Good quality laminate worktops joined poorly??

[Zipwire]

I've had a nice new worktop just put in but am concerned as it doesn't appear to be joined properly. One is slightly higher than the other plus there is a visible gap between them. I can see in one part it stack very tightly bit then it separated. The difference is noticeable and this is not the finish I was looking for. When I put a credit card on top I can see a gap. The hob was not fitted straight either. It is slightly off and at an angle, which is noticeable. Is there a way to remedy these without the need to purchase another worktop and without the damagee to the existing one? The fitter who did this is someone I know, which makes it awkward.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It is slightly off and at an angle, which is noticeable. Is there a way to remedy these without the need to purchase another worktop and without the damagee to the existing one? The fitter who did this is someone I know, which makes it awkward.

You are bound to be able to see the joint between sections, but the corner misalignment, step in levels and particularly the hob not being square is really very poor. Was this work done by an amateur, done as a favour for you?

I doubt it can be anything can be done, without buying new worktop and starting again.

 

[Notch7]

It may be possible to take out the worktops and re trim. That all depends on if there is room in the set out to lose the adjustment.

It can be a reall bugger to get worktop joins flat -especially if the worktops are at all cupped. Its annoying because the worktop bolts are often behing cabinet rails and are wwkward to crank up tight.

Its not a disaster just not done with enough finesses. The quality would be fine for a rental apartment -but not a dream kitchen!

 

[pete50]

It's cr*p end of. Even my laminate worktop joints are better than that I'm am, absolutely, no "professional." You pay a hell of a lot of money to these, so called, "tradesmen" to come and do a professional job. On a laminate worktop those joints should be almost invisible. It might be slightly harder with that sort of finish but what you have is rubbish.

 

[dogfonos]

If the electric hob is like the hob I had fitted recently, there may be enough 'wriggle room' to square it properly - or at least improve it. The fastening clips beneath should be loosened, the hob rotated slightly (if possible) then the clips re-tightened. Not sure much can be done to correct all worktop problems though.

On the wider issue of substandard workperson-ship...

I've had quite a lot of building work done over the past two years (employing general builders, roofers, screeders, plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, carpenters, floor-layers, kitchen fitters & window installers) and I have to say that the quality of tradespersons' work has been very variable. Not just my personal experience but talking to others who've also had work done, I'd say that about 50% of the time, the quality doesn't meet customer expectations. Why? Unreasonable customer expectations? Lack of communications between tradesperson and customer? Substandard products? Or simply shoddy work quality?

I suspect cost has a lot to do with it. Seems to me that most customers are keen to accept the cheapest quote so, if they want to get any work at all, tradesfolk quote a cheap price then have to complete the job quickly to make any profit. Shame. I'd rather pay more for better quality work - but when I tried that approach, I still got mediocre quality work.

Us customers would love to know the secret of how to get quality results every time. I put a lot of thought, research, time and trouble into finding the best products and tradespeople yet it was still hit and miss. Think I must be missing something.

 

[EddieM]

Lousy job IMHO.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

DIY'er tend to get it very right, or very wrong like the OP's example. The worktop I put in 30 years ago, my first ever and lacking the proper tools, is much better than that.

 

[bobasd]

OP,
your best bet would be to leave things alone unless you can get the installer back to re-do or better to replace at the installer's expense.
thing is, that once you start lifting mitred W/T's you could damage the w/t's.

 

[Zipwire]

Thank you ver

You are bound to be able to see the joint between sections, but the corner misalignment, step in levels and particularly the hob not being square is really very poor. Was this work done by an amateur, done as a favour for you?

I doubt it can be anything can be done, without buying new worktop and starting again.

No, it wasn't a favour and we agreed professional rates. When I've pointed the faults out to him, he just said that the worktops must have 'shifted' over night! I also discovered afterwords that the sink is not straight either!

 

[Zipwire]

OP,
your best bet would be to leave things alone unless you can get the installer back to re-do or better to replace at the installer's expense.
thing is, that once you start lifting mitred W/T's you could damage the w/t's.

I am worried about getting him back in as I don't trust he could fix it!. I've paid him half of the money agreed, was intending on paying full even with the faults because I know him! But at the end, I've told him that I can't justify paying the full amount as I will have to replace both worktops plus pay for labour. The thing is, he already replaced one worktop at his expense as it was faulty and he didn't see it before he cut it! He is not happy.

