And this is the work on the waterfall and pattern matching...he did so very good....

HU:

What city in Florida are you in please? I'm in Sarasota, and regularly work in an hour and a half radius, but apparently I've landed a job in Orlando which is about 2 1/2 hours away. I've got guys on the other coast too. We got this.

What???..how much would you charge?? and what sink would I hv to buy??..I'm in Miramar . Right off 75 ...30 mins fr Miami and 30 mins fr Fort Lauderdale...I hv to tell you though, when I looked underneath..it looks like the left side of the top of the sink cabinet has been compromised..my sink is a Blanco quartz sink and it is held up by clips, clipped to the top of the quartzite...where can I send you pics??..

HU:

You wouldn't buy the sink, I would. You would buy a completed job. Sink, labor, plumbing included. I am a licensed Florida building contractor and plumber.

Your compromised sink cabinet side is irrelevant because your new sink will be strapped, not clipped, in place. The missing cabinet top side(s) (the other side will be "compromised" too) will be structurally replaced with sink.

While I can't price for my east coast crew, they're going to need you to be comfortable in a $4,000.00 budget range. Their contract will be with you only; you can work out reimbursement with your fabricator.

Starting at the hot melt glue spot at the cabinet side, the bottom of the pictured dado will be cut, removing the top of the cabinet.

The straps attach at the top of the "compromised" cabinet. The sink flange slides over the top of the cabinet. When the straps are tightened, the front cabinet stretcher keeps the cabinet sides apart, allowing the sink to rise and support the stone. The missing cabinet tops have been replaced with supported sink.

Seriously- you have just scored big time. Accept Joseph’s offer and consider yourself lucky, and done.

Here's a better picture of the cabinet side top removed and the straps in place. When the cabinet front is reinstalled, it keeps the tightened straps from pulling the cabinet sides inward.

1000% hire Joseph immediately and get your fabricator to reimburse you. I would do that in a heartbeat. He is a master. After all you’ve invested In the kitchen, this is a no brainer to make everything right.

Yes, hire Joseph !

Sorry to naysay here, but i would not put an apron front cabinet there. It's way too much of an aesthetic detour from your kitchen.....

That's a complete redo on the fabricator's dime. He screwed up and you shouldn't have to compromise at all!

H202:

Fair enough, but I never insisted upon an apron sink, only a 36" sink. It may have to be custom made to accommodate the left side of that cutout. I'm very sure the Elkay Quartz Luxe will work just from the picture. It's a 36" sink with a big fat flange.

I looked into a custom made and I spoke to Joseph too. While we wish we would have been able to hire him, unfortunately we could not. We decided to go with a top mount sink in stainless steel. I also found a copper top mount and was tempted, lolll...but in the end, I think there may have been too many copper/bronze variations in the kitchen. Our appliances are white matte with bronze handles that have a touch of bronze. It's the cafe series.. I call it the jewelry for my kitchen loll. The backsplash is bronze and stainless steel. We have a few copper accessories too, so I do think the stainless steel was a better choice for the sink. I actually think it's the top mount one Joseph posted here, or one very similar..It'll be here next week, so fingers crossed, we receive it timely and in perfect condition

I put a few things together in the kitchen for now,, even though it's not finished, It's not too shabby!.. loll..thank you all

I think I may do away with the coffee cup tree and the coffee pod holder too. I just threw a few things up for now while I am emptying out the boxes we packed for the reno.

HU:

Is this the sink you are using? It's a 36" Kohler 3942. It's used here as a budget failed rod repair solution. It's not a bad sink, but it or any other top mount doesn't do your kitchen justice. Money in your checkbook will come and go, but that sink is going to be there every single morning from now on. A constant reminder of your fabricator's screw-up.

My apologies for my failure to convince you of the value of my services.

