Do I need to fire my contractor?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We hired a licensed contractor to do our kitchen remodel and so far it has been a nightmare. I have caught him right before making huge mistakes and have had to repeat myself over and over because he imagines conversations we’ve never had.

Today I asked him about a cabinet that wasn’t against the wall, and he said it was because the wall wasn’t straight but that the bottom of the cabinet was against the wall. I checked after he left and NONE of the cabinet is against the wall. He also left a huge gap between cabinets. (pic included). Note, also, the added scratch to the cabinet that wasn’t there before.

Should I just cut my losses? I won’t be able to hire another contractor as it was almost impossible to even find this guy to do the remodel, but at this point I feel like we would do a better job ourselves.

I think you’ll need to click on the picture to see the gap I am talking about.

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Comments (9)

cpartist
5 years ago
I think you know your answer.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Setting cabinets isn't as easy as it appears. It is completely reasonable that a cabinet may not touch a wall. Cabinets are square boxes that must be installed plumb and level, no matter what the walls are doing.
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PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
5 years ago
What Joe said, especially when working with frameless cabinets. If the wall is out, I'm sure he used shims, which will be cut and some sort of scribe molding will cover it.

The gap between the cabinets needs a screw to pull it all together, I'm sure he didn't get there yet, the doors/drawers are still out.

As the scratch goes should be touched up depending on the finish or replaced (it looks like a side panel).
Charlie Noway
Original Author
5 years ago
@GN Builders L.L.C the Screws are already in
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
5 years ago
Cabinets must be level and he should clamp both sides, pre-drill one panel and screw it together. This usualy happens when they too lazy to pre-drill and drive the screw through both panels one side will pull out.
Charlie Noway
Original Author
5 years ago
@GN Builders L.L.C yes he definitely was not clamping anything and the entire corner needs to be redone.
ksc36
5 years ago

Buy him a couple of pairs of these, maybe he'll get the hint...
kudzu9
5 years ago
ksc36-

But he may also have to show the contractor how to use them... ;-)
D B
5 years ago
If you simply screw the two cabinets tighter together you could wrack the cabinet box and have issues with the drawers functioning properly, or shelves fitting properly. The cabinets are likely installed tight to the wall, possibly with no shims, or improper shimming.

Show me a flat wall, I've never seen one. The gap to the wall should be covered by a scribe (mentioned by GN Builders) or a tiny filler strip. I've done both depending on the look you're trying to achieve. Plan for a little caulking (color matched paintable if possible).

Frameless cabinets are less forgiving than framed cabinets to install. If you decide to take it on yourself do some research first. The style looks like it might be contemporary? If so, clean lines tell no lies. Poor quality craftsmanship (by you or a tradesperson) will show up much more easily in a contemporary style. Research how to scribe a filler strip to a wall. "Scribe" can be a process or a trim piece (noun or verb).

Will there be an angled crown at the top? This is another set of skills best not tried on an expensive piece of cabinet trim.

Best of luck, sorry for your troubles.