 

[Zipwire]

DIY'er tend to get it very right, or very wrong like the OP's example. The worktop I put in 30 years ago, my first ever and lacking the proper tools, is much better than that.

The latest is that the sink is not straight either. To top it all off, he sealed the space between the wall and the worktops with the white weaker about 5cm wide! It looked horrible! That was his finished result. When I've asked if he was going to trim it, he said that he did it so think to hide the old sealer. I mean, really??

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You may have agreed a professional fee for the job, but the work is far from professional. It's his problem if he installed a faulty worktop, he should have inspected it before starting to use it.

 

[Zipwire]

If the electric hob is like the hob I had fitted recently, there may be enough 'wriggle room' to square it properly - or at least improve it. The fastening clips beneath should be loosened, the hob rotated slightly (if possible) then the clips re-tightened. Not sure much can be done to correct all worktop problems though.

On the wider issue of substandard workperson-ship...

I've had quite a lot of building work done over the past two years (employing general builders, roofers, screeders, plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, carpenters, floor-layers, kitchen fitters & window installers) and I have to say that the quality of tradespersons' work has been very variable. Not just my personal experience but talking to others who've also had work done, I'd say that about 50% of the time, the quality doesn't meet customer expectations. Why? Unreasonable customer expectations? Lack of communications between tradesperson and customer? Substandard products? Or simply shoddy work quality?

I suspect cost has a lot to do with it. Seems to me that most customers are keen to accept the cheapest quote so, if they want to get any work at all, tradesfolk quote a cheap price then have to complete the job quickly to make any profit. Shame. I'd rather pay more for better quality work - but when I tried that approach, I still got mediocre quality work.

Us customers would love to know the secret of how to get quality results every time. I put a lot of thought, research, time and trouble into finding the best products and tradespeople yet it was still hit and miss. Think I must be missing something.[/QUOT

It's cr*p end of. Even my laminate worktop joints are better than that I'm am, absolutely, no "professional." You pay a hell of a lot of money to these, so called, "tradesmen" to come and do a professional job. On a laminate worktop those joints should be almost invisible. It might be slightly harder with that sort of finish but what you have is rubbish.

It may be possible to take out the worktops and re trim. That all depends on if there is room in the set out to lose the adjustment.

It can be a reall bugger to get worktop joins flat -especially if the worktops are at all cupped. Its annoying because the worktop bolts are often behing cabinet rails and are wwkward to crank up tight.

Its not a disaster just not done with enough finesses. The quality would be fine for a rental apartment -but not a dream kitchen!

It's a real shame. I have been waiting to change the worktops and install new appliances for ages. It was such a disappointment. But the saddest thing is that when I've pointed the faults out to him he completely refused to take all responsibility. I began to think that maybe I am exaggerating or being too picky. His excuse was - 'it must have moved over night, it was perfect when I fitted it!' to both the worktops and the sink not being aligned properly. So I paid him only half the money as I just couldn't bring myself to accept all the faults. He tried to rectify it - he shifted the hob and put a lot of filler into the gap that was cut to wrong size. Still, there is nothing that could he done about the worktops being different hight and the gap and now the sink misalignment, apart from ripping it all out and starting again. Interestingly, he doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong with his work.

 

[foxhole]

Can’t move unless it was not fitted correctly , the joint cut is misaligned so can’t move relative to each other except apart which it has not .
Did he leave any damage with his spurs ?

 

[Notch7]

Fitting worktops as a standalone job is a bit of a pain -the problem is pricing such a job, if a carpenter cuts it wrong or damages it, he has to pay to replace it. Which is fine, but there isnt enough money in the job to cover, whereas if a whole new kitchen is being fitted then the cost of a worktop isnt so painful.

I know carpenters that add a bit extra profit onto a job to help contribute.

Fitting a customer supplied worktop means somebody has to check it for damage before starting.

In thr context of this job, unfortunately I would say the guy hasnt the skill or experience to do it correctly -worktops arent as easy to fit as they look and the pros learn lots of tricks to get the set out and the joints all looking spot on.

Its a fact of life that not every job comes out spot on, we all have a job that for some reason just doesnt want to play ball. However for a skilled guy, his 'poor job' is still most likely to be above the customers expectations. Sadly this job is a bit of a bodge, someone with pride in their work just couldnt walk away leaving it like that I certainly couldnt.