Well, that's good. I mean, considering.

If you can get tear-out and rebuild for less, that is definitely the way to go. No one wants to fix old work, and you won't (legitimately) be able to hold them responsible down the road. It's like asking somebody to build a sixty story building on a foundation of yogurt.

Well, possibly, yes, Marcolo. But aside from the nightmare of days (weeks?) without a kitchen again, I'm worried about the soapstone countertop. I've asked my fabricator how much it'll cost to get him back here from NJ to remove it, then come back to reinstall it. But I'm concerned that neither he nor anyone else is going to be willing to take responsibility for the countertops. Won't that be fun.

And the fact is the cabinet carcasses are sturdily made, so it seems like such a waste of materials and effort. They might just not be entirely square...so putting new face frames, doors, etc. on them would mean Ben would probably have to move in for a few weeks and set up a shop in my basement. (He's about 50 miles away in No. Va.) I'm game, but I'm not sure his wife and kids would like it!

I am so sorry you are in this mess. Ours has gone way beyond schedule and we still have no stove, but we have cabs at least that we can keep and some counters (not all). I don't know what to tell you other than to be the squeaky wheel. It sounds like you are doing all the right things.
Do you have any beefy family members or friends who could put a little fear into the RTSOG? I'd make it clear you will take all necessary measure, starting with the commission, but that you will not rest until he has made things right, commission or not. If they don't fear the commission itself.... BTW - what vehicle does the RTSOG drive? I'd take pix of it and take a picture of his house if either or both are impressive. Those may be good to show the commission if it is not resolved in time. They will see pix of how you are living and should know how he is living while he owes you money to fix your place.

Ugh. I have no words of advice but I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. There should be a special niche in hell for people like the RTSOG. However, that doesn't help you now. :-(

You, m'dear, do not deserve any of this. I'm sorry about RTSOG. I wouldn't trust him to fix a hangnail, let alone those cabs of yours. I hope you can get to some resolution and get him GONE!

Oh Melissastar,

This is just terrible. I can not imagine the nightmare
you have been in. I wish someone from HGTV or Dateline
would swoop in to help fix this entire vicious ordeal.

So sad for you,
Sending wishes, prayers and luck cyber way with hopes
that this will get resolved. The fact the investigator is
going after him is one small thing to be happy about.
But that does not fix the mess nor give you a kitchen.
:*(
~boxerpups

Thanks for the support all. Thank goodness the kitchen is functioning, it just doesn't look good and it's annoying not to have any drawer shut properly and to have to dig through deep corner cabinets for my stuff.

But, it can be cleaned, the dust is gone, I have working sinks, range and DW. Could be worse!