Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Oct 06, 2008 9:54 pm Hi again! Another kitchen problem from me tonight
I noticed today that the rangehood is not centred over the oven and stove. See pic below. Measuring it today, the left side is very nearly flush (only a couple of mm out - still not perfect ), but the right side is 55mm out. TO compensate, they seem to have pushed the whole bank of overhead cabinets as much to the left as possible, so that they have had to take out the WIP architrave, and they will cut it to accommodate the overhead cupboards But still, the rangehood is 55mm out of alignment, so they have done this with no real result on the other end - so it looks yuck on both ends now They have also taken out the left architrave into the WIP to fit in the fridge cavity side panel. But they have not taken out an even piece, so not only will the archs have to be cut out on both sides of the WIP, but they will be uneven! I think they should take away the whole bank of o/head cupboards and re-do them so that the rangehood sits in the centre, and so that they don't have to cut away any architrave. I plan to talk to builder about this tomorrow - does anyone have any other ideas? Is it reasonable to expect that my cabinetry should all be symmetrical? I think so!!! See pics below: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ thanks in advance Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 2Oct 06, 2008 10:03 pm Yeah that definitely does not look right!
The rangehood has to be centered over the stove, for sure. As for the architraves, that's definitely not working. I think if they're going to take out any architraves then perhaps they have to take them off all together, and sqareset the opening? Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 3Oct 06, 2008 10:04 pm I see what you mean.
That would annoy me no end - of course you should expect symmetry! I'm a bit OCD when it comes to this sort of thing though, so take what i say with a grain of salt Let us know what your builder says My karma ran over your dogma Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 4Oct 06, 2008 10:06 pm Hmmm that might be a good solution Rachelle, to squareset the opening, will put that to them tomorrow too. Thanks
I was wondering if maybe the cooktop knobs are on the right hand side and the rangehood is going to cover them too ... but then the cutout would have to be bigger to accommodate knobs wouldn't it? Hmmm Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 5Oct 06, 2008 10:07 pm Yeah I would want it all aligned.... it doesn't sound right.... and it has to be centred over the hotplates...
Insist on it being changed in the meeting donuts. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 6Oct 06, 2008 10:08 pm thanks bel, I will definitely keep you all updated!
I think we are all a little bit OCD on this stuff but actually I don't think you have to be to see this problem ... it's glaring obvious Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 7Oct 06, 2008 10:11 pm I guess that there could be a chance that the cut out is slightly small? Or that the stove overhangs on one side?
But it does look centered to the cabinet, and I don't the stove would be off centre to the oven. I think the squareset doorway will work really well. I think they should do that for you because they shouldn't ever have to cut off bits of architraves, and if they were going to they should have warned you. Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 8Oct 06, 2008 10:15 pm Rachelle I guess that there could be a chance that the cut out is slightly small? Or that the stove overhangs on one side? that's what I was thinking...but your next comment made me think no, it couldn't... you're right it would be centred to the oven! Quote: But it does look centered to the cabinet, and I don't the stove would be off centre to the oven Quote: I think the squareset doorway will work really well. I think they should do that for you because they shouldn't ever have to cut off bits of architraves, and if they were going to they should have warned you. Yes you are right I will put this to them too. Thanks so much Thanks for your reply too Jo ... I will let you all know how I go tomorrow! Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 9Oct 07, 2008 5:52 am Yes, but remember if you're going ot leave the overheads as they are now, you'll need to put in an infill panel between them & the window, to fill the space.
Edit : Oops, had another look - the window is in the way. Sorry Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 12Oct 07, 2008 8:05 am Unacceptable.
The two end cabinets need to be remade and the range cabinet repositioned (and your architraves replaced, including the top one that they have docked). I couldn't get away with doing this sort of thing, nor would I even try...that off centre range will annoy you for no other reason than that you kow it is like that. Cheers, Earl Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 13Oct 07, 2008 10:43 am Thanks for your replies everyone - particularly Strumer - is good to hear my views validated by an expert.
I am going to call them soon, but before I do, Strumer I would like to know your opinion on what they should do with the left hand side architrave problem - I was thinking they should move the whole fridge cavity over, but there is no room on the other side of the cavity - it butts up right against the architrave of the doorway to the hall (see pic below) Should I ask them to re-build that bit also then, so that it fits in between both architraves? Really appreciate your help Strumer, and that of anyone else who has an opinion! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 14Oct 07, 2008 11:03 am Oh man, it looks like who ever is doing the cabinets and the builder definitley weren't looking at the same set of drawings.
