My cabinet maker did samples of the stain I liked on 4 different types of wood to help me choose the right one for me. I can attest to the fact that the type of wood makes a difference. Your builder should have warned you. Not sure if there's much you can do about it but maybe some of the more experienced forum members can provide more guidance.

What type of wood does the contract state? Unfortunately that is going to be the deciding factor.

the contract states poplar wood but we were shown maple at the design center.

No, if you have agreed to poplar wood. You need apply toner to even its color, which cost but not much. They should have gave you your wood sample with that color and sign off from it if you agree. That was my kitchen cabinet guy did. He gave me the sample without toner and I asked. They sent new sample and I signed off in its back

what is a toner? is it like a spray pain over the stain? Will they need to take the cabinets down and/or sand them down before applying toner?

Poplar is a greenish wood, it is less expensive because of this.

Most furniture makers consider Poplar to only be acceptable to paint or use solid color stains. Poplar is very inexpensive where Hard Maple and Soft Maple are not.

Info from Hardwood Glossary for Poplar:

Natural color-Sapwood-creamy to white, heartwood-light to dark yellowish brown
with greenish or purplish tinge.

Paintholding-Excellent.

Staining-Takes any stain but is seldom stained.

Filling-Seldom filled.

Finishing-Good. (Takes and holds all kinds of paints, enamels and top coats
well, never shows raised grain or discoloration from resin.)

Natural finish-Seldom used, has no distinctive figure or grain or attractive
coloring effects.)

Yellow Poplar is suited to the manufacture of any wood product which does not require
the ultimate in hardness and strength. It possesses most of the remaining properties
required in abundance and is very easily worked. While it is not suited to a natural or
stained finish where an attractive figure or coloring is needed, it has an excellent
surface for taking and holding paint or enamel for a permanent finish which is not
equalled by most hardwoods it is available in good volume and large dimension at a price
which makes it most competitive in the hardwood lumber market.

Isn't poplar considered a paint grade wood?

It sounds like he misled you. He showed you a cabinet in maple which you thought you were getting but you signed a contract which included poplar.

How rotten. And I doubt there is much you can do. I would be careful trusting him from here on out. Read everything more closely and do your homework.

what brand are the cabinets?

Good thought Chisue!

Sounds like a bait and switch tactic. Might want to contact your state attorney general to see what he/she says. :)

Just another example of if you want something done right you gotta do it yourself. You have to be your own advocate and question every small detail to get it done right. While this really is not your fault, I don't think there is much that can be done now. I dont know if I would have noticed a detail like that on the contract. Maybe I would have, maybe not.

I have a feeling he chose poplar because it does cost less. Now if you pointed that out before signing, he might have raised the price. Who knows.

What exactly did you see at the design center? Did you base your decision on the cabinets that were installed in the design center or where you looking at samples of stained wood?

i was looking at samples of stained wood at the design center. i have attached the sample i saw at the design center (pic2). I am also attaching the sample the builder had of the same stain in poplar which was not shown to us (pic 1).

It is not substantially different in color. The variation shown is due to the differences in a veneer panel vs. a solid pieced raised panel. That would be similar in any wood when a veneer is compared with a solid pieced panel.

I am wondering if matching stain can be put on the lighter strands of the veneer. If there wasnt that dark band in the middle it wouldnt be noticable.

I see a significant difference in color and saturation. There is a grey-green undertone on the poplar and it didn't take the stain as deeply.

I doubt you can do anything which is a bummer. I wonder if you'll notice long term?

Shivanibr,

I do not know how they applied toner but my cabinet is hard maple solid wood and grown in U.S.A. (I made them put in writing because I do not like china made stuffs)

If you had turned over the sample you saw at the design center, it probably listed the wood and the stain that was used on the sample board. Different woods will look different even when stained with the same stain. Unfortunately, it sounds like you did not know this fact and did not know to ask if they had a sample of poplar with the stain you wanted. I can understand your frustration, but I doubt the contractor will make any changes without charging you.