@darbuka We are still waiting on a custom panel to cover the over the range hood and directly above the stove on the wall is a vent fan that exhausts to the outside. I believe the combination is sufficient to protect our health, as much as any gas range in a small apartment?

I skimmed over the replies but wanted to answer without being influenced by others. I'm a homeowner who recently refreshed their kitchen (countertop, backsplash, floor, hardware, had cabinets painted).

• I LOVE your cabinets? Are they new? Vintage with paint? They are simple but oh so pretty.
• The quartzite is beautiful!
• The gap near the range is concerning, especially if they templated for that appliance. The angle may just be the result of a non-plumb area. Our small counter near our refrigerator was angled as the area wasn't square. We found out just how "unsquare" it was when we had the carpenter make some updates to the cabinet it rests on.
• They should tell you WHY they had to cut it that way. Was there a break? Fissure? Did something happen with their machines that damaged the slab?
• What does your contract say? Either way, they should have called you or at least emailed you a picture of how it would look with the change.
• I think it looks very nice but I understand why you're unhappy. When you plan something and it turns out different it is frustrating. Not getting an answer just adds to the issue.

Good luck and please let us know what happens.

@User @Joseph Corlett, LLC Points noted. I have definitely been called picky before in my life, but I'm trying to determine if I should accept it as is as you suggest, tweak the island or replace it entirely. It is my money to spend after all and I posted to see if the burden of the cost to change is all on us before deciding what to do.

"I'm so sorry that happened. It angers me that some folks are coming in here to tell you that you should just accept it."

We do not have 100% of the details for you to make that much of a blanket statement @stiley.

Just had to say on behalf of the OP that @Joseph Corlett, LLC‘s response of ”picky picky picky” was out of line, and most certainly not the response of someone who calls himself a ”Pro”. More like a crotchety angry old man with nothing else to say. Pity that the OP could not get a more cogent response from ”Pros”.

To the OP - we cannot see what your preferred layout was, so just viewing the pics, the stone looks beautiful as is.

What does your contract say about adhering to your choice of layout? If it says they must, then a new slab would be on their dollar. As to your choice #2, it is bad not to have an overhang - it will allow drips down your cabinetry, I would not do it. As to the large angled gap on one side, you can get filler pieces cut from stainless steel, this is not difficult. Or perhaps a Pro can chime in (not Joseph Corlett evidently) with advice on that.

I hope you’re right….but what you have shown doesn't look deep enough to extrude the cooking plume from the front burners, nor is it the suggested 2” wider on both sides of the cooking surface, for full capture. Then, there is the issue of CFMs, and makeup air…

Without seeing what the other option was or what you envisioned, I'd have never guessed that there was an error. it looks gorgeous, and I think the island is my favorite part. There's so much intrigue there. I would be pretty happy with it if it were mine. HOWEVER, I would absolutely make a fuss over not gettin wha was discussed and agreed upon; even if it's beautiful as is, it's incorrect, and I would not be happy to accept an error without an explanation, apology, and ideally a discount of some sort.

Hard to say where the angled bit is coming from by the stove, though crooked walls should have been accounted for during templating. Would they be willing to address that piece? Is there any slab left to remake just that piece if they are? Honestly, though, it may not be worth the hassel of trying to get it fixed ... I'd probably take a discount on that issue, too, if they offered ... hard to say if I'd pay more to deal with it without seeing it in person.

From a contractual analysis, your negotiation with the installer will depend on what was agreed upon IN WRITING

Do you have a template that was signed or initialled by both parties or otherwise is evidence that you wanted a certain layout and they did not follow the template.

If you have that in writing then the installer can not simply decide to do another layout at their *discretion*. If there was an objective reason why the layout wouldn't work they should have notified you when you were discussing the layout initially OR should have contacted you before they starting cutting to let you know what had been agreed upon by BOTH parties couldn't be done - OBJECTIVELY

If there is no written evidence of the agreed upon template, then there really isn't much you can do because then the template is at their "discretion" which covers a lot of territory. Objectively it might not be the result you wanted but it is still lovely and you would not be able to *demand* a replacement slab or anything else that was expensive.

At best you might be able to *negotiate* some kind of minor fix or discount. I don't understand the issue of the corner so I am not commenting on that aspect.