I thought that this might be the next issue when I was looking at the "removed" architrave in the original view. I suppose it depends on who is going to be carrying the onus on these mistakes - if it is the cabinetmakers fault then he/she should be remaking all of the units that do not fit inside the available area. By the looks of it the cabientmaker was working on a different size/dimension than has been built - to me it looks like the floor unit also finishes very close to the architrave, which will not leave much room for any benchtop overhang - infact it would seem that they will have to cut into the architrave to accomodate even the smallest overhang. Fixing this alone is going to turn into a costly exercise for the fabricator (those are coated doors aren't they?) If the fridge cavity wall unit is to be reduced in size to fit properly between the architraves will the cavity still be large enough for your fridge? Weighing this up with the utterly excremental job they did on chopping that top architrave I would be pushing for a square set doorframe on the pantry entrance - as well as getting the wall units rehung (and remade) to centre the range above the oven. If you can, check the specs of the kitchen as per your plan (did you get a dimensioned kitchen plan?) and see where the mistake was made - is the wall shorter that specified or did the cabinetmaker think it was 100mm or so more than drawen? Personally I would be saying that I expect the fridge cavity to sit neatly between the door frames, no butchering - BUT the cavity must also be the size specified/required. Good luck. Earl P.S. Oh and is it just me or do those wall units finish lower than the top of the fridge cavity cabinet? Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 15Oct 07, 2008 11:29 am Thanks for your informative reply Strumer Looks like I have been given a cr@ppy kitchen
I wondered if the architraves are bigger/widerthan normal and the cabinet maker was not aware of this ... still does not justify the rangehood-centring problem though Strumer I suppose it depends on who is going to be carrying the onus on these mistakes - if it is the cabinetmakers fault then he/she should be remaking all of the units that do not fit inside the available area. But even if it's the builder's fault, he should still arrange for all the above to happen and foot the cabinet maker's bill IMO! Quote: By the looks of it the cabientmaker was working on a different size/dimension than has been built - to me it looks like the floor unit also finishes very close to the architrave, which will not leave much room for any benchtop overhang - infact it would seem that they will have to cut into the architrave to accomodate even the smallest overhang. Yes you're right - that won't look good at all Quote: Fixing this alone is going to turn into a costly exercise for the fabricator (those are coated doors aren't they?) they are vinyl wrap doors - is that coated? I don't really care if it's costly I still want them to fix it - but I guess this is why I will probably get pushback when I ask to have it all fixed Quote: If the fridge cavity wall unit is to be reduced in size to fit properly between the architraves will the cavity still be large enough for your fridge? Good point - I will have to go to storage and measure my fridge - it's not an excessively big fridge so I always just assumed it would fit into a standard cavity size, but if I'm asking them to change the cavity I had better be sure! thank you Quote: Weighing this up with the utterly excremental job they did on chopping that top architrave I would be pushing for a square set doorframe on the pantry entrance - as well as getting the wall units rehung (and remade) to centre the range above the oven. Thanks so much - I will ask for them to do this - does that mean I won't have to worry about getting the fridge cavity made narrower then? As this one will fit in? But I guess there will be a couple mm difference between the fridge cavity side and doorway, and the benchtop side and doorway - guess I can live with that... Quote: If you can, check the specs of the kitchen as per your plan (did you get a dimensioned kitchen plan?) and see where the mistake was made - is the wall shorter that specified or did the cabinetmaker think it was 100mm or so more than drawen? I got no plan other than what I posted above - which I noticed is already different to what has been built, as in the above plan the cooktop extends out to the end of the bench, but in real life I have bench space between the pantry doorway and the end of the cooktop Quote: P.S. Oh and is it just me or do those wall units finish lower than the top of the fridge cavity cabinet? Nope it's not just you they do sit lower So while they are re-making the o/head cupboards maybe I should ask them to make them as high as the over fridge ones? That shouldn't be asking too much should it, to expect cupboard heights to be the same as well?? Thanks so much Earl Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 16Oct 07, 2008 11:35 am donuts Quote: P.S. Oh and is it just me or do those wall units finish lower than the top of the fridge cavity cabinet? Nope it's not just you they do sit lower So while they are re-making the o/head cupboards maybe I should ask them to make them as high as the over fridge ones? That shouldn't be asking too much should it, to expect cupboard heights to be the same as well?? Thanks so much Earl I would def get them to change the height of both sets of cupbaoards on the wall to be the same height...if u think the overheads not being aligned to the stove would bug u, imagine how much the mis-match of heights would bug u...it would bug me to no end i think....hehehe Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 17Oct 07, 2008 12:14 pm Donuts,
