WHAT TO DO When Your EXPENSIVE VANITY DOESN'T FIT!

Hey Gang! We've all been there. No measurements, no planning, just a beautiful piece of furniture that doesn't fit, and it's YOUR job to make it fit. There are a ton of reasons why ordering a vanity online can be a little risky, and in this video, we show you what is probably going to happen when your brand new one shoes up at your door! Don't worry, it's just wood, and with the right tools you can get that thing in there lickity split. We hope this video helps at least one person out there going through a similar situation, and as always feel free to ask some questions in the comments!
Thanks for watching and we'll see ya in the next one!
Studpack.com
contact: [e-mail]

[@StudPack]

We can see em' coming from a mile away. "Why didn't you just move the plumbing?" "You should have just notched the baseboard" and guys.. THERE IS NO LEAK 😂 that’s a drop of water from the line that made it through during install. We tested and checked everything 👊🏼 First, notching the baseboard. We'll be honest, we just don't think it looks as good. A notched leg against the wall over the base looks way cleaner than a baseboard notch. Now you're fooling with caulk and paint, rough edges that you might be able to see. If that's how you do it that's great! But we think this looks pretty sharp and more custom. Second, moving the plumbing. Since the vanities took so long to be delivered, we went ahead and finished the bathrooms, including painting the walls. We didn't feel like cutting into our pretty much finished bathroom to move some plumbing 3/4 of a inch. In this old house, cutting the walls, patching drywall, re-painting and moving plumbing would have been MUCH more difficult than doing what we did here, although we definitely considered it.

[@erwinmartinez5293]

Do your work to your own standards. There will always be keyboard warriors with differing opinions. Great job as always 👍🏼.

[@TrpDSgt]

Really appreciate how you explain the reasons why you do things the way you do. It really helps others to think outside of how they would first approach a job. Great channel!

[@JoeMcCoskey]

Those are tough decisions. I agree on leaving the baseboards alone. I faced a similar situation with the drain and water lines on a recent bathroom remodel. Finished putting up the new drywall and noticed the drain and one of the water lines needed moved up. It was frustrating but I ended up cutting into the wall moving them and then patched it up. I did seriously consider cutting the shelf.

[@mikeinmaryland]

It’s all good Paul, but consider using a hole for your p trap jigs. Two holes and connect them to a racetrack oval. Still great job on keeping things moving forward.

[@denisegaylord382]

Everyone wants to be an armchair quarterback, 😂🤪🙃 y'all rock. And give me more to think about each time I think about starting a new project. I might actually get to do some physical work at some point, but I keep learning new things and having to revise my plan of attack, 🤣🤣🤣.

[@gkbuilding]

This Father and Son Duo is great! Loved it when Jordan says “check out this cool move Dad!” Paul says that’s cool bub but your turning it the wrong way! Lol! Love it!

[@daxmas625]

Come on! Righty tighty - Lefty losey 😂

[@gkbuilding]

@@daxmas625 that is the Golden Rule! I’ve been turning wrenches for about 10 years now could not tell you how many people can’t wrap there head around that! Lol

[@StudPack]

@@daxmas625 Yeah that's what I was thinking and started turning it right! But it's inverted when tightening those nuts..😤

[@Lierofox]

@@StudPack yep! No shame there, the fastener was tightening towards you, not away from you, remembering to flip the direction of rotation takes some conscious effort!

[@matteberry58]

All old men couldn't help but giggle on that one. Jordan, we all made the mistake a "few" times when we were learning or were worn out and couldn't think straight.

[@cn3121]

Slide 3/4” pex over the 1/2” copper. Helps to keep it clean during drywall and paint!

[@steve_main]

A tip for drilling a huge hole like that 3" is drill the guide hole first with a bit the same size as your mandril, then use the hole saw bit in reverse. This will score the wood and create a channel or kerf that gives the hole saw a place to stay put and it wont bite or jump because it's in reverse. Then put the drill in forward and finish half the cut and do the same from the other side!

