Expert Home Repair

"I'll address her complaints one at a time. They were acting as their own general contractors and I was responsible for assembling and installing the Ikea cabinets. Yes, I did put a small nick in the floor. I'll add that it was a softwood floor with porch and deck paint on it. As she said, I offered to fix it, a matter of minutes as they had the matching paint but she declined. The wall was badly patched and very uneven before it was painted. So, I had to shave a small slot in the wall to accommodate the top. The top is butcherblock. I told them they had to finish it with mineral oil according to the manufacturers directions. After they did that, I told them they should caulk all the edges of the top to prevent water penetration. Very important as the top has no backsplash. I couldn't caulk before the oil application as it would result in a splotchy finish in that area. The caulk would have covered the small area she is referring to. As to the damaged panel. I did damage the panel. I showed it to her and rode out to Ikea to get a replacement. Usually not a big deal as Ikea has a 'no questions asked' policy about damaged parts. They supply the replacement for free. She neglected to inform me that she did not purchase them there. She bought them online. I wasted a few hours of my time finding this out as there were accidents in both directions on the parkway. So, they couldn't help me as they didn't stock that item in the store. The only way to get a replacement part was for her to order it, the same way she got the originals. I purchased a piece of birch veneer plywood and finished it to match the cabinet. It's actually a better quality panel than the original as the original is particle board with a very thin veneer. And the appearance looked like a good match, color and grain. And she ok'd it. Otherwise, why would she have paid me and then waited all these months to complain about it? I told her that I would be willing to install the new part if she would order it. But, that would take a while for shipping. She declined. The damage to the top? I wasn't aware of it. A lot of inexpensive manufacturers, such as Ikea, use filler to deal with defects in the assembly process. At any rate, even she claims it to be "tiny". So, as to the problems. Two I was responsible for. The nick in the painted floor and the damaged cabinet panel. Minor issues that were easy to fix. Sorry, but I am human and I make mistakes. I offered to correct them and she declined. One, the wall, would have been resolved had they did what needed to be done by them. Not primarily for appearance, but to prevent water damage down the road. I even offered to leave them the caulk to do it. Like I said, they were serving as their own general contractor. The remaining one was the countertop. I claim no responsibility for doing it. And yes, I was rushed at the end. I wasted a few hours in traffic unnecessarily running to Ikea when that's not where they purchased the cabinets. And, they neglected to inform me of that fact even as I was leaving. And the sink bowl that they purchased was an inexpensive model that was a nightmare to install. I told them that I would refuse to install another one from that manufacturer. The hold down clips were cheap plastic and were not holding. I showed them to them and even they agreed they seemed inadequate. Every other manufacturer uses all steel ones that are a breeze to use and do a great job. I lost a lot of time trying to make sure that it would stay put. We all make mistakes, we're human. I really don't think it's fair to decline someones honest offer to fix minor mistakes and then castigate them for them."