Cabinet Replacement
 

We recently closed on our new build and just discovered the wrong cabinets we’re installed (MDF Material). How long does it usually take for new cabinets to be changed throughout the house once they are procured? Will backsplash and counters be removed or displaced? Will drywall issues occur?

Wow! The only person who can answer your question is the builder. I believe that all counters and backsplashes will need to be removed and re-installed. And, yes, drywall damage could be an issue. Also, plumbing, appliances, and mirrors in the bathrooms. But, the installation shouldn't take more than a few weeks. Are you sure that you cannot make a financial settlement with the builder and keep the cabinets?

Unfortunately I can’t. The all wood cabinets were one of the things we wouldn’t flex from when we talked of building. We still have many doors with stickers on the MDF cabinets because they are flawed from the initial build. We paid quite a chunk of change for the upgrade on our retirement home. It’s sad, but has to be done.

It’s basically replacing a kitchen. Probably 10 to 12 weeks.
Plan to NOT have a kitchen (no stove, fridge, dishwasher).

You closed the sale with this issue outstanding. What were you thinking?

We discovered the cabinets were MDF quite by accident. A handle was placed on our pantry door and the particle board was exposed. Everything was painted, there was no way to initially know.

Lots of work involved. Yes, all the countertop will need to be removed. If these are stone great care will need to be exercised to avoid damage during the removal and reinstallation. I tend to agree with the previous comment about getting a significant refund. If you still decide to go forward, make sure the potential damage to walls, counter tops, drywall, etc., is all covered, and i would ask for an extended warranty (beyond the normal 1 year) for all the replaced and reinstalled material.
While I completely understand the difference between solid wood and MDF, IMHO, you may need to balance that will all of the mess and inconvenience you are going to encounter with this change out. Personally, i would go for the full difference in cost of the cabinets, and maybe half of the estimated cost for the changeout.
In any case I wish you good luck with whatever you choose.

We were without our stove, and dishwasher for about a week when we had our kitchen renovation done (cabinets, counter top and backsplash). Our fridge was always plugged in and remained in the adjacent breakfast room while the kitchen renovation was done. Everything was strategically choreographed so there was no down time. I had sub contractors in my home every day until the job was done.

That’s encouraging, I can deal with that. We can eat out etc. After further investigation I noticed the faces, doors and even the cabinets themselves were not solid wood. So the whole deal will need to be done. I do see where they can remove the drywall etc and do a clean job. I would rather have it done right than half donkey -ed.

If you couldn’t tell until the handle was replaced they must look and feel like solid wood. Why not keep them since you couldn’t tell the difference!

Free advice is worth what you paid for it
 

Why are you asking us? The builder and perhaps a real estate lawyer is who you should be asking.

If you are talking about The Villages developers, they should also be able to put you up in a lifestyle villa home if you will be without a kitchen for any length of time.

Unlikely, they will be able to save your granite. But that’s not your concern, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that needs to be replaced to restore your kitchen and bathrooms and laundry room after the cabinets are replaced, is on the Developer.

Ask the Developers, if you don’t like their answers, contact a real estate lawyer or mediator to make sure all is done to your satisfaction.

Your initial question regarding time to replace…they are just boxes screwed into a wall. If replacements are measured properly for fit, it is an easy job. A professional remodeling company would have the job done in a week.

Cabinet Change
 

Hope if you found this mistake before closing that you held money in escrow at closing so the builder and the villages will do what you contracted for at closing.
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As far as the cabinet change. This should not take more than 3 to 5 days. Have them start on a Monday when the electrician and plumber will remove any appliances, and countertops into the garage.
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Your builder will schedule one trade that will follow another on the same day if time permits or first thing on the next day. Should be a smooth replacement. Only you will be inconvenienced. Hope you will be amazed at the process as we were two times.
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Can't cook, wow ask for restaurant vouchers to help during the inconvenience. If you don't ask you won't get it.
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I never had any problem with 2 different builders doing what was required to correct larger issues that each took about 3 days.
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Builders are required to correct any problems both minor or major.
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Wish you well.

