Builder installed wrong fixture and finishes.

10 years ago

We are building a semi-custom home. We were shown fixtures with brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze, and selected brushed nickel ... Or so we thought. When we visited the site last week, every faucet, hinge and door knob was builder grade chrome, much of it plastic-y. Yeck! We did not even know chrome was an option and never were shown a sample of chrome fixtures.

On our change order, fixture finishes are only specified if an upgrade is made. Apparently chrome is standard, and brushed nickel is an upgrade. We had asked for brushed nickel, but the salesperson never specified it.

Thus there is no line item specifying the fixture selection.

Because the word chrome never appeared on our change order, this slipped past us at every stage of review. Our order mentioned brushed nickel on the cabinetry throughout and we had been told finishes had to be the same throughout the home,

Do we have any recourse here? The builder will not change the fixtures for us.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

cpartist

10 years ago

Chrome tends to be very "plastic" but can work in certain circumstances.

Maybe cheap chrome does, but my Emtek chrome handles look a heck of a lot better than most of the cheap brushed nickel ones I've seen.

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Comments (9)

User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I assume you didn't pay for an upgrade.

I can't know without model numbers or a photo but if they are plated plastic fixtures they will not last long so spend the money now rather than later to buy the finish you want in plated brass and sell the cheap stuff on Craigslist.

I would use polished nickel in the bathrooms and possibly let some of the chrome stuff remain in that location.

I don't think I've ever seen chrome door knobs and hinges.
cpartist
10 years ago
I have chrome door knobs and hinges in my condo, JDS and they are gorgeous.
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Charles Ross Homes
10 years ago
I'm sorry for your experience. It appears to be a consequence of inadequate documentation. For what it's worth, in our market we are seeing a transition from brushed nickel to chrome fixtures.
artemis_ma
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I do detest chrome, and much prefer brushed nickel. Chrome tends to be very "plastic" but can work in certain circumstances. I've moved some of my master bath ergonomic shower fixtures to chrome, because what I want is more obtainable that way. However, I really don't want it out in a public part of my home. I'm hoping you documented everything as well as possible, even if by e-mail.
just_janni
10 years ago
I am liking the bling of chrome and actually mad that I got the super steel faucet for my new kitchen... I have chrome in my house built in 1997 for plumbing fixtures (Grohe) and they simply never went out of style.
martine81684
Original Author
10 years ago
Some of the new chrome out there is gorgeous. But the basic chrome is not in the same league. These faucets come in a 6-pack. The style is ok, but you can feel the plastic in some parts.
cpartist
10 years ago
The style is ok, but you can feel the plastic in some parts.

Ugh. The problem is even the other finish probably comes in a 6 pack, unless you upgrade.
chisue
10 years ago
Well...I'm unhappy with the water spots on the brushed nickel shower and sink faucets in a new bathroom. (Kohler)