More photos of the problems

I should also add: they also measured the work station sink to small to allow for the use of the cutting boards it came with, but they trimmed the cutting boards down so they fit now. They also forgot to instal the 4” quartz’s backsplash “lip” we ordered (they may have forgot to cut it), but we told them not to bother after the counters were installed because we like the way they look without it anyway. I’m quickly losing trust with the company though…

And lastly - no, I did not approve any pre-cut plans. No measurements were offered to me and I didn’t know enough to ask :( I didn’t sign any contracts, either.

View from the top

Sorry Patricia, my app isn’t letting me add any more photos. I don’t know about a template - they told me what size sink to buy and I did and then dropped it off with them. They came to our home and measured the area prior to ordering the stone. By “trimmed the metal parts”, I mean they cut the sides of the nuts and washers that are used to mount the faucet in order to make them fit. They also said we couldn’t use our faucet’s base plate because they couldn’t mount the faucet with the millimeters of space it added.

Take pics from further back so we can see the issue. Did they hve the template for the sink? What do you mean they trimmed the metal parts ? You will find here that these issues are often the clients fault and to be honest I will agree that you did not do your part . But I need to see the issue from further back to really understand .Got the pics IMO too much counter in front of the sink for me. As for the faucet hole it fits and since there is no wall behind there should not be an issue if you want to change the faucet . Not sure what the 4" piece was supposed to be . They cracked the island ???? Who did this work ?

Patricia, there is a wall behind the sink - it’s the island “wall”. Directly behind the faucet is the island, and behind that is overhang.

Oh and the 4” backsplash lip of stone that they forgot to install (or perhaps cut) was meant to go on cabinets opposite this island (not pictured). But we’re fine to do without on that front.

When I renovated my kitchen, the countertop fabricator measured everything and then looked at the specs for the sink I had ordered and decided there would not be enough space for the faucet behind the sink. He recommended a very similar sink that was slightly smaller and would allow enough space. So my experience says, a really good fabricator would have caught this and offered solutions.

I'll add that he was the most expensive fabricator in the area and came highly recommended by my architect and interior designer as the Michelangelo of fabricators. They suggested I bit the bullet on cost as I was using a countertop material (recycled concrete) that not everyone was familiar with and needed to work with the best.

Not sure how you found your countertop company and who they use for fabrications (often not the same company) but if you chose the lowest bid vendor then sadly, lack of quality is often where you pay the highest price. If this was a reputable vendor at a fair to everyone price, then I'd say they need to redo that section. Either way you're going to need a different sink, one that fits. That will be your cost.

Tagging @Joseph Corlett, LLC for his thoughts on this.

Thanks Tozmo. I’m a contractor myself (albeit different industry), so when I was searching for a company I based my search off of highest price and good reviews. This company charges the highest rates and had the most consistently good reviews. I rejected quotes that were under $1000 cheaper than this company’s quotes.

The distance between your front edge and your sink cutout is at least double the size it should be. I've made those rails as small as 2 3/8" and your's is double that.

Is there a pony wall behind your cabinet or just cabinet? They could get into the wall to solve part of the problem. If you make them do it over, you're doing them a favor. They need to learn this lesson and the only way you learn is by paying tuition.

Then definitely they need to make it right. Looks like you unfortunately got the rookie on the team. You really should get a different sink so you don't run the risk of it happening again. Even the most skilled craftsman can't jam something in that doesn't fit without cutting a corner someplace.

"When I renovated my kitchen, the countertop fabricator measured everything and then looked at the specs for the sink I had ordered and decided there would not be enough space for the faucet behind the sink."

He was wrong. All non-custom sinks fit into standard cabinets with room for faucets.

Tozmo and Joseph, I guess my question is who pays the cost for that new sink even if I were to ordered on? I ordered the size the company told me to order and I have the texts to prove it. At this point I want to tell them to either redo the job with a new slab and drawings we sign off on, or forget about the remaining payment. Am I out of bounds by demanding this?

Thanks Joseph. It’s a pony wall but to tell the truth, my husband is so pissed about this that he doesn’t want to make it easy on them to allow them to cut into the pony wall. To be honest, neither do I. We want the job done right.

My cabinets were all custom. True custom, not semicustom. For some reason they were less deep than standard on that wall. It was a renovation in an exiting space, a lot of puzzle pieces to fit together due to the design so I'm sure the cabinet maker had his reasons. Another reason I didn't want to mess up the counters.

I think your sink is too far back for comfortable use, but it's possible it had to be that far back to fit in the cabinet because it's too big.

If it the sink is bigger than the one intended for the cabinet, it has to move back and so the faucet has nowhere else to go. It might not be physically possible to bring the sink forward (without cutting the cabinetry which typical counter guys aren't likely to suggest). Look inside--can the sink actually be moved forward without hitting the cabinet sides?

I wouldn't care if the pony wall were butchered out of sight. I would not want my faucet or my work sink accessories modified to fit without my approval. And I'm not sure what's going on with the caulk and the cracks...

Good point about your sink being installed so far back. Was that a mistake or intentional to solve another problem? If it's a mistake and they cut into your perfectly good sink that actually can fit in the space if installed correctly, then they should buy a new sink.

Tomzo and Fori, the sink could come forward just over an inch without any carpentry - but here’s the thing: they also knew we were ok with paying for carpentry as we also paid them to take off the second tier of this island (it was originally two tiered). If they had told us there was any trouble placing the sink, we would happily have paid for the carpentry needed to pull the sink forward.

