no, it doesn't look good and the sink cut out is off too. Lordy and this is the second time around?? yikes.

can you take another picture from farther away

I

Does that help? They're also trying to convince us to change the color because Marengo is being discontinued. I called Cosetino direct and they told me that it's one of their most popular colors and it definitely is NOT being discontinued! This is insane. At this point they want to do counter #3 with the same fabricator (big box store) and we think that maybe it's time to change fabricators!

At the end of the day if you're not happy with it, get it fixed. And if they did a worse job the second time that is poor workmanship. Do you have pictures of the first one to show them? Did you have the same fabricator both times? Maybe ask Cosentino for a second opinion?

That is a hard seam though. It's difficult to blend because of where it is located, and it is extra noticeable because of the high sheen finish and the lack of pattern to blend/hide it into the background overall. - If countertop #3 is on the horizon maybe consider having them angle the seam from corner to corner, so it's a diagonal seam instead of looking like it got cut off right at the edge of your sink.

connerhm:

Place a straightedge over the seam please. It shouldn't rock or have a dip at the seam. It looks to me like the left side is high and they abraded it, causing the whiteish discoloration, when they scraped the seam to flush. I'd try a gray magic marker, but considering how poorly the tops fit, I like the idea of another do-over even better. Although your butt joint is a manufacturer approved method, ask for a French miter next time, please. And Integra Adhesives Storm Gray 2402 adhesive, not some eye'd-up polyester on the spot.

I'm curious as to why your front sink rail is so fat; it's got to be 5" or so. It should be 3-4", even with a tip-out drawer. Have them strap, not clip, your sink in place, please.

We do have pictures from the first time- it's the same fabricator (not our choice but what we were given based on the store we bought it from). I agree about asking Cosetino... they were supposed to send someone out today to look at it and they never showed. We will try again next week. I like the idea of the angled seam; that makes sense. Thank you. Joseph Corlett, is the French miter where they go in at a 45 degree angle then do it straight across? I've seen pictures of that and wondered myself why ours didn't look like that. As for the sink, I really have no idea. I just measured it and it's 4.25", so bigger than what you're saying it should be and I have no idea why. We replaced an old drop in sink with a 25" Kraus model that, after the first installation, functioned and fit perfectly but now does not. Because they cut the 3/16" off the counter at the seam the sink is slightly off and the faucet sprayer (the weight underneath) now knocks into our water pipes. (It's a very tight space.) The plumber told us this needs to also be fixed b/c it will break our 20 yr. old pipes if we don't. What do you mean strap, not clip, the sink into place? Will that make it fit better?

A French miter looks like this pic - it is not a 45 degree angle cut. Of course, in a quartz countertop the seem will be barely visible when you step back.

French miter:

"What do you mean strap, not clip, the sink into place?"

This or this.

"Will that make it fit better?"

Yes, in the sense that space for clips is no longer needed, so the sink can be moved as far forward as possible.

"Of course, in a quartz countertop the seem will be barely visible when you step back."

Inconspicuous, not invisible, is to be the expectation for countertop seams. Color, particulate, and movement all affect seam appearance and none are in the control of the installer.

I would tell them to take it back, give you your money back and then find a quality fabricator (not from a big box store!) to do it correctly.

I can't thank you all enough. This is great information to have. I agree with the quality fabricator argument...something we assumed buying from a big box store would guarantee and have learned the hard way that it doesn't.

connerhm:

On the contrary. The big box store will sit on these guys until they get it right. To a small local fabricator, you're just another dissatisfied customer; we've got tons of proof of that here. Your fabricator is going to eat this a third time, or he's going to have his contract pulled. That means that yours is suddenly a million or several million dollar job. That cannot happen with a local.

That's GREAT to hear and makes perfect sense. Thank you.

Did Stone Systems do the fabrication?

Rhyolite:

I'm assuming the pictured top is a gloss solid surface. If so, it's not going to look like that for more than 10 minutes after installation. Although it looks fabulous initially, solid gloss black is not recommended for horizontal countertop applications as it scratches white much too easily. When homeowners are inevitably unhappy, they mistakenly blame the product instead of the company that sold them.

Teresa-- no, they didn't do our fabrication.

I had same problem. Eventually Home Depot helped me. It was a struggle. Stand firm. It's not a good job so don't settle.

Teresa- if I may ask, what did they do to make it right? Did you get another counter remade and was that one okay? Were you able to switch fabricators?

Hello, the fabricator would not do anything. The Home Depot not much better. I put the matter into dispute with American Express. Then I dealt with the District Manager. I finally got them to refund all the monies to me and then told them to deal with the fabricator. I the countertop redone locally. I hope this helps. Your credit card company can be very helpful.

Congrats Teresa! I’m glad you got your money back. Now to find someone reputable!

It's better if you find a smaller fabricator with proper licenses and insurance. Don't go with big box stores but also make sure not to do business with contractors or freelancer shops who cut quartz in their driveway, yard or a garage. Check the reviews, ask to see some of the work they already did, and that should be enough to make you certain that you're doing the job with the real professionals. And now you can say that you can be certain how a seam should not look like.

Teresa, thank you for sharing (and yes, it helps a lot). I'm happy to hear that your counter was fixed.

"It's better if you find a smaller fabricator with proper licenses and insurance."

In my state, Florida (one of the most strict), no state license is required to install cabinets, countertops, or tile, ironically the things for which there are some of the most complaints here.

This is similar to our installation, we gave them two chances and now we have hired a new fabricator.

Our seam the second time, they did fix the sink area but then faucet was off center.

Dented our sink

One of four places my cabinets were chipped or dented.