Also, as @spagano pointed out, the gap between the stone and range shouldn’t be there…if it had been templated properly. If the gap is not addressed, guaranteed, food particles will fall between, and fall to the floor. Trust me, it will happen.

Another thought on a bit by the stove, if they cannot make a new piece from your slab, perhaps you could go with a different material there. Something like concrete could probably be made to the exact shape, colored to correspond, and would be heat resistant (if you use the right sealer), or maybe something unique with tempered glass ... Basically, the idea being something that would look intentional and have some added function.

On the island--if they had cut the stone to have the white area centered, then the really cool looking 'dark river' part of the stone would have been lost. It is that dark area that really makes the stone unique. That is the real feature in the stone, not the white cloud.

Zero overhang cabinet tops adjacent to the stone is generally how counter tops are fitted.

Check the stove installation directions for minimum side clearance so you know how much gap you are supposed to have.

Countertops generally are installed with zero overhang on the sides that abut appliances.

@millworkman true, but when the first two responses are from men who dismiss her concerns with words like “kwityourbitchen” and “picky, picky, picky,” that ruffles my feathers. They didn’t ask any questions either.

I mean, true in the sense that the fabricator isn’t here to tell their side. I didn’t make a blanket statement. There are people who told her to just accept it and move on.

Was that the only piece of that stone?

since the range manufacturers have largely abandoned integrated flanges on ranges

You get the gap when you have a freestanding range.

If you want the 'flange', then you buy a slide in or drop in range.

OP's range appears to be a freestanding range.

I agree with some of the others. The most important piece of information right now is what is written and signed for on your contract ( or any email communication stating what the template would be ).

I don't fell like you are being picky - I think that this isn't looking like what you thought it would so you feel like it is wrong. Understandable.

Try to take a day or 2 and just look at the overall of the kitchen. The tops really do look beautiful.

I would however push for something to be done about that gap! Was the stove in place when the template was done?

Hang in there!

”We do not have 100% of the details for you to make that much of a blanket statement @stiley.”

True @millworkman, and for that exact reason of not having all the details, the comments by @Joseph Corlett, LLC and @User were also unwarranted. How is it they get a pass but @stiley gets chided?

If gap is thin enough stone next to stove should be reinstalled next to stove to close the gap. Then a short backsplash like rest of kitchen stone installed on the right. Might need wood filler under it. Will look like meant to be there. Very nice stone leave rest as is.

FWIW they do sell stainless "things" which you put in so that there isn't a gap between the stove and the counter. The gap is going occur in any stove that isn't built in - i.e. a slide in. I don't know what the industry standard is in terms of leaving gaps but I assume there needs to be some gap for clearance.

Prior to the remodel I had a regular stove with gaps on either side. I shudder to think of all of the crud that must have fallen between the gap over the years. I had investigated stop gap (no pun intended) measures like the insert that can be placed between the sides but never got one so I don't know how they work in real life.

I am not the most fastidious housekeeper - are people supposed to pull out their stoves periodically to clean? I know theoretically one is supposed to roll your refrigerator out but refrigerators have wheels and a simpler connection - especially in terms of what a gas connection must be like.

I recently had marble and soapstone counters installed. When I went in to approve the template, I did not like the way it was done. We worked together on another template and I approved it via email.

On the morning of installation, the corner of one of the slabs was broken. I worked with them on a new template. The first template they showed me was not good. It looked very unbalanced. There is no way I would have accepted the countertops with that template.

When I selected and purchased my stones (3 slabs), I was very specific about what I liked about each slab and how I wanted them done. I had them write on my invoice that I had final approval on templating. I had them write on the slabs - for the island and -for the backsplash.

The reason I was so "picky, picky, picky" is that 15 years ago I selected beautiful granite slabs and pointed out exactly what I loved about them to the fabricator. I also ordered a matching outdoor table. At the time, I did not know customers could approve the actual templates. When the counters were installed, he used my favorite part for the outdoor table. He disregarded everything I said. He did them to his aesthetic preference. We often wondered if he used the right slabs. It was a lot of money and we were very disappointed in the outcome.

It may not be a big deal for some people, but people fall in love with slabs for particular reasons. My soapstone has beautiful veining that looks like a seahorse. The marble has the most exquisite area that is ethereal to me. Those areas were very influential in my choosing the slabs. If they were omitted, I would not have been happy.

Your counters are beautiful.

