Post this as a jpeg, not screen shots, we can't see the drawings.

Were you present when the top/s were installed?

Refusal at install is usually best - "whoa, take it back, this is not what I approved" as you show the correct layout.

Second best is call to fabricator, "come and get this, please, It is not what I approved"

They will want their money - don't pay until satisfied, or satisfied with their explanation.

That looks like a bit like quartz...........only you can decide whether to keep, whether items placed on the counter top in a small pantry, will render this not noticeable, and none of us know if this came from a slab you used elsewhere in the kitchen and what may have happened overall.

Meaning your conversation is best had WITH the fabricator.

This shows the benefit of completing all the steps for stone fabrication. You skipped the inspection at the shop before installation.

I love it.. But you don't. Get what you want. Be firm and let them know this was not in your plan. I am sure you can work out an agreement with them so they are happy and you are too.

Hi all, thanks for the feedback. I am going through first rennovation. I was never told I could come inspect the stone prior to installation, and had no idea they would cut it differently than what was final approved layout. I didnt see the slab before it was installed as my husband was home and not familiar w the details. It is Danby White Marble this was cut from a remnant I found and there isnt another piece to remake it, so I am frustrated. I guess best they could do would be to offer a price reduction but I am really upset after taking so much time to get it right.

There isn't any more material. So, it is price reduction or leave it alone. It is a pantry, not a massive island in your kitchen and there WILL be things placed on that counter top........

I understand your frustration, but : )

what would be a fair price reduction for this issue?

"Fair"? Don't pay the balance UNLESS there was a solid reason the agreed upon layout was impossible. The conversation is with the fabricator, not us.

I think it looks great--I love Danby marble and the veins are part and parcel of the stone. I'd leave it alone.

Thanks Jan, I know the convo is w the fabricator I just am asking for advice before having the conversation.

I get it, but I think you know the answer. If you detest it, if you have written proof? You do not pay balance. As you stated, there IS no more material. If it will bother you for the remainder of your stay in the house? At some point you redo it. It will not be the last ever on earth remnant of Danby. Reno can be full of frustration, most of it tends not to be seriously life altering, which is the very good news.

They will probably say the piece had a crack or imperfection and they had to cut it this way. It night be true, as fissures aren't always obvious when looking at a vertical slab. Most likely the guy working that day didn't look at the instruction carefully and placed the template where it looked good to him!

If the installation looks good otherwise and they didn't damage anything during install, then I think asking for a 25% discount would be fair. Start with more and settle at 25! Cheap lesson to learn to follow agreed upon layouts.

I always muse on these threads ( and they abound on Houzz,) especially with regard to counter tops.

You need no one's "permission" to be ticked off. Only you can decide a fair compensation for that annoyance, whether the explanation for deviation from an agreement is plausible ( fissure as example) or what makes the result livable.

I understand this is not what you signed off on but sorry IMO ythat is what makes real stone beautiful and honestly this it the pantry and either pay to get new slab or get over it. The first renovation is the best one to learn many things are I want but I can't have them all. You need to talk to the fabricator , the one you talked to before< there could have been many issues . Yes they should have shred them but only so much is possible with remmnants.

Yes it also bothers me that I kept the sink area on opposite side of the room very calm so now it feels unbalanced w so many veins on the drybar area. Just frustrated. Thanks for the input, everyone.

In a years time you will look back and wonder why you got so worked up about this!

We put so much thought into these decisions and when they don't look exactly like the picture we imagined in our minds, we feel disappointment. We've all done it! If this is the worst thing that happened to you this year, you are doing pretty good!

This is what i was told:

I checked with the fabrication shop and there were some fissures at the top that they had to avoid when the stone got on the cutting table. This is very normal and within the range of adjustment.

Enjoy your beautiful Laundry Room!

There you go. : ) Call that the peril of working with limited material quantity.,.

I really love the veins but understand why you’d want them minimized in that space. I do think once you add a few items to the area it will calm the veins down some. How will you be using that dry bar area? A medium sized tray corrals g a few things you’d be storing or using there would look really nice. I’m sorry the original plan didn’t pan out, but truly think it’s gorgeous. I hope that your disappointment dissipates quickly and that you love your pantry anyhow. I think this is one of those things.

This is the sink area on opposite side of the room (small space so not far apart at all) and as you can see i kept it very muted which is what I was going for in this space. Does it look odd next to the many veins on the drybar area?

I don't think a solution will be inexpensive. If you are unhappy enough you can find more stone. Unlikely a remnant. That brings up the cost of a correction. Price it out. Possibly the fabrication will be free. He could have informed you of the need for the layout change. You have to decide what makes you happy.

…in a pantry.

Yeah, I'm kinda hung up on using an expensive stone in a pantry. A closet.

The veins give it some character. Leave it alone.

You wanted marble. This is marble, and the veins are very trendy right now.

Consider: The room is unfinished. You're going to add cannisters on the counter, you're going to do something to the backsplash, and you're going to add shelves. Once those things are in place, the countertop area will not be as predominate as it is now.

