itemize exactly what I want.
After waiting 3 months on the store to restock the porcelin tiles from Spain ...after choosing from several tiling contractors. ..the guy subs the job out snd he TOTALLY messes up the installation. ( usd $3000 down the drain)
I had to let it go and cut my losses...because getting so angry till your chest hurts - NOT worth it.
bpchiil
11 years ago
I have to agree with other posters....The choice of resin color was not the best. See if they can redo it. If not, and as my wife would say.....30 years from now it won't make a bit of difference.
PRO
Frediani Custom Tile, Inc.
11 years ago
Some small specs of different color fill is an easy quick fix 1 hour max. They just drill out some tiny pin head holes and add dark colors to break up the line. In my own home I would dot it with a sharpie, they have lots of colors use more than one, you can even smear it to make it look more natural.
granite guru
11 years ago
I don't know the over all length of this piece but with a farmer sink you can't be much less than 6' long with a 5"-8" bar in the back where your faucet is being granite it needs this seam. Did you ever discuss Quartz then switch to granite along the way? You could of had it in one piece being Quartz.