Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_412326299

PLEASE HELP!! kitchen remodel disaster

5 years ago

We are almost finished with a very extensive remodel. The back ordered dishwasher just arrived and when they tried to install it, it did not fit. After a lot of measuring I realized the cabinets are too short, they are only 33 1/2 inches. We did a 2 1/2 inch quartzite countertop, and apparently the cabinet maker just deducted that 2 1/2 inches from the standard 36 inch counter height leaving only 33 1/2 inches for cabinets, not considering the fact that all dishwashers are 34 inches tall. Needless to say we are beside ourselves, and our GC has obviously never dealt with this problem before. I have spoken to the stone fabricator and due to the extreme hardness of this stone they cannot cut anything on site, any adjustment to the stone and they would have to rip it off the cabinets and take it back to the shop to work on. Which would risk damaging the stone, the floors, the sink, cabinets etc. The contractor is now thinking the best option is to jack up the entire island, put a half inch shim underneath it and then a piece of trim to hide the shim. I am extremely worried about the new floors or the stone being damaged in this process, not to mention the risk of having the island cabinetry etc. be not exactly right when this is all said and done. We have spent a fortune on this kitchen and it just makes me sick to think that it is so messed up. We are open to any and all suggestions, please send them my way!!

Comments (21)

  • 5 years ago

    Were the floors installed after the cabinets?

  • 5 years ago

    Have cabinet maker to "make" and add the needed height of cabinet to the top of the existing cabinets and blend it in. The countertop installers or GC can raise the tops!

  • 5 years ago

    So the floors were installed before the cabinetry, and we thought about raising the countertop but the counter guy thought it would look really weird to have an inch of filler between the cabinets and the countertop. I think the concern also is where does this extremely large heavy piece of stone go while they are extending the cabinets.

  • 5 years ago

    The appliance guy said that would be the only option for a shorter dishwasher, I just can’t get over spending the amount of money we did on this kitchen and having a tiny dishwasher for the next 20 years

  • 5 years ago

    Can you cut out that section of the floor under the dishwasher? Or router it down?

  • 5 years ago

    You could also just return the old dishwasher and get an accessible one. The ADA compliant ones have adjustable legs so they can be as low as 32”. I don't know how tall you are, but I am 5’4” and in my last kitchen, the counters around the perimeter were about 36.75” while the island was the standard 36”. I know it seems like 3/4“ seems insignificant, but functionality-wise, I much preferred working on the lower (standard) counter unless I was wearing 3” heels. I LOVE how the thicker counter looks.

  • 5 years ago

    Miele makes a ADA dishwasher too. There’s is a small difference between the standard and the ADA model, a little more than 1.5 inch. I would not call this a tiny dishwasher.

  • 5 years ago

    I agree with @Mel. It's a standard 24" DW with adjustable legs. I don't think it will be noticeable if the DW was 1/2" lower.

  • 5 years ago

    What is the cabinet maker who decided to shorten the cabinets for you offering for a fix?

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks everyone, through talking with several people I think it looks like our best option is to return the Bosch dishwasher and see if we can get a Miele to fit. The opening we have is 33 11.5/16”. The Miele is ever so slightly shorter than the Bosch. Nothing good is going to come from messing with the cabinets or the countertop especially considering it’s weight. It seems like we have the exact min size opening for the Miele as long as we can actually get it in there, and then hopefully we never have to take it out lol.

  • 5 years ago

    Your kitchen is gorgeous!! I hope the Miele works out for you.

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you! We have to wait until August to find out they are so backordered!

  • 5 years ago

    @Cherie also mentioned above that Bosch also makes one? Maybe you can get a Bosch sooner? Best of luck with this, and I hope the cabinet maker is subsidizing the exchange of your dishwasher and costs incurred with the installation delay.

  • 5 years ago

    Best of luck with this, and I hope the cabinet maker is subsidizing the exchange of your dishwasher and costs incurred with the installation delay.


    I'd also make him come and wash my dishes by hand everyday until it arrives.


    Someone above mentioned routering the floor down. Is it a possibility to take the floor down a bit if the Miele almost fits?



  • 5 years ago

    I believe the OP bought a standard height dishwasher and not an ADA height dishwasher that can be raised to standard height. I really hope the floors are level under the dishwasher opening.

  • 5 years ago

    Yes floors are only 1/16 off, pretty level. Going to be super tight. Would really prefer a full height dishwasher, but I guess if it doesn’t fit we’ll have to go with an ADA

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Uhhhhmmmm where was the General Contractor in all of this? This is why the GC gets paid an additional percentage for Every product and Every subs work to make sure Everything is right. I would be making the contractor pay for this since the cabinetmaker messed up on the cabinet height. When I did my remodel, the cabinetmaker would not begin building cabinets until I had my appliances picked out. The job of the GC is to double check, EVERYTHING, to make sure it’s all right. If youareconcerned about what what you are paying for this, you might contact your state’s contractor board just to be on the right page with all of it. They will advise you.

  • 5 years ago

    Yeah the GC is paying for the difference in price of the dishwashers and will be fixing it if the DW doesn’t fit. All of the appliances were ordered in Oct but heavily delayed due to Covid.

  • 5 years ago

    I hope the ADA DW is acceptable. I agree with your concerns about jacking up the island.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Another option might be dishwasher drawers? I don't like them myself, but maybe they would fit. And if I were in this situation and they DID fit, I'd get over not liking them pretty quickly. ;)