Remodeling

[Beth n Rod]

I have done some remodeling in the past and have had some pretty serious headaches when it came to the building not being square. How do you contend with this especially when the pre-fab cabinets for example are built square and the wall and corner is not?
I have tried using filler board and being thankful for the adjustable hardware on the doors to help correct when the cabinet is slightly jacked. It's hard to keep the whole thing square when mounting especially heavy counter tops like marble or granite.

Any suggestions?

Rod!~

[Barry M]

I know what you mean Rod. Every old house is the same story, whether installing cabinets or hanging drywall. I just did some cabinets and countertop in some living quarters of a pole barn. I had to do a lot of shimming and adjusting. I didn't force the cabinets too much and throw them out of square. I used some corner trim, stained the same color as the cabinets, to hid any gaps against the wall. I used rubber molding that matched the countertop to hide a gap on the back lip against the wall. There is really nothing you can do other than make it look good Rod. Drywall is another fun one in old houses, but that is what mud is for.

[Beth n Rod]

On one particular project, I wasn't the only one having difficulty with this...the company that came to template the counter-top didn't check all the angles and when these 3 guys came hauling the counter top in they set it on the cabinets and you can tell the "oh s**t" thoughts in any language. I asked if they forgot to check the angles and the one guy said he had measured it. Measured but not checked the square was my thought. They had to do some on site cutting and make a filler joint to make up the difference, cut a hole in the wall to allow for the one corner to butt in and so forth.
Drywall wasn't an option for me as the wall was made of cinder block with mortar plaster about 1 1/2" thick over it that was about 60 years old. I had to use masonry screws to hang the cabinets and god what a pain to find a ceiling joist to mount the peninsula cabinet from.
Tales out of square.

Rod!~

[PressurePros]

Shims and trim are definitely your friend, as is manpower. Nothing worse than trying to shim the upper part of a hanging cabinet to plumb and your laborers let the cabinet slide. You want to fling the whole assembly out the window sometimes. I worked for my father for awhile doing interior remodeling and custom carpentry. It takes years to develop high speed shortcuts that are effecient and look good.

[JBenson]

I have remodeled two houses and being that they were older houses things settle and adjust so you have to just make do and be creative, the art of finish carpentry. On my house we added on a 36x36 addition and knowing we were going to be doing the finish work we double checked plumb, square, level and all in between. That made the trim and doors a breeze. I have come to learn that a finish carpenter gives a builder his good name in part. If i get a chance i will post some pics of both projects. I will post my custom tub skirt in a new post.