AIBU for wanting my brand new kitchen perfect?

Emmyloo89 · 2024-10-01T19:46:53+00:00

Long story short, I’ve saved for years to renovate my house after my husband had an affair, we got a divorce and I had to buy him out of the house. It’s taken years of saving. My new kitchen is going in and there are just bits that probably to most people not spending tens of thousands of their own money would think were nit-picking, but they matter to me. I found a big scratch along the top of the cornice today (it’s a wren kitchen) and flagged it with the builder, one of whom is my brother (pros & cons!). They’re essentially telling me I’m being way too fussy and that scratches are inevitable, but my point is that they’re not and that they should just be more careful and less sloppy. Should I be giving some tolerance or am I allowed to want my perfect kitchen after all this saving!? Pic is of the scratch that’s bothering me. Its night time so I had to use a flash but you get the idea.

dragonfliesandbees · 01/10/2024 20:51

I wouldn’t be happy with that. I don’t think it’s nit picking at all. Stand your ground, OP!

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 01/10/2024 20:54

I wouldn't accept that either OP. Builders tell you that you're being fussy, simply because they don't want the hassle of having to re-do the job. Stick to your guns and tell them they either do it properly, or you'll be deducting the price of replacement and re-fit from their invoice.

abracadabra1980 · 01/10/2024 20:54

Must admit I couldn't see it at first, but that would irritate the shit out of me. If you had to live with it 10 years down the line, then fair enough, but new, just no.

gapattachment · 01/10/2024 20:55

I disagree that it's "inevitable" that a brand new kitchen is going to be installed scratched before you've even used it. That's not okay, that's sloppy.

What are the other issues?

Make sure all the cupboards and drawers open and close properly, that they've sealed things that should be sealed and haven't sealed things that should be removable, that the plugs work (sink and electric), that there is a non-return valve on the hot water if you have a mixer tap etc.

Basically check all the other places they may have also been sloppy and created future problems for you.

gapattachment · 01/10/2024 20:58

Oh and that they haven't boxed in things you need access to (like isolation valves), or glued in panels that are supposed to be removable for maintenance. That kind of thing.

Crumpleton · 01/10/2024 21:03

You're absolutely not being fussy, your builder, irrelevant that it's your DB, is being slap dash and if it's been damaged while being installed he should replace it at his own expense.

You've saved hard and spent a good amount of money on a kitchen of your dreams it's not acceptable to have items ruined before you even start to use it.

SkiingIsHeaven · 01/10/2024 21:07

Stand your ground. It is not acceptable.

TeaGinandFags · 01/10/2024 21:13

Stand your ground.

New kitchens cost a bloody fortune and you shouldn't have to put up with any nonsense.

Withhold payment untill it's been put right.

Mumof2girls2121 · 01/10/2024 21:16

Inevitable to get the odd scratch, but it’s also certainly not unreasonable for you to request they pay for a magic man trade to come in after and fix the little scratches

MissUltraViolet · 01/10/2024 21:16

Forget your brother and call them up, you have spent a lot of money, it should be perfect.

If I went to pick a new car up and it had a scratch on it the dealership would be fixing it, this is no different. Don't let anyone tell you that it's fine and you're just being fussy.

Onlyonekenobe · 01/10/2024 21:17

That's on the cornicing? Did you get up on a ladder to see that?

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this. It's your money, you do what you think is right. If you want that fixed or replaced, you know what you'll be dealing with and the potential consequences (irritated and annoyed brother/contractor versus perfect kitchen that you're paying hard earned/saved money for). Only you can decide which is more important to you.

Original poster

Emmyloo89 · 01/10/2024 21:21

gapattachment · 01/10/2024 20:55

I disagree that it's "inevitable" that a brand new kitchen is going to be installed scratched before you've even used it. That's not okay, that's sloppy.

What are the other issues?

Make sure all the cupboards and drawers open and close properly, that they've sealed things that should be sealed and haven't sealed things that should be removable, that the plugs work (sink and electric), that there is a non-return valve on the hot water if you have a mixer tap etc.

Basically check all the other places they may have also been sloppy and created future problems for you.

