KmcC. not so much wrong, per se, but more prone to cracking. like another commenter mentioned, make sure you get a warranty in writing that will cover the cracking, IF they fail to do it the other way.

you're going to get this removed anyway. (I could live w/the color of the stone, but that funky grain movement would drive me batshit). when the new slab gets fabricated, show them the french mitre seam and have it done that way or get a crack warranty for the seam.

I'm drafting an email to the builder now...

When you have a corner like that, you have the choice of grain direction. It either goes longwise with the longest piece of counter, and then crosswise at the short pieces like you have. Which is the best choice. Or, it goes longwise with the short pieces and cross on the longest run. You do not want the grain running in one direction on one run, and perpendicular on another. The meeting is UGLY like that.

If there is a seam in that corner, then it is a fantastic one. It is not at all visible in any of the photos.

If you are dealing with a production builder's stone yard, then they may not offer slab selection and template preview. Only ''slab viewing''. Because if they offered slab selection, then they usually also show you a preview of the template on the stone, and require a sign off on it. If they didn't offer that, then they may not offer the full custom experience.

Sophie: thanks for that. Aesthetics aside, does this make it more vulnerable? Should I be asking for more of a warranty?

Please outline the actual seam in that corner.

So my husband just saw the photos and says he loves it. So now I'm trying to figure out how I can live with it. That back splash has got to go for sure. But here's another piece of the puzzle... The island, which I don't mind so much at all, they cut it so the grain runs opposite the rest of it. Like the island veins run north south and the rest of it runs east west. It's hard to see, because I couldn't bring myself to take pictures of how bad it is.

one more question about removing the 4" backsplash... How can they remove it from the cabinet surrounding the fridge? I know with the walls they can spackle and sand and touch up paint... Can they still do that on the cabinet?? (Here's the photo that shows it again)

Sophie: I agree, the seam is great, I was just worried about the integrity of it.

Also, when I met with the granite supplier, she told me that when we selected a pattern we would walk through together and select our specific slab. I am not sure if we were supposed to sign off on a template or not, but we didn't.

The problem is that when we selected the pattern, there weren't any slabs on the lot. She said she had already tagged it and sent it out for us because she knew we liked that one so much (even though we were looking at three and hadn't chosen yet). Seemed pretty suspect to me, especially since she was not the most competent person to deal with (took 4 weeks to get a quote from her and she didn't show up to appointments she scheduled). So later I called her back to ask if I could see what was tagged for us because I was worried we would get something in the house we had never seen and she again reassured me that we were getting the slab we saw originally. Obviously, that didn't turn out to be the case.

That is not the best place or shape or a seam. But, it is a great seam, and it is unlikely to open up during the 1 year labor warranty. As the home ages and settles more, it may not stay tight. Nor will a lot of things in the home, like crown molding joints, wood floors, etc. That is part of how a home behaves as it ages. If you want to minimize those issues, have a whole home humidification system installed for the drier winter months, and use your AC in summer.

I also figured out why the island grain runs opposite the rest.... When we got the upgrade quote, she sent us the wrong kitchen first (after 4 weeks) then she sent another the builder thought was also wrong, but after checking the measurements realized they were right, the island was just turned sideways. I'm guessing it never got fixed in her drawing, and they cut it thinking it was to be facing the other direction... Ugh. So much incompetence in one human.

I'm not crazy!!! Just heard back from the builder who spoke with the granite supplier who said they may have mixed up ours with the house they are doing across the street. I went in there and yup. My beautiful granite is in their kitchen. And totally doesn't go with their warm cream and dark brown cabinets. The one we got would go nicely with it though!

Waiting to to see what's going to happen next...

What a frustrating fiasco! Agree the neighbor's colors don't work with YOUR granite. At least the veins run in a consistent direction. In your house, the perimeters appear fine except for the tiny cabinet and the island. I wonder whether there's another slab that matches enough to redo those 2 sections for you? I hope you get satisfaction!

Mystery solved! And now you can also see what the granite looks like without the 4" piece.

If necessary, take the time to BE THERE when they make the change. Also, their orders may include installing the 4" piece and they may not agree NOT to place it. The guys who come to do the work are not paid to make decisions. Just make sure they don't install on the cabinet, or tell the builder they'll have to replace the cabinet as well (there may already be damage from the first install, keep an eye out for that). Trust me, you're better off with the frustration up front than when you're actually living in the house.

Best wishes, keep us posted!

CLC: Yes, and I prefer it!

Susan: yes. I will absolutely ask that they let me know exactly when the work is being done. Unfortunately I think that even if I had been there it wouldn't have changed the fact that ours was installed next door. I think they had theirs installed a little while ago. It would have prevented them installing the wrong stuff that has to now be torn out though. Big bummer all around.

