Wren Kitchen issues

[julshk72]

I bought a top of the range infinity plus kitchen two years ago - it came with minor niggles that got replaced during install but two years later the tops of the units are badly chipping. Wren will offer replacement cabinets but this would mean Injabe to pay for essentially an entire reinstall while trying not damage existing cabinets nor the the worktop - almost impossible. For a 2 year old kitchen with a 25 year guarantee it's in a horrible state in areas that aren't even used! What else can I consider to force wren to rectify this issue without costing me thousands again.

Gosh - I would post your pictures on their Facebook page and ask what they are going to do to cover the cost of the install on there! You have definitely put me off wren by seeing them and hopefully this will have the same effect with other people so they will agree to cover costs

Wow, I had an Infinity in one of my previous properties, heavily used and it never looked like this. I've always had positive experience with Wren's customer services too. The photos show deco groove end panels I believe, not the cabinet doors? How did they chip if so, was the worktop installed correctly?

Unless this is the deco panel but installed on the side of a wall cabinet? If so, I'd say this looks like it's been cut to match the size of the cabinet and potentially weakened/damaged as a result? A potential fitting issue?

If any panel has been cut and left with open unpainted wood surely it should have been sealed? It looks like it's chipped because the panel has been cut down to size and not properly sanded to get rid of any jagged bits of paint. And also potentially not sealed.

Hi - thanks all. No they weren't cut down they are the cabinet as per the other wall cabinets too. The bottom is finished the top is not. I would expect the sides of the wall cabinet didn't need cut down and same as per the tall cabinet - is not a cover or decor trim but part of the cabinet unit itself.

I'm going to go to the store tomorrow and feel the top of their installs - I do recall the worktop being cut but not these at all.

whoops

It is useful to understand if Wren are accepting that the product is faulty? Replacing it doesn't always mean so. They often do as a gesture of goodwill.
The problem you have it that if it is a fitting fault (and does look potentially that), Wrens fitters, whilst booked by them etc are all self employed and your contract is with the fitter. In which case liability is with the fitter. Wren may cough up due to reputational damage.

You may need an independent report to establish cause. However, if the product is faulty then it is a cut and dried case they are liable. I had a similar issue not a kitchen) with some furnishing whereby I commissioned an interior designer. As part of it they supplied fabric for the furniture which was upholstered by another contractor. The fabric didn't meet the spec, ie that it would withstand routine cleaning of soils and stains. It didn't and leached colour. The designer replaced all the fabric, but refused to pay to reupholster. I took them to the small claims court. Judge said it was a cut and dried case and awarded my claim in full

As an aside, when I replaced my kitchen, I considered Wrens. I hated the pressure selling, price moving depending in time if order (pressure) but also reading up on reviews they were awful at sorting issues like this once they have your money which is a no no to me

That does look like a clad on panel that will have been cut to size. Is your cabinet white carcass on the inside? If so your issue will be with the fitter.

It's an end panel, not the carcass and it's been fitted incorrectly. End panels don't necessarily come cut to size to standard cabinet height, IMO it was a 6ft piece, possibly shorter, cut by your fitter and installed incorrectly.

Or it's the bottom of a deco panel that's been damaged in transport, for example and delivered to you like this but then you should have noticed at the time/your fitter shouldn't have used it. There's no way IMO this kind of damage would occur over time.