[@smokecreekstudio7320]

or better yet dont pre cut a 3 inch hole in a scrap piece of ply wood clamp it in place, get rid of the center drill bit and use the plywood as a guide with that 3 inch hole already cut. leaves almost no tear out and loses the risk of that hole saw walking on you

[@steve_main]

@@smokecreekstudio7320 yeah I had to do this with drilling out a deadbolt lock from 1 in to 2 in on my door. there was no other way to do it plus it was a metal door

[@mikemarino7806]

The attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile for the fine details is just unreal. Truly the difference between you fellas and the rest of the guys out there. Much love to you all!

[@kenmaira]

"Quality is a luxury that you can't see". Not sure where I read that, but using a router and template takes it up to that next level. Great job.

[@gavinnewscum]

Many framers don’t think so. As a result , caulk and paint make a framer what he ain’t

[@odiesclips7621]

You guys really packed a lot into this episode, and I've saved it for future reference. Many folks don't realize that you've documented great tips that come from many years of learning the "hard way". Thanks for all you give back!!

[@leedayvault5594]

You guys rock. Thank you. Us weekend home repair guys learn so much from you guys. There’s curve balls to every job. Thanks for helping us learn!!!

[@evelyngorfram9306]

Again with the spiffy camera angles, Jordan! And again with the well-done filming, Paul! Not to mention all the excellent workmanship, and the culmination of both in the magnificent visual of the countertops & plumbing seals splitting the laser beam. Sweet. :)

[@AlAmantea]

It's so refreshing to finally have a channel on KZbin that does things the right way, and explain WHY it's done that way. Too often, we get DIYers and even professionals that hack things up, putting mascara on a pig. This leads people to do the same, and only expect the same from their contractors and subs. Those of us who take pride in our work, and the workmanship, appreciate you both demonstrating why things take the time and energy, and the cost, to do it right the first time. As always, fantastic job, y'all! "Cordless tools with excellent dust collection", huh? I foresee a LOT of green/black, and red/black tools in the future for Paul and Jordan! You won't go wrong either way, gentlemen!

[@wasntme3651]

You are a master tradesman!!! It’s impressive how you are good at everything in home remodeling. You and your son are the A-Team 👍🏼 Your work is phenomenal and the ideas from your channel are priceless. Thanks

[@nimblor]

When you dropped the shutoff in the bucket tightening it the wrong way. LOL Pure gold ! Made my night. Everyone does that once .. maybe twice :)

[@MannyFontes1968]

Dude, I feel your pain because as a handyman, I run into these issues all the time...You guys nailed it though with your modifications. 👍👍

[@elbarto-424]

Funny that you post this right now. I have two cabinets waiting for me to install in our master bath remodel, and had never considered that our online purchased cabinets may need to be "adjusted" to fit. But now I know not to panic! Thanks for this one!

[@mannys9130]

Professional as always gentlemen. I love you! Truly that elusive kind of contractor that nobody can ever find, who have the skill and ethics to do stuff right. 💪😎

[@clarktasticstuff2856]

I grew up learning from my grandpa - a county engineering inspector, army man, and fantastic detail guy. It made me smile to hear “quarter past tight”. I miss him terribly, especially now that we are building our own house. Learning these things is a gift that blesses generations! Keep up the great work. I learn something or get ideas with each video.

[@peteteaokimosh9798]

That’s a great job on fitting the cabinets 👍🏽! Definitely worth the time watching. I learned a couple of great tricks. Especially the router! Keep up the great video’s 🤠

[@par3me]

Another solid video. I love that you work with your son. My oldest is 11 and has been coming with me during school breaks since he was 7. It’s the absolute best. 🇺🇸

[@richbackofen6151]

I am impressed with your vast knowledge and skill set. I was impressed with the crescent wrench trick, and I thought I invented it lol. One trick I learned with the escutcheons is to start them backwards, bend the teeth slightly. Then turn them around and they don’t fight you. I really enjoy the channel.