What’s more, there were multiple times in this process when they could have told us there would be a problem. Before ordering the stone and after they took measurements, I asked what size sink I should buy. They measured and texted me to buy a standard 30”. This is a standard 30”. Then I dropped the sink and it’s accessories off at their shop prior to cutting. They didn’t bring up any issues. They cut the sink hole 6” back without any consult with us and we didn’t know until the stone arrived at our home.

When they installed the counters, they realized the accessories wouldn’t fit and the owner called me. He apologized and said they could bring the stone back to the store and maybe the sink hole a little larger, or trim the cutting boards. I told them they could just trim the cutting boards.

Then the workers on site knocked on my office door and asked me where I wanted the faucet hole to be placed and they cut it on site. I said I’d like the faucet hole in the middle behind the sink. At that point, they could have told me there was an issue with space and I maybe would have said, “okay, put it on the side then,” but they didn’t. They just said, “okay,” and cut the hole.

We paid them to hook up the plumbing and they hooked up the sink's drain but they said "they didn’t have the right tools" to install my (very standard) faucet and told me I’d have to buy a new one instead. I said “no, I’ll just get my husband to install it with his tools when he gets home.” Then they pretended everything was great with the counters and left. It wasn’t until my husband came home to mount the faucet that he discovered there wasn't enough space to mount the faucet.

The next day we called to complain and the owner of the shop came out and apologized and said they knew the sink was a problem at along. They just decided not to tell us! We also complained about the chips in the island and he said he would tell his guys to fill them.

He sent his guys back a few days later to mount the faucet so everything “fit.” The workers made the faucet bits “fit” by cutting the metal pieces (washer and nut). For some reason they stripped the silicone at under the countertops and put new silicone in too, but didn’t place any filler over the chips in the island that they caused, and siliconed over the chips so I can’t even repair them myself without stripping their silicone a second time.

I will also say that the original sink was a 30”, but it was drop in. When I asked the countertop guys if should order a drop in sink or an under mount sink, they told me a 30” under mounted sink would be best.

(added to add: when the owner came to the house to apologize, he told us the real problem was that while the sink isn't too long (side to side, it's only 29" and he told me anything under 31" would fit), it was far too wide. He said it is over 22" wide and that that is too wide for the cabinets. Then I reminded him that the sink is only 19" inches wide front to back. And: crickets.)

Corner sinks with "frameless" constructed cabinets are always problematic with fitting an "undermount" sink. Also looks like you might have tip out trays? There's a knob on the fake drawer head. Maybe that contributed to them pushing it back. Most likely the size of the sink is why they pushed it back so far.

At the template the sink size should have been looked at with the homeowner so they understand why that can't have a BIG sink.

If the wide front rail doesn't bother you, I'd live with it. The install doesn't look shoddy to me.

Only other option I can think of where you could salvage the island top.... would be to have a top mount sink installed here? The SS top mounts that are universal have a really thin edge and look nice....then you could keep a bigger sink...since the flange is on TOP of the countertop....not squeezed in underneath.

Would be tricky for sure. I'm not an installer but just a thought.

ps a sink like this...that is universal install: https://www.amazon.com/Lordear-Topmount-Radius-Stainless-Kitchen/dp/B07W442LHD?th=1

Wow, I say make them fix everything at their expense. You definitely got the rookie crew. Remodeling is so exhausting, even with the best craftspeople. So annoying when you finally take the plunge and get this kind of service.

It is too far back for comfortable use. I suspect an agile plumber with some cursewords would be able to get the faucet attached but why? How did they choose this location. I would never have let them trim my cutting boards either, that was a red flag (I know the ship sailed on that)

Thanks Hallett & Co. I sure wish I hadn't made that accommodation, but I'm a recovering nice girl who's never worked with a contractor before (my husband and I are pretty handy and tend to do most things ourselves). I guess because people were in my home I fell into 'making guests comfortable' mode and forgot to be a hard ass.

Totally understandable and if the cutting board was the only flub you wouldn't be here! Sorry you are going through this.

Wow Katie, it must really be true what they say about Canadians. 😍

hahahaha, it is true, Tozmo1! I even gave the crew sparkling water and coffee as they worked! They might not be good at their jobs, but they are human after all! haha

It's unfortunate really. I'm sure the crew were well meaning and doing their best, especially after you shared that the owner said he knew there were issues and he didn't want to tell you. So sad he sent the crew in to take the brunt of the problem. I hope it all works out and you get the new counter and sink.

I run a sink replacement business. I am telling you this is 100% fabricator error. The sink can come forward 3" +- easily when the tops are replaced. No, I don't need a dimensioned drawing or sink specifications; I can tell from the pictures.

Sorry I only saw the top photo so do not understand the wall part. This is a redo and at their expense and please be a bad ass do not let this slide . IMO they owe you a new faucet too or at least the proer install parts the meesed with

Thanks Patricia and Joseph. It is good to know pros don’t think I’m being dramatic! I sent a strongly worded email yesterday laying out the issues and insisting that a new slab be ordered and installed (and not cut until drawings are signed by myself or my husband) at no extra expense to us than the remaining balance, or that we expect the remaining balance to be waived. They confirmed the received the email but have not gotten back to me with their decision yet.

We had similar problems, less than what you had actually, and they re-did it for me. I'm not a big complainer but I would not live with that.