Main question is whether or not it will be noticeable when everything is done. Not likely. Even more so for 1/8". These are cabinets and flooring, not space shuttle parts.

Can you point out where the problem is?

@oldryder- that is why I am asking. If it isn't big I would like to know. I am terrible at gauging how big of a deal this is. It is visually playing with my head and looking for some feedback. I am happy to hear it isn't an issue. None of this is life threatening, I get that, but a huge investment has gone into this project. Why make it look thrown together?

@leelee- the distance between the farthest part of the island to the base cabinet to the left of it is 1/4 inch less than the distance between the closer end of the island and the base cabinet to its left. To me it looks like the island is not set correctly. It technically isn't. Just trying to figure out if that amount off is enough to make it worth while to move before the counters go on.

are your cabinets installed flush against your wall?

How did you first notice this? Just by looking at it or by measuring?

I now understand what you're saying, I think. It's the difference between the two rows of cabinets...the ones on the left and then the island to the right.

I don't think it will ever be noticed.

Sometimes it's the wall that isn't straight. So cabinets are installed against a wall that's not exact. That would throw everything off.

if it doesn't look off in relation to the flooring lines, you aren't likely to notice anything is off otherwise, as that's what your eye will try and line up with. Unless its seriously bothering you, it would not be something I would fret over. Looks like it going to be a lovely space. Enjoy!

1/4 inch is not much. If it can be fixed at little to no cost, go a head and fix it. I do think there will be a cost involved and I can't see the difference and crooked things usually jump out at me. In that case, move on with your counter tops.

Thank you for the input all. I am going to let it go. Just needed to get some reassurance. With an 80 percent gut of our house these details are spinning in my head. I am so not good at this!

I would let it go because chances are your cabients against the wall are not straight because you wall is not straight.

It looks like these cabinets are firmly attached to the floor, and the molding is already in place. Trying to move this end by 1/4" to the left would involve some not-so-simple uninstalling of the cabinet bases.

If the wall on the left isn't straight, hopefully the counter top guys templated it correctly.

This is an acceptable variance. I would move on. Good luck!

1/4" is no biggie.

You could add a 1/4" overhang to line the countertops up, if its bothering to you

Things like this really bother you for a while but then when it is all together and you are actually using it, you will never think of it again. Don't point it out to anyone else and just forgive them and move on.

@Jan Moyer- I have been out of my house with three small children in a two bedroom apartment without a bathtub for a year. I am stressed beyond belief. I had a house fire and lost 80 percent of everything I own. There are worse things, but I am fixing mistakes left and right all day long from our contractors. I need a little advice here and there. Be gentle. I am fine if this isn't a biggie. I want this to not be a biggie.

1/4" will not be noticeable over the length of the island.

blossom...it's not a biggie. really. don't stress any more about it.

@blossom

I know what that is like . First hand. My sister lost everything in a condo fire , her beloved cat, and so did all others in her building lose everything . It is HORRIBLE. But.

You have your kids, and it is being restored. The interim is hell, as being displaced, even temporarily feels like fifty eons!!! Again, you have your children ..........so the 1/4 inch, when you take that moment to simply breathe? Yeah... a nit. If you stand three feet from the RULER you can't make it out : ) and neither will you in the kitchen and nor shall anyone else. Hang in. Better yet? Find a friend, loan her your kids for a night, check into a hotel. Get IN that tub, all alone. Light a candle......have wine. Watch movies. ........have a hugely expensive breakfast all alone. Sure won't hurt : ) and will help get your perspective back.

Blossom, I am so sorry for the loss of your home and most of your possessions! I do hope that the responses here, with which I agree, will give you some peace about this issue. It looks like your house is going to be beautiful!

Relax about this and you are in the home stretch so just look forward.

I live in an old house where many things are not exactly level or plumb, and while I tried to get everything perfect, I settled for functional. After the kitchen was finished, no one but me noticed, and after a short time I quit noticing too.