This is how you make sure the templating is done as you want it:

Belvedere soapstone, from M. Teixeira

You are not being too picky. I hope there is written evidence of the agreed-upon template.

Since this has been asked, I wanted to share that I pushed for a template showing how the slab would be cut and have email confirmation of my selection. What we received is very different and I didn’t know that it was this way until it arrived inside my apartment. After I called them, they claimed that there was a crack that prevented them from cutting to the chosen template. But I have to take them at their word for this because they never thought to tell me in advance of showing up after many weeks of delay.

I should note that I selected a fabricator that was recommended by several folks in my neighborhood group as being on the more expensive side, but really good, so I’m not sure why my experience has been so different. Prior to this there was an issue where I was accused of not having reserved the slab in time, before someone else also reserved it. However, the process explained to me at the warehouse was that my making the deposit with my fabricator was what held my deposit on the slab. Communication, service and timeliness flagged once they took my 75% deposit.

Thanks for the input, from all, really. Even the votes of confidence on how it is, which I thought would sting, give me a bit of comfort. I’m not ready to just accept this without fully exploring all options and getting an appropriate response from the fabricator.

@spagano thank you! The cabinets are truly the biggest glow up from the original kitchen. We kept the base cabinets and replaced the doors with Slim/skinny shaker style doors and European hinges.

I have recently had quartzite installed. The natural veining is hard to line up as well as a man made stone might. I was put off by the initial installation and my installers encountered a crack as well — natural stone — and change our agreed template to accommodate the problem. There’s only so much that can be done with a limited amount of stone. I was sure it looked awful but I now get all kinds of compliments and I don’t notice any of the seams or patterns on which I initially focused. I think it looks lovely and brightens up that peninsula very nicely. I think once everything is in place it will look pretty fantastic.

Personally, I think I might like whatyou got better than what you selected. You selected whatyou like, though, and what I like doesn't really matter in your kitchen. You're never going to prove either way whether there was actually a crack that decided the layout, and whether itwas a natural issue or a mistake doesn't change that the slab is cut and is not changable at this point, so I wouldn't worry about the how. As you said, there was no discussion as to you ultimately receiving a layout you didn't select until after you saw what was done. Now, they may have just been hoping that you'd love it, and the difference would not come up, but it would have been nice if they'd mentioned 'oh, there was a crack, so we had to make some adjustments; we only had one option without adding more seams' before you discovered it for yourself. It sounds like you've gotten as good of an explanation as you're likely to get. (They're unlikely to extrapulate further on the crack explanation.) I'd still be looking for an apology, if they haven't already apologized, a suggestion for how they could work with you to remedy the issue (good or bad, they should be suggesting something), and if they want you to settle for what you have for layout, I'd be expecting a discount ... if they're not offering, make them an offer like Jennifer Hogan suggested withroom to compromise.

@ci_lantro

http://www.dndb.info/whirlpools-slide-in-ranges-are-not-slide-in-ranges/

Tish, all I can say is that I'm sorry for the disappointments you are facing. However, your island is dreamy, I love the Nuage Majestic quartzite, its gorgeous.

Hi Tish. I’m sorry you didn’t get what you wanted- I’m sure it stings. I will say that I looked at your pic several times and all I saw was beautiful stone in its natural randomness. Seriously it’s gorgeous. I do hope you can work something out to your satisfaction. FYI — Me liking your kitchen doesn’t take away the fact that you have a right to get what you asked / paid for. Good luck to you!

The nasty trolls are out tonight. Why do people put up with them?

Absolutely beautiful countertop! i think its beautiful as is, but you paid alot of money for it. So its your choice whether you should take action with the fabricator.

As others have said, if you discussed templates, etc, its all in writing, and they messed up, then the company needs to remedy the situation

I do have a question about the wall thats to the right of your range, and butts up to the island. Is that wall straight? In the picture of the full kitchen it almost looks slightly angled. The island is adjoined to that wall and the countertop doesnt look straight. Maybe its the picture itself that is off.

If that wall is not perfectly straight, would that account for the space difference between the range and the countertop? Not sure if the fabricator measured that small section in full rather than spot? Sorry i dont know if my question makes sense:(

In the end i think you do have legitimate concerns and i hope the company can rectify them for you

Jennifer--This is Bosch's slide in.

