Cabinets and Counter Tops
Performance Standard: Counter tops shall be free of cracks and chips at the time the job is accepted. Cracks or chips occurring after acceptance of the job are the owner’s responsibility.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will replace cracked or chipped counter tops only if they are reported prior to acceptance of the job.
Performance Standard: Counter tops shall be no more than 1/4 inch in 12 feet out of parallel with the floor. If the floor is not level, the counter top may be installed proportionately out of level.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will make necessary adjustments to meet the performance standard.
Discussion: This defect can be functionally bothersome since liquids spilled on top will flow to a lower point. Counter tops are almost always on a plane parallel to the floor and ceiling because the cabinets supporting the top are exactly the same height. Shimming and leveling the tops when the floor is out of level can be time-consuming and expensive, and the difference between the lines of the floor and the tops may be aesthetically unacceptable to the owner. Prior to construction, the remodeler should explain the problem and allow the owner to decide between tops that are out of level or not parallel to the floor.
Performance Standard: Counter tops fabricated with high pressure laminate coverings shall not delaminate.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will replace delaminated coverings.
Performance Standard: Cabinet warpage shall not exceed 1/4 inch as measured from the face frame to the point of furthermost warpage, with the door or drawer front in closed position.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will correct or replace doors and drawer fronts as necessary to meet the performance standard.
Performance Standard: Gaps in excess of 1/4 inch are unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will reposition or reinstall cabinets to meet the performance standard.
Performance Standard: Cabinet faces more than 1/16 inch out of line, and cabinet comers more than 1/8 inch out of line, are unacceptable, unless the owner and the remodeler agree to disregard the standard in order to match or otherwise compensate for preexisting conditions.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will make necessary adjustments to meet the performance standard.
Discussion: In rooms with out of plumb walls or out of level floors and ceilings, “square” cabinets cannot be installed parallel to walls and ceilings and still keep the cabinets on line. For example, if the floor is not level and the installer measures up from it, “snaps” a line on which to place the tops of the wall cabinets, then plumbs the first cabinet, one comer of the cabinet will leave the line, and the bottom comers of successive cabinets will not be in line. Similarly, cabinets will not line up with each other if they are installed on a level line, starting against an out of plumb wall instead of being plumbed. The remodeler should explain the aesthetic options and let the owner decide which one is preferred.
Performance Standard: The catches or closing mechanisms for cabinet doors shall be adequate to hold the doors in a closed position.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will adjust or replace the door catches or closing mechanisms as necessary to meet the performance standard.
Performance Standard: Cabinet doors and drawers shall open and close with reasonable ease.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will adjust or replace doors and drawers as necessary to meet the performance standard.