The time is now to get what you asked/paid for so yes have the doors changed to get correct pulls.

painted surface can be fixed in terms of filling holes and covering. quite well. but depends on their commitment to doing this properly. I'd have them do one and ask to put it back on then and see. I'd give them a provisional non definite green light at their FIX ...... but be sure they know if its not acceptable to YOU then on to the other plan . Changing out every single door and drawer ? too bad you were not present when this incorrect install of handles was happening. That would have been so much better. Sorry this ended up like this. Chin up.

Feelings have no place here. This is business. That's what builders believe anyway.

It isn't about being mean, it is about reasonable vs. unreasonable. In my opinion it is unreasonable to demand new drawer fronts because there will be screw holes on the inside of drawers. There are simply too many holes on the inside of cabinets now to make it a reasonable request.

So in my opinion the answer is that it is not mean, it is just unreasonable. I am also confident that industry standards would protect him from having to do it for that reason.

In other words, feel free to ask and feel free to pay for it, but I seriously doubt that you have standing to make him do anything more than put plugs in the holes.

In what form did you "tell the kitchen cabinet contractor and the builder" ?

I would not be concerned about plugged holes inside the drawers but more concerned about scratches or damage done to the cabinets painted surfaces once they remove the wrong hardware. Contrary to what was stated above, it is not that easy to touch up factory painted cabinet surfaces without it being noticeable.

I changed the pulls on my kitchen cabinets from the center of the panel (really), to the stiles, then filled and painted the cabinets. The original holes are undetectable on the fronts, barely noticeable on the backs where I wasn't as careful. Drawer fronts would be less noticeable, IMO. I agree with bry911.

If touch-up is noticeable, maybe the whole front could be repainted?

New poster, but this is something ive always wondered about. People on this forum make a really big deal about factory finish cabinets, and freaking out when cabinet makers spray cabinets on site. But then going around with a touch up brush on a very high traffic location is permissible? Im geneuinely curious why this is consodered okay?

Have you taken a second to consider if you like what has been installed? Sometimes "mistakes" are a blessing in disguise. The image appears blurry on my end but overall what was installed looks nice also.

The holes are on the INSIDE only, right?

See if you can pull off what Herbflavor suggests. Ask for a demo of the fix before you decide.

You might only need new cabinet doors and not drawer fronts. You might need all new or none.

@User said, "I would not be concerned about plugged holes inside the drawers but more concerned about scratches or damage done to the cabinets painted surfaces once they remove the wrong hardware. Contrary to what was stated above, it is not that easy to touch up factory painted cabinet surfaces without it being noticeable."

What is there to touch up? The holes for those mounts are not drilled through the front of the cabinets. Typically these types of pulls mount with screw holes on the back of the cabinet door. So there not holes in the drawer face or drawer top (usually). So, the only holes are on the cabinet side of the drawers and don't need to be touched up. Were I building these cabinets and wanting to change out these handles, I would add a couple of white plastic screw plugs and be done with it.

Were these holes drilled through the face of the cabinet my answer above would have been very different.

ETA: I often use these handles on properties I am rehabbing for sale, as it allows the new owner to come in and easily change the pulls to anything they want with little trouble.

@bry911….it’s not the holes that need touch-up, but invariably, when removing previously installed hardward, many times there are marks and scratches (which I did mention in my post) on the cabinets from the old hardware.

The proper way to do these finger pulls would have been to route the top of the drawer edge and then place the pull flush with the top edge ... I'm assuming they didn't install them correctly and each drawer isn't missing a routed rectangle from the top edge!!

Hard to see from the photo ... are the pulls rubbing and/or touching the wood above them?

If the pulls and knobs are specified in the contract documents or an attached schedule by the architect, have them redone or take a credit. If it is a "I told him" thing, you should probably just let it go.

Most finger pulls do not require routing the cabinet. There is not going to be scratches on doors with this type of hardware newly and properly installed. If your cabinet scratches by having finger pulls installed then you have much bigger problems than holes in the back.

Regardless, this isn't about perfect solutions and maybe I am approaching this question incorrectly, as that may be the OP's intention. To me, this question is about what the OP can get in this situation. I don't see any reasonable basis to make the demand, whether or not there are scratches on the top or holes in the back. In the end, your contractor is only required to to deliver products that are reasonably acceptable.

Close the doors and drawers and look at the front of the cabinets... if there is no visible problem, then there is likely no reasonable problem.

Good luck.

I don’t know that anyone can say for certain that “there is not going to be scratches”, damage or marks made from the previous hardware properly installed….it is certainly a possibility that there could be. And since it was their mistake, I would want a guarantee from my builder that there won’t be a lot of obvious and noticeable “touch-ups” that I will be forced to accept after all is said and done.

These pulls could also be the kind with screws on the top, in which case, I would not want to see patched up holes on the top edge every time I opened every single drawer. OP would need to show some photos and remove one of the pulls to see if any damage was done by just installing them. Pulls/knobs can permanently mark the finish of a cabinet when the pull/knob is tightened and makes an imprint on the finish. Been there, done that, and had to leave behind expensive hand forged pulls, that I had hoped to replace with cheaper options before I sold the house.

There is a lot of speculation here and it would be would be helpful if the OP provided more info about how the existing pulls are installed. That one, tiny photo does not provide any detail to show whether there are only screw holes on the back side (a non-issue in my view), or are properly installed by having the top edge routed out (a significant issue).