True what you are saying about Whirpool...which probably includes Amana, Maytag and Kitchen Aid. And it looks like this is also true of GE and Frigidaire. No flanges. GE makes a drop-in range but that requires a cabinet at the base of the drop in. Not a good look & I would not invest in it.

Bosch may be the only true slide in.

If Bosch appliances are anywhere near as good as their power tools, I would not hesitate to buy.

I have a Wolf range top. No flanges. Would be nice if Wolf did but I can see why they don't offer it. Would require precise customization in a one-size fits all factory cabinet world with 'just' semi-custom being a step up. And the added variables (thickness) in counter tops to throw another monkey wrench into the machinery.

But ranges would be much easier given adjustments in the legs/ feet.

"@Verbo @Joseph Corlett, LLC Points noted. I have definitely been called picky before in my life..."

Tish S-K:

Thanks for taking my advice in the spirit in which it was intended and vindicating my position. Sometimes the most cogent response is the shortest. If you wanted commisseration, you would have shared with your mom or your sister. You wanted perspective, Verbo and I delivered, and that's the exact thing that makes this site valuable.

@RoyHobbs, true but the pro's gave their opinions, which is what everyone's reply basically is. What I commented on was made made as a statement.

You don't need to be a pro to know the product delivered was not what was agreed upon. The fabricator could have called her when they realized they would not be able to deliver the agreed-upon template. How hard is that? My fabricator let me know our slab broke and we needed to approve a new template.

Something tells me the people who tell her to quit her bitching and stop being picky would raise heck if they paid a lot of money and received something that was different than what was agreed upon.

OP, there have been many, many, many posts where an unhappy OP was chided for not approving the template. Some people just want to blame the customer.

@millworkman I did not make a blanket statement. Saying "it angers me" is not anything against anybody. Am I not allowed to feel how I feel? I can't wrap my head around why that bothered you so much. It sounds like what you're staying is that people can be as rude as they want to, as long as they're just giving their opinion. Is that what you're saying? I'm trying to teach my elementary-aged children the opposite: they can't say whatever they want and excuse it with things like, "It's just my opinion!" or "I'm just being honest!" I understand that tone can get lost when things are only being typed, so maybe the posters meant it in a lighthearted way, but we all have to remember that tone doesn't translate on forums; you have to actually be kind and helpful with your words.

These forums are for lay people to get some help and sometimes a reality check, and for people to share their experiences, but there's no excuse for rudeness. And for the OP's question--why not hold a professional to do what they say they're going to do? That's the bare minimum.

"Sometimes the most cogent response is the shortest. If you wanted commisseration, you would have shared with your mom or your sister. You wanted perspective"

@Joseph Corlett, LLC you're response of "picky, picky, picky" does not fulfill the definition of "cogent". In addition, the OP wanted answers to her specific questions and issues, which the "Pros" on this thread did not provide. You doubled down in your second comment above - still not helping the OP or providing any edifying information that a Pro should have in his arsenal. I have also seen your frequent comments on this forum about how you won't tolerate customers who do not speak to you with respect or who behave childishly. Look at your own self. "Picky picky picky" is not something you should be defending as an appropriate response, Pro or not.

To the OP - now that you have shown your preferred slab layout, I have to say that I like what you got instead. I sincerely do, and I think the cost to change it will be in aggravation and stress and most of all, time, for not much benefit in the change. It's so lovely what you got. Also you may not find another slab as nice as what you have.

@millworkman - if you had received those "Pro" responses to any questions you had re a very expensive purchase, you would not be happy. Please explain what is the point of "Pro" designations on this forum if the only helpful responses on this thread were from non-Pros? If the aim of the "Pros" on this forum is to have an outlet for their contempt, then the "Pros" should leave and go to Twitter since all they want to say are childish peevish commentary that is no help to anyone - and then defend that stance to boot as you have just done.

RoyHobbs:

Here is the definition of cogent: cogent

See synonyms for cogent

Translate cogent into Spanish

ADJECTIVE

(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.‘they put forward cogent arguments for British membership’

Since my reply was clear, logical, and convincing, it met the definition of cogent, so please stop mischaracterizing.

My answer was helpful. The OP suffered a lack of perspective which I brought. I was never "disrespectful" or "childish". Again, please stop your mischaracterization of me. I'd suggest you review the TOS of this site for a refresher.

My circumstances as a professional aren't relevant as to my argument. Ad hominem circumstantial logical fallacy of relevance.

