So You Want Granite Countertops?
By Dave Worrell, Owner of Innovative Stone and Tile Granite Fabrication
You’ve decided that granite is for you, the next question usually is; what do I do next? This is a common question and as a professional for 21 years in the stone and tile trade, I will tell you how to go about it. You are going to need an installer (or fabricator). You want a fabricator that will return your calls. You want someone who will come and measure while offering suggestions about the job (People ask us all the time for square foot estimates or phone estimates but these are rarely accurate). Make sure you receive a written bid so you can compare with others and make sure that you’re comparing the same items.
Dave Worrell, owner of Innovative Stone and Tile granite fabrication, a family owned and operated business specializing in quality granite countertops and fabrication at realistic prices. Come out and see them at the home show and ask about their exclusive “Lifetime Sealed” program in which they will come out and reseal your granite each year (if needed) as long as you own it. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about updating your current kitchen, or a new construction home.
By Dave Worrell, Owner of Innovative Stone and Tile Granite Fabrication
You’ve decided that granite is for you, the next question usually is; what do I do next? This is a common question and as a professional for 21 years in the stone and tile trade, I will tell you how to go about it. You are going to need an installer (or fabricator). You want a fabricator that will return your calls. You want someone who will come and measure while offering suggestions about the job (People ask us all the time for square foot estimates or phone estimates but these are rarely accurate). Make sure you receive a written bid so you can compare with others and make sure that you’re comparing the same items.
- Ask how long it would take from measuring (or template) time to installation. Some installers have lag times where you are without a kitchen for up to 2 months.
- You should call their references, check to see if they are licensed and insured.
- When you have received and reviewed the bids think about the contractor, were you comfortable with him? Did you feel pressure?
- Did they value my time and get me a price quickly? We actually present bids on the spot 90% of the time. Will they handle 100% of the job or will you need to get different sub-contractors involved.
- If the fabricator you had hoped for seems a little higher, call him and ask why. It may be that what they provide is actually more service, or a higher allowance for the granite that you still haven’t chosen.
- Go to the granite supplier, choose the granite slab that you like. A good supplier will help you to make your decision, telling you pros and cons of different stone types as well as alerting you to possible cost increases in the fabrication process for difficult or denser stone.
- Call your fabricator. He will calculate the final slab cost in and he will let you know the total cost.
- The final cost is agreed upon and he arranges a time to meet and finalize the agreement (please always get everything in writing). So that’s it. Your installers come and install your new kitchen as promised and now you can look forward to years of carefree maintenance with the natural beauty of granite stone counter tops.
- This may seem overwhelming at first but with a helpful fabricator to guide you through the process you should soon be enjoying the granite counters of your dreams.
Dave Worrell, owner of Innovative Stone and Tile granite fabrication, a family owned and operated business specializing in quality granite countertops and fabrication at realistic prices. Come out and see them at the home show and ask about their exclusive “Lifetime Sealed” program in which they will come out and reseal your granite each year (if needed) as long as you own it. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about updating your current kitchen, or a new construction home.