ᐅ Defect in countertop, supposedly natural…

Created on: 27 Mar 2022 01:12
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ToFi1988
Hello everyone,

We purchased a kitchen from a relatively large kitchen planner, and our countertop island features a darker granite stone.

During the kitchen installation, we noticed an inclusion (about the size of a 20-cent coin) in the stone. The installers initially fitted the countertop "temporarily" and said it would be replaced after our complaint. This is the only inclusion of this size and it completely disrupts the overall design. However, the stonemason is now, through the planner, saying that it’s a natural product and we have to accept it. We are insisting on a replacement… has anyone had experience with this?

We have requested a replacement, but currently don’t have high hopes. It’s a shame given the significant cost for us.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Black patterned countertop with a coin in the lower left half of the image.
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ypg
28 Mar 2022 13:25
Costruttrice schrieb:

For me, this has nothing to do with “criticizing nature.” The natural speckles are quite uniform across the entire slab. This creates a harmonious appearance and looks calm and consistent. This issue, whether natural or poorly repaired (which would certainly be grounds for a complaint), stands out a lot. If this were a normal and regular feature of the stone, or part of its character, it should have been shown or mentioned in the sample beforehand.
It kind of reminds me of a birthmark. Some people embrace such a beauty spot, others choose to have it removed. Different perspectives among people have never been debatable. After all, a person is a natural product as well 🙂
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driver55
28 Mar 2022 13:32
Natural product or not. For me, that would not be acceptable, and they can take the panel back.

Is the kitchen already fully paid for? That would probably be the only leverage for a replacement.
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Costruttrice
28 Mar 2022 13:40
ypg schrieb:

It somehow reminds me of a birthmark.
Some people embrace such a beauty spot, others have it removed.
People have always had different perspectives. After all, a person is a natural product too 🙂

Everyone can handle it as they wish. Paying money to remove a natural birthmark. Paying money to achieve a uniform appearance as seen, which then contains a visual flaw.
I know what I would do in either case 😉.
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Myrna_Loy
28 Mar 2022 13:47
driver55 schrieb:

Natural product or not. That would not be acceptable to me, and they can take the slab back.

Is the kitchen already fully paid for? That would probably be the only leverage to insist on a replacement.
If a specific grading or selection was not contractually agreed upon at the time of ordering and sampling, the customer will hit a brick wall. In that case, the seller can calmly refer to the DIN standard for natural stones.
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Bertram100
28 Mar 2022 14:46
Myrna_Loy schrieb:

then the customer will hit a brick wall.
😀 😀
The choice of words amuses me a lot. I really enjoy that.
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Costruttrice
28 Mar 2022 15:57
Since we do not know what was discussed or mentioned regarding the countertop, the helpful information sheet from the Federal Association of German Stonemasons, “BIV Information Sheet 2.02 Kitchen Worktops,” might assist the original poster. Section 4.1 contains relevant details.

Dokumentseite mit Textabschnitt 1.0; Logos links Bundesverband Deutscher Steinmetze, rechts WKO.