The granite that was installed in the other house, looks significantly more pink than what was incorrectly installed in your house (which reads gray). Did you want pink? It sounded you didn't in your first post.

Pink:

Gray:

I think it's coming across that way because of the lighting. It's definitely not pink. And I hurried to take the photos because it's not my house and guys were in there working...

K: I just thought of something else (slow day for me). You may want to be in touch with your neighbor to point out the error. There's safety in numbers when going to a builder to make a change. It's also a nice way to meet your new neighbor.

Good thought. However I have no idea who they are or how to contact them... Since its new construction we both don't live there yet. Also I'm local and there practically every day and I've not seen anyone other than workers there... So I'm thinking they are moving from further away.

What are they offering you?

I like the “wrong” granite. I don’t like the backsplash at all.

Were it my house, (because it like the granite), I would request the backsplash be removed; and be given a substantial discount for the countertop.

Then do a white (the color of your cabinets) subway tile, in a matte finish.

I bet it will be lovely when finished.

Also,…note in your first set of photos the identifying numbers on the edge of the granite.

Judy: haven't heard back from the builder. Since that granite was supposed to be in the neighbor's house, if they can switch it I'm guessing they will do keeping it I don't think will be an option. The backsplash is going no matter what. Also, one way or another something is getting replaced because our island is the right pattern, from a different slab. It's very similar to the one we chose. The rest of it is completely different stone, and I'm not a fan of the mismatched look.

Any tips on how I can politely ask for money back? I am not one who likes any kind of confrontation... Dare I say I'm a pushover?! However the fact that this is their colossal screw up, and will push back our closing date, which means I now have to pay extra to stay in our rental past my lease... I think I have a something to stand on.

What are they offering you?

I like the “wrong” granite. I don’t like the backsplash at all.

Were it my house, (because it like the granite), I would request the backsplash be removed; and be given a substantial discount for the countertop.

Then do a white (the color of your cabinets) subway tile, in a matte finish.

I bet it will be lovely when finished.

Also,…note in your first set of photos the identifying numbers on the edge of the granite.

You shouldn’t have to ask for your money back. You should expect to get your money back. Put the ball in their court and ask them “how” they will handle this issue.

Those slabs are identified by lot numbers.

It’s kind of like having your knee replaced and the doc puts in someone else’s knee. (Don’t laugh, it happened to my girlfriend at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country).

If restitution is not a given, then simply say that it will be settled in small claims court. There are a lot of granite yards and lots of gorgeous granites out there for you.

Haven’t noticed a comment, but who is the builder/contractor involved?

Who let them in? Who approved the install? Who signed off?

Sorry for your disappointment. All I can say is I like it and think it is more than workable for a lovely scheme.

The builder is a local award winning builder. She is the builder for the development we purchased the house/land package in. She has been great throughout all this. It's been the granite vendor that has been terrible. Actually the owners of the stone yard have been great, it's just this one sales rep that has been so incredibly incompetent.

Don't expect your money back, the builder won't refund. They will instead offer something else in exchange. We built our home and their were things not done and the builder told us it was a wash because we got some closet lights instead. We lost about 1k in upgrades for about $100 worth of electrical.

It's nice to think the builder would give you money back but unless it's a true custom build (which doesn't sound like it since it's in a development) don't expect it.

Kristine: I'm dealing with that with the lighting vendor now. We were charged for three closet lights that we even upgraded to LED from fluorescent, that weren't installed and she said she forgot a flood light so it evened out. Well there is a flood light on our quote and it was less than the cost of one of the lights we paid for and didn't get. Ugh.

Writing. Get everything in writing. I'm sure they made you sign dozens of pages to preclude indemnification. You may have already signed a clause that you won't receive any payment for issues that are corrected or "unforeseeable delays" in construction. That doesn't mean they won't do a "one-off", just focus on what you contracted for and expect to be delivered. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but the builder has been doing this longer than you have. They've already covered their butts against errors. In the end, it's a matter of getting what you paid for and I'm sure everyone is rooting for you!

The gaining on those pieces are awful. But don't feel bad about saying something about it. You paid for it, and it should be what you paid for. Any aspect of the work should have your input...the workers shouldn't just make the decision for you based on the "conventional" way it's done. What if you want it differently for a particular reason? For example, in my master bath remodel, I had picked out the scones that were to go on either side of the mirror. I had to work every day, but I went by the house at lunch and after work. One day they had the holes cut in the drywall for the sconces and I told them I thought they were too high, but they reassured me that they were the standard distance. Well, I did not insist and when they were installed, the were definitely too high for my preference. But since they were already there, and to do them over, they would have take down the drywall and put up more drywall, paint again and then cut the holes again. So I said nothing and thought I would get used to them. I STILL kinda cringe when I look at them. They're beautiful, but I still think they should be about 3 inches lower. So....speak up for yourself.

what a total snafu. so sorry you have to deal w/this. the builder/stone person/or whomever obviously need to get you a new countertop. Is the neighbors kitchen the same layout as yours? Wondering if they could remove the granite without damage and switch them. Would like to know how the neighbor feels about their 'wrong' granite. I'm sure the sales person or someone in the office could contact them. maybe leave your email for them to contact you.

