I think I would want them to line up. At this point you have waited - how long? What is two more weeks to get it the way you want it.

Doesn't look weird to me! I had to look back and forth from the photo to the drawing about 5 times before I could pick out the difference. It was like one of those kid's games where you have to find the difference between two almost identical pictures :)

Remodel

Congrats on your progress!

I'm w/Rookie back n forth many times - I was more concerned the bottoms lined up - also, that the micro spec'd is fitting properly in that location - flush

SInce you already have them "on notice" sort of speak, for the issue I would wait until it's complete - & you are still holding some last payment - and decide if it is worth it. BTW since you signed off on plans that reflect different to what has been installed - you hold the upper hand here - regardless of what the KD seems to be stating.

The minor flaw will likely fade in no time at all.

This would bother me greatly--I would definitely request that a new cabinet be made that matches the drawings.

Is the microwave going to be sitting in the opening without a metal built-in trim kit around it or is it going to have that trim kit.

If you are getting the trim kit the difference will not be as noticeable (and may not be perfectly aligned even if the openings of the cabinets are, since it is a metal flange that surrounds the microwave.)

If it is sitting in the opening without a trim kit, it would probably bother me.

I noticed what you were talking about right away. I would have it changed to match the drawing--it would bug me waaayy too much.

It doesnt bother me in the close up but if I picture the drawing with the longer middle, I'm not liking it as much. Do you have a wider angle shot?

Did they put the right cabinet over the microwave cabinet? I would have expected all those wall cab bottoms to be the same. That would bother me every time I walked in the room.

The opening for the microwave need to be what it needs to be. Ask yourself what would bother you more. Not lining up like it does now, or the bottom of the cabinets not lining up.. I dont think you can have both.

They can have both. The sink cabinet would just have to be made shorter.

This would bother me, like it is bothering you. I noticed it immediately, but I always notice that type of thing. I think it will not be as big of an issue with a microwave, faucet, etc. in there distracting the eye. with that said, you DO have the upper hand and should have them fix this...

Duh, Disregard that last post.

I think it looks bad and I wouldn't accept this. The cabinets installed should look like her drawings.

I wouldn't accept it. it looks disjointed to me.

If the drawing you, saw was not lined up, would you ,have like it ? It would brother me, every time I, looked at the cabinets. Wait the two weeks, you, will be in your kitchen,longer than that. Good Luck!

I looked at the photo before I read the end of your initial post and it jumped out at me immediately. It would bother me a lot. I would be on the phone with the KD in the morning and have them make a new cabinet for over the sink.

i would have it fixed, would bug the heck out of me. the uneven lines are visually jarring.

Rollie - you made me giggle.

I knew there was a reason I dont post here very often.. Sheesh, if there ever was a case for a delete post.

With that said, as a guy, I think it would bother me........ for about 3 minutes. hehehe

I'm sad to say, I noticed right away. If you have the extra patience to spare, I would get it corrected.

There may be other things that happen later on that you can't so easily correct. No need to add this cabinet to that list.

The uneven lines jumped out at me right away too, and I'd definitely have it fixed so that it looked like the drawing (which is what you have to go on for how you EXPECT it to look -- the drawing clearly shows a clean line across those two cabinet bottoms, and it seems odd that your KD could explain it away like she did!)

It would bother me. I agree that the middle cabinet should be shorter and line up as in the plans. I think your KD should backing you up to get it changed. Whether she ordered wrong and/or didn't provide the right measurements to the contractor or it is the contractor's error, it is not right. They need to work together for your satisfaction. You shouldn't be expected to accept a blatant mistake in measurement like this. Good luck!

It looks like your microwave cabinet is the same depth as a normal wall cabinet - which means your micro will sit out from the front of the cabinet around 3-5 inches. This is shown in the drawings, but I'm guessing it's going to bug you too. According to the installation manual the depth is supposed to be 16" for a plug in point on the side, top or bottom and 18" for a plug-in directly behind.

I would have them get out the micro and place it today if at all possible before deciding. I'm pretty sure you can't have a trim kit even if it was offered because the depth of the cabinet is too shallow.

Might as well get a look at the whole enchilada before deciding.

I'd want them to either line up evenly, or be far enough apart to look distinctly different. That looks like a mistake, and since it wasn't on your plans they should have no issue fixing it.

Your kitchen and your call - it would bother me at the installation stage because it isn't what I was expecting but down the line it wouldn't bother me at all. If it was going to extend the time line two weeks then I would prefer to live with it.

