The typical granite countertop involves several steps both in your home and in our showroom. Installation usually goes something like this:
Design Consultation
During the design consultation we work with you to understand your goals, style preferences, timing, and budget. If you have a kitchen project, you may also select a sink from our collection of sinks.
Selecting the Slab
After we have spent some time understanding your personal style, your home and your budget we will look at the slabs we have on site in our granite yard to see if there is one for your project. More options can be viewed at our local suppliers; they have warehouses with endless options. Selecting the slab is important because each color can vary when compared to samples or pictures.
Measuring & Templating of Your Countertops
Our staff will make an appointment to come to your house to laser template your countertops. Each kitchen layout is unique and no wall is perfectly straight. The laser templator ensures we are able to cut the granite as accurately as possible to conform to your kitchen. We are also able to do custom designs and curves with your granite.
Fabricating & Finishing Your New Granite Countertops
With the notes and measurements we head back to our shop and fabricate your new countertops. We will cut, grind, and polish the edge of the countertop to your specifications and accounting for your project’s measurements.
Installation of Your Granite Countertop
On the day of your installation appointment, we will install your granite countertops. On-site adjustments to fit your kitchen or bath are not unusual. Installation is often noisy and can be a little messy. But, we keep things tidy. Our installation techs have many years of experience and will do their best to ensure your project is a success.
Top 4 Pitfalls of Granite Countertop Installation
With thousands of square feet of countertops installed each year we hear horror stories from installations gone wrong to shifty sales techniques and mis-information. Here’s our list of the most commonly heard pitfalls and how we avoid them at Marble Granite World.
Not Having an Idea of Color/Style
We are certainly qualified and experienced to help you find your ideal color and style. We love to see images you have gathered especially if you have magazine clippings or a Pinterest board where you’ve collected ideas. This really speeds up our ability to understand your personal style and help find the right granite slab for your countertops. We also have many full-size slabs available to browse through at our location, right behind our showroom.
Not Viewing the Actual Slab for Your Project
Granite is a naturally occurring material. It is mined from the earth and there are vast differences in some varieties of granite. Some have more “movement” and include more minerals, mica and even fossils! We can’t emphasize this enough: if you are selecting a more expensive granite countertop with more interesting features, get the granite yard to tag the exact slab your countertops will be fabricated from. Also, talk with MGW Sales staff about which direction the countertops pattern will “flow”.
Picking a Countertop Company Based Solely On Price
We understand that you have a budget; everyone does. If you are shopping strictly on price be careful. There may be some fine print or corners cut to deliver at the “amazing” price point. If the price seems that incredible some further questions are in order.
For example:
- What is your guarantee?
- What is your procedure for call backs, if I am unhappy?
- Is your granite modular and not true slabs?
- Is your granite seconds or otherwise, not first quality?
- Are your granite countertops pre-cut and delivered fabricated to you?
- Can you give me the names and contact information of some referrals?
Not Checking Referrals & Ratings
It’s essential to check the referrals and ratings of your countertop company on sites like Better Business Bureau, Facebook, and Google.
Need some help deciding? Talk to a Marble Granite World Designer