OP
Just bought two slabs of this quartzite. They've will also do the fabrication and install. You can see our template taped to the other slab.
Renovating my house in the suburbs
- Thread starter Muhammad
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OP
Original estimate for installation of the countertops was 10-14 business days. Then the guys showed up after five days... could this be our big break to get this house finished up soon???
Um, no. Big emphatic no.
Countertop guys completely botched the installation. I was watching the baby while they were installing and to be honest I also wanted to avoid interacting with covid 19 and everything. I guess in my mind I was thinking, these guys are the best in town and they do this every day. We had discussed all the overlaps and everything so I figured I'd go check and find it done right. Wrong.
First I immediately notice that they had removed the sink, re-cut the hole, and moved it a full inch to the left. So the sink is off.
Then the overhang gaps are all over the place. Some are over a half inch and some are flush. I was told 3/8 is what they go for.
Owner of the company came out and immediately noticed the problems and said they'd come back and fix it but they have to cut a new slab which might not be as good of a pattern match to the b ones we used even though they were all matching.
I was a little apprehensive about the fact that he said the fabricators already have the template so they don't need to come out and measure again.
Not a good feeling about this.
Um, no. Big emphatic no.
Countertop guys completely botched the installation. I was watching the baby while they were installing and to be honest I also wanted to avoid interacting with covid 19 and everything. I guess in my mind I was thinking, these guys are the best in town and they do this every day. We had discussed all the overlaps and everything so I figured I'd go check and find it done right. Wrong.
First I immediately notice that they had removed the sink, re-cut the hole, and moved it a full inch to the left. So the sink is off.
Then the overhang gaps are all over the place. Some are over a half inch and some are flush. I was told 3/8 is what they go for.
Owner of the company came out and immediately noticed the problems and said they'd come back and fix it but they have to cut a new slab which might not be as good of a pattern match to the b ones we used even though they were all matching.
I was a little apprehensive about the fact that he said the fabricators already have the template so they don't need to come out and measure again.
Not a good feeling about this.
OP
Today's Darwin award goes to... me. It was in the evening and I needed a 16 footv2x6. Didn't want to rent a truck. Roads are empty. Figured I'd just take it and for laughs I'd let 8 feet of it stick out the back of my trusty little sedan. But as I was putting it in the car, I carelessly pushed it up on to the dash and it hit the windshield and cracked it. So here's a picture of my $320 2x6.
OP
Framing out for the range hood. Pretty simple. Another plywood curve coming on this. 
OP
Here's my $320 2x6, ripped down to 2.5x1.5 for the railing cap. Bought these wrought iron baulesters from house of forgings. Lots of measuring and drilling.
OP
Countertop update:
The owner called me on 9/7 to tell me that two guys in their shop tested positive for covid 19 and they're shutting down for two weeks. Either I'm getting played or the cabinet luck has been reversed. So far I've paid them almost $8,000 for these countertops and it's now holding up my kitchen from being complete as we can't do our backsplash until the countertops are finished.
I'm also very concerned now about the stones matching and about them cutting the new piece without coming back to measure. I'm going to be extremely picky this time. I mean I paid the price I paid for matching stones and professional install so if I don't get either of those I'm going to demand some refund.
Remember in my earlier post when I said "I watch the pros and then realize i can do the work just as good myself?" Well in this case I'm pretty sure I could have done better.
The owner called me on 9/7 to tell me that two guys in their shop tested positive for covid 19 and they're shutting down for two weeks. Either I'm getting played or the cabinet luck has been reversed. So far I've paid them almost $8,000 for these countertops and it's now holding up my kitchen from being complete as we can't do our backsplash until the countertops are finished.
I'm also very concerned now about the stones matching and about them cutting the new piece without coming back to measure. I'm going to be extremely picky this time. I mean I paid the price I paid for matching stones and professional install so if I don't get either of those I'm going to demand some refund.
Remember in my earlier post when I said "I watch the pros and then realize i can do the work just as good myself?" Well in this case I'm pretty sure I could have done better.
OP
Time to make lemonade. My wife and i agreed that since we're going to be delayed, we might as well get our wish list out. So we're going to order a replacement window for the kitchen so we can get rid of the grids and change the frame to black. Only $309 for a new millgard window but three weeks to get it. Found a guy through home depot to install for $140. I'll keep a close eye on it.
Also my wife had expressed that the stair railing wasn't really looking that great as it was cut from a 16' length of 2x6 and even after I spent many hours routing it and shaping it into a handrail, it was wobbly and looked warped. So I've gotten the approval to start the railing from scratch and weld the whole thing together with a steel railing instead of wood.
I've also taken some time to install new outlets and smart switches throughout the house. The smart dimmers are great, as they can be controlled by Alexa or an app in your phone. Only about $18 each on Amazon.
Also my wife had expressed that the stair railing wasn't really looking that great as it was cut from a 16' length of 2x6 and even after I spent many hours routing it and shaping it into a handrail, it was wobbly and looked warped. So I've gotten the approval to start the railing from scratch and weld the whole thing together with a steel railing instead of wood.
I've also taken some time to install new outlets and smart switches throughout the house. The smart dimmers are great, as they can be controlled by Alexa or an app in your phone. Only about $18 each on Amazon.
OP
For those of you who want to follow the entire railing project. I posted it on WeldingSite: https://weldingsite.com/threads/welding-a-wrought-iron-railing.283/
Here's the finished railing fully fabricated and installed. It's now also painted. I'm quite proud of this and won't tell you how many times I messed it up or how many times I dropped a piece of iron off the staircase and damaged the floor.
Here's the finished railing fully fabricated and installed. It's now also painted. I'm quite proud of this and won't tell you how many times I messed it up or how many times I dropped a piece of iron off the staircase and damaged the floor.
OP
Range hood is installed and here's the shelving setup as well. Using heavy brackets and shelf frames, I also mount lighting inside the shelves which will get wrapped with trim boards and shelf tops/bottoms.
The entire wall gets a tile backslash so the brackets get covered completely. These shelves are as integral to the wall as the backsplash so there is no easy way to replace them down the road. Full commitment here.
The entire wall gets a tile backslash so the brackets get covered completely. These shelves are as integral to the wall as the backsplash so there is no easy way to replace them down the road. Full commitment here.
OP
Okay that's it for now, we're all caught up... six weeks over and a retirement fund over budget.
This coming week I've got the countertop drama to play out plus some faux box beams coming to the living room ceiling.
I've also been finishing up the fireplace drywall and will try to finish off the electric fireplace within a few days. Leaving that hole open has welcomed a little rat friend and here's what I have in store for him tonight. A delicious chocolate chip cookie crumble dessert.
This coming week I've got the countertop drama to play out plus some faux box beams coming to the living room ceiling.
I've also been finishing up the fireplace drywall and will try to finish off the electric fireplace within a few days. Leaving that hole open has welcomed a little rat friend and here's what I have in store for him tonight. A delicious chocolate chip cookie crumble dessert.
