Standard Operating Procedures

We work by appointment only........

Please note that our company accommodates repeat and referral clients in their own homes & businesses by appointment with samples so you can visualize what materials/colors will look like in your environment--much like a designer or decorator--helps us help you by assisting you in the visualization process when selecting materials.  

We also have pictures of our installs on our website for your perusal--every one of our pictures is a project we have completed for our clients.  And, of course, testimonials galore!  =D

Please feel free to email or fax your kitchen layout today for a quick quote turnaround (this is a decision we made in an attempt to help keep costs down allowing us to give our clients even better service).  Upon pre-qualification of your kitchen budget, we will schedule to meet with you in your own home with samples, and/or accompany you to any number of our ten slab yards for the natural stone visualization and selection process, which our company specializes in, and/or our bone yard for remnants of all levels for smaller projects.

If you are just looking for a general starting point per square foot for each of the type of materials we offer, we welcome you to go to our price list on our Home page & scroll down to the bottom for a "starting at" price.

TheGraniteLady.com says "Know When to Say When"

As a business owner, I have to make the best choices possible for my business, given the facts as I understand them, every minute of every day.....

We rarely have had to "weed out" what is not a fit for our particular business, just as potential clients do when choosing a company to work with.

There are many choices we, in this United States of America, have been fortunate enough to have--therefore we should choose NOT to abuse this privilege.

Embrace the choices we all get to make with whomever you do business with, as the one you are most comfortable with and trust--at the same time, respecting other's ability to make these same choices, should be embraced as well!

Do I Have to Buy All New Cabinetry to Get an Updated Look?

This is a very common question I hear a lot these days of tighter budgets.....

No, you don't, normally!  If your "boxes" are sturdy and don't have anything that has compromised their ability to perform, a simple door and drawer front change should suffice.

However, I am finding in areas where the water table or ground has had movement, that cabinets are commonly not level.  If this is the case, you need to have an experienced cabinet company come in and shim and shore them up.  We have actually had homes with brand new cabinetry that we, as countertop folks, have had to shim and shore up BEFORE we could put stone tops on (even had to video a few for insurance purposes) that were BRAND NEW!!!

Also, I find more and more ladies enjoy the bi-level configurations of cabinet tops, should they have the room.  One more item, I commonly bring in some of the cabinet companies I do biz with to check the sink base, as this is also an area that commonly may have issues that need to be replaced or repaired, before we will install new countertops for clients.

TheGraniteLady.com and Houzz.com

Please be sure to find The Granite Lady on Houzz.com at the following link:

http://www.houzz.com/pro/thegranitelady/thegraniteladycom-aka-flgacabinetstileandtops

For reviews and contact information, plus pictures of actual TCTL installs!

TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC Receives an A Rating on Angie's List from 3 Client's Kitchen Installs

TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, llc is proud to announce we rank in the top 3 searches in Gainesville, FL on Angie's List for Countertops with STRAIGHT A's from our clients!!!

TGL is a local company that provides countertops, wall cladding, wall caps, and many other sheet and slab material installs in Gainesville, Jacksonville, & Lake City, both residential and commercial.

TGL is best known for her award-winning installs, attention to detail, and personal service!!!

Is There a Difference in Fabricators???

Absolutely!!!

Sorry guys, notoriously, women are more detail-oriented!  When you are seriously considering new countertops custom-made out of sheet and slab material--keep in mind each and every fabricator has their strengths and weaknesses at any given time, depending on the personnel they have designing (logistics are EXTREMELY important to the end-result!!!), templating, fabricating and installing.

Some are better at getting your project done quickly, some are better at getting your project done cheaply, some excel at working with the materials, etc.

You also want to be sure that your fabricator will not only offer you the few slabs he may have in his yard, but also the ability to view at least 100s......don't settle!!!

When you finally settle on a company, go to that company for any questions or comments you have regarding your project!!!  And if you go with the company that has the "WOW, what a deal!" pricing (it probably is too good to be true--remember, somethings got to give somewhere!) don't ask the company that has the knowledge, experience, and know-how to consult on a project you are awarding to the guy that has the "deal"!

I highly recommend you do not select a fabricator because he might have a slab you enjoy!!!

If your gut tells you something doesn't feel right (regardless of price)--listen!!!

There IS a difference between AFFORDABLE and CHEAP!

The Counter Top Lady's Experience & Background

In 1992, Cheri Howard began working for the largest tile and stone manufacturer in the US, in their Palm Springs, CA warehouse. Since that time she has devoted her life to her two passions, one of which is the tile and stone industry.  Traveling California, Arizona & Nevada for many years representing the tile and stone industry instilled a spirit and experience in the industry second to none. Working on tile and stone projects with such large companies as Amgen Pharmaceuticals, assisting in bringing to fruition their massive headquarters just North of Los Angeles, she perfected and honed her commercial skills; along with working side-by-side with many ASID designers, she has also gained an appreciation and expertise in assisting clients with visualizing their own kitchen and baths.  She exercises these skills today, funneling her skills mainly into award-winning kitchen and bath countertops by assisting retail homeowners and commercial accounts as well!

Cheri L. Howard, The CounterTop Lady

TCTL's Handy Assistant, Haley