I do not doubt the value of your services Joseph. We simply did not have $4500 extra money up front to do the repair. Trust me, I wish we did. I'd have to put in a claim for $$ which is fine, but still leaves me without a functioning kitchen. We've been without a kitchen since Feb this year due mostly in part due to covid. I just cannot handle any more stress. The sink we got is a 36" stainless steel overmount. It's not an ugly sink. True It's not my original design, but I have to move forward while we try to recoup the $$ from the fabricator. We did not go with a large company for the fabricator, so it's not so easy to recoup the $$. We went outside of our GC's pick bc the 1st fabricator ruined our first stone, so we had to pay the difference between using her fabricator and we paid a deposit out of pocket in addition to $800 more for the new stone we chose. He put us thru the ringer and delayed the time by another month bc he said his father contracted covid, then passed away. He said the cuts to the stone had already been made and all he had to do was buff them. So long story short, we went to see the stones and it turns out he never even started the cuts. Our GC brought another fabricator, but they kept saying what we were asking for could not be done and I was going to end up with a joint straight across the stone, hence the new guy we hired. The new guy did an excellent job on our design, but ultimately screwed up in measuring correctly. I am done, exhausted, and beyond sad about this whole thing. However, it's just a kitchen and I'm sure with the overmount sink will look just as lovely. For now, we are doing what is within our means to do. With the few projects you have shown on your page, I have no doubt about your capabilities, it's just not doable for us right now. Once all is complete, I really will not look back and have regrets for something I could not afford at this time. I have your number and if in the future, we are in a better position financially after all this construction is completed, which will be another 3 - 5 mos (for a backyard renovation), I hope you will be around. Thank you for all your help, ideas and suggestions.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the 1st fabricator's father never died of covid. No one in his family contracted covid. We were devastated to learn that he would lie about something so harsh, especially because I felt selfish wanting my kitchen done while he was going through this false tragedy, but i was truly relieved that it was a lie anyway. We've been fortunate to not have any friends or family taken by this disease so far. Thanks again.

HU why are you paying for this repair? Any costs for this repair comes out of the balance due the installer. This was a huge mess up on their end which they’ve dumped in your lap. Cancel the check, call your credit card company, or go to small claims court.

"We've been without a kitchen since Feb this year due mostly in part due to covid. I just cannot handle any more stress. I am done, exhausted, and beyond sad about this whole thing."

That's what your fabricator bet on and apparently it's a winning bet for him.

The goal now is to keep you from installing a sink with a cutout that will preclude your being able to later install a stock undermount. I know you're "done, exhausted, and stressed", but I need you to do the following (2nd request) please:

Stick a piece of masking tape on your countertop edge please. Sticking a tape measure under your countertop overhang, measure from the edge to the cabinet front (not the drawer). Transfer that mark onto the tape. Measure from the mark to the rear of the existing cutout. Measure how close the left cutout is to the cabinet side.

Send the specifications of the sink you've selected please.

You may be "done", but I'm just getting started.

"Our GC brought another fabricator, but they kept saying what we were asking for could not be done and I was going to end up with a joint straight across the stone, hence the new guy we hired."

Some good can come of this if readers learn from this experience the perils of hiring your own subs. Had the licensed GC hired the fabricator, the GC, not the fabricator, would be on the proverbial hook here. If the GC isn't licensed, he cannot hire any subs in Florida legally. In fact, if he's unlicensed, his contract with you is unenforceable by him, he has no lien rights, however, your contract with him is enforceable. Please enter his name into the Florida DBPR licensing portal and let us know the results please.

Countertop fabricators/installers are specifically exempt from Florida licensing law.

Ughhh..this gets worse by the minute, his name did not come up.. I measured as you asked...the overhang is approx. 1 1/2"...the cabinet on yhe left side was compromised at least 9 1/2 inches from the top..there is no cabinet at the top on the left hand side.i sent a picture

That's approx 9 1/2 inches fr the top...

HU:

If his name did not come up and he is unlicensed, that's good news. You have no legal obligation to pay him, however, he has a legal obligation to you.