[@colerobinson1187]

Tile and floor installer here, love the quality of your work and videos! The real Holmes on Homes right here with a Southern comfort to it.

[@l.rod2827]

Great job leveling and customizing for all the plumbing. One thing I would have done to the big vanity is install a small lip, perhaps 1.5 inch tall around the P trap to keep any items from falling into the opening.

[@stevebowser7248]

You guys always have great content. I never thought of putting dope on a compression fitting, but I do sometimes get some tiny leaks.....you just gave me the solution. Thanks again, keep up the good work.

[@kristilbilyeu7682]

Great content, as always! I’m trying to “freshen up” our bathrooms in preparation for selling our house in a few years. In the bathroom I’m working on now, I’d chosen to leave the tub/ shower combo, mainly because I’ve never built a shower from scratch like you did in this series of videos. On top of that, I don’t have too much experience tiling. I’m a very detailed person, however, and I catch on pretty well. I think with all the details you added in your videos, you’ve given me the confidence to rip out the tub and build a shower. I’m really excited because a large, tiled shower is really what I’ve wanted when I started this project. Thank you guys for sharing your methods and your tips & tricks!!!

[@carlmetzger3971]

Video camera loves Paul and so do I! He is a natural. Keep these videos coming. Fantastic job guys.

[@robertmason4793]

Really One of the best videos I've ever seen ! I've been doing the same stuff for over 40 years and I have to tell you I actually learned something from you! Thanks very much for this professionally done video. In all honesty very few homeowners have the Courage (balls) to cut up a $2000 vanity. I've done it ....but I tell you I swallowed hard before I started. I love the way you went step-by-step through each process. Especially using the template to router off the vanity leg so it will fit against the molding and routing out the interior shelves for the P trap clearance. .......very nicely done. I personally like the look of clean shiny copper on my plumbing connections but I did learn something when you showed how to use that Chrome sleeve on the back of the toilet I did not know that was available?? I love your videos and actually save them for review if I have a problem in my next project. Thank you!! you're providing an excellent service for all of us do-it-yourselfers out here in the real world. Bob mason El paso TX

[@sharondymond]

I love your description of how and why things go together.

[@baddad5781]

Bravo again guys. You sure can tackle the tough jobs. Thanks for sharing with us through these videos.

[@nicnack3629]

DIY-er here... I can't get enough of your videos. Wish you were local to me so I could hire you for my more complicated jobs. Keep rocking it!

[@delta7087]

I like the thinking on the fly and attention to every detail. Awesome guys!!!

[@Paul-dc6sp]

Awesome job. Always fun watching you guys solve problems.

[@ironcap2050]

A contractor using a template - what a breath of fresh air; fantastic results. I wish I could hire you guys. I'm in the middle of two bathroom remodels and its shocks me how many trades either don't have the right tools or are not willing to do the job proper. When I hire a trade I'm looking for a professional install, you know straight cuts thru measuring and the years of experience indicating a solution to a problem. I can certainly do the work but I'm hiring a professional for a reason. Keep up the great work both of you.

[@steves1749]

You guys are so detail oriented. I love it.

[@DreWalk2014]

I just installed my new vanity a while back. All the problems I ran into and had to fix it pretty much happened to you. Great video!

[@milesharlan1]

I made it! I HAVE been busy today. Love your videos guys!! Thank You for TGIF video to watch at lunch at time today!! Keep up the good work!

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Great job studs. I like how you made the changes to the vanity and not the home. Great idea thanks for sharing

[@frankdasaintdituri9983]

great channel here man. Love the family vibe, informative content, and honest approach. Thanks

[@michafender1537]

Come on Stud pack super super awesome 👌. The learning continues for me. Your work is amazing. Very detailed and well done everytime. Love from Jamaica 🇯🇲 ❤️

[@johntorres1604]

Great video stud pack it’s entertaining and informative. Keep em coming. What a great father and son team.

