Ikea kitchen worktop

thameside_2

Hello I would like peoples advice and views on this please.

I ordered a custom kitchen worktop from Ikea last July and fitted it myself. To cut a long story short the worktop has swollen underneath by the dishwasher after only about 3 weeks use. Ikea have come and inspected the worktop and have stated that it is a manufacturing fault.

They have offered to replace and install the worktop now or I can wait to see of the problem gets any worse and replace it at a later date. The only problem with this is I have 2 young children (3 year old and a 4 month old baby) and the shape of the kitchen and worktop is not straight forward and complete.

It is U shape kitchen and the worktop has mitred joints, I also ordered an extra piece to create a cover panel at one end of the worktop. Also I have a ceramic sink that has been siliconed in. I am a toolmaker and a bit of a perfectionist and feel the worktop will not be installed to my standard also with young children in the house we can't be without a kitchen for more than a day.

After contacting them and asking rather than replace the worktop would it be possible for a full refund plus the cost of installation as compensation with the intent that the guarantee will be void, to which they replied they are only willing to refund the worktop as they have offered to replace the worktop.

I understand their offer is ok but when I asked what if the new worktop is not installed to my specification or standard the operator sniggered and replied "they won't leave it in a mess" so I asked again so what happens if I am not happy with the work, they laughed again and said "they will do it to your specification". I also asked what if my sink gets damaged to which they replied " you will have to source another and we will reimburse the money".


Just wondering if anybody has any advice or views on this, its not just the quality of the work I am concerned about but the sink took over 2 weeks to get and my partner really doesn't want the upheaval. I think it will take about 2 -3 days to do, don't know how long Ikea allocate to do this kind of work.

wealdroam

thameside wrote: »

Hello I would like peoples advice and views on this please.

I ordered a custom kitchen worktop from Ikea last July and fitted it myself. To cut a long story short the worktop has swollen underneath by the dishwasher after only about 3 weeks use. Ikea have come and inspected the worktop and have stated that it is a manufacturing fault.

They have offered to replace and install the worktop now or I can wait to see of the problem gets any worse and replace it at a later date. The only problem with this is I have 2 young children (3 year old and a 4 month old baby) and the shape of the kitchen and worktop is not straight forward and complete.

It is U shape kitchen and the worktop has mitred joints, I also ordered an extra piece to create a cover panel at one end of the worktop. Also I have a ceramic sink that has been siliconed in. I am a toolmaker and a bit of a perfectionist and feel the worktop will not be installed to my standard also with young children in the house we can't be without a kitchen for more than a day.

After contacting them and asking rather than replace the worktop would it be possible for a full refund plus the cost of installation as compensation with the intent that the guarantee will be void, to which they replied they are only willing to refund the worktop as they have offered to replace the worktop.

I understand their offer is ok but when I asked what if the new worktop is not installed to my specification or standard the operator sniggered and replied "they won't leave it in a mess" so I asked again so what happens if I am not happy with the work, they laughed again and said "they will do it to your specification". I also asked what if my sink gets damaged to which they replied " you will have to source another and we will reimburse the money".


Just wondering if anybody has any advice or views on this, its not just the quality of the work I am concerned about but the sink took over 2 weeks to get and my partner really doesn't want the upheaval. I think it will take about 2 -3 days to do, don't know how long Ikea allocate to do this kind of work.

I'll just comment on the bold bit...

You want the cost of installation refunded, yet earlier you told us that you installed it yourself. Thus the cost of installation was nothing.

Also... did you know that the underside of worktops above dishwashers should be protected from excess heat and moisture?

tomtontom

You're coming across as pretty difficult. Ikea has offered a very reasonable remedy to your problem. Chances are they will not damage the sink and they will complete the work to an acceptable standard. Stop dwelling on the worst case scenario and let them come in and sort it.

marliepanda

Let them replace it, you're being ridiculously difficult.

Nothing about having 2 children that young makes it impossible to live without a kitchen for 'more than a day' I have had joiners in my kitchen fitting my wooden worktop, I have a flooring guy in a couple weeks later laying the floor, all whilst getting the kitchen fitted around it, and then yesterday we had no cooker as we had to get rid of the gas in advance.

I was still able to use my kitchen sink, taps, fridge, cooker (until yesterday) microwave, kettle etc throughout. You are making a massive inconvenience where there isnt one.

visidigi

Agreed, being difficult

Additionally I hope you bought one of these when you fitted it...

