It could take months. I did not care because we were selling it.. heh.. but had it been a house we were going to keep, I would have made them fix it. Many quartz products only have one pattern, eliminating the option of mirroring the pattern to reduce viability. I can assure you I will not be using them, so see they already lost a possible customer. Moving on to backsplash very soon. The only graphic I have from this company is the slab layout: I just went through my photo archives and found a couple of shots I took when the paper templates were actually laid and taped onto the stone. Hmmm. I would rather do it myself and be pleased or almost, then pay their lazy butts another cent. ", Adding if necessary, "Are you going to reimburse me the cost to have someone else to rip out your mess? TY, Errant -- I'll have overnight to set up the meeting. My counters are ruined and I want a refund. Apply additional filler if the first application wasn't enough to fill the gap. I would appreciate a refund check for xxxx amount in my hand, like today, would be nice. The key to this is sticking to the facts, not getting emotional, and appearing as a completely reasonable customer. I expect some seam line, but I don't think I'll be happy based on their version of a fix. Wowcannot believe so many weeks have gone by. But the first new installer told me he'd been putting up cabinets for over 20 years, using drywall screws, and no way was a customer going to tell him what types of screws to use. ( Why you don't want a new counter from them might get you into their other bad behavior which is probably unnecessary. Do you think it might be time to be, um, not so nice? I'll try to stay as focused as possible. I told them it was good enough. Stop thinking you're not. SeamFil is NOT recommended for use on Solid Surface materials. If they are in collusion, you'll know it when you go down because the supplier will lie through his teeth telling you the job is acceptable. I received a couple of invoices itemizing material/labor costs and payment history. I don't like to be the person that complains about the small stuff but this is not small. kirkhall -- That's something I hadn't thought about, and it could be a very good road to go down, EXCEPT the supplier has just recently moved into a space adjacent to the fabricator. SeamFil will not freeze because of the solvent. It was a bit of a fight with the owner of the tile shop and the tile installer who worked for them, but I ended up winning. Go back to that stone supplier with these pictures. Stay updated on new products, locations, news and more. But it'd be very awkward (non-productive?) The Marble Institutes of American guidelines are a valuable specific resource I'll cite in order to show examples of techniques not executed within acceptable standards, as well as standard business practices not adhered to. Oh goodness I have been thinking about you and your battle. Your issues, however, are so severe (I'm simultaneously, angry, horrified, and sympathy-filled not only for the initial problems but also for the "solution" that made it worse) that I think you're right in looking for a do-over. And, nope, I didn't waste time hashing through the minor (and now resolved) issues. I saw this same issue yesterday here on Houzz I this happening very often lately! If the supplier is honest and says no that is not acceptable, you can ask what he suggests you do? It was time to move on. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to use the product most effectively. They will take this color-matched epoxy and create a flat and even seam. Seam fillers are also suitable for repairing deep scratches, wide nicks and gouges as well as simply filling gaps. 946 SPECTRUM BLUE, Orders ship in 58 business days from receipt of order. Then the parties moved onto the bigger and remaining breach, the failure to correctly template that has left you with a huge gap. I see you are and are still not getting any positive response from those people. Time for this frog to jump out of the pot already. ), Mediation hearing was Feb. 16. 4. GW oughta start a national volunteer network of advocates who can swoop in and take over such negotiations when the frog, I mean, homeowner is too fatigued to do so. They have no idea about detailing, straight, clean lines and fine craftsmanship. Insurance settled with us after it was clear their guys couldn't cut it (and were costing the company more money just to come back to fix). :). Received a reply from defendant's lawyer yesterday: we're going to court. Copyright 2022 Arizona Tile HmmmI'll need to figure out what we're going to do about that." Cabinets: well, it's not for lack of effort on Showplace's part that we're now into month 5. Depending on this company, they may bring an attorney, even though it's small claims. T proceeded to provide a couple of cosmetic cover-ups, but I told him no attempts to cover up the gaps would be acceptable: I asked for nothing short of a complete do over. raven -- You are such a dear. I think you'd have regretted those filler pieces for a lifetime. I put some rugs down and it slowly stopped bothering me. Ribbet. Learn more about Seamfil or view Formica & Wilsonart mixing charts. He said he was fine with providing cabinets only if we wanted to go off on our own to secure fabricator + stone. However, even if the judgement went in my favor, there's no guaranteeing I'd collect a dime. Did the letter propose a resolution? They've been terrific and patient about helping us pick out just the right stone, not steering us only to their pet stone yards, etc. Seeing what low and underhanded