[@ericc3359]

this is the first video from this group of guys that i have watched. Subscribed this channel immediatly. Really like this gentleman who explains all the details very well! And.... maybe i should add a router to my shopping list ;)

[@Mantis858585]

Good stuff, I have a habit, good or bad, of accepting about any job thrown my way. Experienced or not. Good to see how you guys tackle obstacles and know I'm not the only guy who isn't perfect. :)

[@johnfleming68]

You're a great mentor for your son very knowledgeable in the trade excellent video Love the way you explain everything in detail

[@handymangrandpa316]

I learn from every video from “ stud pack “. It seems the stud pack is afraid of nothing. Keep up the good word👌👌

[@MrNeilypops]

Greetings from Luxembourg! Excellent video as usual! Keep up the FAB work guys!

[@beanieweenie9543]

Oh crap, I am in the middle of remodeling our bathroom (1st remodel project ever) and my wife just ordered a vanity online. 😳 Awesome job overcoming the obstacles, I hope don’t encounter quite as many as you guys did.

[@imlon2]

@19:27 Paul: no leaks. Camera angle: showing drip!

[@StudPack]

Saw that😂 Funny, but it ain't leaking 👊

[@Karlheuken]

I like watching your videos because you and your son are very skilled. It's nice to watch your clever methods. After watching you cut up and fit those vanities I had to send you a short note. I retired a couple years ago after 37 years owning a custom cabinet shop on the west coast. If you can find a custom cabinet maker in your area, they can make you vanity cabinets that fit, saving you loads of time and probably customer's money as well. By the time you finished installing them I doubt the customer saved money on the internet purchase. I was able to make a good living competing with prices of the import stuff and beating them on quality. Anyway something to think about.

[@jmaxim80]

Another classic fellas thank you for taking the time to entertain us.

[@luisamezcua1504]

Great work ,I like the way you teach your son all of your wisdom, great Dad 🙏🇺🇸👍🏽

[@natfloyd7302]

Amen brother. These vanities are no longer a quick install Just had the same thing where we needed to modify the cabinet. The sad thing is these $2000 online vanities are poorly constructed. Great videos!!! Keep it up!

[@robsmiley3188]

That's the best notch I've ever seen awesome idea with the template and router

[@landmarkconstruction]

Binocular Bobs🤣😂🤣 Gonna have to use that one my friend.....Love it!!!! Best Father Son duo on KZbin!!!!!

[@karllaun2427]

Another great video guys. re: freehand routing. If you go inside to outside, you will have material to help support the router base until the very end.

[@smoll.miniatures]

I love this channel. One of the only ones that I learn from.

[@michaelmurray5413]

Great job love all the tips for a mechanic, plumbing ,framing .

[@MrMattDat]

Great job! I love the tips & insights you provide (like silicone vs acrylic caulk!). Thanks!!

[@HoveMania]

Hi Guys, love the channel. In my house we have the tap (faucet) handles pointing forward. That way I can nudge them on with my elbow when I come in from the garden with filthy hands. As a bonus you can top up the bath with your feet!

[@lionelnlex]

This is a great video to show your smart solution and confident to against any situation. That's what a handyman/contractor needs :)

[@JohnClay77]

As always top notch work Stud Pack!!!

[@Brian-jm2xr]

Glad I'm not the only one that runs into these issues. I like how you guys show all the problems when remodeling and not just a finished product. Thanks for the great videos.

[@luissernajr.8298]

Oj

[@luissernajr.8298]

Wyd quiparosab

[@itzcaseykc]

Great job, guys. Love how you do things.

[@bierbrauer11]

Another solid video, always looking forward to new content from you guys! Lucky you have copper that can take that treatment; I’m stuck with ancient CPVC that will shatter if you glance at it wrong!

[@JV-pu8kx]

For the aerator tool: put a hook, or nail, inside the cabinet so the tool lives with the faucet and is there when needed as most plumbers probably don't have one in their tool kits.

[@joshcowart2446]

That’s smart. I always leave all faucet literature next to the sink/lav with any tools on top.