The whole point with discussing the layout and stone placement was to have a harmonious appearance. The fabricator ignored your wishes.0

Yes, but it's done. In all likelihood, the fabricator thought he knew better than you -- because the veining is kinda at the center of the marble-trend.

It doesn't make sense to remove it and replace it with a different stone -- that'd cost money and send materials to the landfill. For a pantry. Since they didn't do what was agreed, your best bet is to ask for a price reduction.

I was never told I could come inspect the stone prior to installation, and had no idea they would cut it differently than what was final approved layout. I didnt see the slab before it was installed

Was it Reagan who said, Trust but verify?

You need no one's "permission" to be ticked off.

True, and you didn't get what you expected.

Does it look odd next to the many veins on the drybar area?

No, you're the only person who's going to notice this.

Nothing looks odd. It is natural stone and most people expect there to be some variations not just from slab to slab, but from one end to the other, on the same slab. It truly is a non issue. Seriously, a month after you move in you are going to laugh at yourself for writing this post! We have all done this!

They should offer you an adjustment. If they could not execute the agreed layout, they owed you a phone call.

You don't need to go to the shop. That's exactly why approving templates / layouts is done. (and many sub out the fabrication to a 3rd party that may / may not allow customers on site.

It would have been better to stop them from installing - but IF you did that - you would have needed to be ready to negotiate on the spot AND be prepared for them to take it away and possibly break it, leaving ZERO material, vs a cost effective remnant.

It's a lovely piece of natural stone. Not 100% what you envisioned, but, as many have noted - your focus (and certainly the focus of others who see your new home) will shift to the "whole" vs the "parts". This more bold veining is about 20% of the counter impact, which is about 10% of the entire space - so - it's really about a 2% issue.

And that is my recommendation for your adjustment - 10% - 20% of the cost of this item.

Mrs Pete, what materials I choose for my home is not of your concern. Perhaps you didn't mean to come off as rude as sounded, but your comments were unnecessary. This area is two steps off my kitchen which is also going to be Danby White marble and nothing else I looked out felt like it would flow correctly. I will be in and out of this space constantly and didn't want it to feel like a closet but a cozy extension of our kitchen. Obviously not your preference but I know I'll enjoy it for many years and wanted it done correctly for money and time spent hunting down the slabs/remnants I am using.

Thanks just_janni for the advice

Thanks for the encouragement Chispa. Our floors also didnt turn out exactly as we hoped so this renno has been frustrating (and expensive of course), but I hear you...

Last part of the puzzle for anyone still reading. So the drybar was planned as one continuous piece until they sent me final approval and I noticed they had it in two pieces with a seam planned. I told them we didn't want a seam, and they said ok, but you assume finanicial risk for any damage done to counter, cabinets, wall etc. This was a surprise because the guy who templated it said it should slide in easily as long as we removed outlet covers. We discussed w our contractor and further with my contact at the fabricator (who told me it was a minimal risk but things can go wrong in this industry and they have to tell me this) and decided to take a chance on keeping it one piece. Installation went fine and no damage to marble or walls... So I am also thankful it is in one piece, but then feustrated it wasn't the approved layout. I guess I feel like a problem customer now that it is installed safely but not matched to approved layout. Based on the majority of comments, I am leaning toward not asking for a reduction but at least telling them I would have appeciated a phone call prior to them cutting the material. Anways, thanks for your input and help. Rennos are rough.

You made a choice. The most important of which was that "remnant" word.

Now......you can be mad at anyone here, or at yourself. ....and of course the fabricator within reason..

But, know that with any material you are using, in any design of any item or surface from stone to wood flooring to tile to fabric, to wallpaper?

You ensure extra quantity and you tight squeeze nothing. Meaning you must add dollars and quantity to guarantee the result you desire, EVEN when assured......" yes, we can eek it out". You eek out nada. You suffer waste or left overs.

It was your choice. Look for more Danby, and do it over if you like, but anything else is a whine, beyond a dollar compensation and living with it.

Mrs Pete was not rude, she was factual : )

"Renos are rough" ... and just like childbirth, we forget about the pain and do it again a few years later!

We lived in our previous house for ten years and did a big project every other year. I needed that break in between to recover from each project, before I could be interested/excited about the next one! And if all that wasn't enough, when the house was "perfect", we decided to move to another state and build a custom house!

Take heart in the fact that "perfection" is quite overrated - and many opportunities for joy in a renovation or a build are lost in seeking it, or bemoaning its absence. You'll come to realize that when you are using the pantry : )

In the end, I think you'll be happier with the veins rather than a seam. It's a bare room and will be quite different when there are things in it. I'm a little confused if it's a pantry or laundry room or combo but regardless it looks very nice. But I do agree you should have been advised before install if the specs couldn't be met.

Thanks kcooz07. It is a laundry/pantry combo. Had to combine due to space. Hard to get the space in a single photo.

That's a really nice space and once you get some distance from this period on your (stressful) life - the error will seem rather insignificant.