One intangible thing that you should consider is that, when you ask workers to remove and replace work that they have performed, especially when it was not their fault, the quality of the workmanship will probably be affected. And, the builder will most likely not send their best workers to perform the rework.

We closed on our house in November and found a few cabinets that were cracked or had drawer issues. The cabinet company ordered replacement cabinets at the end of November and they still are not in yet. Hopefully you will get your replacements sooner than us!

Consider getting your VLS Sales representative and with your construction manager involved. The Villages prioritizes their reputation and their goal is to make things easy for residences. I’m sure they will do everything they can to deliver what you paid for. Timing is strictly up to supply chain issues.

Yikes, I would be furious. That said, upper cabinets are just boxes screwed to the wall. Remove trim, unscrew the box and replace it with one the same size. Bottoms a bit more complicated because of counters and appliances. You can live there while it's being done, the fridge will be plugged in, a microwave and you are good to go. Think of it as one of the vicissitudes of life. In the end you will have the house of your dreams.

MDF cabinets are the cheapest cabinets to buy. Looks like as usual they will try to get away with it. Made your lawyer have the builder pay for his mistake or give you much better cabinet or give you your money back that you paid for your new home.
The builder is hoping that you except the cabinets for a settlement of a very small amount of money no way near what the good cabinets coat.

When the sin is sweet repentance is not so bitter

We are in the process of remodeling a kitchen based on the 16 week or longer wait for new cabinets we decided againist them. We are going to have our cabinets repainted and that will work for us. After all at this age 70 plus the cabinets will outlive us and the next owners can replace them if they care to. In the meantime I’d push for reimbursement for the price differences………yes have a lawyer not connected with TV handle it.

Stick to your guns, and get what you paid for. This is the builder's screwup, and he is going to have to make it right. Document everything, and take photos. Don't let them start the project until you are satisfied that all needed components/materials are on hand and ready to go. The entire project should not take more than a week to ten days to complete. Don't sign off until you are 100% satisfied. Be sure to post an update here to let everyone know how it went.

Well, I had exactly the same thing happen. It took about 2.5 months to get the correct cabinets. When the cabinet company came they sent several good folks to do the work. They did all the bathrooms and the upper cabinets in the kitchen in one day. The lower kitchen cabinets required coordination with the plumber and electrician. The lowers were completed the next day. The following the touch up folks came in and when they were finished, you would never know anything was done. Overall it was not a bad experience. Be sure to go over with the warranty department what is supposed to be done. There is a difference between wood cabinets and total wood. Wood cabinets are wood cabinets and composite drawers, total wood it exactly that total wood.
TV is a good group, they owned the mistake and fixed it.

We reported many many cabinet issues in August 2021 - only a few issues have been fixed. We are still waiting for most of the work to be done.

So you will probably be waiting an extremely long time. Are they Wellborn cabinets? Who installed them Timberwood? Timberwood rep has been in our house four times and the Wellborn rep three times.

The Villages warranty department is slammed with cabinet issues. Poor installation of subpar cabinets is an equation which equals a big negative value.

So sorry for your pain! Good luck!

For painted cabinets MDF is actually preferred over wood. They take the paint better and are more resistant to humidity. Research it online. Just something to consider. They do cost less so you still need compensation.

Rob
 

I would retain a good attorney with the retainer set up so the builder pays their fees. This will be a long bumpy road but worth it because your heart was set on a beautiful kitchen.

Financial Settlement
 

Our designer refused to give us the cost of the cabinets so we have no idea how much we were charged for them.

IMHO and based on my personal experience I would not want the villages warranty workers redoing my cabinets. Not only will you get subpar installation, they will destroy other items in your home. Our LVP flooring was damaged during a warranty repair and it has yet to be corrected after about six months.

Lawyer
 

FYI - I consulted a good lawyer. $20,000 retainer and $600/hr. And go up against a powerful entity?

Funny that is the opinion of the head of warranty. He thinks cabinets are just boxes to put your stuff in and cosmetic issues are irrelevant.

A professional remodeling company would take a week - can't say the same thing about villages warranty replacement.

