Island top snafu -- need ideas

4 years ago

I am in the process of building a house. The original plan for the island shows an island base of 7' and a top around it with seating on two sides.

We asked that the island was extended to 8' and seating on one side only. I thought the builder and the Amish cabinet maker worked this out.

Additionally the Amish cabinet maker is making a butcher block top. Because I told him that I did not want seating at the end, he interpreted this as shortening the island/island top. He also forgot to build the overhang on the other side. (He did agree to fix it.)

The Amish cabinet maker told the builder that he would charge me for a new top. The builder told me that I have to work this out with him. (Although the builder hired the cabinet maker, so I do not think it is my place to work it out with him nor should I pay for a new top.)

Is it possible to turn the existing island sideways and add on to it, and just cut the "extra" edge.

Do you have any guidance or solutions? Thanks!

Featured Answer

dan1888

4 years ago

I see two separate changes. "We asked that the island was extended to 8' and seating on one side only." This was the final configuration. The builder was responsible for making sure this was supplied. . . .Second, "Additionally the Amish cabinet maker is making a butcher block top. Because I told him that I did not want seating at the end, he interpreted this as shortening the island/island top." This suggests you took responsibility away from your builder when you communicated specs directly to the cabinetmaker. You and the cabinetmaker did not clearly specify the required dimensions. Probably a physical list of specs and a drawing would be more likely to avoid misinterpretation. But you're not a GC with experience in what it takes to guarantee success in the construction trades. Your inexperience led to the mistake. You should take a second stab at the communication process. This time include written specs and a scale drawing when you ask the cabinetmaker to build something for you. Of course, you should pay him for his work on this new object. Consider it a learning experience. You're paying for an important lesson.

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Comments (6)

Rachel
4 years ago
Do you have the change order in writing with the builder? If so, I'd say he is responsible for working this out with the sub.
Elizabeth thanked Rachel
Elizabeth
Original Author
4 years ago
I do not have a change order. Thus, on account of that it would seem to me that the builder would have to work this out with the sub to provide the original island length.
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devonfield
4 years ago
Ask your builder if you can add in a section of stone counter to make up for the shortfall. To do this, you would need to have the wood section secured such that it provides the overhang you originally requested and then the remaining "L" shaped gap would be templated for stone.

It would be very important to ensure the wood height and stone heights matched. Here is an example, but your shape would have a right angle to accommodate for the short-fall in length and width.
Elizabeth thanked devonfield
bmorepanic
4 years ago
Without a signed change order, maybe flourish whatever proof of agreement between you and the builder about the change you have at your builder? As a customer, I have learned to love change orders.
Elizabeth thanked bmorepanic
Fori
4 years ago
You should not have to deal with subcontractors. If you end up having to pay for a new top, buy it from someone else out of spite.

(Why is it at all relevant that the cabinetmaker is Amish? Are there different rules or something?)