Thomas Archer homes-Island Problem-Stone Not "Book Match"

scott2323 · Aug 01, 2022 12:16 pm

Hi All

I am building with Thomas Archer Homes and had a problem @ the Island Benchtop which need your help.

I spend 10K to upgrade this Kitchen Island and 1 of the key feature in the upgrade is to get the stone "book matched" , however the stone does not look like "book matched" at All 3 sides of waterfall - the worst is @ the back panel where the stone panel miss-alignment is approx. 40mm

Now, it looks more like a "book match try-hard but failed attempt"

I have escalated this issue with Thomas Archer Homes during last couple weeks, TA then handball this issue to both stone manufacturer and the stone mason.................

Although I am still waiting for an official answer , my impression from TA is "it is what it is" and this so called "book match" meet Thomas Archer Home's definition and quality standard .....................

Picture below for your reference

Any suggestion what can I do ? Many thanks in advance

( Builder : Thomas Archer
Stone Manufacturer : Quantum Quartz
Stone Mason : Adriatic Stone )

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scott2323 · Aug 01, 2022 8:38 pm

Update : Got written confirmation from Thomas Archer Homes state

- " the island bench finish meets our expectations and installation standards (for the book match) "

Any suggestion what is my option now ? raise a dispute case with Domestic Building Dispute Resolution of Victoria (DBDRV) ?

rocketfish11 · Aug 01, 2022 8:45 pm

I've got to say, if that's what you're complaining about, I would hate to be your builder.

orionnebula · Aug 01, 2022 9:04 pm

You could try contacting the manufacturer directly and see what they have to say. I wouldn't be happy with this as a book match but I'm unaware what tolerances exist (if any) for this kind of work.

scott2323 · Aug 01, 2022 9:17 pm

rocketfish11

I've got to say, if that's what you're complaining about, I would hate to be your builder.

I won't complain if this is for free

But spending 10K extra to upgrade the island/benchtop and specifically tell the builder this is my requirement and have the "book match" documented in my contract

The end result is disappointing .............

Cabinetmaker · Aug 01, 2022 11:07 pm

scott2323

Update : Got written confirmation from Thomas Archer Homes state

- " the island bench finish meets our expectations and installation standards (for the book match) "

Any suggestion what is my option now ? raise a dispute case with Domestic Building Dispute Resolution of Victoria (DBDRV) ?

Pretty good match for an engineered stone benchtop that is 1600 wide

sifntdaz · Aug 02, 2022 9:39 am

when we built we specified book match as well. At the time they said it was on a best endeavours effort. That being said, I think the price component is for the product and there isn't an actual cost associated to trying to book match

scott2323 · Aug 02, 2022 12:26 pm

sifntdaz

when we built we specified book match as well. At the time they said it was on a best endeavours effort. That being said, I think the price component is for the product and there isn't an actual cost associated to trying to book match

hi Sifntdaz

Thanks for the feedback , how is your "book match" go? Are you happy with the end result ?

Thanks

sifntdaz · Aug 02, 2022 1:22 pm

scott2323

sifntdaz

when we built we specified book match as well. At the time they said it was on a best endeavours effort. That being said, I think the price component is for the product and there isn't an actual cost associated to trying to book match

hi Sifntdaz

Thanks for the feedback , how is your "book match" go? Are you happy with the end result ?

Thanks

Ours was pretty smooth.. however I don't think our tabletop is as complicated as yours in terms of the pattern. What product is yours?

scott2323 · Aug 02, 2022 1:35 pm

sifntdaz

scott2323

sifntdaz

when we built we specified book match as well. At the time they said it was on a best endeavours effort. That being said, I think the price component is for the product and there isn't an actual cost associated to trying to book match

hi Sifntdaz

Thanks for the feedback , how is your "book match" go? Are you happy with the end result ?

Thanks

Ours was pretty smooth.. however I don't think our tabletop is as complicated as yours in terms of the pattern. What product is yours?

mine is Quantum6+ , which is basically porcelain tiles

thought the "book match" will only apply when there is vein in the pattern which can running through from panel to panel ...........

sifntdaz · Aug 02, 2022 1:37 pm

scott2323

mine is Quantum6+ , which is basically porcelain tiles

thought the "book match" will only apply when there is vein in the pattern which can running through from panel to panel ...........

yer we got the same one in the bianco finish. the veins aren't as prominent as yours.

cjam1 · Aug 16, 2022 8:19 pm

hey team, i've had this same thing with other companies when i did my bench, it's impossible to get a perfect match, it actually is pretty close. Sometimes we notice things more than others. I felt the same with mine but the more I researched the more I realised book match is just best effort, everyone is the same it's not a TA thing.

Pulse · Aug 16, 2022 9:10 pm

I’m no stonemason but technically I don’t think you can book match engineered stone. As I understand bookmatched stone is cut from the same block and then one reversed like a book page. I assume the engineered stone are all the same print or face so not reversible.

orionnebula · Aug 16, 2022 9:43 pm

Pulse

I’m no stonemason but technically I don’t think you can book match engineered stone. As I understand bookmatched stone is cut from the same block and then one reversed like a book page. I assume the engineered stone are all the same print or face so not reversible.

You absolutely can and many of them are designed as such.

See Page 12 of this QuantumSix+ Brochure where it specifically mentions this.

I'm still of the view that this bookmatch isnt close and being 4cm out of whack is very poor.

JayxZara · Dec 02, 2022 11:51 pm

scott2323

rocketfish11

I've got to say, if that's what you're complaining about, I would hate to be your builder.

I won't complain if this is for free

But spending 10K extra to upgrade the island/benchtop and specifically tell the builder this is my requirement and have the "book match" documented in my contract

The end result is disappointing .............

Sorry to hear mate.. really disappointing and doesn't really align with their "incredible passion and attention to detail".

Do you have an update on this?