Hello, my kitchen bench has a chip. Real estate asked me to fix it. I don't know when it happened but I believe it was mainly due to wear and tear where it was first a bubble then the outer layer came off and became "chipped". I believe this will be hard to argue when we get our bond back so I am willing to get it fixed. So I called a handyman today and they said they can either put a coloured resin which will be smooth and leveled but easy to notice to the eye or they can replace the whole bench to keep the exact same colour. What should I do? Obviously the real estate will want it back to it's former condition but I think it's a bit unreasonable to expect us to replace the whole bench because of a small chip. How should i go about this? https://i.imgur.com/Feq0ARz.jpg
Replace whole kitchen bench or do a hack job?
Comments
Thank you
i concur
Real estate asked me to fix it
Why now? Are you moving out?
They asked me earlier but I am planning to move out soon (real estate doesn't know yet) which is why I want to get it fixed asap.
Did the handyman give you a quote for both options? Honestly, if I was the landlord , I wouldn't be happy with a hack job.
Edit: Try to negotiate with the RE and see how much they'll take for it. Times are tough and the landlord might prefer to get the cash rather than a new kitchen bench.
I quote a lot of joinery work in my job. As a guide (supply only) 33mm thick x 600mm wide rolled top bench is $90 per lineal meter, add $40 for a corner join, $30 for a straight join, $15 if you need laminate to cover the end. Extra if it's not a commonly used laminate colour.
@coblos: That's actually quite cheap. Just replace it, Op.
Edit: Actually, don't. See comments below.
I just asked for a quote. Hopefully hear back by Monday. I should have asked first before posting but I just assumed it would cost around $500 to fix so I went to ozbargain to cry for help instead. Although I don't know how easy it will be for the handyman to find similar laminate especially with this virus going around. And that's just one section of the bench. He might have to replace the whole bench if the RE expects it all to match.
Ask the real estate agency what theyd be happy with first & try and explain how there was a bubble that chipped. If the properties going to continue to be a rental they may be happy with the resin as is its at least neat & tidy
Can I see the picture of the bench you took before you moved into this rental?
Presumably OP caused the hole and the photo will just be the same bench without a hole.
Your biggest problem is that the real estate is aware of it, removing all hopes of a hack job.
Just a laminate bench top
Shouldn’t be mega bucks to replaceHow old is the bench top? The older it is the more likely that you can use wear and tear as a reason to do a patch repair.
Is there a location of existing laminate (underneath somewhere) where you could cut out a similar piece and install into hole?
It is darn near impossible to chip out the middle of a laminate top through misuse.
That is due to aging. Moisture seeps into the mdf substrate and it bubbles the laminate.
I wouldn't so much as offer to have it repaired.
I would argue that heat damage caused the initial bubble and the weakness in the top part of the laminate, it has delaminated. You can still see the bottom layer of the laminate is still fixed to the moisture resistant fibreboard. Not mdf.
Not wear and tear.There is a hot water heater right under the bench so both could be true.
Well I just sent the RE a paragraph saying a handyman told me this so I shouldn't have to pay. Hopefully they will budge although I doubt it. Right now i'm just trying to play hardball and if they still try to pin the blame on me I will "offer" them a middle ground where i just pay to get it filled with coloured resin. Will keep you guys posted!
Hope they don’t read ozbargain.
I actually meant something hot had been left on top, like the edge of frying pan. Good luck convincing them a 60c hws baked through 30mm of benchtop and caused a 10mm bubble.
But, good luck worth a try.https://www.bunnings.com.au/kaboodle-2400-x-900-x-38mm-river…
@Stewardo: Yea I think your right. And my laminate is a bit different (green). Well I offered to pay to get it filled with resin anyway. Hope they don't expect me to replace the entire bench.
I think you have a good claim that the kitchen bench 'chip' is fair wear and tear.
This is a good read: Bond claims – Kitchen Benches & may assist you in your dealings with the property manager/landlord.
Unless you attacked it with a chisel, I find it hard to believe you caused that from misuse. It's an old laminate benchtop, was probably bubbled up there
I know it’s too late now but…
Was it found on inspection or did you report it?
If the former you could have put a toaster on it.
If the latter, would they have known? Did they take a before picture in that exact place ?
Imo if the laminate is old then it is reasonable wear and tear.
They found it. It's in a very noticeable area anyway so even if I got away with it for one inspection they would just take it out of my bond after I leave.
Buy a pack of dollar store crayons and a pencil sharpener. Sharpen wax in the correct colour-way to match. Scrape sharpenings into the void and sit a warm bowl or some shit over some parchment paper until it sets up.
Yes