I suppose my point about the cost of replacing the cabinets was that if/when you get into a "discussion" with these guys they will probably try and talk you into the cheapest solution for them - yes vinyl doors are coated; more expensive and take longer to fabricate = increased annoyance all round. If it was exclusively the cabinetmaker's mistake then the builder will probably have less hesitation insisting that all cabinetry be remanufactured to fit, wheras if it is the builders fault they may well try to palm you off with a square set door only... Unless they agree to replace the floor unit to the left of the oven as well as rebuild the wall units AND adjust the benchtop then they will either have to fit a very narrow architrave (likely?) or square set the doorway. When measuring your fridge don't forget the required ventilation gaps on either side - but either way, the cavity should have been fabricated to provide a specific size opportunity and that is what you should expect to receive. If the doorway gets square set then the fridge cavity could be left as is, and since they will have to make two new wall units anyway they may as well make them to finish at the same height as the fridge unit (don't let them just rehang the units higher unless this is what you are happy with) - of course this means that they will also have to remake the rangehood unit, but, as you have already said, it is their mistake not yours. It is probably a good thing that there is some set down space between the end of the cooktop and the edge of the bench, but (having never done any work for this sort of job) what set of specifications did you receive for the supply of the kitchen? Have you been consulted about this (and any other) changes to the design? If you didn't get a full set of plans and elevations detailing the exact nature of all cabinets then I am assuming that you agreed to a certain design as seen in a display? If so then you should be able to use the display as the example - anything that does not conform to the display would need to be very well justified, and any changes made to the proposal need to be approved by the customer. I don't know if you are using a volume builder or not, so I don't know how realistic these expectations are, but I can only repeat that if we were the specifiers on this job we would be rectifying every one of the issues that have been mentioned - and if it was our mistake (not the cabinetmakers) we would be paying for it out of our own pocket without any arguement. I hope this works out for you. Cheers, Earl Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 18Oct 07, 2008 1:39 pm Strumer I suppose my point about the cost of replacing the cabinets was that if/when you get into a "discussion" with these guys they will probably try and talk you into the cheapest solution for them - yes vinyl doors are coated; more expensive and take longer to fabricate = increased annoyance all round. If it was exclusively the cabinetmaker's mistake then the builder will probably have less hesitation insisting that all cabinetry be remanufactured to fit, wheras if it is the builders fault they may well try to palm you off with a square set door only... Yep - understood I am glad I am getting your advice here first, as I will now NOT be so easily palmed off if that's how they play it Quote: Unless they agree to replace the floor unit to the left of the oven as well as rebuild the wall units AND adjust the benchtop then they will either have to fit a very narrow architrave (likely?) or square set the doorway. I would be happy for them to square set the doorway rather than have to make whole new lower cabinetry as well - but will be sure to emphasize that this is me compromising!! Just one question here - can they still square set the doorway if there is a door going in to the pantry?? Quote: When measuring your fridge don't forget the required ventilation gaps on either side - but either way, the cavity should have been fabricated to provide a specific size opportunity and that is what you should expect to receive. Just checked the fridge - it is 640mm wide. The cavity is supposed to be 900mm (as per the plans - will be interesting to see what it is in real life! ) So even if they do make it narrower will be ok for my fridge - although I would be happy with the square set doorway rather than narrow the fridge cavity (am I being too compromising here? Just thinking about the future when we might want a bigger fridge...) Quote: If the doorway gets square set then the fridge cavity could be left as is, and since they will have to make two new wall units anyway they may as well make them to finish at the same height as the fridge unit (don't let them just rehang the units higher unless this is what you are happy with) - of course this means that they will also have to remake the rangehood unit, but, as you have already said, it is their mistake not yours. Yes, I will ask for he cupboards to be taller - not just hung higher... Quote: It is probably a good thing that there is some set down space between the end of the cooktop and the edge of the bench, but (having never done any work for this sort of job) what set of specifications did you receive for the supply of the kitchen? Have you been consulted about this (and any other) changes to the design? Yes I agree about the benchspace I am happy with that variation to the plan!! Sorry when I said I have received no plans other than posted above, I was getting mixed up with my other thread about my island bench. These are the only plans I was given of the kitchen. It's just part of the floorplan for the house: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Quote: If you didn't get a full set of plans and elevations detailing the exact nature of all cabinets then I am assuming that you agreed to a certain design as seen in a display? If so then you should be able to use the display as the example - anything that does not conform to the display would need to be very well justified, and any changes made to the proposal need to be approved by the customer. Our house was based on their display, but has been heavily modified to suit our block and needs - which means the kitchen dimensions have probably changed (not 100% sure). Is it not reasonable to expect that any cabinetry should also have been modified? Quote: I don't know if you are using a volume builder or not, so I don't know how realistic these expectations are, but I can only repeat that if we were the specifiers on this job we would be rectifying every one of the issues that have been mentioned - and if it was our mistake (not the cabinetmakers) we would be paying for it out of our own pocket without any arguement. Our builder advertises themselves as a custom builder, in my mind this means the kitchen should be designed to suit, and designed a bit better than this . I wish you were designing my kitchen! Quote: I hope this works out for you. Cheers, Earl Thank you, me too! With all your great advice I do feel well-prepared Re: Kitchen cabinets not centred! 19Oct 07, 2008 3:29 pm Sorry to hear of your upset with the cupboards donuts, it is very frustrating when you know what you are supposed to get but it hasn't turned out that way I can't live with things being off centre either, it is something you will look at every day, several times a day. I hope it is possible and easy to rectify. You can really use anything you want the main consideration would be how it looks once painted/finished - or the look you want. Cabinetmakers use MDF because its cheap… 2 9959 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 39703 The HIA contract, in the term & conditions section states that "Commencment" is deemed when the drainage is started or the piers are dug or the slab is formed up (incase… 2 6177 |