I will say I don't completely understand the explanation - it's the cabinet above the micro that is a different size than the one over the sink - the installer can't control that unless he makes the doors on site.

You are right, someone should have caught that, either the KD or the carpenter. It is glaring now, however, i think once the microwave is installed and the glass is in the sink cabinet, it will be a non issue. They are 2 totally different kinds of cabinets. Is it really worth waiting 2 weeks for? And if you're going to make them change it, don't wait till the project is done, they might have to tear out the cabinets surrounding it and the crown, etc to replace it.

A GE Spacemaker will Not stick out past the cabinet. The GE Spacemaker is about 12-9/32" so that it aligns with upper cabinets.

Here is a link that might be useful: GE Spacemaker

noticed the mismatch right away .. but I can live with it. If it bothers you get it replaced.. There is no good reason to not have them lined up in the design!

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your feedback - it was good to know that I wasn't being overly picky and that this bothered other people too. I looked at the pictures a LOT last night (we are not living in the house that is being remodeled) and decided that it really does bother me enough to have it re-done.

I told the KD - she apologized and said she would order a new cabinet for above the sink. She was very nice about it. It's actually more of the cabinet company's fault than hers, since I'm sure she sent them drawings as well.

Thanks again everyone!

palimpsest, if you read the installation instructions, I quoted what the mfg wants to have.

bmorepanic - thanks for the heads-up on the possible issue with the GE Spacemaker - I will double check with the KD. The KD did tell me that the outlet should have been put in the cabinet about the micro cab... so, we are having the contractor move it.

Its not much of a "spacemaker", then if you use the built-in kit, I guess. if it sits on the shelf and has circulation around it, it can sit back further, especially if the cord is recessed or in another cabinet.

I have also had problems with GE built in kits in that they are arched slightly and will not fit with any of the "standard" sized microwave cabinets offered by some manufacturers, The microwave fits fine, the build in kit interferes with adjacent door or drawer, because it is so large top-to-bottom.

This would cause me to groan every time I went in to the kitchen. I had incorrect doors put in a kitchen and a abd faucet installation and it made me nuts everytime I cooked.

My "out" was a reduction in cost by a full 50%. I can't see that happening in your case, but it may be your choice. Redo the cabinet or credit the invoice an agreed %.

Having said that, I would insist on their re-doing the cabinets. Get it the way you want it.

This would definitely bug me too. The bottoms of the cabinets on either side of the sink match up. They didn't make those different heights. If someone is tall they will be constantly looking at that mismatch. They line up in the drawings you signed off on...so I would definitely wait the extra two weeks to have it fixed and done correctly. That's all IMHO. ;)

Sounds like you will have the sink cabinet replaced, right, that's great - you will be happier in the long run! Just want to ask - what is the Brand name (and the color of white) of these beautiful cabinets? Looks like a style that will fit very nicely in our new Old House! May I also ask, what have you selected for your Counter Top, Floor, Back Splash, Sink, Frig. and Range? And what is the size of your Kitchen and the Island? I also used glass doors over the sink in my last house - really makes the space open up - used the antique glass, looked lovely. Wish we were almost finished - Thank you so much for sharing, roseofblue

Hi Roseofblue - here are smoe answers to your questions...

size of kitchen: 12' x 10' (approx.)

size of island: 36"x54"

cabinets: Fieldstone; color: Marshmallow Cream (island is antiqued black)

counterop: Caesarstone in Espresso (I think... need to make a final decision tonight!!)

floor: white oak with walnut border

backsplash: probably offwhite subway... need to decided that too

sink: Kraus SS, 30" 16 gauge (bought it at Overstock.com for $370)

frig: Electrolux french door, counter depth (I am nervous about this one because the reviews are very mixed)

range: GE Cafe dual fuel

Hope this helps :)

Remodel-mama, How do you like the Marshmallow Cream color? I ordered Marshmallow Cream Starmark cabinets. I knew that I wanted that as a cabinet color before I decided on the door style. My cabinets are still at the GC's, so I haven't seen them yet. Demo starts tomorrow.

Have you thought about the new paint color might not match? Esp if a new lot of paint is generated where built. I had this exact problem and it did not match!! Don't send it back right away!

I had to have a cabintet replaced that was too short! I also worried about the color matching but it turned out great. I am sure this will be the same for you.