Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Issue with hob been placed hard against splashback

63 replies

Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:05

We are in the process of getting a kitchen installed. The fitter was unable to get the hob any further forward due to the hob and oven not being compatible with Zenith thin solid laminate worktop. We have contacted Homebase where we purchased it and they have suggested we place a heat resistant glass or steel panel above hob as a precaution. However we are not happy as there is no clearance between the hob and splashback and doesn’t meet regulations. On the zenith website it states that the worktop is compatible with all single ovens and hobs. I wondered if anyone else has had similar issues and where to go from here. I have attached some pics

Issue with hob been placed hard against splashback
OP posts:
Original poster
Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:11

As you can see from zero space behind hob there is nowhere for a panel to go unless sitting on top of hob 😒

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 12/12/2020 23:27

I don't understand why it wouldn't fit. Is there a reinforcing bar under the front of the worktop? Or is it the oven in the way?

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:32

The joiner said it was due to a ridge on the top of the oven. Which he did show me. Unfortunately he had already fitted the hob me for was made aware if the problem. The first I knew about it was when it had all been fitted and he asked if I had plans for a panel above hob since the burner was very close to splashback

OP posts:
Trumplosttheelection · 12/12/2020 23:36

I don't think he should have fitted it. That's not safe surely. I think it needs to come out, heat proof backing goes in, hob goes back and or you get a new oven or hob?

Ylvamoon · 12/12/2020 23:38

Are you sure the issue is with the hob / oven and not with the person fitting it?

Only asking because appliances do have standard sizes.

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:49

He says he’s only once come across this issue before and it’s down to the hob and oven not being compatible with the slim worktop. Homebase aren’t claiming any responsibility either. I’m here myself and DJ working away and massively stressed

OP posts:
Original poster
Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:49

*DH

OP posts:
Wornout12108 · 12/12/2020 23:49

How will you use the two rear burners? Surely there is no room for pans to sit on them comfortably?

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:53

No there isn’t this is another issue we have brought up

OP posts:
Wornout12108 · 12/12/2020 23:55

Honestly I think you will be stuck as the fitter shouldn't have fitted it like that. You will have to purchase new hob or oven and worktop. Have you enquired about returning the hob or the oven ?

tinselfest · 12/12/2020 23:56

Was the hob installed by a kitchen fitter or a qualified gas engineer?

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 12/12/2020 23:57

A joiner and a gas engineer

OP posts:
Lougle · 12/12/2020 23:59

They surely should have told you before they fitted it, so you had options??

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:05

I don’t understand as he has queried everything else that was minor so I can’t understand why he didn’t check before fitting this. It was hours later he just asked if the panels were definitely heat resistant and could I check this and queried if I had a panel to go above hob. I had no idea it was completely up against wall

OP posts:
donquixotedelamancha · 13/12/2020 00:15

I don't understand why this would be homebase's responsibility?

You could have returned it for not being as described but your kitchen fitter has caused the problem. I hope you haven't paid him.

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:18

He hasn’t completed kitchen yet, so no payment. I wasn’t sure whose responsibility it was as we would have been without a worktop and oven for weeks due to delivery times if it hadn’t been fitted but I do believe he should have checked first.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:19

It does state on the zenith website that any single oven and hob are compatible so wonder if there is a way we could get this to work. Due to the ridge on top of the oven the fitter says the hob can’t come forward anymore

OP posts:
DougRossIsTheBoss · 13/12/2020 00:26

On the picture it does look like there is a lot of space at the front and none at the back (but maybe pic angle). That suggests to me it's a fitting issue.
Is the fitter independent or from Homebase?

Obviously it can't stay like that. It's not safe or functional. You'll have to get a new piece of worktop to have it refitted and/ or a replacement job if it is really incompatible.

I wouldn't take no for an answer from Homebase.

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:28

Yes there is a lot of space at the front but it’s due to a ridge on the top of the oven that the hob can’t be moved forward.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:28

There is zero space at back it’s up hard against panel

OP posts:
Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:29

Independent fitter

OP posts:
donquixotedelamancha · 13/12/2020 00:36

The worktop is just plastic coated plywood isn't it? So he's cut a hole and put the hob on top?

The issue is that hob won't fit further forward with the oven in? That isn't 'not compatible', that's 'why we hired a fitter'.

If so, then it's:

  1. Make the worktop wider on that run- usually they come with enough width for that (easiest). Traditionally one would measure things like that before cutting a big hole.
  1. Spacer above all the cabinets- much more annoying to do, but not a big deal.
  1. Swap one of the appliances.
  1. Buy butcher's block worktop.

It was hours later he just asked if the panels were definitely heat resistant and could I check this and queried if I had a panel to go above hob.

Because he only realised he hadn't checked fitting after he'd cut the worktop too narrow and didn't want to pay for a new one. He's hoping you will just pay up.

He hasn’t completed kitchen yet, so no payment.

Thank goodness. Not your problem then. Tell him not to be an eijit and point him to homebase. Check his other work carefully.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 13/12/2020 00:37

Fitter should have pointed out this ridge issue to you before going ahead. In part it's his fault. He should not have tried to install it.

But equally if it really is incompatible surely Homebase should not have sold the hob, oven and worksurface to you as being able to be installed together.

I would get back on to them and ask them to state if this is a known issue and how it should be installed if they know better. If they don't fit they should replace the job/ oven with other options.

But you will probably have to pay for a new worksurface (or the fitter will) because he went ahead when he shouldn't have.

Original poster
Pandora2011 · 13/12/2020 00:38

It’s a thin solid laminate worktop and he has said it’s been a nightmare to fit

OP posts:
Longdistance · 13/12/2020 00:41

Get a second opinion. He sounds like an amateur.