how big is this gap? i am not entirely following the solution.. if it is so wide that you can't just cover it with backsplash tile that would be entirely unacceptable to me..

who is going to obtain and cut this new 1/2 matching piece of granite? if the backsplash tile is going to cover this 1/2 matching piece they why not just glue a shim back there and forget about the hassle of using granite..

Do you have pictures? It sounds like you have a 1/2" gap? How deep/thick is your BS tile?

If your tile isn't thick enough to cover the gap, and you do go w/a strip of granite back there, it better match your existing granite exactly (colors, flow) or it will look, IMHO, terrible. (Could you have them build the wall "in" b/w your counter & the upper cabinets and then put up the tile to cover the gap?)

If your tile is thick enough, then consider Favabeans5's suggestion.

When you consider your options, think about your vision for your kitchen and how this will affect it. Be sure whatever is done is done to your satisfaction, not theirs. And, personally, I think it should be at their cost...they did not do a professional job the first time and now need to fix it.

Have you paid your granite people in full? If not, don't until you're happy.

Good luck!

Could you have them build the wall "in" b/w your counter & the upper cabinets and then put up the tile to cover the gap?

I was thinking along the same line as Buehl. Add another layer of drywall between countertop & bottom of upper cabs? That would be very inexpensive & quick to do if it will work.

this was done in our old condo, and worked out quite well, is that what they are proposing? it fills the gap and looks neat.

here's an all over shot of the space with this band of granite installed; there's a lot of undercabinet light reflection in my picture, but it gives you an idea.
the granite bands were a foot long each.

'

dkass... I'm so sorry you're having difficulty with the install of your beautiful granite! I can't imagine a fabricator not templating. I think our house in Hollywood was built around the same time as yours though we're going to hold off on the renovation for now and rent out the house to a friend who needs a break. If you wouldn't mind, could you let me know who you used? I've heard from the stone experts that looking for a shop who has a CNC machine will often benefit you with a near perfect install. I've heard before of people building out the wall or scribing into the wall with the opposite problem. The above picture does look good and could be a viable solution.
Please post pics... it'll be helpful plus I'm dying to see that granite!

Personally, I'd rip it out. That's a big thing to "settle" on, no matter the wait.

I agree with igloochic. If the gap is too big to cover with your backsplash tiles, then it's just wrong and you shouldn't settle for it.

I agree with igloochic also. Why didn't they template the kitchen? That's just really strange. You paid a lot of money for your granite and should not have to settle for some "fix" just because they screwed up.

Thank you so much for all your comments. I have attached a picture so you can see the problem. In some spots, the gap is 1/2" and others 3/4" from the wall! We love the parts of the granite we picked so we don't want to rip it out. For the end piece, the granite guy is going to install a sliver of granite so we will have a finished corner. Then, we decided with our contractor that we will fill in the wall and the backsplash will cover the rest of the gap. Backsplash is stone and is 1/2" (see photo).
Thanks for the pictures mitchdesj - we decided not to do this b/c we thought this would remind us everyday of the screw up - yours looks nice though. Our contractor has done that look alot and likes the finish of it but we said no. Our neighbor has that but only because her kitchen window is about an inch from the top of the granite over her sink.
remodelfla - I don't want to post the fabricator's name on this website but would be happy to tell you the company's name by email or telephone so you WON'T use them. what is your email?

Holy Moley. That is horrendous. Totally unacceptable.
How much of an overhang do you have in the front ? they should be able to scribe the back to fit your wall perfectly (or almost), as long as you are willing to shorten your overhang. That's what my guys did, and they paid for MY plumber to come and reconnect everything under the sink.
on the other hand, your stone backsplash just might save you.

I like the square piece that frames the counter top. I wouldn't want to *settle* either, but we are talking about a lot of money. If you like the square bands, or the drywall ideas, could you get them to do your choice at their cost, plus reimburse you for your trouble? That way the piece of granite you love will still be there, but you could agree on a settlement amount that would be cheaper and less trouble for them and compensate you for your trouble? I don't know if it works that way out there in the world of construction, but it might be a good compromise. They did all kinds of things wrong, so you should be entitled to compensation.

I guess I'm one of those people who feel that NO stone is that unique and rare for me to accept terribly shotty work. And I'd just not settle for that. I suppose if you feel it's that wonderful of a piece, that's ok, but you really should be getting this granite at a substaintially reduced price, and they should be paying for the fix.

I guess to each his own...but that's one of the worst jobs I've ever seen...I wouldn't "make it work" and certainly wouldn't at my expense!

