Poor kitchen fitting

PunkRoquefort

To cut a long story short, I chose a local, independent bespoke, high end of the market kitchen supplier and installer, with 30 plus years of excellent reputation. To supply and fit my kitchen. New appliances included and the cost, over £22k for a small-ish kitchen.

I paid deposit via cheque, as the business does not accept credit/bank cards.


Work started very well, the fitters and the company boss made what appeared to be a very neat job, then:

1. A few days in, a different appliance was fitted to one I ordered, so without question, they immediately fitted the one I ordered.

2. A couple of panels needed to be realigned, as they were not flush with the units. Again, realigned promptly, without question.

3. All was well. I paid the next bill. Work continued, looking fine.

4. Then a panel was very badly/unevenly fitted and the fitter initially blamed an uneven floor, before agreeing to replace the panel. Panel was replaced properly.

5. Paid my next bill. All seemed well.

6. On the final cabinet and a few last doors being put up, it was clear that the cabinet is badly misaligned/uneven, yet the cabinet next to it sits flush with it, the next to that one and so on, meaning they are all misaligned. Untidy finishes and patched up/painted panels have been left also.

4. Got the final bill, I handed it to the shop, explaining I am witholding just over £1k and will pay it when the job is properly done.

5. Fitter/boss arrived, did 2 of the minor fixes needed, but on me mentioning the other faults, was very dismissive, said other people would not complain and left, leaving me with an untidy kitchen and uneven panels and doors.

Visitors say my kitchen is unacceptable.

6. He has cashed the cheque and gone incommunicado, just as I was about to stop the cheque.

7. Fitters from neighbouring towns, who fit the same brand of units, but for other suppliers are reluctant to do a report/provide a quote for me to potentially go through the small claims court and they are also reluctant to do the work needed, as my original contract is with the guy who messed it up.

8. My fitter also was rude about a disability I have and said I have caused him stress.

How do I ho about finding an independent kitchen inspector? I do have Legal Expenses Cover with my home insurance.

I am not sure if my supplier/fitter is a member of any trade body, as none are mentioned on his website.
Yet, I chose the company due to their long standing, good reputation.

Please advise?

Thank you.

Nearlyold

I'm a bit confused as to the alignment issue.

You say the last cabinet is badly misaligned/uneven but is also flush (aka aligned) with all the other cabinets in the same run which are also all flush with each other.

What is the reference point you are judging the alignment of this last cabinet with that shows it to be misaligned?

Do you mean the cabinets are not built square, or they're built square but not hung vertically/horizontally in one or more plane.

If you check the alignment with a set square/spirit level does this confirm what your eye tells you?

Are these wall or base cabinets?

Any chance you can post up pictures?

Nearlyold

Bumping this post as OP posted in the wrong section originally. Anyone got any insights?

Doozergirl

Nearlyold said:

Bumping this post as OP posted in the wrong section originally. Anyone got any insights?

Not without photos, not really.  

Nearlyold

Doozergirl said:

Nearlyold said:

Bumping this post as OP posted in the wrong section originally. Anyone got any insights?

Not without photos, not really.  

Yeah, thought that myself. OP did reply (post now deleted) when the thread was in the wrong section but said photos didn't show the issue. Made me wonder if a return wall alongside the unit was out somewhere giving the illusion the end unit was wonky. 

Doozergirl

Nearlyold said:

Doozergirl said:

Nearlyold said:

Bumping this post as OP posted in the wrong section originally. Anyone got any insights?

Not without photos, not really.  

Yeah, thought that myself. OP did reply (post now deleted) when the thread was in the wrong section but said photos didn't show the issue. Made me wonder if a return wall alongside the unit was out somewhere giving the illusion the end unit was wonky. 

That's exactly what I was thinking.