Please reread my request and follow. I need to know the distance from the cabinet front to the rear of your cutout.

Your picture isn't bad. I can fix all that in minutes.

I'm going to be in Lake Worth, Fl, on Friday, September 4th. Not too far from you. I'm gonna be in the truck with the tools too. Somebody else is paying your drive time; I'd take advantage.

If you haven't paid the counter fabricator in full, you use that money to hire the fixer. If they have their money, you withhold the GC's money to hire the fixer, and there can be a powwow later with them and the counter people if he wants to get his money out of them, since he's not licensed and can't hire people or sue you. This means there's no reason for you to need to be able to front end the money ... and you want this done to your happiness the first time because that's the only one you'll get them to cover.

Also, I would say that if they can't hire subs, then there's no reason you should have to pay extra for picking your own, since any sub is your sub.

First off June, I never asked for credit! I literally said I could not afford him at this time. The balance we owed the fabricator would not cover Joseph's cost plus the cost of a new sink. I was not looking for a free handout, just for ideas on what to do. I could speak of your name too, Juneknownothing!!!!

Following!

Hi HU,

Joseph's cost includes the sink, at least that's the way it sounds to me.

If the balance doesn't cover it, then can you put a claim against their insurance? The fabricator needs to fix this. Either with new slabs and replacement (much more than Joseph) or with an appropriate sink.

If you decide not to replace the sink with something like Joseph is suggesting now, please make sure that whatever you decide to do won't stop you from making this type of repair later. Please give him those measurements for the new sink and your cabinet.

I think we're all concerned because it sure seems like you are settling and this isn't something you should have to make do with good enough. You've been through so much work and inconvenience to get this done and I'm sure the fabricator meant well, but he messed this up. This is part of the cost of doing business and he should be responsible to fix his own mistakes. What does your fabricator say? What is he willing to do to make this correct? Have you told him you'll need to make a claim against his insurance if he won't fix this? If he won't fix it, please file claims and very vocally leave reviews for him about how he won't fix his mistakes. I think a business can be measured by how they fix things that go awry. No one is perfect all of the time, so it is important that reviews be left so that other homeowners can understand that if there is a mistake, this contractor is not willing to make the situation right.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

I know you feel Joseph is too expensive, but it sounds like he is willing to work with you. He is the best option of giving you a fabulous result, I think. Maybe give him a call and see what else he can offer. (Although I wonder if you might be feeling a bit bullied.)

Did I miss something? Is the fabricator not willing to fix this? Why would you pay someone else $4k when this should cost you $0 to fix...

Bc the fabricator is not able to do what Joseph is saying he can do. I hv given him a choice to return all the $$ we've given him, start all over with 4 new slabs. I have not heard back from him yet. We made the mistake of hiring someone who is not licensed and also outside of our GC's recommended people. For that, we are to blame. I will hv to sue him personally in small claims Ct and may never recover the loss. If he is unwilling to return the $$, we are not in a position to shell out more $$ to get it properly fixed. We will hv yo go with an overmount sink.

@lrod311 what are the options your fabricator is giving you? He is not willing to cut the sink hole larger or replace that section?

Yes, he is willing to do an overmount, which is cutting the opening wider and install the overmount sink. What he's not willing to do is attempt to fix it by putting a farm sink, like Joseph suggested.

Replace the section No. I have 2 peninsulas with the same quartzite stone. To replace that section would be to scratch the entire job and get 4 new slabs. 2 slabs for each section bc of the waterfall finish on both sides.

plus 2 bthrm countertops with the same stone.

That's unfortunate, I'm sorry. Such a huge job, beautiful stone and to mess up so big like that. Did you explain to him what Joseph's fix was? I'd continue trying with him to see what he could do or if he had anyone he can consult with or bring in to help, it would be silly to pay $4k for this fix that was not your fault IMO. Is he covering the cost of a new sink?

