WWYD - custom cabinets wrong color

[Anonymous]

Well, they’re not the wrong color, exactly. They’re the right color, but they were supposed to be 25% lighter. Instead they’re just the off-the-shelf shade.

We were clear in writing in multiple places, and there was never a communication with that color that didn’t also include the phrase “25% lighter. (Color was not in the contract). The contractor just didn’t read some things closely, and definitely didn’t read other things at all.

We worked really hard to get the exact right color, undertone, etc for our precise light and space and other elements. Contractor (independent, solo) also worked really hard and in all other ways did a great job.

It’s such a stupid a first world problem, and they are otherwise beautiful, and I feel like a whiny little B saying, “well, they’re alllllmost right, but they’re just a smidge too dark.” (But to my eyes they *are* just a smidge too dark.)

WWYD? Even if I asked for something, what would it be? They were sprayed in the workshop, and now they’re in place.

[Anonymous]

Can you change lighting and wall color to make it a little better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you change lighting and wall color to make it a little better?

Do you really think that would be cheaper? Plus, OP shouldn’t have to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you change lighting and wall color to make it a little better?

+1 It can make a noticeable difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, they’re not the wrong color, exactly. They’re the right color, but they were supposed to be 25% lighter. Instead they’re just the off-the-shelf shade.

We were clear in writing in multiple places, and there was never a communication with that color that didn’t also include the phrase “25% lighter. (Color was not in the contract). The contractor just didn’t read some things closely, and definitely didn’t read other things at all.

We worked really hard to get the exact right color, undertone, etc for our precise light and space and other elements. Contractor (independent, solo) also worked really hard and in all other ways did a great job.

It’s such a stupid a first world problem, and they are otherwise beautiful, and I feel like a whiny little B saying, “well, they’re alllllmost right, but they’re just a smidge too dark.” (But to my eyes they *are* just a smidge too dark.)

WWYD? Even if I asked for something, what would it be? They were sprayed in the workshop, and now they’re in place.

They can not be the "right color" and be 25% lighter that is not a thing. Either they are the right color or they are not.

If your contract does not explicitly show what color then you are stuck otherwise this is a no brainer the cabinets go back.

[Anonymous]

Try changing lightbulbs. GE Reveal?

That's a good cheap trick to try vs. anything touching the cabinets.

I understand how frustrating it is that expensive purchases almost always go slightly wrong. Follow-up is poor.

If the contract wasn't followed, you should talk to the boss/manager. But no way to say how it will go.

[Anonymous]

How would they have calculated the 25% lighter? Asking because for one of the paint colors in our house, we requested a 50% version from the paint store for some walls. I can hardly tell the difference between the 50% and the full color version. So depending on what you meant by 25% lighter, you might not have gotten what you were looking for anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would they have calculated the 25% lighter? Asking because for one of the paint colors in our house, we requested a 50% version from the paint store for some walls. I can hardly tell the difference between the 50% and the full color version. So depending on what you meant by 25% lighter, you might not have gotten what you were looking for anyway.

+1 Did you have a sample that was 25% lighter or just calculated this perfect look in your head?

[Anonymous]

You would have had to have had a sample of the lightened color? Did the contractor ignore or forget?

I think in the end I would try to live with the new color vs delaying the project. But that’s because kitchen renovations are so painful. Get the contractor to give you a discount or throw something else in.

[Anonymous]

Ideally you would have signed off on the paint after seeing one test cabinet

[Anonymous]

Also—was it color matched in another brand/coating?

[Anonymous]

Do they look good and cohesive with the rest of the kitchen?

[Anonymous]

It's not quite the same but we had this happen with hardwood flooring. They did a beautiful installation job but ultimately it was the wrong variation of a color (I don't remember the names but it was something like Oak Classic versus Oak Rustic). The one we chose was a more solid color whereas the one they installed was variegated. We had not yet paid the full amount so they offered a discount but ultimately we decided to have them install the correct flooring. Very wasteful, I know, but the pattern really bothered me.

In your case, OP, the colors sound so similar, maybe a discount off the price and, as others said, work with lighting to get the correct look?

[Anonymous]

its crazy to me that contractors wouldn't double and triple check things like the color of the cabinets or making sure they were installing the correct model floors! Such expensive mistakes!

[Anonymous]

I don’t think “25% lighter” is a real thing. If you had a custom sample made, you should have used that color code. Sorry. I’m really surprised that they wouldn’t have explained that when they made the sample.