They should have called you to let you know that you would not be getting what was in the drawing and given you the choice of whether or not to go ahead with it. Other people here like it - so what? This is your space, your money, your design. I'd ask for at least 25%.

This is your learning curve too. Now you know it is a risk to assume that a remnant, templated, is going to give you what the template says. Hopefully others read this and learn from your experience too. Sorry that trial by fire is so expensive and frustrating.

"I am sure you can work out an agreement with them so they are happy and you are too."

Boxerpal - Where do you live and who do you work with? Rarely have I dealt with a contractor who gives a rat's tuchas whether or not I'm happy. The world of contracting works like no other business field I have ever dealt with.

Thanks, Kendrah. I really appreciate your input.

Vermont Danby marble slabs have 9 different stylings of veins and colors. Yours looks like it may be Vermont Mountain White Danby Marble, with gray diagonal veins. "Medium to heavy veining. very white background coming from the Brook Layer of the Danby Quarry."

I get the feeling you don't know what you bought (very lucky purchase for a remnant.). You want those veins to show. It is the best thing in your pantry. Think along the line that your counter is the Rolex of marble.

Hi Elcieg, thanks! Yes, I am doing my full kitchen in Olympian White Danby, but we didn't orignally plan to do the same in the laundry/pantry. So I didnt buy an extra slab. plus, at that point, we didn't want to spend the money. however as we went on with the reno, we decided to add a second sink, here in the laundry/pantry, mainly to be used as a hand washing station and needed a stone vs wood tops. Couldnt find another stone I liked to pair w the Danby (other than soapstone but without windows it felt too dark), and I lucked out and found two remnants at discounted price. I agree the marble is best thing in pantry and I like the idea of wallpapering the other walls for sure. I just was frustrated the agreed upon layout wasn't followed, with no notice or apology.

It's an amazing space--I would LOVE a laundry room like that!!!

It's true that nothing is ever perfect, so don't sweat the small stuff!

Your pantry looks lovely. I mean that! Think of it like a quilt. I have heard that in all hand made Amish quilts there is always an intentional imperfection. A reflection that we humans are imperfect. Think of this as your beautiful “imperfection” and cherish it as such.

Hopefully the veining will grow on you (I actually think it gives it more interest/character). The fabricator provided the reason why it was cut that way and consider if you had been advised at the time, would you have agreed (given budget was a concern). If the answer would have been ok, refocus on its entirety and enjoy using such a great space. Have fun accessorizing!

Many of us have been in a similar situation- something expensive didn’t come out as expected AND discussed. I know you’re upset and that is normal. I do think you should ask for some financial compensation. The company didn’t do what they agreed to do.

I’m not diminishing your feelings of disappointment (I would be reacting exactly the same way) but I also know that you will get used to having this and it will become just a part of the laundry/pantry room. Things will get on the counter and reduce how much of the veining actually shows. And then it will be okay. Right now it isn’t, and we’ve all had that “I’m gonna cry now” feeling during a renovation (usually the all-encompassing-complicated-too many details kitchen) and it will also go away. I am sorry you had this happen.

I think that marble is stunning. Great choice.

Take your pick.

Serendipity

Wabi Sabi

The contractor should have called before cutting and said, "We have fissures, do you want to come by and look at the new template?". They didn't and that is completely on them.

The fact that it looks fine to most is not the point. You have every right to be disappointed and upset. And you should let the contractor know it. Don't let "the get over it" posts shame you into feeling differently.

Modern stone shops have digital scanner technology which allow detailed pictures and layouts to become contractural documents. You'd need a copy of the original and one you ordered to make a case for replacement.

Best laid plans get waylaid by the Real World. Real stone, not predictable engineered stone void of any possible structural flaws. Discounted remnants of real stone. How closely did the OP inspect the remnants before fabrication? The fissures may have been the reason the pieces were left over in the first place. Fabricators did the best they could with the material and, it could be said, missed an opportunity to sell the customer a whole new slab.

Hi all, I gave it some thought and decided to happily live with it ... the stone yard/fabricator has a lot of nice stone and I may want to find another remnant there in the future as I have an old home with plenty of renno to come at some point. Thanks for all of the feedback, relating, and encouragement that it looks good overall. Really appreciated.

The tops look great, but it wasn't your expectation. There was an issue ( so they say but didn't confirm with you ) . You can speak with them about some sort of discount and see what happens.

What are you doing for a backsplash? Whatever you do, make sure to keep extra so if you do decide to change the top, you will have tiles in case some get broken on the counter removal.

I can understand the frustration. But it will be ok.

Good news! The counters really are very nice. I still think you should have a chat with the fabricator/contractor about the lack of communication about the revised templating. There would be nothing wrong with you providing constructive and courteous feedback.

I think it's a beautiful countertop. fortunate mistake. I'm w/kendrah and deegw, since they didn't run it by you first, I think you're entitled to a discount. They should always send you an picture to get your approval before cutting. In any case, it's a gorgeous room. the Danby is beautiful w/the veining. I'd love to have it! don't sweat it .