[@rogermccaslin5963]

I used a cable tie to tie it to the supply tube. I know it'll be there if I ever need it. Okay...when I need it.

[@kenmore01]

My thought as he mentioned that was "great, a special tool to remove the aerator. "Thanks Delta!

[@lostreb]

Great Tip and Great Comment!!! (Even though I'd probably use a zip tie and tie it - very loosely, in case there wasn't one handy when you were finished using it, as loosely as possible after every use - to one of the water lines and and re-zip tie as loosely as possible, until the zip tie needs replaced.)

[@bosoares]

The Delta aerator tool clips right onto the supply line.

[@slvreagl01]

If I have to cut a hole in the shelf of a vanity I'll use the same hole saw used for a ceiling can light. I would have raised the plumbing before cutting the bottom of the cabinet. You can use plumbing silicone on the pop-up rod ball, It makes it so you don't have to tighten the nut down tight and still get a good seal and easy to move so the rod extension doesn't bend. Love the vids guys keep up the great content!

[@eazzzye2003]

Man, I low key thought the green level line was legit LEDs. Best DIY channel on YT. You can't tell me any different.

[@RussWilsonII]

You guys are my favorite channel at this point. Great stuff!!!

[@StudPack]

High praise, thanks Russ. We got big things coming 👊🏼

[@shawnstroh5601]

You guys are the best! Thanks for all that you do!

[@WATTYATHINK]

Love your work - going to go back to some of the reno I have done and re do ... been 20 years so about time ... first up is the master bath - complete re do - wish me luck...

[@chrisferzo8393]

Wow, I really like your methodical approach to Smarter not Harder! Thanks StudPack! Projects with my dad & I (not StudPack experienced) were like two ADHD primates and with a crisco dipped football.... great to see how well you guys work together. "No Jordan, your other left" 😀

[@DestroManiak]

This channel is going places. Great content.

[@brianwood5220]

Nice job guys, that's not a straight forward task, but you've got it mastered. Thanks for sharing 😁

[@Eddy63]

The Dynamic Duo ... Good job ... Thx for sharing ...

[@jimstevens2668]

We purchased a pre built vanity from a Home Store and went from a 24" vanity to a 36" vanity, which caused a problem with a normal P trap to work. After several trips to different hardware stores we found a flexible rubber P Trap called Simple Drain which saved the day. Thanks for sharing all your tips!

[@margaretbear]

You guys are GOLD!

[@buixote]

Totally agree on the shelf-delete... dunno who thought of *that* ! These days, the "tall drawer option", is a better one, IMO. One on each side... I was thinking, as a backup plan, you might slit that chrome sleeve, putting the seam at 4 o'clock. Great stuff, as usual, Gents!

[@Troupster]

Yesssss, something to watch after work today 🙂🙂

[@halfdohm]

Wow. Very detailed, time consuming work, but in the end it paid off. Thanks for showing all the steps. I should make my wife watch this as she thinks everything takes 15 minutes.

[@johntamulonis4626]

Great job guys, as usual!

[@dennissmithjr.5370]

Great video guys again, in my humble opinion you guys are better than Ask This Old House.

[@firemanj35]

Great stuff Paul. Looks beautiful

[@CitEnthusiast]

Nice work. I've been there with these troiublesome furniture style bathroom cabinets. They don't make them to fit most installations for plumbing. On one cabinet the hot valve ended up behind the drawers! I cut holes to run the hose and modified the drawer to allow it to come out easily, so anyone can reach the shutoff valve. Necessity is the mother of invention! Or as we say in the military, adapt and overcome!

[@straight_to_finish]

This is exactly why I tell my plumber to off-center rough-ins. Chances are the trap arm will either hit something or be too close to the wall. A lot of the online-ordered vanities are made in south east Asia and leave much to be desired. Locally custom made is the way to go if it’s within budget. You made it look custom!

[@b1riley1000]

For all the additional labor for Stud Pack to modify those vanities for install, I think custom built cabinets would have been cheaper.

