Traditionally, the way that countertop installations work is that you complete the following tasks:
- Find a contractor
- Choose a slab or the material that you want
- Get a price for installation.
Before you decide who you want to install your countertops, it is essential to know what to look for in your kitchen installer so that you end up getting what you want.
Watch for the little extras
If you are given an estimate for a countertop on a price per foot basis, make sure that there aren’t any hidden up-charges that could sneak up on you. Sometimes the price per foot might seem like a great deal; but, once the final bill comes your way, it is anything but a “deal”.
Look over the estimate from top to bottom to make sure that there aren’t any hidden charges. If you know what to expect, then you won’t be caught off guard by a bill that’s higher than you expected after the installation is already done and complete.
What grade of granite are you getting?
There are different “grades” of granite material. For level one granite, there are three different grades, builder or commercial, standard, and premium. If one installer is advertising a lower cost per square foot price, then it might be that they are offering a lower-grade granite.
If you are okay with buying a lower grade, it isn’t a big deal. But, if you are comparing a low-grade to a high-grade and don’t know the difference, then it might seem like you are getting something for a great value while in reality you would be getting less and paying less.
See the actual slab
Before you say okay to a countertop slab, make sure that you view the entire thing before it is cut. Granite and stone countertops can have a considerable variation in them from one end to the other.
If you don’t see the slab from end to end, you might not spot imperfections that will be apparent once the piece is cut and installed in your kitchen. Also, if you don’t like a part of the slab, you can cut a segment out to make sure that it isn’t used or gets used in a discrete corner of the kitchen.
The quality of the cutting equipment does matter
There are all sorts of ways that granite and stone can be cut. If you want to make sure that your counters have a finished look, the quality of the equipment the installer uses will have a significant impact on the end result of the countertops.
Before you choose an installer, ask what type of equipment they have and how new it is. How well countertop seams fit together will define how high-end your countertops look. If the pieces are not cut well, then the seams will stand out, not fit, and may have gaps that will make your countertops look anything but professional.
Look at other kitchens they have worked on
The best way to know the quality of an installer’s work is not to go through their showroom or to have them describe the kitchens they did. If you want to make sure that the installation they have done in the past has ended with happy customers.
Ask a potential installer for a list of referrals of previous clients. Knowing what previous customers think of the installer’s professionalism is the best way to tell if you are going to get a professional look.
Check if they have the necessary credentials
To be a granite or stone countertop fabricator, you should have the proper training. Check to see if your installer is a member of the Marble Institute of America. You might also want to check with other builder’s associations or the better business bureau to make sure that there aren’t any complaints from the installer’s customers.
Countertop installations are not as easy as they might seem. Not only do you need high quality and updated cutting equipment, but you also have to know how to place seams, where to put them, and how to measure to have professional looking countertops. Before you hire an installer, make sure that they are as good as they appear by seeing their finished work and checking their credentials.
