Yes, it looks bad. Farm sink installations are not for the inexperienced carpenter. Even an experienced carpenter will curse that type of installation. It is very difficult to get it perfect. And to top that off, you have white cabinets, which shows every thing! This is one reason why I rarely use those types of sink bases that need to be cut out....and if I do....I try to tell my customers to stay away from the Rohl with it's curved bottom. Since your countertops are not in...complain now before they go further. Maybe they can rework it with moldings or something. Worst case scenario, have a new sink base ordered and then hire another carpenter to do it...but that could be expensive.

Can you post a picture of the whole thing?

For those in the planning stages, this is how I normally do a farm sink. This can be more complicated with stock cabinets, but's it's doable with semi-custom or custom.

Bottom moldings were not installed yet.

Kompy

This is not how this should look. The caulk doesn't even match. At the very least it should match or should be clear. It also doesn't look clean. It absolutely should be corrected. I would suggest that YOU remove the caulk after discussing with your contractor, as to prevent any damage to the cabinet. Is your countertop set yet? If not, he should completely reset the sink.

You are right to be upset!!

It's hard to tell from your picture, but is that the UNDERSIDE of the sink? I'm assuming that's not the top of your countertop with the cut marks. If it's the underside, no one will see it - the only issue is whether it's sturdy. If I'm wrong and it's not the underside then yes, you have an issue.

Wait, a minute - is that the bottom FRONT of your sink? Then, yes, they did a terrible job!

I am so sorry! I know farmhouse sinks are hard to get in correctly! I have one that is not a Rohl but is a Kohler with more of a square front-I do have caulking on the sides-but it is clear caulk with white paint on it that matches my white cabinets and you can't even tell there is caulk! This doesn't look good and you need to complain now! You will regret it if you keep your mouth shut on this! Dang it! So sorry-maybe you should decork the wine now and let it start to breath for later!

Kompy again.
I don't think that install is salvagable...the cutout was made too big. There is maybe one way to salvage the sink base that's there. Have the 'cut away' area cut off entirely....and have new parts and molding ordered for a new re-install. For instance.

1. cut off entire top area of the sink base.
2. order a matching, painted wood top to cover the lower part of the sink base
3. order side columns to go on either side and sit on wood top
4. Order flat stock to fill in the little triangular areas near the curved sink bottom.

If you can pull the camera back and get a whole view of your sink base, that would be helpful....to see if anything can be done.

I agree with the other poster, you definitely have reason to be upset about this. Did they really think you would accept this?

Okay, now I'm really freaked out because you all are telling me what I already know! Arruggghh!

Sorry the first pictures were disorienting. This head-on shot should help. Yes, it is the front of the sink.

They haven't installed the counter tops yet (just the plywood) so I guess that puts me in a better position? I sure hope this can be salvaged. It's so disappointing.

Oh my.

T.

Yeah, that is definitely not right. That said, it *is* tricky. Our contractor did ours a lot better, but it's still not perfect. The sink is just not even, so they have to measure, cut, test, measure some more, cut again. It's extremely difficult to get it perfect. Compounded by the fact that the cabinet is already painted. That said, they should be able to get it within 1/4 or less all around, filling with caulk. There's no excuse--none--for the square cuts. The too big round is one thing, but the cuts are terrible.

They should replace the front of the cabinet and remount the doors. That's the only way it's going to be right. Suggest that when they cut the piece for the front, they come out and template the sink before painting the new cabinet front. Then they can cut it right and paint the whole thing. Then install it with the sink, and then the counter.

After talking to my contractor, I suspect that they're all going to realize soon to make a significant upcharge for isntalling these sinks. I appreciate the difficulty much more now than before we ordered.

ok, i'll be the lone dissenter here....i don't think it's all that bad.

when i had the rohl shaw's sink installed in our last kitchen, the guys used an upper cabinet and didn't even try and do anything where the rounded corners met the square corners of the cabinet base. so we just had big gaps in those spots.

now, that said, it does look fairly botched. now. but i think that if they went back and did a second layer of caulk once the first one dries, and then paint it so it matches the cabinet paint, it won't look bad at all.

demanding that they get a new cabinet and start over is all well and good, but that could take a month or two to get the piece from the cabinet company. if you've got that long to wait and you don't mind waiting to get it done just right, that's your choice.

but looking at it from that far away shot, i really don't think it's all that bad. remember, we microanalyze these things in here and while the kitchen is being done, but once it's done, in a year from now, you won't even ever think about it again.

when i find myself obsessing over tiny details (not saying that's what you're doing) i try and ask myself what i'd think about the detail in question if i were a prospective buyer looking at my house. it helps keep thing in perspective.

all that being said, i think you've got a valid complaint and it would be reasonable to require the company to re-do it to your satisfaction.