[@stephentucker5406]

Or just move the darn plumbing would have 1/4 the work

[@T_Jonesy]

Paul, you're such an amazing teacher. Love that you thought about the copper supply line for the toilet being visible from the shower, so you used that chrome casing. I think I'm a detail person, but you put me to shame. Also, drooling over your Festool tools. Someday...

[@aname4me]

I'm a month behind you.... and you'RE lighting the way ahead....THANKS

[@jimmason5738]

I've cut cabinets up and I've opened walls and moved plumbing to where it would fit. It is what it is.

[@GOGOSLIFE]

Great instruction! I've rented a few homes that've had the hot and cold reversed. Someone told me that it was the Italian way. Only one of these homes had an Italian landlord. I still have my utility tub faucets backwards in my own home. I just never had to occasion to need to change it. I've had to watch though when installing new clothes washers.

[@earlyriser8998]

we had similar problems with our cabinet and had to make similar changes. well done.

[@thearmy88ify]

Your son doesn't know it yet, but he is very lucky to be able to spend everyday with his dad while learning an in demand trade. Priceless! Great content!

[@ceedub7374]

Lots of good content to consider when replacing a vanity of a different style.

[@iliketakingshowers]

When the bottom of the trap has to sit just under the cabinet floor, I'll usually drill a large hole(3.5" or 4"). It looks pretty neat and also removes as little wood as possible

[@methods-SE]

I love you brother. Almost exactly how I would have done it! Super educational!

[@IknowImNotCrazyYoumightbe]

I had to do similar mods to my master bath dual sink cabinet....... but it is against outside wall, so we had to remove the cabinet material to slide the cabinet over and above the copper coming up from the floor....... great work

[@zezu4775]

You Guys are Really Good and Very Handy… Excellent Work…

[@sabast20i]

Another great video... thanks for sharing your know how.

[@johnbradford2852]

Thanks for the denatured alcohol silicon cleanup/beautification tip!

[@rrustamz]

I admire your energy and love that smile. Better than all your smooth relationship with your son.

[@xrayaiz74]

Great tutorial once again. I like the idea of modifying the vanity versus the wall. Nobody's looking underneath the vanity that often, typically. Additionally, the shelf modifications are out of sight. But, all this work goes back to the fact that these vanities are 'generic' in their design and it shows that hardly any care is taken to account for the dimensional variance and offset plumbing and other installation 'hack jobs' that wannabe DIYers or pseudo-pros may end up leaving behind for the next homeowner to deal with. I saw a lot of great tips and tricks that I will definitely use in my own house in the near future. The hookup on the faucets was very user-friendly by the way. I like a brand that considers those of us who often do installs at our relatives' homes.

[@StudPack]

Much appreciated 👊👍

[@jamesaustin7147]

Like your guy’s work!! Very Good!!!

[@Aepek]

I’ve seen a many I’d under mount sinks mounted incorrectly, holes in sealant and so on. Heck, I’ve seen a ink dropped b/c mounting tabs broke and adhesive failed too. So, before install on wall, make sure sink is “sealed” good and won’t leak or fall later on.

[@frankbarajas]

Hey, guys, love your videos and I have a lighting suggestion for you to consider. Please try to use a floor stand to elevate the main flood light off the floor as this will change the shadows on your faces to be more friendly and less menacing. This was especially noticeable at the start of this video with the main light casting upwards. Also, bouncing the light off the ceiling, if it's white, and using another smaller light directly to soften overhead shadows will improve the quality of the overall look of your videos. However, the quality of your information is never in doubt and always spot on. Love to see you two working together. Thank you.

[@StudPack]

Some videos it's a struggle with lighting especially on rainy days and we have to cram a big work light a tiny bathroom! Hard to get even lighting in that situation but we hear ya. Once we get the new HALO lights in the lighting will improve dramatically. Thanks for the tip and the support Frank! 💪

[@Markomyt1]

Notching the legs with the template and router is genius!