Bespoke Kitchen discolouration

eaamey

Dear all, just looking for some advice. I had a bespoke expensive kitchen installed 10 years ago (total cost around £30k but that included building works) . In the last few years the edges of EVERY cupboard/drawer have irregularly discoloured as per the pictures. At first I thought they needed a good scrub but nothing would remove the colour. I eventually got the company round and they took pictures etc, agreed it was strange and said they’d go to the manufacturer (Rotpunkt) to see what they would say. I must add that the lady who came round, the director, has the same kitchen as me and this has not happened to her kitchen. Eventually the manufacturer offered me replacement panels at €50 per panel and they stated that their product is not at fault and it must be my environment. (No smokers in the house). I calculated there are around 30-40 panels and was expecting a quote of €1500-2000 which I would begrudgingly pay however the quote has come back at nearly 4k, I suppose they are adding installation costs etc. 

I contacted citizens advice some time back and they were not very positive. However when I watch MoneySavingExpert.com on Tv , he says that products should last a reasonable time . Under 10 years is not reasonable for a bespoke expensive kitchen in my opinion. 

I am just looking for affirmation that I am not being unreasonable and also if anyone has any advice for me!

MyRealNameToo

What's the kitchen company said? 

Generally the law of limitations gives you 6 years to make a claim from the date of the breach of the contract. You are effectively alleging that they sold you a defective product meaning the breach happened at the point of supply and over 6 years ago. 

Were it a house rather than a kitchen the latent defect law would apply that gives you 3 years from the date of realising there is a problem with an overall cap of 15 years but to the best of my knowledge that doesnt apply to just a kitchen. It's also worth noting that it's a right that can be waived by a contract that sets a shorter limit.

Hopefully they are a decent company and will assist in some way... maybe they can do the fitting at a discounted rate or such but your options to force them to do something are likely time barred. 

Boohoo

OP are you in the UK?

You are quoting Euro in your post about replacement kitchen items from the kitchen manufacturer.

eaamey

The doors are from Rotpunkt in Germany, hence the Euros. 

born_again

Wonder if something like isopropyl alcohol might clear it (try a very small area)

Boohoo

OP are all the cabinets/drawers the same as in the photos just on the tops or is the discoloration on all top/side/bottom of the cabinet/ drawers ?

eaamey

It’s every single edge of every panel. But the fronts are perfect . It doesn’t make sense ! 

Aylesbury_Duck

It sounds and looks like some sort of finish wasn't applied to the edges in production.  I can't think why else all of the edges of every panel would look like that.

I've refreshed my kitchen by painting the whole thing.  Wasn't too much trouble, taking two doors or door fronts off at a time, cleaning, lightly sanding and then painting them, and I'm pleased with the results.  A £20 tin of paint has saved me thousands.  Is finding a paint match and doing the same feasible here?  It is only the edges that need doing.

Nearlyold

Is it only the edging that's discoloured?  You can easily buy new iron on glue down or self adhesive edging, though it will probably sit slightly proud.  You can sometimes get the old edging off by heating it with an iron then VERY carefully lifting it off with a chisel. On balance I'd try painting first with a specialist paint like 3V3. - it won't be high gloss though.

sonearandyetsofa

It would be very easy for the supplier to argue that the edges have discoloured because of something you're doing - eg not wiping up stains quickly, cleaning improperly or something like that. After 10 years of use I don't think you'd be able to reasonably argue that it hasn't lasted, assuming it is still fully functional. You wouldn't expect anything in regular use for 10 years to continue to look the same as it did when new. I would expect discolouration to be a risk for a kitchen unit with white edges, if only because of the colour.

The discolouration looks like staining to me, given the pattern I'd be inclined to say from water or liquids? I'd be tempted to try some heavy duty bleach on it, or a good old fashioned scrub with something abrasive like Ajax. I'm absolutely not a kitchen expert though.