They make them for a reason...http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/04375085/

(we have one, and a cheaper ranged worktop from Ikea which is in perfect nick...)

thameside_2

wealdroam I was asking for the cost of their installation as a level of compensation not what it cost me to install the worktop as that will be have to be added to the warranty claim if I get the worktop replaced, also yes I do know there should be protection from the dishwasher it came with the Ikea dishwasher that I bought it's called a diffuser barrier but the dishwasher was also faulty a service engineer came out and adjusted the door.

It's easier to fit a kitchen and have the upheaval but when the kitchen is completely installed it makes it a lot harder and unfortunately working within engineering it has been built in me to look at the worse case scenarios.

I appriciate your replies but don't think you realise the complexity of the situation without seeing it.

marliepanda

thameside wrote: »

wealdroam I was asking for the cost of their installation as a level of compensation not what it cost me to install the worktop as that will be have to be added to the warranty claim if I get the worktop replaced, also yes I do know there should be protection from the dishwasher it came with the Ikea dishwasher that I bought it's called a diffuser barrier but the dishwasher was also faulty a service engineer came out and adjusted the door.

It's easier to fit a kitchen and have the upheaval but when the kitchen is completely installed it makes it a lot harder and unfortunately working within engineering it has been built in me to look at the worse case scenarios.

I appriciate your replies but don't think you realise the complexity of the situation without seeing it.

You can't expect others to act and 'compensate' you based on worse case scenarios. Asking them to refund something you didnt pay for compo is daft. Youre overreacting and I am not surprised they apparently 'sniggered.'

Let them fix the worktop. Its not hard.

If your worst case scenario comes true, then come back and ask people for help. If it doesnt, happy days!

thameside_2

Visidigi no need to get funny I'm not stupid also if you read the article properly IKEA have admitted it is a manufacturing fault on the worktop.

wealdroam

thameside wrote: »

wealdroam I was asking for the cost of their installation as a level of compensation not what it cost me to install the worktop as that will be have to be added to the warranty claim if I get the worktop replaced, also yes I do know there should be protection from the dishwasher it came with the Ikea dishwasher that I bought it's called a diffuser barrier but the dishwasher was also faulty a service engineer came out and adjusted the door.

It's easier to fit a kitchen and have the upheaval but when the kitchen is completely installed it makes it a lot harder and unfortunately working within engineering it has been built in me to look at the worse case scenarios.

I appriciate your replies but don't think you realise the complexity of the situation without seeing it.

I too have an engineering background and also fitted my own kitchen. I also understand your apprehension in allowing others to carry out the 'repair'.

However, they have offered to supply replacement parts and fit them.
That is all you are entitled to.

I am sure they would be happy to just supply the replacement parts and allow you to fit them, but then you would have to take responsibility for the installation.

You are being unreasonable.

unholyangel

thameside wrote: »

wealdroam I was asking for the cost of their installation as a level of compensation not what it cost me to install the worktop as that will be have to be added to the warranty claim if I get the worktop replaced, also yes I do know there should be protection from the dishwasher it came with the Ikea dishwasher that I bought it's called a diffuser barrier but the dishwasher was also faulty a service engineer came out and adjusted the door.

It's easier to fit a kitchen and have the upheaval but when the kitchen is completely installed it makes it a lot harder and unfortunately working within engineering it has been built in me to look at the worse case scenarios.

I appriciate your replies but don't think you realise the complexity of the situation without seeing it.

There are two approaches to remedying a contract. One is to put you in the position you would have been in had the item not been faulty - which ikea are offering to do by replacing it at which point you will not receive any refund and have a replacement worktop.

The other is to put you into the position you would have been in had the contract not been entered into. Had the contract not been entered into, you'd have a full refund and no worktop.

No remedy in law allows you to even have the worktop and full refund - never mind to be paid installation costs as well! I would kindly suggest that perhaps the situation is more complex than you yourself realise.

tomtontom

thameside wrote: »

wealdroam I was asking for the cost of their installation as a level of compensation not what it cost me to install the worktop as that will be have to be added to the warranty claim if I get the worktop replaced, also yes I do know there should be protection from the dishwasher it came with the Ikea dishwasher that I bought it's called a diffuser barrier but the dishwasher was also faulty a service engineer came out and adjusted the door.

It's easier to fit a kitchen and have the upheaval but when the kitchen is completely installed it makes it a lot harder and unfortunately working within engineering it has been built in me to look at the worse case scenarios.

I appriciate your replies but don't think you realise the complexity of the situation without seeing it.

It's a kitchen worktop with a fitted sink. You make it sound like a trip to outer space!