Frequently asked questions
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Our process
Take a look at all the available options and selections!
There are literally tons and tons (no pun intended, granite is heavy stuff!) of surfacing options. It can become overwhelming. However it can really make the process easier if you take a look at what products are available or simply narrow down what you do like and don't like. If you ever feel overwhelmed, give us a call! We'll be glad to help you every step of the way. Also take a look at edge profiles, that is how the edges of your countertops will be finished. Lastly, take a look at sink options, most customers choose to go with an undermount sinks, but farmhouse and drop-in sinks are still very popular. Sinks come in various styles, materials and colors.
Get an accurate estimate
Getting an estimate is easy. We have compiled an easy to follow write-up of how to get an accurate estimate in no time. This is a simple way to see estimated costs involved for the project you have in mind. Knowing exactly how much square feet you have can help us guide you towards the best choices for your given budget.
Our staff will gladly assist you with any questions you might have, please give us a call!
Click here to see how to get an accurate estimate
Schedule Template
If you like the estimate and are ready to move forward, we will then send our templater to come make a digital template of your project. We specialize in custom countertops, so we template each counter individually to make sure it fits exactly as it needs to! The templater will discuss exactly how you want you new countertops to look and fit. He is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of our business, please don't hesitate to ask him any question you may have. He will not discussed installation dates or job costing, he will only discuss job details and any technical questions you may have. Once complete, the digital file will be sent to our offices and processed by our CAD department. The templater will make notes of anything that may be an issue and also discuss the job specifics and job site accessibility with the CAD department. The digital drawings will be gone over carefully and a shop sheet will be created with exact dimensions of the project to ensure we can calculate your costs as accurately as possible.
Confirm project details
Once we get your digital drawing back in the office our CAD department will finalize your shop sheets and get your exact square footage based off the digital template. Our offices will update your estimate with the material, color, edge and sink specifications that you chose. They will give you a call or email to confirm all these details. We will need a signed copy of the updated estimate and a 50% deposit before we can go ahead and start with the fabrication process.
Digital layout
Digital layouts are an amazing new way to see exactly what your countertop will look like, exact seam locations and see how your material will flow throughout your kitchen, bathroom or project. While we don't do these layouts on very consistent materials, this is an amazing tool for customers that selected materials with a lot of natural movement. If you are interested in a digital layout, please let us know. There is no additional charge for it. It may add a day or two to the fabrication schedule as our techs will photograph your exact slabs, rendering the job based off your CAD template and then email it over for your approval, prior to cutting.
Fabrication
We do all fabrication in house. We will process your slabs on the latest in cutting technology. The sawjet ensures that we are cutting with incredible digital precision. Completely automated cutting, processing your digital CAD template into exact countertops. Our employees will then use high speed routers with diamond core bits to profile all edge profiles. Sink and cooktop areas will be reinforced with fiberglass rodding. All edges will then be polished to perfection by hand. Finally the pieces will be thoroughly inspected by our quality control. We generally try and turn-around jobs in 5-7 business days, however sometimes we do get pushed back to 7-10 business day manufacturing, this is from the date of approval, not from date of template. Some choices may effect turn-around time due to time needed to perform the selections such as; lamination, antiquing and others. Our office will discuss anything that might add additional time needed for your project. * Rush processing is available, please give us a call to see if we can get your project in faster!
Installation
Our office usually tries and schedule project installation a few days in advance with clients. Typically we only have morning and afternoon installations. These can vary greatly depending on how far the job sites are from each other. We will give you advance notice of the day you project will be install and also give you a time frame. You may request a specific day and time but we may not always be able to meet such requests, our office will gladly discuss options with you. -
Natural Stone Care
How to Care for Your New Natural Stone Surface:
- Avoid exposing your stone to oils, citric acids, oven cleaners, nail polish remover, etc. for long periods of time.
If contact does occur, rinse off thoroughly with water immediately. - Avoid dropping or pounding heavy or sharp items on surfaces.
- Cutting directly on tops with knives will dull your cutlery.
- Avoid putting extremely hot items directly on your tops. This may burn out your sealer but will not damage the stone
- Reseal counter surfaces as preventative maintenance is highly recommended.
How to Maintain Your New Stone Surface:
- We recommend Dupont™ Stone Tech Professional Revitalizer for daily cleaning. However, you can use mild soapy water (without lotion or dye additives), non-abrasive, and ammonia free cleaners. Try a mesh covered sponge with your favorite daily cleaner for more stubborn food residue.
Sealing Your Stone:
- We recommend that you reseal your stone counter-tops once every year. Resealing your counter-tops will greatly improve your stone’s ability to resist discoloration from stains.
- We recommend a solvent based sealer, such as Dupont™ Stone Tech Professional Impregnator Pro or Dupont™ Stone Tech Professional BulletProof sealers
- Avoid exposing your stone to oils, citric acids, oven cleaners, nail polish remover, etc. for long periods of time.
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Engineered Quartz Care
How to Care for Your New Engineered Quartz SurfaceAlways refer to your specific Engineered Quartz manufacturers care specifications to keep from voiding your warranty. Various manufacturer have different specifications and you may void your warranty if you follow another manufacturer care instructions. Please click on your Engineered Quartz Manufacturers logo to see their specific care requirements;
General Engineered Quartz care
- Avoid exposing your stone to oils, citric acids, oven cleaners, nail polish remover, etc. for long periods of time.
If contact does occur, rinse off thoroughly with water immediately. - Avoid dropping or pounding heavy or sharp items on surfaces.
- Avoid cutting directly on the Engineered Quartz surface, use a cutting board.
- Avoid putting extremely hot items directly on your Engineered Quartz surface. Extreme heat my scorch darker Engineered Quartz surface colors
- Engineered Quartz surfaces never needs to be sealed. Avoid natural stone sealants, polishes and penetrators (agers).
- Avoid exposing your stone to oils, citric acids, oven cleaners, nail polish remover, etc. for long periods of time.
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Faucet Spreads
The style of the faucet will dictate how the holes need to be drilled. There is some faucet, such as the larger 8-inch spread models that can be customized a little. It is very easy to get confused between the most common (smaller) 4-inch spread and (larger) 8-inch spread.
Single
Single hole drilled on sink cut-out center
4 inch spread
Center hole drilled on sink cut-out center. Side holes are drilled 2" offset from center for a total of 4" from left to right. 4" Spread is the most common vanity spread
8 inch spread straight
Center hole drilled on sink cut-out center.Side holes are drilled 4" offset from center for a total of 8" from left to right. 4" Spread is the most common vanity spread
8 inch spread curved
Center hole drilled on sink cut-out center.Side holes are drilled 4" offset from center for a total of 8" from left to right. The two offset holes are moved forward 1/2" to follow curvature of the oval sink 4" Spread is the most common vanity spread -
Material Comparison
Material Comparison
Scratch Resistance
Heat Resistance
Stain Resistance
Require Sealing
Granite
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Yes | Yearly
Marble
Poor
Excellent
Poor
Yes | Yearly
Quartz
Good
Good
Excellent
No
