I'll try to attach the spec info.

I can't get the spec info in here, but the dimensions I listed are correct.

for some reason this thread isn't showing up in the forum for me. I hope everyone can see it.

I know this is in Kitchens, but because it's a new build, maybe cross post in the Building a Home forum, too? There might be a carpenter, builder, or architect who could give you some ideas!

It sounds like its too late for my solution, but my builder was supposed to recess the fridge and forgot,; so I ordered the cabinets on that side of the kitchen deeper which allowed for the depth of the Fridge. The adjoining run is the normal depth, and you can't tell the difference.

Cut into the wall?

I like how they screwed up and are almost totally unwilling to work to make you happy. Can you withhold the final check until you ARE happy - contact the bank or something?

Post a picture of what you've got going on. Plenty of creative folks that can probably come up with a decent solution.

Can you recess the fridge opening into the wall? Sometimes this can be done after cabinets are in, especially if the backside of the fridge wall is easily accessible. If you can turn the 2x4 studs sideways you can get another 2" of depth which should get you enough to have the fridge flush in front.

They are already paid. We can't recess. Here are some pics.

Most drywall is 1/2" thick. If you cut out the 1/2" drywall behind the fridge and replace it with 1/4" drywall, you gain 1/4". I hope that's enough.

Read your contract, better yet, hire someone to read your contract. They shouldn't have made the mistake, and they should absolutely make it right. Good luck!

Cut out the drywall completely behind fridge and freezer, remove 2x4s individually and as mentioned turn them sideways wide side facing the back of the fridge and reinstall them. tack up tyvec in place of the drywall. No one can see behind the fridge and freezer to see you don't have drywall. Or put a thin sheet of Lauan and paint it the wall color it's much thinner than drywall. That should hopefully get you enough to fit it in. This has been done there are threads around with pictures.

I'm surprised they even managed to get the hole the wrong size. Why are they not willing to redo it though? It's not your fault that this happened, it's on them no?

"Cut out the drywall completely behind fridge and freezer, remove 2x4s individually and as mentioned turn them sideways wide side facing the back of the fridge and reinstall them."

For all that work, you may as well pull the cabinets, remove the studs, install a header, and paint the back of the exposed drywall white. Now you've gained 4" and don't need to worry if the wall is load bearing or not.

The contractor needs to make it right. Along as they had the necessary specs for the frig/freezer being installed, it is 100% they're fix. I'd insist on them pulling the cabinets forward and a new counter, if necessary, to fit them pulled forward.

buehl:

I had just the exact opposite happen just a few minutes ago. Executive on the phone who wouldn't dream of picking a replacement sink without his wife. He's forwarding my email to her and bowing out.

I remember thinking "Dude, if you're married, why am I even speaking to you?" lol.

Sometimes it just helps to get someone else involved, male or female. Perhaps it is not gender but communication style and approach to work - there's a couple people who prefer to work with me directly and a few that would prefer to deal with my partner. I know that sometimes I get so frustrated that I'm just not able to make rational compromises to get a project finished. Usually it's my partner coming in behind me to make a deal and get things going the right direction. Sometimes however, I have to come in and move him off to the sidelines. When I get too deep in the details, it can become too difficult to see the finish line. Bringing in an outsider with a new perspective can often help to break up the log jam.

Thank you all. I don't think we can access the wall behind because it's a marriage wall between two mods. Yes they were given the specs. My husband has also talked to them. They put in the wrong shower, wrong size window, had a door swinging wrong, light switch on wrong wall and wrong back door. This was all corrected but they weren't happy. Still fighting them about this and the master tub.

if they redo and pull the cabinets out will it look ok to not change the soffit? I'm pretty sure it will still be a bit in front of cabinets just not as much as the other cabinets.

Tammyte - what part of the country are you in?

I don't know about modular homes, but if there is 1/2" drywall on that wall, they should be able to replace it with 1/4" - it covers the wall, it isn't structural.

Yes we could do the drywall, just not cut into the wall. We need 1 1/4" so the drywall would get us enough room.

we are in Indiana.

We emailed the builder telling him we need it done to spec and he said the company needs to "see the set in place to determine what to do" to fix it. So we are supposed to pay the installer to install twice? Ugh

You could cut into the 2X4 a bit and run 1/4" drywall. That being said, the load on the wall would be important to know before you start cutting on 2X4's.

I'm glad. Let us know how it progresses.

So we asked the company why we haven't heard back from them. They said they are waiting on the builder. The builder said he is waiting on the company. They are both saying they need to get with the cabinet company (merrilat) to see what to do. I don't get why this is so difficult. This set has been out for years, they had the specs....ugh.

Keep asking- every single day. I would say good morning-it's my daily call checking on an update. Okay well I will talk to you tomorrow....

what autumn 4 says.

Tammy - what happened with your kitchen?