1/4" in a fridge surround might be a big deal, but in island alignment, not so much. Take care of yourself and save your powder for the big things.

To answer the original question, 1/4" is an acceptable variance. A very good builder told my husband, the type A controlling pilot, that housing isn't built to NASA tolerances. He needed to let that go. It has stood him in good stead to remember that. Take it to heart and your life will prove easier.

My parents had a house fire. They lost their 3 dogs in the fire. Fortunately, they weren't home. It took months and close supervision of the building team to get things to an acceptable point. No you are not crazy to watch the builder closely and insist on good workmanship. The trick is to know what is acceptable.

Your stress level must be through the roof right now. Give yourself permission to do something nice for yourself, spa, massage, boxed wine, etc.

If you are in doubt about something, come back to this thread and post your question. We'll help you decide if it's a mountain worth dying on or not. This issue is one to tell the supervisor that you have slept on it and will accept it. Then, ask him about the next issue that is bugging you. Move on, move forward. You are going to love it and appreciate it even more than before because you understand how much work was involved.

I’m so sorry for your stress and the reason you have to do all this work. When I had my own home and was single, I also stressed every detail. The motto I put in my head to keep me on an even keel was “Good enough is good enough.”
This 1/4” difference isn’t a big deal. It will not be an issue when you’re back in your house and cooking in your new kitchen. Let this one go.

So island is actually off 1/2 inch from front to back looking at this picture. Small corner cabinet in island is not 90 degree to island and off by an inch from front to back and the cooktop island is pitched forward. What if anything to fix??? I just am so frustrated.

The original question...not a problem. The last photo? Problem if they don’t get the two adjacent cabinets vertically aligned.

I don't understand anything from the top photo you just posted and I'm not sure I understand the second photo. Are the cabinet boxes from front to back not exactly the same size? IOW, what's causing the tilt and which cabinet is correct in the photo?

I think more photos may be needed to accurately portray the issue.

@shead-cooktop cabinet is supposed to stick out, but it is pitched forward. They messed up!

You need to get a long level to determine which cabinets need to be adjusted to solve the cooktop cabinet issue. It could be a variety of things causing it to be off but it's definitely a solvable issue. I wouldn't let this go.

As for island being off, how is it lining up with the seams in your wood floor? The only way I'd worry about it is if the 1/2" is obvious against the floor. If not, you'll make it obvious if you try to fix it.

@shead- Everything lines up decently with the floor. Off, but not enough to move. I do thing the cabinet needs to be straightened at the cooktop. Should be an easy fix, just hate asking because the make it seem like I just have a problem with it instead of an actual issue. I don't like saying something if it isn't a important issue. Just this is all beyond my expertise and I wish it was being worked out by our contractors. I have had to step in for issues and forgotten pieces way too often.

I think they should shim up the front of the cook top box and get it even there for sure.

I don’t understand how the fronts of your cabinets are not flush. You can’t just shim one side of a cabinet because it appears they are flush on the top and if you raise one side then the tops not flush.

If they shim the cook top box so it tips back slightly, when they put the wood underlay for the tops, they can level that.

Exactly what suzy says is what needs to be done. It is not uncommon for cabinets to have to be shimmed at the floor or against the wall to get everything to be flush and level. You need to see how the fronts of the cabinets will be level vertically for your drawers and doors to function properly and make adjustments based on that.

I understand all that but if they are flush on top it’s not the floors that are off. It would have to be something wonky with the cabinets.

And maybe there is something wonky with the cabinet but it can most likely be remedied by some onsite ingenuity (shims, etc.)

1/4" is no big deal in this instance. But if it helps, think of it as being exactly correct in the middle, 1/8" off on one end, and 1/8" off in the other direction at the other end.

See? Isn't that better?

Please tell the bozos standing there in the photo, to go get A LEVEL....and a couple packages of shims. Shims will be required when the top goes on as well.

What Jan said. Go get two or three packages of shims. They cost all of two dollars each. All cabinets are installed using shims. No wall or floor is straight or level. This is how you deal with it.