Are you planning to get a granite countertop installed in your kitchen or bath area? Well, that's a great idea because countertops are more than a showpiece or a kitchen workhorse. They should deliver gorgeous aesthetics in your living space while being durable and economical at the same time.
Now, just like finding a diamond in the heap of stones is a daunting task, selecting a reliable granite countertop fabricator is a difficult affair too. The granite market is vast, and several companies promise to offer the highest-grade granite slabs and fabrication services. If you do not want to get trapped by the intimidating and cheesy offers of the market, Google "granite countertop fabricators near me." You’ll find a list of granite fabricators online and you can narrow down the ones that seem to offer a legitimate return on your investment.
Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Granite Countertop Fabricator
As we said, you need to be very selective while choosing your granite countertop fabricator. Even a slight misplacing can lead to a blunder and turn your expectations into frustration. Just like you dig out every inch of detail about any online purchase, find the right fabricator in the same way.
You would not want to invest your money blindfolded. Pick the one who has valid answers for all these questions you are going to fire on the candidates.
1) What do you know about the stone?
Before starting your discussion on designs and requirements, check if the granite fabricator is knowledgeable or not. Ask if they can explain to you about different types of stones used in fabrication. Specific stones are not suitable for fabrication. It may be due to environmental limitations or material issues. Tell the fabricator to educate you about the properties of different stones based on which they select the one.
Some of the materials look fascinating. They might seduce you with their alluring look but may not last long. Consulting with the fabricator allows you to test their comprehension and keep away from such misleading materials. Also, you will be aware of why they choose a specific stone for fabrication. Try to extract as much information as you can about their knowledge of stones. Which one of them would not suit your interior, and why? The one who can convey every single detail to you is confident about their work and talent.
2) How much do you charge?
Do you know what the cost of granite fabrication is?
If not, you must keep a rough estimate of pricing ready in your hand. When you meet a fabricator, you should have an idea of what is the general cost of fabrication at present. The price ranges from $25 to $50 per square meter.
When you sit to talk with the fabricator, keep this figure in your mind and ask them about their pricing strategy. The price range is exclusive of the cost of stone. Ask them about the per meter cost, and then they must be able to quote a rough overall price. Do not forget to think about your budget before you agree on any of the quotes.
Several additional costs accompany the fabrication process, which the fabricators trick to hide in the beginning. Be aware of such nuisances and ask them beforehand what charges they are going to include other than fabricating. Also, if YOU are planning an unusual design, ask the fabricator how much that would cost.
3) Can you work on particular types of edges?
Apart from selecting the color and patterns for your countertops, deciding on the edge profiles is essential. Edges reflect the overall appearance of a room. You must choose the designs based on safety, comfort, and maintenance factors. There are a variety of options available for edge profiles in granite countertops.
Pick out the ones that seem perfect to you. But wait! Is your granite fabricator skilled enough to work on that edge? Ask them right away. Many fabricators fail to do designs other than straight or rounded ones. If you have some different edge layout in your mind, check if the fabricator can work on it. They would not mention themselves about the edges they are not comfortable with.
Some of the classic edge types include square, eased, beveled, double, quarter round, etc. Fabricators who just do basic practices may find it challenging to work on these edge profiles. If the one with the right skills agrees, don't forget to ask them about the extra charge.
4) Do you offer sink and bath accessories also?
While searching for "granite fabrication near me," you can filter the results by assuring they provide plumbing products also. You will need sink and bath accessories to complete your dream kitchen look. Availing them from your fabricator allows you to get all your accessories in one place only.
Ask them if they keep these products in their shop. Also, you can check for different types of stones from the same store, eliminating the need for wandering at other places. This way, you can check their showroom for all those things that would match perfectly with your kitchen. An added advantage comes with it. You don't have to worry about the style, designs, and budget because you would purchase everything from the same shop.
Make sure you look after the plumbing thing also while buying accessories. Confirm that your fabricator appoints a licensed and expert plumber for plumbing installation. You need someone who can assure the most delicate granite countertop fabrication.
5) Can you go beyond the basic polish (finish)?
Most of the granite countertop fabricators go with basic polishes while finishing the countertops. They don't even bother about their customer's consent. Make sure you do not fall into such a trap. Ask the fabricator if they can work with that polish finishing.
You can select from three different polishing options: polished, honed, and leathered.
Polished finish gives a smooth, shiny, and glossy texture to the countertops, sealing most of the pores on the surface. It prevents moisture but is prone to scratches due to its reflective nature.
The honed finish is known for a non-reflective, flat, smooth, and matte feel of the stone. But, it is susceptible to staining and etching, which makes the stone dull.
The leathered finish retains the natural color of the stone while giving it a textured appearance. Though it is not as shiny as the polished finish, it closes the pores, hides fingerprints and water spots, and smudges very well.
Consider the maintenance factor from your side and select the best finish.
6) Will you show us your certifications and past work?
Experience matters; for whatever cause you are hiring someone, thoroughly check their previous work and professional recognition. Ask your granite countertop fabricator if they hold any professional accreditation or certification from a renowned industry. This is for assuring their work is of quality and complies with craftsmanship standards. You can look for MIA (Marble Institute of America) accreditations or any other certifications that are authentic.
Other than that, most importantly, you have to check their previous work. Look for testimonials on their website. They must have added samples of their work. You can get an idea of how your work is going to proceed. Ask them to give you references to their customers. If possible, visit them personally to have a more clear picture of your thoughts. You can also check the reviews on specific sites to hear from customers about their experiences with a granite countertop fabrication company. Google "granite fabrication near me" and look for a website that flashes reviews of such services to know more.
7) Can you specify the warranty and repair services?
To ensure the most reliable services for your countertops, you need a trusted fabricator—someone who can guarantee you the best for your kitchen. For this, you have to ask the fabricator about their warranty and repair services. Check which products they include in their warranty period. This goes for every item you buy from their shop.
Accidents happen, and your granite countertop is not an exception. Small stains from food and beverages, damages, and wreckage are possible. The warranties should consider such issues. Confirm with your fabricator, for what time they would cover these warranties.
For damages, they must be likely to repair your countertops with all terms and conditions cleared already. Tell them to mention what kind of repairs they include in their services.
Clarify everything related to charges and warranties. Some fabricators charge for on-site tasks too. It may be the quality of their work that is charging, but you must be aware beforehand.
Granite countertop fabrication is one of the most precarious processes you can organize for your interior. And so, it has to be sound. Perfect things need perfect people. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious while hiring a granite countertop fabricator for your kitchen (specifically). Questioning your fabricator tests their transparency and, in turn, their authenticity to do their jobs.
