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cabinet order messed up - am I entitled to compensation?

15 years ago

So there are a couple of cabinet pieces that are wrong. We need to go back to the manufacturer and get new ones made. I'm guessing that there's at least a 2 to 3 week delay associated with this. Am I entitled to some sort of compensation from the KD for the loss of 2 to 3 weeks of functioning kitchen? How do others handle this?

Thx,

Jennifer

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Comments (9)

idrive65
15 years ago
How non-functioning is it? I'm just not litigious enough to try for compensation over the "pain and suffering" of two weeks of take out.
sailormann
15 years ago
Unfortunately, it's a pretty common occurence in just about every area of custom work. It's not likely that the KD will compensate you. As frustrated as you are, the most productive course of action might be sitting down with a cup of coffee and asking your KD how the two of you can work together to make sure the issue doesn't arise again.
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... could not offer any additional discount over the 10% ... does want us to be perfectly happy ... I don't see these two comments as compatible. He is low-balling, yet is paying lip service to good customer service. A month is nothing for a house you have been planning for years. True. What are the chances that another client will want/need your cabinet configuration and that color? My guess is near zero. And if anyone does want this exact cabinet in this exact configuration and shade, he or she would expect a hefty discount since they'd know it was made for /rejected by another consumer. Of course, they're first quality, but you have cabinets made so that they're exactly what YOU want. I see the sample as being a much warmer color, especially in the first pic. The darker color is striking, but has less appeal to me. My thoughts exactly. Though the colors aren't far apart, one reads "warm", while the other reads "cool". This will make a difference in the overall feel of the room, and the warmer tone is much more appealing to me personally -- kind of the same reason all the trendy marble and grey/white kitchens don't appeal to me -- too cold. since we are dealing with the Amish That's an excuse. Our builder this morning really wants to accept the mess as he doesn't want to hold off the progress. Well, of course he does! Remember, the bid is no longer $14,400. It is now $14,400 plus all the costs of delaying. For most that includes a month of interest and a month of rent. And the headache of rescheduling the countertops, plumbing, etc. You may be looking at small claims court.
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User
15 years ago
I routinely explain to clients that a kitchen remodel takes between 8-12 weeks, IF they are able to very quickly make decisions, and if everything goes absolutely correctly. I also explain that many times, this is optimistic and that cabinets are damaged in shipping, or are lost, or come in wrong. This is not an occurrance that warrants compensation. It happens, and it's one of the reasons I don't recommend any demolition work begin until all products are on hand in an undamaged condition. Even then, mishaps or miscommunications can occur in the demolition, reconstruction, or cabinet install phase. Life isn't predictible, and unless a delay is caused by deliberate malfeasance or is egregious, it's also considered to be within the scope of possiblity of occurance and isn't compensable. 3-4 weeks isn't an abnormal wait time for correct and undamaged special order or custom items to arrive on a jobsite. I know this process can be frustrating, but don't let this so far minor issue make you crazy. You have a LOT of remodel left if you haven't even gotten your complete cabinets in yet, and if you get hyped up over minor delays, crazy making days are ahead!
wa8b
15 years ago
As long as they make things right, be happy. We certainly read enough about misadventures in this forum where getting a kitchen finished turns almost into warfare. Mistakes happen! We'd like to think that they don't -- but they do.

As long as your contractor or cabinet maker is willing to make things right without a fight, count yourself as very fortunate. Once your kitchen is done, you'll forget all about the bad parts. It's sort of like birthing a baby. Lots of pain and anguish while it's happening, but pure joy when all ends up well in the end. Just relax and look forward to the all the happy hours yet to come.

Living through a remodel isn't pleasant, but it will eventually end -- even if a few hiccups occur along the way. You'll forget all about it once things return to normal.
eandhl
15 years ago
I would be really be thankful they make it right and do nothing to add more stress.
caryscott
15 years ago
Did you review the order either just before or just after it was sent (or both) to verify it? One of the biggest things his Forum has taught me is that as the client\consumer I have an important role to play in how smoothly things proceed. Even if you did review it I wouldn't seek compensation but I might want to go over with the KD where it went wrong and let them know that it's fine so it doesn't become something unpleasant between you through the rest of the process. I might also ask if there was something I could be doing to make things proceed smoothly from this point forward ( a nice way to emphasize I don't want anymore problems without pointing any fingers).

This was a good reminder, we went through the order just before it was placed but I should take another look now that we have shipping confirmation just to be sure. Thanks.
catamount90
15 years ago
Mistakes happen. Go with the flow and wait for the replacements. Is someone hurt or injured? Then you're entitled. Otherwise? It's a huge project, mistakes will happen.
jeng
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone for weighing in. The most frustrating this is that I've chosen the wrong KD - he took 18 months to complete design for crying out loud! And once we chose a GC and started construction, my husband and I worked so hard to stay ahead of construction so that everything would go smoothly. I've put considerable time and effort into making sure all materials were on hand to ensure a smooth construction process. Now we're in the final stretches - I can see the kitchen coming together, and the thought of a 3 week delay kills me! aaaaaagh.

Thanks for letting me vent.
--Jennifer
J Sk
2 years ago
@Jennifer Maselli, who was responsible for measuring Your kitchen?

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