Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Countertop too high

I friend of mine is having a home built by a large builder out of Fresno, CA. The countertop to finished floor height ranges from 36" to 37 1/4". Next to the slide in range the height is 37 1/4" and when the range is slid in with feet all the way extended the countertop is visibly too high. Infact they did not even finish the inside edges as the mortor and wire are exposed, and the width is a very tight fit. He complained saying that industry standard countertop to finished floor height should be 36". My question to the experts: Is there a written standard or code somewhere that he can use to convince the contractor to redo the countertop by the range? The contractor said he is not going to do anything about it except finish the inside edge.

Where did the cabinets come from? Most I have seen are 34-1/2" high. Then 1-1/2" for countertop. If this house is just being built, why is there that much (1-1/4") difference in the floor to top of counters? Most contracts for building have the wording "Built in a workmanship type manner". This means that it is the highest standard possible. Some times, MONEY is all that makes people listen. Unless he paid in advance or signed some type of agreement that he would accept whatever the contractor built, he should be able to withhold payment until he is satisfied. There are Associations that monitor craftsmen. Have your friend check with local building code office and they can give him info on who to contact. Good luck.

The cabinet maker in Fresno that the builder uses made the cabinets. Another sub did the countertops. They are tile. I believe he used way to much mortor or his tape measure is missing an inch. My observation of homes this builder makes is that they use the cheapest labor and quality is second. The tile guy was there one day we stopped by and he did not speak a word of english. My friend lives 260 miles away so I'll check the drawings that are at the house. Maybe there is a measurement listed that should have been followed.

Stoves should not be "recessed" lower than the countertop. This will look really odd.

Standard pre-manufactured base cabinet height is 34 1/2". Countertop thickness, depending on material used, can vary from 1" to 1 1/2". Cabinet builders may build to their own specifications as may some countertop fabricators without consideration for industry standards and impact on appliance height. Your issues with your kitchen cabinetry and countertop need to be taken up with your builder with whom you have signed a contract.

You say the height varies.... from 36" to 37 1/2". So basically, the cabinets are fine in some places (where it's 36") - so it sounds to me like the floor is out of level and the cabinets have been shimmed up in the other locations. Is that the case?

I took a good look at the cabinets yesterday evening. What I suspected is true. The cabinets are 34 1/2 " tall as is normal but the plywood, mortar and tile placed to form the countertop raised the finished height to 37 inches next to the range. Also note that the tile has a bit of a lip to catch spills which adds another 1/4". My original post said 37 1/2" is in error. On the opposite side of the kitchen where the sink is the height is 36 1/2". I looked at the construction drawings and saw no kitchen elevation drawings or any other notes saying that the finished height, countertop to finished floor, is to be 36" or industry standard. I was hoping that a "building code" existed for this measurement. I figure he is SOL if this measurement is arbitrary. I also raised the stove to the maximum the leveling feet would allow and it still only gets to 36 1/2". Yes, the stove will look odd recessed below the countertop. The builder does not think that a recessed range is abnormal. This home build has taken 12 months so far. The threatening letter to place a lien on the property unless the final 5K is paid NOW also looms over his head. Perhaps he needs a lawyer but what he really wants is a house of "industry standary quality"
I would like to thank all for your responses. If you have more to contribute please do so.

I would call the local Home Builders Association. They should be able to answer the questions you have. I didn't say you would like the answers, but at least you'll have some. There is no way I would accept this.

I'm having difficulty with the math. If the cabinets are "standard" 34 1/2" and the finished counter height is 37" what the heck did the contractor use for a countertop? Most counter tile is 1/4" or 3/8", a mortar bed shouldn't be more than 1/8" (actually less). That plus 3/4" plywood is a lot less than 2 1/2".

On the other hand, if the homeowner has to eat this he can probably raise the stove height enough to match the countertop by adding blocks behind the skirt.

If the guy is in a serious pissing contest with the contractor where the contractor is threatening him, he needs to take a real close look at his contract. Is there a "satisfaction" clause that the contractor has to meet before the final payout? Is there an arbitration clause if the two can't come to an agreement?

If the homeowner did not insert some protection in the contract he may be screwed. No matter how often I see or read about people who feel they are "getting shafted" by a contractor (often they are not - just different expectations), I'm still amazed how they can sign a mega money contract furnished by the contractor with no provisions for their own protection.

Almost just found out the hard way...............we were lucky. For 6 weeks talked with a builder. our home was under contrcat. We wanted to get everything ready for the money. We will be living in an old camper plus tent and a storage building between homes. OK that's the background. Closing on the first.of Dec we have to be out by Jan 31. He put off the numbers until the 12/15. Know you are in a bind sign here, materials are ordered and coming Monday. The contact said he would build a house. no size no type of material nothing. We could have had a 100,000 out house built, and he would have fulfilled his contract.

Check check and triple check, ask questions, none are stupid. This is a great place to ask Check out the materials on the internet.
When they start pushing WHAT COLOR do you want beware this is a great side track trip. While you are visualizing your beautiful yellow home with white trim. They are cutting back on the studs.
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