lengths this company and their attorney stooped with the countersuit, I started to doubt that they would honor a judgement. Go back to that stone supplier with these pictures. And this company DOES work on very high end projects (yes, photos to back it all up). I was told by this company that, don't worry, at the end of the day, they were going to provide me with smooth (non-gritty) and sealed tops. By understanding how to minimize the appearance of seams, you can get the countertop of your dreams, without the seams. I had that in my granite install 6 years ago, but not for something so major. Maybe he'll assist you'. Round 2, installer 2: opened the cabinets and found that these were actually in worse shape than what I had up on my walls -- tons of issues that the SP VP was furious about when he saw my pics. (The owner later agreed with me that HIS lawyer was completely overboard during the hearing. I've taken enough photos in the past two years to fill an entire hard drive. I show up to learn she's having HER kitchen redone -- 1960 build: Years ago, my dad DIY'ed tile counters and backsplash -- to include (get this) tiling the entire wall behind the fridge! "A reasonable person" would be unsatisfied if their counter exceeded the industry standard. to go ahead and continue the quartz backsplash ONTO THE ENTIRE FRIDGE WALL! Maybe my lil ol' kitchen was a bit too pedestrian.dunno. They went to considerable expense resealing. As dictated by standard practices of good business, all communications MUST be documented in writing." My advice to anyone going through this process for the first time: do your research (the internet provides abundant information -- read slowly an carefully, and review over and over) and don't ever be too timid to ask, as often as needed, "Please explain what that means." They again reordered another set, and VP was to personally lay eyes on the cabinets before they left the factory. While the precinct clerks who answer the phones intend to be helpful, they often don't realize that phrasing such as "a form blah-blah was filed" and "affidavit for substitute service" are lost upon us laypeople. SMH in utter disbelief. PREPOSTEROUS!!!! Upon reading your final paragraph, DH turned to me and asked, "Do we have an assigned inspector?" I was wondering if you were back home. You want your money returned so you can hire a different fabricator. I was joking that rather than stick the fridge back in the space, they oughta run that water line up through the top of the wall and turn it into a zen waterfall-type space. 940 ORANGE When you go make sure you have a well written out timeline of everything. I signed off on at least one template, but was never given a copy of anything I signed. They've said many people do not like zero reveals because it's harder to clean, etc. for me to show up at the supplier's, as any interactions would be in clear view of the fabricator's staff, crew, etc. Maybe say something like, "Sorry Jack (Let's name him Jack because it rhymes with HACK), I have been more then reasonable here. Although this is not very big, the location of these seams matters. (The patch emails might be important if they raise that. You guys would be super. Echoing the sentiment from another post: I could just crymay have just hit my breaking point with this -- one step forward, three back. They are also important if they contain their admissions that the gap is too large, as opposed to, "I'm sorry you think the gap is too large, you crazy, impossible to please customer.". I can understand not being that customer if there had been some minor gaps. your seam is cut poorly do to a bad blade or they might have used a smaller hand saw to cut the seam. His partner worked to fill the other (window) seam with presumably epoxy. Thanks to everyone who's still awake. Have "we" been through small claims as a GW group? I hope the owners recognize the problems and aren't stingy about a full refund, and that you find someone of our Mr. Corlett's skill to make things right. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I've mentioned time and again in my various posts since December that I thought I was (finally) in very good hands with this phase of the kitchen. I called MIA twice just to get their advice, and they pretty much don't want to touch this. June 15 a.m.: I text owner D and request an urgent meeting with him and his dad T (whose family business this is), fully detailing my issues with the subpar, beneath-industry-standards work. Then when they say no, ask them what they would do in such a situation. I'll also follow up with the Marble Institutes of America, as they have a file going. Last autumn, with all the small claims paperwork filed, both parties waited for a mediation date to be set (which likely wouldn't happen til after the first of the year). (They're in a very industrial area of town, so envision open/wide massive warehouse-type facilities.) If any section of counter ever gets damaged, at least my mom has spare parts! If the seam is wider than 1/16 (but should never be larger than 1/8) a second application will probably be necessary. Wow. To me, it sounds as if these guys don't have the right tools to make the cleanest cut so they hide the rough edges by polishing - when epoxy is added, there will be a color variance that will make things stand out. You feelfree to vent to me all you need to! Assuming that this seam should be treated just as any other seamed pieces would be, I asked for the seam to be epoxied (or filled with resin, then smoothedwhatever the standard method is). So sorry your having so much trouble, just isn't