@RoyHobbs, free advice and opinions are what you get on a free basically anonymous website. Take it or leave it, it is up to the op. Right, wrong or indifferent it is what it is. The op did not take it offensively or if they did they chose to ignore it. Kudo's to them if that is what they did. I am done on this topic.

Just thought that I would add, I wouldn't pop the island and spin it ... it's an unnecessary risk and disruption. I truly believe that you will come to love the current island, if you choose to leave it, and that flipping the top would not necessarily improve that. Could it be popped and flipped as you describe, maybe ... might it or the cabinets get damaged in the process, could happen ... it wouldn't be worth the risk to me, but then I like it as is ...

I showed it to someone else, and their comment was that they loved how the white cloud aligned with the white wall, almost like reflecting it.

Also, I have to say, compared to a lot of the countertop issues posted on this site, your counter is great, which may be why your neighbors were all so happy. The gap is really the only *install* issue ... the layout issue is a whole separate thing and may not have been relevant to your neighbors' counters (A. they may not have had much movement to worry about, B. they may not have cared what templating they got C. their slabs probably didn't crack, so they got the template selected).

Love your kitchen! I often read here that 4” backsplashes are dated and should be replaced by full height tile. Yours looks lovely, clean and perfect for the room.

Another discussion on quartz around a range. . .

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6274567/quartz-edge-at-stove#27806666

Shows how close it should be.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC - no one by any stretch would describe your comment ”picky picky picky” as ”cogent”. And you always pull out that “ad hominem” phrase when you can’t come up with anything else. Back since you were under the name of Trebruchet. You have a lot of knowledge to share, but its a shame when you refuse to.

@millworkman - the Houzz ”Pro” title should be disabled on this forum. Anyone can just click on it under their Houzz profile and call themselves a Pro whether they are one or not. Unfortunately the title means people will irrationally agree with the ”Pro” no matter what they say. It’s like the story ”The Emperor Has No Clothes”. Seen it on this forum for years, which is why I think that Houzz should disable the title on this forum.

@Tish S-K

There is nothing I hate more than someone telling me a boldface lie.

I would be asking the fabricator exactly where the crack was that allowed them to cut your slab the way they did vs the way you agreed to have it cut.

I was curious about the possibility that they could cut another piece for your section beside the stove, so I used your template choices to piece the puzzle together.

From what I could piece together they used virtually the entire slab with almost no waste

I think they lied about the crack and this was absolutely their screw up.

It does seem that most of the slab was used. However, to play devil's advocate, if there were a crack about half way up the slab on the darker side, it could have made it so that all the pieces could still be cut, but the L couldn't be cut from the dark side without an additional seam or crack repair.

This:

I have no skin in this countertop game here. But I just wanna say I appreciate everyone’s insight and templates, drawings, etc. I’m moving to a rental home next week but hope to buy soon. I’m sure that house will need help - so thank you all for providing different points of view. Carry on. 🤗

"Since my reply was clear, logical, and convincing, it met the definition of cogent, so please stop mischaracterizing."

Your initial response was clear, but neither logical nor convincing, ergo, not cogent.

@Jennifer Hogan @BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA Thank you both SO much for your thoughtful points and really taking the time to help me think this through. I'm so tired of this whole process and am not interested in seeking a refund but I do feel empowered by this thread to make sure they go above and beyond to make what they can make right, right. I'd prefer to have an uneven line on the wall side than the huge gaps on the side of the range. I'm still torn on flipping the island, because it seems like the best middle of the road solution. I really wanted the island to have a cleaner look, with the cloud/intriguing bits on the wall behind the stove, but unless I spend $$,$$$ to buy a new slab, I am not going to get that.

To add a layer of 'where I'm coming from,' this apartment is IT for us. We got a pandemic deal and could otherwise not even dream of being able to comfortably raise our kids in this neighborhood. If I'm going to look at these counters for the next 20+ years, I need to think every option to death while there's still slabs remaining from the same lot.

"If I'm going to look at these counters for the next 20+ years, I need to think every option to death while there's still slabs remaining from the same lot."

Tish S-K:

This is excellent reasoning. Money comes and goes, but the resentment at not having spent it every time you make coffee in the morning does not.

See if you can put a hold on a matching slab for a month or so to give yourself time to see if this really drives you crazy or if you were just over-thinking it.