How would you charge for this? Broken Vanity Door

Question

Just did the move out inspection for one of my units.  How would you charge for this?  I can't just screw it back in because the board is damaged and a new vanity seems like over kill.

Sorry the pictures are sideways...

Michael Seeker · Answer

I'd purchase 2 or 3 new interior mount hinges, remove the 2 old hinges and mount the new ones in different spots where there aren't already holes.  Shouldn't cost more than $10-$15 and I would maybe charge the tenant $20 for it.  If they were a good tenant and didn't do any other damage to the place and left it in good shape I wouldn't even bother charging them for it since the cabinet was cheaply made to begin with.

If they did a bunch of other damage and left a mess, then I'd definitely tack this onto the bill.

Mike Franco · Answer

I agree with Ryan.

I hate those concealed hinges. They only open 90 degrees, and most of them need to be bored into the wood, so it's not as easy to simply move the hinge down half an inch. Also, people are not aware it only opens 90 degrees and yank it open past that range, and break off the screws.

Account Closed · Answer

Man, do I hate particle board.  I know that vanity and it is crap.  $99 crap or $189 crap, depending on where you bought it and what discount you had.  :)

You can move the hinge up or down to to get a spot where it will secure. You could Bondo the holes and apply a strip of luan over it so you having something good to screw through.  You'd need to do this for both hinges to get an even mount.  In a really bad situation, you can mount the door on the opposite interior wall, having it open towards the drawers.  You would then need to move the knob, creating a hole that needs patching.  While you're at it, you might consider caulking the interior around the base and adding some vinyl flooring or even contact paper to the bottom.  The life of that base can be expanded by making it more water and chemical proof.

All that being said, I'm not sure I'd charge the tenant for it.  Any hinge secured by short little screws through particle board will give.  If the rest of the unit shows hard use, that's different.  But if everything else looks okay, I think that door is showing normal wear and tear for particle board furniture in a bathroom.  The drawer mounts are next.....