First up, I couldn't find a more relevant sub-forum so I posted in this one, I hope that's ok.

Yesterday we had a local, reputable, joinery manufacturer come and install our built-in robes. My partner & I had designed what we wanted and I provided detail drawings including plan, elevation and section to the manufacturer. One of the key notes was that the joinery be notched around the existing cornice. I confirmed this would be possible when they came out to quote and also when they came out to do a check-measure before commencing manufacture.

Yesterday the installers turned up and, after they'd brought all their gear in and were about to start, I told the guy in charge that they have to notch around the cornices as we want to leave them intact. He said "yep, no problem, that's easy enough".

I also said I wanted them to cut the carpet around the robes, he said that too wasn't a problem, they do it all the time. I furthered this by saying "it's only nylon carpet, but it isn't that old, we will replace it but it will do us for a few more years".

I was working in another room and left them to do their thing (I hate people standing over me and don't do it to others) but stuck my head in when they went out for lunch. I found that they had notched the cornice and made a very long cut into the carpet, a long way past where they needed to.

The damage was done so I left it until they completed the job. They called me in and asked what I thought. The joinery itself is spot on, nicely finished and exactly as I'd detailed (the MDF panels were by my request, they will be sealed and painted when we do the room). However they did a terrible job of trimming the carpet along the track. The gap varies from 10-20mm.

I said "so, I have to find a piece of beading or similar to go over that gap then?" The installer replied "How long until you get new carpet?" I said "A couple of years, as I'd said before." To which he replied "Oh, I thought you were doing it pretty soon. If I had have known that I would have done a much neater job. Ah well, you'll find something to cover that up."

I then pointed out the large cut in the carpet. He said "That was unavoidable because we had to get the end panel to slide in against the wall." I didn't mention the notched cornice, but basically what he was saying was, because they didn't notch the end panel around the cornice they had to slide it into the gap they'd created in the cornice. The end panel runs floor-ceiling so I understand that you couldn't do it with carpet there, but the problem would have been avoided if they had have notched around the cornice rather than cutting into it.

Now, how should I take this up with the manufacturer? I have new wardrobes, no doubt, and they perform exactly as we wanted. However, they did not fulfil my request to leave the cornice intact and I don't know what to do about the carpet. I have paid them a 50% deposit of $1,360 (total cost $2,720). Should I discuss some kind of deduction because the job wasn't completed as requested?

I am going to have to do some screwing around to try and fix this carpet, I doubt I can get the big cut to close up as the carpet has stretched and there is about a 2mm gap. Not to mention trying to find some kind of bead to cover the gap between the carpet and the robe.

TL;DR - Wardrobes installed, requested the cornice remain intact but the installers notched it. Also requested the carpet be trimmed to suit the robes, they did but left a large gap on the assumption the carpet was being replaced. How should this be approached with the manufacturer? Should there be a deduction from the final payment to compensate for this?

Photos:

Cut in carpet @ lunch break.



Notch in cornice @ lunch break.



Notch in cornice @ lunch break.



Notch in cornice @ lunch break.



Carpet gap upon completion.



Carpet gap and cut upon completion.



Overall of robes.


Overall of robes.



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