New Kitchen - 2 small snags/issues

que-sera-sera_2

We have had a new kitchen fitted this week. It looks fab and the fitter has done a really great job, really nice guy. There are 2 minor snags but I don’t know if we are just being particularly picky? I will upload some photos for ref.

Re. the worktop/upstand. This is in the utility. We went for quartz in the kitchen but chose laminate for the utility to save a few pound. In hindsight, I wish we had just gone for quartz. Anyway, the laminate has ripped/peeled ever so slightly on the edge. Are we being picky? I don’t know how it easy it would be to replace that section of upstand without damaging the wall and worktop…

The other issue is a tiny hole in the top cutlery drawer. I don’t think it will be visible once the quartz is on but you will see it whenever you open the drawer. Should we ask for a replacement drawer?

Advice/opinions welcome.

For context, we used our neighbours independent/family run kitchen company. And one of their fitters. I HATE complaining and rarely ever do. But as my husband said, we have paid a lot of money for this kitchen. We want it to be perfect.

Bendy_House

Although not major, these are still both legitimate complaints, and not at all unreasonable to bring to their attention.

Some folk would tolerate it, but that is not to say it should be.

With the upstand, has the laminate lifted away? Can it be pushed back into place and then look ok? If so, hopefully you'll accept them gluing it back into place. If it'll look rough even with gluing, then it's your call whether to insist it's replaced - yes, it should be doable without wrecking the surroundings, but if some 'making good' is needed afterwards, they should sort that.

Bottom line - it isn't 'quite' good enough. 

The hole in the drawer front is almost certainly a manufacturing flaw, and shouldn't have passed quality control. The kitchen manufacturer should replace that without argument.

So, if you wish for these two issues to be put right, then you are perfectly entitled to have this done. And any reputable fitter should do so, happily and without hesitation - they should care that their customers are 100% satisfied. And, whilst these are not huge issues, they are 'legitimate' concerns.

I'd make it clear to them how delighted you are with the overall work, and how much you love the kitchen. It's almost the high standard they clearly set themselves that makes these two relatively minor issues such an irritation...

They SHOULD fall over themselves to sort it, at which point you mention how much you look forward to leaving them fully glowing reviews...

twopenny

The drawer I'd be inclined to put a bit of filler in. It's so teeny tiny and once you get past gazing raptourously at your new kitchen and take it for granted you won't even remember it's there.

The splash board looks at though it is cut into an old stone wall?

If that is so it may be difficult to get out - cause some damage to the surrounding wall to do so.

As said, hard to see if that's a chip or if it's just a corner that has lifted. If the second I'd be inclined to glue back and touch up any spot left annoyingly. If it's a chip I think I may risk all the hassle of getting them back to redo

Bendy_House

Is that a hand-painted kitchen, QSS2? If so, a dab of paint will cover that hole.

The lifting laminate can be glued back into place, and a smear of colour-matched filler (there are kits for fixing laminate and worktop chips) would make it nigh-on invisible.

BUT, I'd expect the fitters to do both. (I mean, I'd probably do this myself, but I'm a rabid DIYer - and would have fitted the whole kitchen. You, I presume, are not.)

Doozergirl

The drawer I'd not worry about particularly, you'll forget, or a tiny bit of filler or paint will cover it.  

But the laminate on the corner is no longer waterproof and is likely to get worse over time when water gets in and the chipboard swells.  I would replace that.  

que-sera-sera_2

Thanks for the replies!
I emailed the kitchen company last night and the fitter popped round this morning.
He has filled the small hole in the drawer front and it looks fine now. As I said, it won’t even be visible once the quartz is on! We’ve been given a little repair kit for any future scuffs/marks.
The fitter is gonna replace that section of upstand. They are also gonna replace one of the cupboard doors which is slightly damaged near the hinge.
I am not a complainer and I hate confrontation. But the company have been fine about it and really helpful. I don’t know why I was so worried!

Bendy_House

Perfect result, QSS

A company worthy of a good review