This really wasn't the builders fault. You need to contact the manager of the stone yard and inform him how this one salesgirl's egregious mishaps, have affected you and your neighbor. He needs to know. This is prob not her first mixup. you also need to be clear w/him that your granite needs to be resolved because of HER error and what does he plan on doing about it? I think an upgrade in a new granite choice would be ideal. You might mention that. (make sure you mention all the stress, the pushed back move in, the extended lease issue, the cost of taking off of work, etc). since this cost is rolled into your house purchase, the builder isn't responsible for refunding your money. You can try getting a refund from the stone yard and an upgrade. Tell him that this new piece needs to be done immediately because you have to move! They can put a priority fabrication on it.

Never hurts to ask. Remember that. all they can say is, 'no'. I do it all the time and you'd be amazed at how quick companies are to rectify their mistake and make you happy. If you don't ask, or politely demand, they will deem you as pushover and not bother. So, Speak UP!

and absolutely sign off on the slab before they cut it and before it's brought into your home. make a point to be there on delivery day.

When all this is resolved and you get the granite you are okay with and the 4 inch backsplash is gone then hot tip--do not let the backsplash installers bring the backsplash out to meet the front of the cabinets like they're done here.

The backsplash will look 1000 times better if it is only on the back walls where the backs of the cabinets are attached to the wall. Bringing it forward can ruin the look of your kitchen and is a waste of tile.

Not so good

leelee: I completely agree, I had no idea they would be putting a backsplash there, I don't think I've ever seen it done like that. The tile backsplash will most likely be a DIY project down the road and we will definitely not be doing that!

It's not unusual for a builder to put a 4" backsplash in; we had it in both homes. Here are before and after to show you that the installer can easily remove it:

My husband replaced the outlets and covers where appropriate.

UPDATE: so they can't switch the granite between houses. They have no more Sequoia (which both slabs apparently are, we just got one we have never seen before) so we would have to wait a week for more to be delivered. We were supposed to move on in a week... So they had me go look at other pieces, didn't find anything I liked enough. So the resolution is that we will keep the granite, they will remove the backsplash and the granite company will pay for a tile backsplash. Pretty easy decision! I still have a nice granite, and I get the backsplash I wanted all along, and for free!

Win-win! Good luck in your new home.

"The builder is a local award winning builder. She is the builder for the development we purchased the house/land package in. She has been great throughout all this. It's been the granite vendor that has been terrible. Actually the owners of the stone yard have been great, it's just this one sales rep that has been so incredibly incompetent."

Sorry, but the builder picks the subs and believe me, builders pick the cheapest subs possible. I make a living from builder's sub choices. The builder is absolutely responsible, no matter how nice a person she is.

I think you went the smart route, enjoy your new home.

Joseph: yes the builder picks her suppliers and she has made sure everything has been corrected to our satisfaction. She handled everything very quickly, and while she wasn't the one who installed the wrong granite, she took responsibility for the issue that arose.

That's great news! I was hoping that would be the solution since you were wanting to upgrade the backsplash anyways

So they will be paying for the backsplash tile, of your choice, and the tile install?? wow. nice job. what backsplash are you picking? I hope it's something other than 3x6 white subway tile!

Any update over which which backsplash you picked?

I went with a white subway tile in a herringbone pattern. But I ended up changing my mind and switching out the granite. I've picked "white ice" in a leathered finish. Just waiting on them to build a template so I can pick where each piece is cut from and we have no mistakes this time! Backsplash is out of my pocket now, but oh well. The granite will be beautiful!

It looks like the same material to me.. just on a different plane and in different lighting.

The matter of the wrong granite is FINALLY resolved. It took a month of waiting on a template (which they never built) for me to go over and layout the cuts with them. They said the cuts may shift an inch or two. And I was very specific about the small section of the slab I did NOT like. Another month of waiting o the fabricator and... Well they made two of the four cuts from the part of the slabs I hated. (Insert eye roll here)

After getting berated by the owner, I decided to just leave it as is and let the issue die just to never have to deal with him again. Well the next morning he called to say they found a remnant and he would switch out the smaller piece (that I hated the most) for free. They were just here and I can finally say my granite is finished! Only two months after moving in! Tile backsplash to be completed sometime next week.

The island is my favorite part, with its big Quartz deposit!

And I'm loving the leathered finish!

Congratulations, it's beautiful. Can't wait to see your backsplash