I'd push for a 500/200 split. If I liked his sink, I may settle for 600/300.

Sorry, but I think the granite place screwed up and they have to rectify it whether that means giving you new granite or a new sink...you should not have to pay anything. You had the sink available to take back to the shop for templating and he chose not to take it, as most fabricators do...their mistake, they need to settle it without any cost to you. Besides, he already offered to pay for the new sink then went back on his word when he found out it was $900....that's not right at all. He needs to accept these things happen and it is the cost of doing business.

They should pick up the cost of the sink. In my business when I mess up I absorb all costs. With that being said because I am a business owner when my KD didn't take into account my window trim when he measured I agreed to a 50/50 split.

Do what your heart tells you is the right thing and not what your pocketbook tells you. Because the sink you already have looks really used up I think you should spring for the amount you fabricator suggested.

Thanks for the responses, I can relate to them all. Cevamal makes a good point (except that I'm a he!)

One thing I considered after posting was that neither the granite co nor I are bound by any contractual agreement. I never signed anything and I haven't paid a cent yet. At the time of templating I asked when they wanted money and was literally told, "When you've got a smile on your face." I would not have questioned them charging me the $2700 they originally quoted (four other estimates came in +/- $50) yet the final cost is $2250.

So upon further reflection I'm going with my heart. 500/400. I appreciate each reply.

Good for you. I think what they offered was very fair and commend you for also being fair!

I was going to suggest that you let your relationship with your fabricator dictate your decision. It sounds like you have a good relationship with him, probably an honest mistake so I think you made a good decision. Everyone knows where the blame is - no need to reinforce it.

I think you did the right thing. It's fair. You're getting the slab you want and a bigger sink. And now you're that much closer to finishing! Yay!

Thanks!

Now that I'm thinking about it, I suppose I could change my sink style altogether as long as the cutout is in range. I only chose this shape because it's what I had on hand and it does seem pretty practical except for washing larger items like sheet pans.

Please feel free to offer suggestions if you think you'd save me from a mistake!

So glad you will be getting a beautiful new sink. I think you may be pretty much locked into that shape but I am sure your fabricator can tell you for sure.

Despite a "good" relationship, I'd move towards a written contract.

1)He screwed up.
2)Then backed out on a deal he offered.
What's number 3?

Back up, slow down.
If you're going to pay extra, why don't you find the sink YOU like, and see if your granite can be recut to fit? I wouldn't rely on his sink choice, nor his ability to get it (or get it right, at this point).

This not only really stinks, but it SUCKS that your fellow can't stand by his initial make-it-right offer. $900 is a lot, but what's the profit margin on granite? your grainte?

Do you even, really like the brand new sink? You haven't said.

Not only that. Get the brand and model # of the sink and see if you can get it cheaper than 900 bucks. Is he marking it up to get you to pay for a larger percentage?

Good karma! I've been treated really fairly by most of my contractors and I try to do the same. But I do like the idea of him giving you a $500 credit for the sink and you buy your own. That way you are in control of the cost of the sink.

I also think the offer by your fabricator was fair. I hate the idea that someone made an honest mistake and should be screwed for it. You will both be happy in the end with their offer.

foodonastump, I will add this about the Franke templates ... the one I received with my sink was not accurate to the shape of the sink. I would not rely on the templates that comes with the sink, or any templates that the fabricator has on hand when he cuts the hole for your new sink. My fabricator took my sink with him to the shop so that the sink hole could be cut accurately to the exact shape of the sink. I wanted the reveal on my new sink to be completely even all the way around, and if the fabricator had used the supplied template rather than the actual sink, the reveal would have been off.

Thanks again for the responses. In honesty, all the projects in my house over the past months have come in over budget - time and cost - and at this point I just want the kitchen done and don't have the desire to quabble over a few hundred bucks. I've been treated very fairly, esp. by my contractor who charged no more than materials for many additions to the project such as a new window, and threw in freebees such as a lot of painting and the rebuilding/reframing of an existing skylight tunnel that he didn't like. So I'm inclined to play nice, too.

Turns out he got the sink cheaper than $900 and in line with what I found online and is still paying more than half.

Jellytoast - your comment concerns me because he definitely used a template, after all he didn't even have the sink when he cut it. Hopefully it's close enough that I don't have to complain. One thing I keep telling myself is I don't expect to be in this house much more than another year, and what irks me will likely not be immediately visible to a potential buyer. I've learned a lot of lessons, now including yours, for when I go through this in my next house.

After working with a contractor who hasn't taken responsibility for anything, yours sounds like a gem. I think you made the right choice. You will sleep well and be done sooner.

I wouldn't worry too much about the template, foodonastump. I can be a real freak about details like sink reveals, and what bothers me would likely not bother most "normal" people.