Argument with kitchen supplier

[Hoplikeabunny]

WARNING First World Problem!

We had a new kitchen designed and installed last March. We didn't actually move into the house until May as we were doing pretty extensive renovations, so the kitchen has had approx 8 months use.

Anyway, fast forward to now, and all of the cupboard doors are cracking and peeling, and look horrible. We went for a high gloss effect, so I think it must be an issue with the laminate on them or something. On some of the doors, the entire laminate is in imminent danger of coming off completely, which would leave us with bare wooden doors (not nice wood!).

I contacted the kitchen designer who also installed the kitchen (well his colleague did, but it is the designer who owns the company), and he finally got back to me today saying that the unit manufacturer will reluctantly replace all the doors, but they wont cover the cost of the work involved in putting them on, so we'll need to pay labour costs again.

AIBU to think that this is really cheeky?! Surely he has business insurance to cover this sort of thing? I've already paid out to have the kitchen installed once, I'm not sure it's fair to ask me to pay again? We have no money left anyway so if he wont do the labour for free then he'll have to deliver the doors and we'll have to find the time/figure it out ourselves. TBH, it's not really that, I'm sure DH could remove all of the doors and put the new ones on, but I sort of feel like that's not the point, as we paid for a new, fully functioning kitchen to be installed, and after only 10 months, we no longer have a nice kitchen!

[Mmmmcake123]

I haven't a clue about the legalities, but did the designer source the units for you? Did you pay the designer to employ the fitters? Or did the fitters source the units? If you purchased them yourself based on the designers advice it would be down to you to contact the supplier for replacement and in that case, yes you would have to pay your own labour

[Hoplikeabunny]

We paid the kitchen company the entire amount to do everything, so our contract was with them, they designed the kitchen, sourced the units, installed everything.

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

Obvioisly a manufacture fault ... i know what you mean!!
Have you home insurance with legal cover? Maybe a short legal letter will jolly them on. Send pics!!

They should supply and fit, fit for purpose..... hint at small claims court.

[FishEye]

Yep, they should be fit for purpose. Try the citizens advice bureau maybe? The kitchen company should definitely sort it out, you shouldn't have to pay any more or do any work yourselves. They've not supplied what you have paid for.

[TheAnswerIsYes]

It's down to them to do. Cheeky bastards to tell you you have to pay to fit the replacement doors. I think a stern letter requesting they put right the issues with you 10 month old kitchen is the next step.

[Hoplikeabunny]

Not sure if home insurance has legal cover, definitely worth a look!

Glad I'm not being unreasonable, I am shocked that they've asked for money!

Yes I think a stern letter is my next step, followed by threat of small claims court. Definitely worth keeping CAB in mind too.

I'm so cross!

[kali110]

Have you posted about this before?

[Hoplikeabunny]

No! I only heard back from them yesterday, so have definitely not posted about this before? Why would I post twice?!