My 5′ tall client wants me to remove her inset medicine cabinet from the wall behind the lav and put a new one on the return wall at the side of the vanity so she can reach things easier. We’ll hang a mirror on the back wall in place of the existing med cabinet.
Easy to do, since the studs on the side wall are in the right place, but how much clearance above the counter top is reasonable to avoid knocking things over? More to the point, what height is generally considered to be too low such that potential buyers would find it a negative?
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with a shorty, wherever she wants it!
I did a surface mount one for a gal who was even shorter. I held it up on the wall and moved it up and down while she stood back, walked around, reached for the door, etc.
Once we had the height where she wanted it, I drew a pencil mark at bottom and top on the wall.
She left and I installed it.
2-03 months later, she called me in to complain that it was too high and that I had installed it wrong.
I showed her the pencil marks and reminded her of the process. Then said I will be more than happy to hang it any height you want it at, but please don't say it was my mistake, because it is right where you said to put it.
She said, "FINE, Leave it there then!" and left.
I like it when customers leave, but I prefer that they leave happy.
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Have done the same thing with the "vertically challenged'.
You may have forgotten one critical part of the positioning process.
Your "fitting" was probably done with her shoes on; most shorter women tend to always wear shoes with at least some heel.
But they use the bathroom barefoot at least part of the time. An inch or two will make a difference.
Of course she could have just changed her mind.
Jim Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
great idea.change her mind?A woman change her mind?!!!never.This one totally forgot she was the one who decided the position in the first place.
When I figure out how to tell a woman she is wrong tactfully so she accepts it gracefully, I will have more power than the POTUS
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
>>When I figure out how to tell a woman she is wrong tactfully so she accepts it gracefully, I will have more power than the POTUS<<
Good luck with that one, sorry don't have any successful experiences or even an idea to share.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Think more creatively.
You could move here junky medicine cabinet...
OR
What if you put in a floor to ceiling medicine cabinet instead? Built it in the stud bay or cut it in if you don't have the room. Put a nice wood door with a mirror on the front or even just paint it to match the room. Put a GCFI outlet inside so she has a place for her curling iron and hair dryer without dragging a cord through her sink.
You can use adjustable shelving so the shelves can be anywhere she or the next buyer wants them.
Like so:
View Image
This is wider than you may need, but we are generally short of storage in the house.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
Edited 4/29/2009 5:01 pm by xxPaulCPxx
but how much clearance above the counter top is reasonable
Depends on the MC in some cases. If the MC has a lip on it, and there's a splash around the couter top, then, probably 1/8 -1/4 gap between splash and frame.
If no splash, set it with the door bottom edge not lower than 4-5" possibily 6" above the counter (ask customer what things wind up on the counter, some blow driers better with 6" clearance).
I think I remember the numbers 52/70 from my earliest days of framing.
Over the years, I doubt that I've framed in ten of those things but for some reason that number always stuck with me.