MaryJane, I am doing a custom home and believe me, my builder would be buying all new fronts at his expense, if he drilled any holes in the cabinets without consulting with me. I choose all the finishes, so he doesn't get to just use some pulls he had in his warehouse. We actually go over most things like this at least twice and then follow up with written confirmation.

MaryJane, they own the land, but this is a custom home I'm building with them. So w.e is on contract, they should go according to plan. I even had to hunt down for a response every time I want to confirm something... Its been draining.

These pulls could also be the kind with screws on the top, in which case, I would not want to see patched up holes on the top edge every time I opened every single drawer.

and

That one, tiny photo does not provide any detail to show whether there are only screw holes on the back side (a non-issue in my view), or are properly installed by having the top edge routed out (a significant issue).

Just to be clear, the OP noted, "I'm worried about having the holes in the back of all my cabinet/drawer doors..." So we did know that the holes were drilled in the back. We can also assume that the OP might mention a worry about a massive routed out top rather than screw holes in the back were the hinges installed via routing.

Very few manufacturers of edge finger pulls advise routing as proper installation as it is likely to void the warranty on the entire cabinet finish. So, I doubt many people install them that way and it certainly not the proper way, I guess you might have to on very tight inset cabinets, but on frameless or any overlay proper installation would be hinge adjustment rather than routing. Given it wasn't mentioned I think we were safe in assuming it wasn't routed.

ETA: Apparently this was clarified by the OP as I was typing this.

they own the land, but this is a custom home I'm building with them.

How are you paying for the build? Is the construction being paid for as you go either by you or your bank, or are you closing at the end of the loan.

I don't think you have a strong position either way. Asking someone to replace doors because of something that wouldn't even be considered cosmetic is a very big ask and I simply don't see you having a strong position. Your position is further weakened if you are paying for a completed home at closing. Typically, there is a clause in any production home contract that limits your rights in a breach (and I would really struggle to believe this qualifies as a material breach) so the builder is usually in a much better position to say no.

Honestly, feel free to ask, but cabinet doors are expensive so I just don't see it working out. Feel free to consult with an expert in your area, call other cabinet shops and see if they think replacing all the doors are reasonable, call an attorney if you would like. You might be able to ask for new doors and settle for a bit of a credit, which might be a great plan.

I paid 30% downpayment already. 5% at closing left to pay..

MaryJane.. Im just asking for opinions to help me make a decision. I paid for the house so its gunna be a house I own.. and its not theirs when they finish it. I am still a customer and gave them business cus I trusted them. They screwed up on what I signed on my contract. They also scammed me putting the wrong tub when it was signed off as something more expensive. I had to ask and they hesitantly told me its not what u asked for. I fought for it and thank god it was changed. So that's why I'm pissed off again on how they still make a mistake after I gave them all the details. Yet I still feel slightly unreasonable to ask but wanted to ask what others think of this...

I hate those pulls/handles on that design. Have them show you one of the repaired product. If you're happy tell them you'll inspect every one at their shop before they reinstall.

I will do that. Thanks!

Those handles look like they were done by someone who doesn’t know the basics of installing hardware on cabinets. The placement looks wrong. Am I getting this right that the contractor went ahead and picked the hardware himself and installed it without running it by you? That wasn’t very smart. You’re going to be looking at those handles every day so if it’s going to bother you, fix the problem now. Have him do one and see how it comes out. Find out what voids the cabinet guarantee (like cracks) and go from there. I’m building a home and my builder would never pull that.

yes! they basically ignored what i told them to get...... all my cabinetry are affected. i wanted gold pulls and knobs btw

'Unreasonable' is ignoring what the customer selected and using different hardware instead. Even if small holes are in a virtually unseen spot--you will see it occasionally. What if the builder had decided to install green cabinet doors and then offered to repaint? Or instead of the shaker doors used flat panels and then offered to install trim?

After your tale of a less pricy tub being foisted on you---check out other things this builder has installed.

When I address comments like this, I do so from a legal/dispute resolution standpoint. Again, ask your builder for the moon if you really want to. However, I believe there are several factors that will likely impede your forcing him to do anything.

(1) There are a lot of holes and screws inside cabinets, you are going to have to demonstrate that these are damaging while others are not. Which is going to be a struggle. Please note, this would be completely different if the holes were on the front as they will be when your new handles are installed.

(2) Filled holes and touch up paint are industry standards and you are only entitled to acceptable industry standard cabinets. You are going to have a tough time overcoming that.

(3) What does your contract say about him breaching? If he has a standard breach clause in the contract, likely the only thing you can demand is the return of your deposit and termination of the contract.

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I do understand your frustration and I sympathize. However, I will caution against charging head-first into this because of internet opinions from strangers without any skin in the game.

"they basically ignored what i told them to get"

Was the hardware selection in writing or only verbal?

This wouldn't be the hill I would choose as a buyer.

It was signed off on paper

Most if not all builders would do as @bry911 offers.

There could be many reasons your selection fell through the cracks besides maternity leave.

The sale is still in process. There are much more important items to deal with than easily repaired holes in the back of a paint grade cabinet door.

Hopefully you can enjoy your new home while many wait due to shipping delays, shortages of skilled labor, truckers, etc. and outright cancellation and reduction of product lines.

Good luck.