Kitchen Installation - Day 1

Today was the first day of the kitchen installation! It didn't quite go off without a hitch, but it did go rather quickly regardless. The first problem to be discovered was that there weren't enough end panels ordered. The problem is easy enough to fix - just make a run to Ikea to pick up more. So that was put on the to-do list for after dinner.

Then there was a little scratch on the back panel of one of the cabinets. It was so minor that we decided to ignore it. Then one of the workmen damaged one of the end panels by accident. We also heard that the outlet for the fridge was actually to high and was supposed to be under instead of behind the fridge. Something for Tom to do when Liz goes to Ikea...

When the cabinet doors started to be unpacked we found the next problem - the panels have a slight color difference compared to the cabinet doors. They are supposed to be the same, but it was a visible difference. Slight, but visible. Via the installation company we heard from Ikea that they are the proper panels and that there isn't a color difference. Once at Ikea, Liz tried to get the story straight about the color difference. At the time of the order I saw on the order that the cabinets were "white" and the panels were "ecru" and pointed it out. The man there assured us that it was only a change in name, but that the color is the same. But after seeing the two colors it was clear that they are not 100% the same. The new panals that I had to pick up were labeled with the color white, not ecru. So I went to customer service and explained everything and it was arranged that tomorrow the old panels will be picked up and replaced with white ones.

The very last thing we came across was that our lamp in the kitchen was just a few centimeters too close to the cabinet doors. So Tom had to move that, too, so that the doors could open. This means we'll need to get a new lamp in the kitchen, which is something Tom is thrilled about! He despised the fluorescent lights we had there.

The two guys who are here doing the work are great. They know exactly what they are doing and take their time making sure everything is level and even. At the same time, they are also very fast! One started putting together the cabinets, and two seconds later he was already working on cabinet number four! We would have probably only been able to assemble the cabinets in one day, maybe. They have assembled, secured, and leveled all of the upper and lower cabinets, and almost all of the tall cabinets. They come back tomorrow morning and should have the job finished by suppertime. Fingers crossed for no more hiccups!

The kitchen ready to be fitted.
This picture reminds us of all the things we don't have to do ourselves.
Progress in one day.