We're deducting it from his

Sorry, deducting fr the balance

@Joseph Corlett, LLC "I've got guys on the other coast too." Dang I so wish that was the "central coast." Ya know, the Windy City, Chi-town, My Kind Of Town, The City That Works... AKA Chicago.

He owes you more than just the cost of the new sink.

I would not accept this resolution. You paid for an under mount sink. Hooking up a faucet isn’t expensive. Don’t pay the balance. Hook up the faucet and drains. Use it until he pays to have it properly fixed. Including paying for the plumber to come to redo faucet and drains. He is responsible for his mess. Does the BBB handle this sort of thing? Small claims court? Judge Judy?

Follow up on my sink issue. First I want to thank everyone for your input and suggestions. A very special thank you to Joseph Corlet who came out to see the damage and gave me sound professional advise. We were not able to hire Joseph, but his professionalism and wisdom is why we have a fixed sink. He guided me and gave me the actual words to get my fabricator to come forth and fix the problem he created. We changed the sink to a farmhouse apron sink and it came out very good. It was not my original design, but it is 100% better. We chose an Elkay interchangeable apron front sink. We fell in love with having an option to change the apron. We're starting out with the copper front and have ordered a white front as well. We haven't received the aprons yet, but will post pics when we do. I am attaching a picture of the fix. I think you would all agree that it looks much better. Thank you for all your support. I was humbled by

Joseph's concern, professionalism and guidance. Had our fabricator not come through, we were crunching numbers to have Joseph come out and make it right. I will post other pictures when the kitchen is completed. BTW my husband was also instrumental and after seeing a video on how to remove a sink without damaging it, he removed the granite sink with a blow dryer and knife..loll..it worked! No damage to the sink. If the store will not take it back, we will donate it to someone who needs a sink, but cannot afford one. Thanks again

Yay! I’m so glad you’re happy. It‘s awesome to have professional houzzers that can take the time to provide the knowledge and advice needed to make it right; nice going Joseph.

SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!

So glad you found a good resolution to this nightmare! Your kitchen will look fantastic. (Love those ball knobs you chose for your cabinets too!)

Lolll...thank you. Everyone was right! If we would have left it as is, it would have been an everyday reminder of the mess up. We are super happy and less stressed for sure.

I was on the other coast for business anyway so it wasn't a problem to stop by. I'm glad I could help everything turn out so well.

Tell 'em to install the faucet and accessories before the sink next time. Way easier.

And the real lesson for Houzz readers is, be a customer like this. Roll with the punches. Your drawings are strong suggestions; sometimes fate has a much nicer sink in store for you. Wash that "but-I-paid-for-this!" pout down the drain, please.

Yay for Joseph!!! He’s one of my hero’s on this site!

Haha Joseph, I remembered you saying that and I did tell him to install the faucet first, but he insisted it was not a big deal, so I went back to work. Loll. We are super happy with the results. Please...after your visit and talk, I felt more determined with a renewed strength and purpose. I want everyone here to know how much it meant to me that you took the time to come out. You didn't have to, this I know for sure, but I am forever grateful that you did. You were not going to let us settle!!..loll thanks again!

That's awesome, looks great and like it should have always been that way!!

Hey Houzz, this thread doesn't show up on my timeline and I have to search for it. When I type in "What Do I Do Now" into the search bar, it says "0 results". I had to type in "I Do Now" to get here. What, you're afraid this is getting a little too spammy? Hey, I drove two hours to make this "spam". lol

I'm uploading an update picture of the kitchen sink dilema. I learned so much during this process and am grateful for all who responded, especially Joseph!..loll .We now have a sink that has an interchangeable apron front. We will change out the apron front according to the seasons and I'm especially happy about this. I am a changer and it suits me fine to do so. White for the summer months, stainless steal for the fall, copper for Thanksgiving, red for Christmas through Valentine's Day. Lolll...A disaster that turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I am posting a picture of this season's copper apron front sink.I love it!