Current warranty functionality
 

With all due respect are you talking about 2021-2022? Because there are many of us who have not experienced the same.

Cabinets
 

Live with the cabinets, get reimbursed by the contractor and move on. Life is too short…

Warranty workmanship
 

This is an understatement!

Someone redoing some tilework put 25 chips in our tub. The tub repair guy damaged our LVP flooring with tub refinishing products. Tub replaced with a sixth tub which we accepted with a flaw. More tile rework and drywall repair and painting stretched over many weeks - not coordinated at all. Floor is still not repaired six months later.

I just had utility room cabinets installed and they took about 6 wks to arrive from date ordered.

Confidence in warranty?
 

Why are you sure about this? Based on my recent experience and exchange with other's experiences, I'm confident they are overwhelmed, they stall, and they hope you are worn down and will give up out of frustration. Salesperson and builder have been no help to us.

You will have a stove, fridge, etc. My husband and I have redone 3 kitchens in our time. You won't have counters. So a makeshift folding table works.

They don't take everything out until new cabinets here. As far as plumbing, they only disconnect water while doing the new install. That takes a couple of weeks with having to get each sub there.

Talk to the builder. And you will have to be a pain in butt to hurry them along once cabinets here

This is sad. I would ask for financial compensation for the days you cannot use your kitchen either way.

Best of luck.. They are building homes much too fast.

New Build
 

We closed on a new build in Citrus Grove in January.It has been a nightmare.Many many defects.Still working on it.Drywall people are very hard to work with.Contractors will do part of the job or do it incorrectly, then you have to go through warranty to get them back.I would never buy a new build here again.Your best bet is to have them buy back the house. Get an attorney and be loud about it.You will be months doing the repairs and your house will be unlivable.Good luck.

Nightmare!
 

Thank you for sharing your experience. We also have had an extremely bad experience.

Horrible designer
Delayed design
Delayed build
Major defect day of closing
Horrible cabinets - wellborn
Horrible windows - pgt
Horrible tilework - nickel
Horrible trimwork
Crooked walls
Bad knockdown and orange peel application
Scratched floors

That's just a partial list.

And we haven't even had our inspection yet.

Really affects what is expected to be a pleasureable experience moving here for the lifestyle and not being able to enjoy it because you have to stay home all day long for warranty. Can't have guests and certainly can't show them your subpar custom design house with any sense of pride.

If enough of us share, perhaps those who say warranty is great will think twice before making that general statement.

Correct, but other tangibles involved including time and aggravation. This is a crazy f..k by the builder.

Make sure you have documentation. Every phone call has date and time and duration. Names of every person you talked with and what was discussed. Get things in writing.
Photograph everything. Up close, Wide view. Multiple angles. Doors open and closed. Floor and walls and counter and sink and backsplash. Appliances. You are creating proof that things are not damaged prior to any contractor causing related damages.
For a typical kitchen alone, I would take at least 150 to 250 pictures. All with good lighting, which does not mean your cell phone "flash".
Repeat a base set of photos before and after anyone touches or alters anything.

Lead times on cabinets could be months.

Also check that the right drawer slides get ordered. Premium cabinets should have under drawer soft close slides. Door hinges should be soft close. Drawers with dovetail joints.

You might want to get an inspection by an expert home inspector. Now and after. They could help with making sure you get the right stuff. Possibly work with a cabinet company instead to guide you. I've heard good things about Summers Enterprises (I have no connection to them)

You are also entitled to all reasonable out of pocket expenses that may arise.

Get everything in writing from someone authorized to act as a TV representative.
Get everything in writing from someone authorized to act as a TV representative.
Get everything in writing from someone authorized to act as a TV representative.
Get everything in writing from someone authorized to act as a TV representative.

Get what you paid for. Stand your ground. The builder made a huge mistake, he owes you to fix it all to what was on the contract and what you paid for. He should also reimburse you for your inconvenience being without a kitchen and bathrooms while he is correcting his mistake. Hire an attorney if you have to. Thus is your dream home and at best the builder made a mistake, at worst he was trying to get away with pocketing the money he saved by installing inferior much cheaper cabinets. Get what you paid for.