Frequently Asked Questions
Order Questions
Q: Can you describe the process of working with your company?
We strive on communication and exceptional customer service throughout the process in order to deliver a quality product that both of us will be proud of. We want to work to satisfy every customer need. First, the client will pick a stone. Then, we give the client an estimate based on their specific project. After approval from the customer, an order can be placed with us. Depending on our schedule, we can have your countertop installed within two to four weeks.
Q: Can you give me an estimate if I e-mail or fax a sketch?
Absolutely. Please make all measurements as accurate as possible. Mark special areas (curves, etc.); indicate your preferred edge(s), colors, and details of your sink (under mount or drop in). Also indicate whether we will need to remove your old countertop and backsplash. While estimates are done this way can be quite close to the final numbers, we cannot finalize the costs until we visit your project and discuss all aspects of the job.
Q: Do I need an appointment to come down to your place?
No appointment is necessary.
Q: I've seen some ads for special pricing as low as $29 per square foot. You seem more expensive. Why?
Yes, there are some ?driveway? fabricators using low quality, thinner 2cm, or laminated granite who can apparently offer lower prices but check them out carefully and fully understand what you might be getting and what is ?missing? from their advertised prices. Remember that the cheapest doesn?t always equal the best value.
Q: What is your payment policy?
Once the order is placed, the total is broken up into two payments. We require a 50% down payment before fabrication begins and the other 50% is due upon completion of installation.
Fabrication Questions
Q: What edges do you offer?
We offer flat polish, quarter bevel, quarter round, pencil roll, demi-bull, half round, bull nose, ogee, and French ogee edges.
Q: Are there any other finishes for granite besides the high polish surface?
There are several finishes that you can have with granite. In addition to the most popular high polish granite we also offer honed granite. This results in a smooth surface without the reflection. Remember taking the high gloss polish off of your stone will decrease the depth of color and make it more susceptible to surface staining.
Installation Questions
Q: Can you reconnect my electrical and plumbing connections?
We are not licensed electricians or plumbers. Therefore, we cannot assume any liability for making any electrical or plumbing connections.
Q: How can I have as few seams as possible?
On average, granite slabs are approximately 110" X 66". Though in some colors, 120" slabs are not unusual. When planning your kitchen, keep these sizes in mind. Extremely large islands may either require a seam, or color selections will be limited to those slabs that have longer lengths or widths. Inquire about slab sizes when making final color selections and communicate with us to avoid any surprises.
Material Questions
Q: What do I need to consider when buying granite or marble?
Because it is a natural stone, marble and granite has been blessed with a natural beauty that has captivated humans throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that sophisticated architects and designers celebrate. Consumers who are less acquainted with the material expect the stone ordered to be identical to the picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarries product, the materials quarried at one time may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces, whether residential or commercial.
Q: What is the difference between marble and granite?
The main difference between marble and granite is that granite is highly dense material composed deep inside the Earth's core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the material composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react different to various chemicals and household cleaners.
Q: Why is there such a large price difference among different colors of granite slabs?
There are a number of factors contributing to the price of a particular stone: those factors include but are not limited to: rarity and availability of the stone, varying labor costs at different quarries in different countries around the world, degree of difficulty quarrying and fabricating a particular stone, and the cost of shipping the material.
Q: Can I select my granite/marble by looking at samples online?
The photographs of various stone that you see online can be a helpful tool when narrowing down your granite selection. However, the reflective surface of the stones, the lighting of the image, and the variations in computer systems and monitors will alter the colors that you see online. The only truly accurate way to see the color and pattern of stone is by viewing it in person.
Q: My sample of granite has pits on the surface. Will I have these on my countertops?
Granite always has tiny space or "pits" between the various minerals that comprise its crystalline structure. Most of these pits are barely visible to the naked eye, especially on a large expanse of granite because of its polished, mirror-like finish.
Q: What is a fissure?
At first glance, a fissure may look like a crack. However, a fissure is not a structural defect. Fissures are a result of the immense heat and pressure that formed the granite eons ago. Fissures are one of the natural characteristics that are part of the beauty of natural stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. Keep in mind you are purchasing a rock, and not a manufactured product.