That's shoddy work, filling the gap with silicone onthe edge.

At first I was taking issue with the whole "no template" remarks (they are not necessarily necessary), BUT then I saw your pictures, he did a very poor measuring job, and then left this for you.

Push him very hard to recut, if you can. If he does not budge, then building the wall out is the other option.

Blessings

dkass... if you click on my user name it will take you to "my page" and my email address will be accessible. Thanks for offering to forward me the into. If recutting is not an option than I agree that building out the wall may be your best option. Another thought would be to use a 1/2" thick field tile running horizontally as a border to rest your backsplash tile on. Something like a 4x8. I've seen that look and it's very attractive. Does your backsplash choice come in a tile like that?

Most of all... I'm just so sorry you're suffering this disappointment. I remember how excited you were about your beautiful stone (and beautiful it is in spite of the install). It must make your heart ache when you look at it and feel it's less then perfect. I'm certain when all is said and done; that you'll end up with a wonderful finished product. Hang in there!

it looks like that thing is 1/2 inch from the wall all the way down.. where if ever does it actually make contact? And another idea is to have them gouge out the drywall where it does make contact and you sort of split the difference.. narrow the gap to a point that is acceptable.. and doesn't leave the other end looking odd.. that caulk on the end is ridiculous..

Mistakes happen, but this one could haqve been avoided
had your Fabricator just templated the darn thing...

Fixes: I think everyone has voiced some good remedies -
IF you are set on NOT tearing out the slabs - the build out
of the drywall seems to me - to be the most reasonable option,
as long as the exposed end of the slab is addressed (better
than what is showing in the picture)

my .02 cents worth

kevin

Thanks kevin for your 2 cents. The fabricator came tonight and "fixed" the exposed end of the slab by adding a sliver of granite along the entire length of the wall..you can barely see the seam on the exposed edge. Of course, he blamed our crooked walls...I told him he was crooked! We only went this way b/c of our stone backsplash which is going to save us. Additionally, the contractor was going to float the wall anyway b/c of the cabinets. He had to put shims in the cabs b/c the wall is not straight. Now with the granite sliver along the back, he will float the wall to that and then the backsplash will cover any seam. He is saying that we will not see anything. This is the best solution other than ripping it out, getting a new slab and starting over. I'll post pictures when it is done. Thanks all!

dkass, I'm sorry if I sounded harsh...I was actually feeling for you...it SUCKS to have shotty work done and I've had plenty so I know how it feels LOL

Anyhoo, I'm glad you found a solution, but I do hope you made them pay. That work was just wrong, wrong, wrong, and heart breaking when this is one of those areas that we all get excited about since it signals we're close to the end!

YIKES! Dkass, in light of your problem , I'm a little hesitant to even ask for an opinion about mine. I empathize with your issue...my kitchen remodel has suffered delays. This is my first kitchen remodel. The marble top was installed with the faucet holes drilled incorrectly. The fabricator will deconstruct the current top and install a new top next week. We are currently in discussion about the placement and distance of the faucet holes. As a result, I'm questioning everything to the nth degree...now, the gap bewteen the wall and slab.

Here it goes...We have a .25" thick subway tile for our backsplash. This is in reference to the top that is currently in our kitchen. To minimize a wide gap between the wall and slab, the installers had to "cheat" a long run of two connected slabs closer to the wall. The results...starting from the left of the slab and ending at the right of the slab, the gap between the slab and wall gradually increases from approximately .125" to slightly more than than the thickness of the tile. There is approximately three feet where the gap is the thickness of the tile and approximately two feet where the gap is slightly thicker than the tile. The adjustment in the slab did not make a noticable change in the overhang. The fabricator used a laser system to template, so I'm surprised to see this variation.

I am tiling and this is my first experience with a wall installation. I think the difference in the gap will be coverd with the tile + mortar and caulk. BUT...Is this variance in the gap between the wall and slab within the tolerances of stone top fabrication? Should I even worry about this gap? Should I consider having the fabricator come out and remeasure? Any suggestions on what to expect during tiling and/or how to make the tile cover the gap?

Dkass, I hope your issue is resolved to your satisfaction. I can't wait to see images of the correction.

Thanks for accommodating me on this thread.

Nizzle, just a suggestion -- you might get more play on your post if you start a new thread . . .

depending on the tile you could put some extra mud on the back of the bottom one and tilt it out ever so slightly to cover the gap a bit better.. how noticeable this is will completely the depend on the tile.. but if you do it gradually enough you should be able to pull it off