Fitted kitchen faultily installed or wrongly delivered

Buying a fitted kitchen with delivery and installation is usually a contract for work and materials or a contract for work, you owe the full payment only after defect-free completion. For installation errors, damage or wrong parts you have defect rights and can withhold part of the price.

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Your chances of getting your money back

For a faultily delivered or installed kitchen, you can demand subsequent performance (remedying the defect or replacement) and, if that fails, reduce the price or withdraw. Until defect-free completion you may withhold a reasonable part of the remuneration.

Document the defects at acceptance and accept only under reservation. An unreserved acceptance and payment can weaken your rights, so check the kitchen carefully before you sign off.

What you should do now

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1. Document defects
Photograph installation errors, damage and wrong parts and list them concretely.
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2. Accept under reservation
Accept the kitchen only under reservation of the criticized defects and withhold a reasonable amount.
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3. Subsequent performance with a deadline
Demand the remedying of defects or the replacement in writing with a reasonable deadline.
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4. Further rights
If the defects remain, you can reduce the price or, for significant defects, withdraw.

How to spot the scam

You accept the kitchen unreservedly although defects are visible.
You pay in full before all defects are remedied.
Wrongly delivered or damaged parts are only criticized verbally.

Frequently asked questions

Which rights do I have with a defective kitchen?

You can demand subsequent performance, i.e. remedying of defects or replacement, and, if that fails, reduce the price or withdraw. Until defect-free completion you may withhold a reasonable part of the remuneration.

Should I accept the kitchen?

Accept it only under reservation of the concretely criticized defects and withhold a reasonable amount. An unreserved acceptance and full payment can weaken your position. Check the kitchen carefully before signing off and document defects.

What if wrong parts were delivered?

A wrong delivery is also a defect. Criticize it in writing and demand the delivery and installation of the correct parts with a deadline. The costs of subsequent performance are borne by the seller; until then you can withhold part of the payment.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.