My bloody kitchen...one disaster upon another...

[kitchenemergency]

Very briefly my kitchen is being replaced as part of an insurance claim.

It has taken a very very long time and I basically threw my toys massively out the pram to insist it was finished by Xmas. I've been without a kitchen for many months and the replacement only got the go ahead a few weeks ago.

My previous kitchen was chosen by me and I loved it. This one I already have reservations about...I've attached a couple of photos...

I need to know if im being unreasonable in being unhappy.

My main issues are the difference in height between the larder cupboard and other wall units (in my original kitchen they were the same height)

The brown cupboards. I thought they'd be covered by the outer/ door but the shelves are brown. Nothing else in kitchen is.

I also used to have inset lights in my glass cupboards...these don't.

I just feel it looks cheap. My old kitchen only came from a big DIY chain but looked expensive.

Am I being over critical?

Definitely time for written complaint sent signed for to insurer - they are ultimately responsible.

If no satisfactory response shaming on social media is very effective.

What a nightmare..

I have made several written complaints to insurers. However as I effectively work there I can't escalate to CEO level. The complaints have been ignored; when it's finished I will go to the Ombudsman.

An update: the dishwasher issue is now resolved. The cupboards are level. The oven can't be changed...I have to swallow that unfortunately.

My current main concern is the worktops. I used to have laminate worktops, they were about 10 years old but a very nice high gloss with rolled edges. The edge overhung the cupboards by about an inch or So. I thought that was normal.

The current worktop is level with the front of the cupboard. That's wrong isn't it?

I think they have put the cupboards in the wrong place and they're too far from the wall.

Can you not complain to the insurance ombudsman now? I’d be paying extra out of my own pocket to have a better oven solution, that’s ludicrous.

I think I'd be using the fact that I worked there to know how and to whom to escalate it.
The fact that you work there should not stop you getting the service you should

Why can't the oven be changed?!
I honestly think that's shocking and actually couldn't work with it, sorry. 😩

Is it possible they've solved the dishwasher issue by pulling the cupboards forward? hence lack of gap/overhang?

And there is no way in hell I'd accept that oven solution, it will be intolerable. It might require some actual joinery skill - rather than just flat pack assembly - but if the drawer fits above then it will be possible to fit it below, it just might mean a few modifications.

I'd also not live with the oven down there. It wasn't there before, why should it be now?

the cupboards were already fixed. apparently no overhang is the way it's done now

The oven cant be changed because they don't know how to put it in a different place. I will just add it to my growing complaint list.

House is covered in dust again. I spent 8 hours cleaning at the weekend!

That sounds like billy bullshit to me - according to Howdens website they have laminate worktops which are 616mm deep, the units are 575mm. Unless your doors are 4cm thick there should be an overlap, surely? Also, take a look at the pictures on this link - the second one down you can clearly see worktop overhang

linky

here's Tewkesbury, with an overhang...

That oven is one designed in an oven tower unit not an under counter one.

They are totally taking the piss!!!

Surely there is some sort of ombudsman???

IIRC from previous threads this is op's existing oven which was previously fitted under counter, and is 90cm wide. If that's correct you're right, you'd seriously hurt yourself lifting anything heavy out

Yes it is a 90cm oven. It was originally installed not in a tower but just under the worktop with a deep drawer below. They couldn't put a drawer below. So I have had to have one above.

The kitchen is now done. Sort of. They have sealed it all with black sealant which looks awful. Pics attached. It was clear sealant previously. The only thing I like is my sink and tap and I bought that myself because my insurers refused to replace it.

Here's the sink...

Form the pictures, it looks nice. I also prefer a slight overhang to the counter though- so with you there. Good luck with the ombudsman- I hope they give you some resolution- it sounds like it's been a very unpleasant experience for you

I agree the oven looks odd and it would definitely be better higher, but it seems a bit dramatic talking about serious injuries. It's no lower than the oven would be in a normal freestanding cooker with double oven, is it? A lot of range cookers have an oven at that kind of height too.

Visually, though, it doesn't match any other lines and doesn't work at all. And if they are having to put the blanking plate over the drawer anyway (to allow space for the hob gubbins) then I can't see why on earth the drawer won't fit below the oven. Is it an induction hob? They're usually less than 5cm deep and 4 of that is worktop.

Poor you OP. These sort of things are awful. FWIW, the kitchen overall looks good. It's probably hard for you to appreciate that at the moment though!

I do think the black sealant is wrong but I'd actually pay to get someone else to do it properly. Or you do it, if confident enough.

Hope you manage a relaxing Christmas! At least it's finished in time.

Op how are things with the kitchen now?

We had a disaster and now dealing with insurance so feel your pain for real now

Trawling through kitchen threads as we are embarking on doing ours. Has your been finished properly now, what happened with the ombudsmen?