That’s a really good point, thanks for flagging. I know literally nothing about kitchens except that I want the lines to be straight (some of them aren’t) and I want everything to work as it should. Some of the handles aren’t quite straight either. It’s only ever so slightly and they’re saying I’m ‘OCD’ (hate that phrase) but I just know it’s going to bug me. I might get my dad round and get him to check everything before they leave. Luckily a replacement cornice at this point is free so I’ve ordered a new one and I’m just going to stand my ground and make sure they redo it. What a bloody faff.

OP posts:

Original poster

Emmyloo89 · 01/10/2024 21:22

Onlyonekenobe · 01/10/2024 21:17

That's on the cornicing? Did you get up on a ladder to see that?

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this. It's your money, you do what you think is right. If you want that fixed or replaced, you know what you'll be dealing with and the potential consequences (irritated and annoyed brother/contractor versus perfect kitchen that you're paying hard earned/saved money for). Only you can decide which is more important to you.

No, my partner is 6 ft 5 and spotted it when he came home from work. I am too short so I absolutely did have to get on a chair 🙃

OP posts:

Original poster

Emmyloo89 · 01/10/2024 21:23

Mumof2girls2121 · 01/10/2024 21:16

Inevitable to get the odd scratch, but it’s also certainly not unreasonable for you to request they pay for a magic man trade to come in after and fix the little scratches

I didn’t even know you could do this!? Do these people exist!?

OP posts:

MadBlack · 01/10/2024 21:23

Onlyonekenobe · 01/10/2024 21:17

That's on the cornicing? Did you get up on a ladder to see that?

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this. It's your money, you do what you think is right. If you want that fixed or replaced, you know what you'll be dealing with and the potential consequences (irritated and annoyed brother/contractor versus perfect kitchen that you're paying hard earned/saved money for). Only you can decide which is more important to you.

You dont have to get up a ladder to see the cornice in a kitchen. When the light hits a scratch like that, you can see it when you're just stood on the floor, and importantly you cant unsee it once you know its there.

Stand your ground OP and insist it is replaced. Don't pay the final invoice until it is.

MathsMum3 · 01/10/2024 21:30

I know how you feel. I'm a perfectionist and think I have mild OCD when it comes to these sort of things. Strangely, I think I could cope with it if I were moving into a home that already had these kind of faults, but I would find it completely unacceptable (and upsetting) if I'd saved hard-earned cash to pay for something that wasn't very close to perfect. Pursue this and get it fixed, otherwise it will always irk you.

Whyherewego · 01/10/2024 21:37

I'd agree it's not on to have a scratch like that. My units were covered in a film that protected against light scratching which then was removed at the very end when it was all finished.

Getonwitit · 01/10/2024 21:49

Ask you brother if he minds you scratching his car.

SometimesCalmPerson · 01/10/2024 21:55

They are trying to fob you off because it will cost them to replace it. It’s easier on them and their pockets if you just quietly put up with it. Stand your ground OP, you do deserve the perfect kitchen!

Boopeedoop · 01/10/2024 22:03

Ask them if they were to buy a new phone and the screen was scratched before they even turned it on, would they accept that or want a replacement?

If they bought new trainers and they had a crease on the toe, would that be ok?

Pingpongglitch · 01/10/2024 22:04

Are you sure that's a scratch. Very straight for a scratch. Looks more like a split to me. Get up there and give it a poke either side, top and bottom, and see if it moves or grows. I'd be annoyed too.

Twofurrycats · 01/10/2024 22:14

As a veteran of more renovations than I care to remember any workman who suggests I'm OCD, fussy or pernickity is reminded that I can be all or none of these but I am paying.

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 02/10/2024 13:21

Getonwitit · 01/10/2024 21:49

Ask you brother if he minds you scratching his car.

Like this response! Will have to remember that when someone tells me I'm being OCD.

MatildaTheCat · 02/10/2024 13:51

YANBU and should insist that all the handles are straight etc, anything else reflects badly on the installer (as you could remind them).

However the very best day of having a new kitchen/ bathroom etc is the day you suddenly realise it’s no longer ‘new’ and you stop being hyper alert to every speck of dust.