Builder did not leave enough room for standard fridge

kris3432 · 2007-06-17T00:39:13+00:00

Hello everyone. I thought I would stop here and ask everyone's adviseabout a problem that we have ran into on the house we are havingbuilt.We have been building the house long distance and just moved to thearea this week. We are supposed to close on the 25th.We have ran into a problem with the fridge opening in the kitchen.The height and width seem fine, but there is a drawer and door in thecabinet corner that will open onto the fridge. The problem is that ifyou allow space for the drawer to open the depth of the fridge can notbe any larger than 27 inches. A standard fridge is at a minimum of 34inches, not including the door handle. We spent the evening going fromstore to store measuring and pricing cabinet depth fridges, and itlooks like the ones that may work are about twice the price of regularfridges (about $1900 versus $1000 for the regular fridge). And it isquestionable if the counter depth fridge will even work since theymeasure about 29 inches with handles. (we did find a fridge thatmeasured under the well under the 27 depth but it was $2800)We had our realtor meet us at the house today and she said that shedidn't think it was a problem. She didn't think it would be a bigdeal to put a regular sized fridge there and just not use the door and/or drawer.I really think this is unacceptable. We have asked the the realtorand builder since the beginning what size fridge we should buy andthey have told us repeatively that a standard size fridge would work.We never planned on spending so much for a fridge.A picture of our kitchen from a couple of weeks ago can be found here(if is finished now): I being unreasonable wanting something done about this or at leastexpecting the builder to pay part of the extra cost for the fridge?Thanks,Kris

Jun 17, 2007 63 Replies

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dpb 19 years ago

...

"Ya' gotsta' pick your pize-un" grandpa was found of saying... :(

From the picture it seems to be a funny kitchen arrangement no matter what. Better imo to have less counter space but functional than non-functional drawers/cabinets and that big hole in the corner of the original imo. It looks like it might be more convenient from the layout there as well, or at least no less. The door opening in the middle layout isn't real conducive for traffic around it.

Noise is a possible downside, certainly, but fridges don't run continuously and at least some aren't terribly noisy...

OP will have to pick and choose options vs outlay, but Oren's plan looks at least superficially like a sizable improvement to me...

Almost anything would be given the original, though...I agree there it seems to be an absurd design if the picture OP posted was what really was intended.

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Oren 19 years ago

My thought of NOT moving the fridge is that it would interfere with the portion of the cabinet, most likely intended for a breakfast bar (angled in pic - where the step stool sits now will have a couple of "bar stools") Under this cabinet front will be the (my guess) DW.

I like plenty counter space around the sink and stove - on both sides.

Mike Ruska plan :)

I like the thought:)

This kitchen reminds me of our area for a median priced home.

-- Oren

..through the use of electrical or duct tape, achieve the configuration in the photo..

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dpb 19 years ago

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oops! mea culpa, got eyes crossed on who wrote what, sorry Mike! :(

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Norminn 19 years ago

The issue is that a "standard size" fridge should fit the space. I have no idea what a "standard size" fridge is - mine is 31.5" deep from wall tofront of fridge, not including the handles. You said you kept asking what size fridge you should buy.......sounds like a cop-out to me. You must have had drawings before you signed a contract, I hope. The size of appliances, along with cost, features and arrangement are one of the very most basic and costly parts of the plan. First-time home buyers are bound to make mistakes or overlook things that they think of too late. It may be possible to get a fridge - not side-by-side - that will allow the cab. door and drawer to open if the fridge door is open. Might also be able to change the cabinet door to open from left side (hinge on right) to get into that.

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