right. Solved one problem/breach. Sorry, but it looks like crap! Plus, now I need to find a new fabricator who is competent enough to remove these tops and reinstall the new one at the same time. MIA best practices detailed in their A Homeowner's Guide to Natural Stone Countertop Installation: "Communicating with Your Contractor -- Documentation. Man it sure makes me glad I found Matt at Cypress tile and granite he has been a true pleasure to work with. They could be referring to caulking the area between the fill piece and the main window's aluminum frame; but just in case not, I'd like to be prepared tomorrow in case they pull out a caulk gun for the stone-to-stone seam. Since they also acknowledged the unacceptable gap, you were willing to mitigate (reduce your damage- the refund you are now seeking to buy new stone) by allowing them to try to patch pieces in an attempt to cover the gap. "YeahME!". Our ColorFlex or ColorFlex II product is used for Solid Surfaces. 918 MAHOGANY (I'm in TX, so small claims is up to $10,000.) Quartz is another great option for your countertops. 942 BUTCHER BLOCK I get it. mgmum -- Can you believe it? I hate to hear they are going to be jerks and go to court over this. I'm trying to stick to the facts here, but will allow myself a moment: their lawyer was a total a$$.not unexpected. Call 877-318-8001 to speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives. As for finding some quality people, maybe go to some of the higher end kitchen stores, explain what happened to you, and ask them who they use for fabrication. One point of taking a template is to insure the stone stays within the acceptable space from the adjacent wall. We've said it and heard it time and again on these forums: give the company an opportunity to 'make it right'. When filling seams in granite countertops, your installation team will choose an epoxy color that matches the overall tone of your granite selection. Exposure to the air causes seam fillers to harden, so stop mixing it before it becomes too stiff to use. 945 SPECTRUM GREEN The corners are not at all consistent and they want to fix that by making the cut out bigger. Hoping the best for you Ugh, I'm so sorry. He reminded me of one very important thing: at least in TX, small claims judgements are not binding. and if you paid for enough stone for less seams, then you should have less seams, period. Up til then, their attorney emailed and snail-mailed every scrap of formage and documentation. Thanks, jannicone. If so, it's important in terms of the parties' duties and rights. ", "Well that would be fine, if you were going to be the one to remove it. I don't know what they filled the second-filler seam with, but it sure looks like clear silicone! They're making it sound like they did me a favor to have provided me with a properly sealed surface, at the end of the day. on other posters' Kitchens questions; and get back to us when all is concluded, however it is concluded, basking in all of the support you have on this forum? I was within my rights to ask for a redo. I'll be ready to hire someone outright, if it comes to that. I'm reading they should have provided me with a copy of everything I signed -- they never did. I know most companies don't do that, but I think this builds confidence in company #2 because they're interested in doing a good and safe job. Slow and steady, but you still may break the stone. Things were simply not going to resolve any other way without my exerting many more months, years, $$$ and grief. He measured and checked -- even asked me if the cabinets were shifted after the templating. BTW, not shown in this photos, but the sink's already in place. The refund should be for Installation and the cost of the slabs. So here's an update the General Manager showed up yesterday with another guy from the shop(towards the end of their visit, I realized the other guy is probably the granite cutter) to review the work. Grout is grout, right? They demo'ed Thursday, installed Friday, touched up Saturday. The sealer might be evidence of their incompetence, their unfamiliarity with your stone, their waste of your time, but in the end, it was resolved. One (one ounce tube of SeamFil) will approximately fill an 8 foot Seam of Counter with an 1/8 bead. It just makes me feel so lucky to have found Matt. I will need to do research of reviews and see examples of the fabricator's work. Am I entitled to that? 2. (Going to stop here and postback in a sec with the next part. Such a big time hog though to be put through this. How to Repair Cracks in a Kohler Pedestal Sink, Family Handyman: How to Remove Stains From Plastic Laminate Countertops, The Family Handyman: How to Remove Stains From Plastic Laminate Countertops, How to Fix Cut Marks on Laminate Surfaces, How to Repair Minor SOS Scratches in Formica Counter Tops. Run the cloth perpendicularly across the gap to remove any remaining excess filler. If I think it's wrong, I'll refund your money. | Do Not Sell This is a GREAT idea. When you go to court be sure to take lots and lots of pictures of how it looks and then find some pictures here on houzz of counters done correctly before backsplashes went in to show how it should be done. I hate when people are taken advantage of or given inferior quality to what they paid for. :). ), I visited my mom last week. I just wanted to hear from folks in the trade to let me know what would be a reasonable ask from me/us at this point. 919 PINK It's a do over and your accepting this is telling them they can go and do this over and over again. " Acetone or other solvent specified by manufacturer.