Advice needed

[Mark Gamble]

I am looking at a job with laminate tops. The 32" piece to the left of the fridge has cabinets coming down onto it. It is 5/8" laminate. My thoughts are to grind down the bottom to 5/8" or a bit less to slide it in under. The doors are at surface level so there are not many options that I can think of. The cabinet can't be removed due to crown. Anyone else had similar situations? What did you do?

[Ken Lago]

I never ground down the tops, I have found 2 solutions: Remove the crown to see if there is space to move the cabinet up, if there is not then cut the bottom of the cabinet to accomodate the counter sliding in, the doors can usually be moved up by changing the location of the hinges. Cutting the cabinet should be done with a Fein tool or similar, I put a piece of granite on both sides of the wood as a guide and cut away. Do it with extreme care and tell the homeowner that you may have to put a piece of trim on afterwards if the cut does not come out perfect.

[Chris Mills]

Exactly Ken, well said buddy.

[Dan R.]

My advice is to not take on the problems of others, without charging appropriately for your time and assigning responsibility. I do not completely understand how this is a granite fabricator issue. It appears to be a client issue to deal with other trades. You really need to look at all the options with an open mind (including the crown molding). Everything that is put together can be taken apart. The owner should make the final determination on the course of the solution. I assume it would involve a wood guy of some sort (carpenter, cabinet maker, etc) I would defer the wood work to those who are well versed and have the right equipment.

[Ken Lago]

Dan, your advice is sound. I on the other hand have seen wood workers/ cabinet guys come in and butcher the cabinets to do a simple thing like this and charge good money to do it while I watched them, I determined I could do a better job, pocket the money myself and save the customer the grief of having to find someone else to perform the task. Since most of my work volume have changed to direct sales I have had to take on turnkey projects and not only it gives me control it also adds margins.

[Joshua]

I had to watch a guy cut in the cutout for a soapstone sink I made. . . with a Reciprocating Saw ! ! ! It took everything in me to shut my mouth. . . From then on. . . if it is not done ahead of time, I charge and do it right.

[scott m]

Unless they are euros, I have cut the granite to the cab and just shims underneath the cab. If it will hit the door, then you can mill down the piece as you suggest, but the edge will be a problem.

[t-mobile]

I would approach with both dan and kens advice. I would look at removing and reonstalling crown, and raising the cab. It got in there somehow, and there is usually space. Some finish nails and wood putty, or paint can reinstall.

Bottom line though is you have to charge for all work.

In these times I take on alot of unusual things, and just charge accordingly. We have to be more than just a stone shop to not only survive, but to diversify and help with sales. At the end of the day, why should we not charge to any trade that helps us finish our work! Being in business is meant to make money, so when its on the table.... take it.

My 2cents.

[Dan R.]

Charging is the key. Be rewarded for the risk that you take on. I am not suggesting that it can not be done, but you better know your own capabilities. On the job training can be potentially very expensive.

[t-mobile]

Yes it can! But if you dont leap, you never know.

[Dan R.]

A step is one thing, a leap is all together different Weigh the factors and take the appropriate step (or leap )

[t-mobile]

Wisdom at its finest.