As it is, it is no good.

But, if you have matching paint, it seems like you can fix it. Though the caulk doesn't look smooth and that is just dang sloppy!

My cabinetmaker was not very experienced. He made a square base, and said he planned to fill it with Bondo. I took matters into my own hands, because I didn't trust anyone with sandpaper near my sink (which was very wonky and uneven).

Here are shots of my BondoSink. The Bondo sands very smooth. I used a pastry type bag to squeeze it in, and smoothed it with razor blades, etc. I carefully scraped it off the sink (I can't believe they left caulk to dry on your sink!). Once the whole thing is painted (yellow), I think it will look very nice.

Here is the sink before I started:

Bottom left corner, and bottom:

Bottom left:

Bottom right corner:

Whole thing:

If I were in your shoes, I'd have them remove all the caulk, and then tell them to get outa my house! (Once I get a good look at someone's sloppy work, I tend not to give them a chance to fix it. I lose trust quickly.) Then I'd get some bondo, and some paint mached. I have a thread somewhere here where I described exactly how I did mine.

Good luck!

Francy

Oh yes, I am obsessing -- that's for sure. And I do agree, edlakin, these things always fade in importance as time goes on. That said, I'm going to do everything I can at this point to try to make if right. (My tile guys are here now and say they've seen amazing things done with bondo.)

Wish me luck. Will keep you posted.

T

Francy,
That looks great, good job girl! When are you going to paint? Your kitchen is going to be so charmimg when it's complete.

TinaH,
All I can say is I'm sorry. It is a fixable problem though, it's just sad that some people think that they can get away with work like that. Good luck with your problem.

francy, i love your wall-mounted faucet against that subway tile. it's a chicago faucet with the articulating arm, correct?

we did that exact same faucet over a rohl shaw's 36" farm sink with the articulating arm in our last kitchen. also did the handmade cut subway tile. very similar look to the picture you posted. nice choices. it gives a great period look and it's very functional and the wall-mount makes it so easy to clean up behind the sink.

LOL, francy. Someone likes your "subway tile." I love how your kitchen is coming along. Have you picked a paint yet? I vote for something from FPE along the lines of pirula's creamy color. Not easy finding time for painting with your boys, I know.

I don't know anything about farm sinks, but it looks like you could have a false drawer front put on under the sink? It could be scribed out to fit the sink perfectly and attached to the front of the cabinet? It would be flush with your door fronts.

Hee Hee. My subways. They are a very exclusive brand. You can only get these exact ones at Office Max, as they are the "house variety." A variety of adhesives can be used with these subways. I chose a clear adhesive made by the Scotch company. It is readily available on rolls.

;-)

tina: do you have a plan for your sink yet?

Francy

Frankly...it's horrific and honestly, even with a wait for a new cabinet front (which is probably a stock item that can be rushed) I'd change it out. It looks cheap and terrible. When you have a sink that's a focal point, and then botch the install, it's like pointing a headlight at it. If it were a laundry room sink hidden away, not such a big deal, but for the kitchen...you need to fix it right or it will cut your value.

If I toured your home and saw that wonkey job, I'd start looking for others.

Any update-did you talk to the cabinet people today?

Sorry this is happening, keep us posted. All I really have to say is...it's NEVER too early for a glass of wine!

First, can I just say how much I love every one of you on this forum? This is the most amazing most invaluable resource. What would I have done without you? Who could I have poured my soul out to to at 5am? I am so grateful.

Here's the happy update: My cabinet fellows are planning (at least they are now!) to install a false cabinet over the front which will cover the cruddy cut. Lightlystarched suggested that, too (thank you!). I also was holding onto the bondo solution as a possibility -- I love bondo, it's amazing.

So, it looks like we're out of the woods, but it was touch-and-go this morning. As I was staring at the sink obsessing over the crummy finish/caulking, I noticed that the sink wasn't centered under the window which really sent me into a spin. Thank God I've got a great GC who is making that fix, too.

Again, many thanks to you all for your well-wishes and your valuable opinions.

Until next time,

Tina

Oh my word! My heart sank for you. Were these guys on drugs! How can anyone tackle such an important project when they clearly did not know what they were doing?
I really hope it gets put right for you. Good Luck.

You got a better result than I did. Mine took 2 sink cabinets.

Kompy --

I meant to compliment you on your sink installation picture. It's gorgeous. Kind of wish I hadn't seen it. Am having a bit of YKW remorse.

Thank you again for being there for me.

T

I am glad there is a plan to fix it! I told my husband about this last night and I just couldn't stop thinking of how upset you must have been over this!