I am a fabricator.

A fissure looks like a crack but can't be hooked by a fingernail and it doesn't show on the backside of the stone.

In a more perfect world your fabricator would have been smart enough to at least cut the slab so the crack was in a less conspicuous area than the edge (like the back of a piece)

If you can live with the look I would get a guarantee from the fabricator that the "fissure" won't increase and then document the current state of the "fissure" with a couple photo's that include a ruler so you can positively determine if it grows.

fissures don't grow so if it does even your fabricator has to admit its cracked and replace it.

In a perfect world your fabricator would admit its a bad job and replace the part.

Thanks a lot for the info. I'm going to take your advice and draft up an agreement.

Follow up question, as I want to make sure he sealed the crack correctly -

Should I still be able feel the crack when I run my finger over it? It's extremely shallow, but I can still feel it.

A properly repaired crack should be smooth or at worst barely perceptable. It should not hook a fingernai.

joesc230:

This looks like a large crack with a piece missing that was filled with epoxy or polyester. Note the small dot near the middle which looks like an unfilled air bubble to me.

You can draw up and sign whatever, but in my experience the only thing that gets anything done is money. The person holding it back has leverage. I never guarantee repairs because I can't know what happens after I'm gone. If your fabricator guarantees this, he is a fool.

oldryder: It doesn't hook a fingernail, but isn't totally smooth. I can feel it slightly when pressing against it and running a finger along it.

Trebruchet: They came back last night and filled that area that you mentioned might be an air bubble.

My builder thinks we should tell the subcontractor that the builder will hold back $2,000 for 6 months, and if the crack gets worse he should replace and get the balance at that point...but if it doesn't get worse by then, the installer gets the $2,000. Not sure if 6 months is a good enough time frame, but I do agree that holding back funds is probably the only way to get him to either agree to replace it or at least give me the piece of mind that I can see if it gets worse over that time period. Any thoughts?

Here's an updated pic of the crack, after the installer came back:

and here's a pic of the underside (since I didn't provide one previously)...not sure if this helps see how bad it is, or if it's not too bad.

"My builder thinks we should tell the subcontractor that the builder will hold back $2,000 for 6 months, and if the crack gets worse he should replace and get the balance at that point...but if it doesn't get worse by then, the installer gets the $2,000. Not sure if 6 months is a good enough time frame, but I do agree that holding back funds is probably the only way to get him to either agree to replace it or at least give me the piece of mind that I can see if it gets worse over that time period."

I'd make it a year.

@joesc230 - Do you have kids? If so, I'd be worried about one of them or one of their friends sitting on the counter and the counter giving way. Of course, they could get hurt if that happens and you'd definitely have damage to your hardwood floors to deal with as well. Even if you tell kids (especially teens) never to sit on the counter, they eventually will.

Personally, I'd be asking for a replacement counter.

@gpraceman: No kids yet, but plan on it. Have lots of family in the area with kids, so I see your point.

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I think they should just replace the entire piece. I wasn't sure if asking for a replacement was asking for too much, but after hearing all of your opinions, I think it wouldn't be ridiculous for me to ask.

I'm with you. Seeing your new photo, I just can't overlook that crack. I'd insist on a replacement.

"In a perfect world your fabricator would admit its a bad job and replace the part."

in my shop, if we made the mistake of cutting the blank with the crack towards the finished edge, we would replace the part. Expecting a replacement is reasonable.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and opinions. The contractor has agreed to replace the entire piece.

However, now he's supposedly having payment issues with my builder...unbelievable, but at least he's saying he'll replace it once they resolve their issues.

I'm glad that he is willing to replace that counter. Hopefully, your builder gets their act in gear shortly to not cause any further delay.

Update - they finally came yesterday and replaced the counter with an undamaged one. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

It's good to hear that they replaced your cracked counter. Enjoy your new kitchen.