Countertop installation

11 years ago

Hello, we ran into a problem with our fabricator on a countertop installation. Basically he installed the countertop with only a 1 inch overhang which leaves it flush with the cabinet drawers, which we feel is both aesthetically and functionally not ideal and we are not happy with it at all. He is a subcontractor and our contractor is trying to negotiate a resolution that would involve replacing it completely. In addition, there are parts that measure 1 1/4 and other parts that measure 1 inch, so it is not even all the way around and was just really poor quality work. He is insisting it is not his fault and said that we told him 1 inch (which we absolutely did not- we did not even know this was a measurement we had to give!) and so if we want it re-installed, would have to pay close to full price. Super frustrating!! Would love some thoughts on 1) how to handle this dispute and 2) does it really look as bad as we think it does? It seems that a standard measurement for overhang is 1 1/2. As a side note, the cabinets will be painted white. Thank you!!

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Comments (6)

User
11 years ago
If you signed off on the 1" overhang, or signed off on the template, that's one thing, but if not, the fault lies with him. It doesn't look awful if budget is an issue, but if this guy is a professional he should have a) made sure that the overhang was correct by scribing the walls to adjust for any discrepancies, and b) he should have used the prevailing standard overhang. You may have to pay for materials, but you shouldn't have to pay for labor.
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
It's a more modern aesthetic, which matches the aesthetic of the handles. It's neither right nor wrong. It's all in your preferences, and what was specified and signed off on.

No way would I paint those cabinets white. They're too nice as is.
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intown123
11 years ago
Just wondering how is it causing a problem functionally? I actually like the limited overhang. I think the 1 1/4 (or 1 1/2?) might be standard which is what we have with our quartz and I'd rather it was smaller.

(Btw do you not like the counter with your cabinets? I actually really like the combination. And I have a white kitchen so I do like those also.).
jbsking
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for input, painting cabinets bc they are in bad shape and really dinged up but also floors are going to be a darker brown/grey so just going for a clean modern look on the kitchen. I think we could live with it as is, and budget is definitely an issue, but it was just a bad installation job due to inaccuracies in measurement and so it is bugging us! He is still saying if we want it replaced we have to pay for labor at 50 percent plus materials again, which I think is totally wrong!! Anyway, thanks so much for input!! :-)
intown123
11 years ago
Going back and reading your original post it seems like if it is uneven that is the main problem. How are they explaining that?
jbsking
Original Author
11 years ago
They are saying they will fix the part that is uneven, I am not sure how though, without replacing the materials - the part that is uneven is by the door in the far end of the photo. It is 1 1/4 and also a smaller piece across from it is uneven where part of it is 1 1/4 and the other part is 1! It might be due to a crooked cabinet, but still not measured/installed properly. One other thing- I think I would be better with the flush design if it was a straight row of cabinets/appliances, but the row is part of an island so I think that is making it more apparent - not sure if you can really tell that in the photo so attaching another pic :)