TheGraniteLady.com granite countertops in Gainesville

RE-VAMPED the https://www.TheGraniteLady.com website

SSL - check (safe & secure!)
easier to use - check (even gives you an idea of which levels granite colors fall in)
worked all day on it - check (but well worth it!)

Please check out our new and improved website, easier to navigate, easier to use, feel free to contact us with any input you may have......

www.TheGraniteLady.com

TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC

Change is good!?!??!?

We are going back to our roots--our state registered name is FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC. However, that was SO long and peeps just didn't remember all of that.......we have found MOST of our clients are still granite clients looking for a good overall granite company that cares (although quartz is coming on STRONG!) and will take good care of their kitchen and install with FIRST QUALITY 3cm material that will last a lifetime and look amazing!

TheGraniteLady.com is here, along with TheQuartzLady.com (all brands available with our being a Local Dealer for Cambria, Zodiaq & Pompeii), TheSolidSurfaceLady.com (all brands available with our being a Local Dealer of Corian), TheStainlessSteelLady.com, and TheRecycledGlassLady.com (all brands are available with our being a dealer for Vetrazzo), with very specific emphasis on TheCorianLady.com, TheZodiaqLady.com, TheCambriaLady.com and ThePompeiiLady.com...those being our specialties outside of TheGraniteLady.com.

But, all you need to remember is if you want HER to ROCK your world--"She Will...She Will ROCK You!"

TheGraniteLady.com granite countertops in Gainesville

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

TheGraniteLady.com granite countertops in Gainesville slab yard video...ENJOY!

Lake City WOMEN IN BUSINESS Expo

What a wonderful time we had!!!

This year the Lake City Mall is no longer accommodating any vendors of any type inside the mall, so thanks to our fearless leader, Vickie Griffin, we moved into the out building at the Columbia County Fairgrounds!  The only day we could set up shop was during the week on Wed, and with very little advertising, in the formal sense of the word (social media was used!), we had a pretty good crowd!  =D

TheCounterTopLady.com featured top names such as #Cambria quartz, #Pompeii quartz, #Corian solid surface, #Zodiaq quartz, natural stone granite, and, the big hit of the day was #Vetrazzo recycled glass!

Please look for us to have our Expo next year on a Saturday....

Guessing We Have "Arrived"!?!?!

Interestingly, we have been fortunate enough to flourish with our repeat and referral clients going into our 6th year of FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC, aka TheCounterTopLady.com.

And yes, even though we have chosen not to go the typical brick & mortar route with a showroom (worked for many in the tile and stone industry since 1992 who had showrooms which the potential clients and myself ended up in the slab yards selecting material instead of standing in a showroom looking at a vignette or two; particularly DalTile, who chose to shut down their showrooms for retail traffic approximately 12 years ago), there are many faces and families to feed with this small business behind the .com!

We have found this year that not only have we the blessed feeling that we have "arrived" by the large amount of repeat and referral clients, we have at least one of our competitor's in our area that appears to be threatened by our "arrival"! Literally, this year is the year we have been "told" by a self-proclaimed buddy of a competitor to "stay the @#$% out of Gainesville and Alachua County!" to another buddy going on the TMZ of review sites to make claims that are simply not factual--we were never in receipt of dimensions, never gave specs of project, didn't quote, nor, of course, did any work on this project--but there it is, the seven minute phone call that began with his statement "YOUR DRAWING IS NOT EVEN TO SCALE!!!" and ended with my asking him to please find another fabricator for the project as he was so abusive...

Thankful to have "arrived", but certainly not resting on our laurels--we are ready to ROCK and roll every day (pardon the pun!) with every client we are fortunate enough to encounter!

As our mantra says...She Will, She Will ROCK You!!!  

Our families take this mantra very seriously as we always try to do our best for each and every one of our clients!!!  And, of course, we enjoy the accolades of winning a few different Customer Service awards voted on by our clients from 2012, two in 2013, and 2014!!!  

ROCK on FGCTT/TCTL families, ROCK on........

          

Cheri Howard, Founder of Lake City Pros Networking, Announces Big End of Summer Annual BASH on September 23

Three Harley-Davidson motorcycles from Gainesville Harley-Davidson, five 2015 vehicles from local car dealers, LifeSouth Bloodmobile, speaker Terry Martin-Back, MANY door prize sponsors including Rusty Raccoon from Academy of Martial Arts.....all of this and YUMMY food will be available at Phish Heads in Lake City will be rocking the plaza on September 23, 2014, starting at 5pm.

DON'T BE LEFT OUT--looking forward to seeing you THERE!

Does It Help a Client to Have Someone Assisting Them With Their #Countertop Project From Start to Finish

Unequivocally and absolutely yes!!!

We were out on an install yesterday in Keystone Heights, my lead crew installer and I were chit-chatting about what makes a good install.  Both of us answered the same way, same time, following the project from beginning to end.  

Every person that touches the project is vitally important, but the one who works with the client, from meeting them originally at their home to get a feel for the look they are going for, going to the yards with them (offering hundreds, if not thousands of slabs of natural stone in each level, should stone be their choosing--not just a few in a fabricator's yard!!!), to being at the template to go over the small nuances that occur that we, in the industry, may take for granted, to being at the install to again make those small suggestions that bring everything together.  A woman's point of view tends to be more detail-oriented, so having a good "team" of templators, fabricators, installers, and, of course, overall liasion to walk the client through what to expect and bring everything together, will absolutely help prevent those surprises that can be devastating when things are set in stone!

We LOVE Input and Participation From Our Clients

In today's day and age of down and dirty pricing and slapping in the product or service, TheCounterTopLady.com finds solice in the more information and participation our clients relate (before, during and after) to us in assisting them in their home remodels...the better job all of us can provide to them!

In doing what I do for so long, I find myself enjoying really listening to my clients and find it the best way to read between the lines as sometimes they are trying to explain what it is they want, but don't know quite how to say it. The more questions and answers, looking into details, providing samples, using outlets such as Houzz.com and pictures from magazines, the least amount of surprises in the end result.

I was at a conference at a HomeOwner's home just the other day and was listening to one of the other sub's explaining, in "construction-ease", what he wanted the client to select.  I noticed the client's face with the "deer-in-the-headlights" look, and stepped in and described, in laymen's terms, what he was speaking of.  The client immediately understood and was able to make a selection of the material the sub was speaking of.

Communication is the key...and I find, the more you put in writing, the better off both the client and the subs/suppliers will be!!!

Remember, communication is a two-way street, and ALWAYS welcome at TheCounterTopLady.com!!!  Makes everyone happier in the long run....  =D

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

HOW Do I Pick My CounterTop Company!?!?!

This blog will be an ongoing blog as I find in my industry that a lot of folks select a counter top company by price only, there is SO much more that should go into locating the right countertop company!

ALWAYS REMEMBER the adage "You get what you pay for!"

-Try to get 3 quotes for comparison (if there's one that stands out for whatever reason and your gut tells you there might be an issue, remember, go with your gut feeling!)

-Do you want to peruse just stone, just solid surface (Corian, etc.), just wood, just stainless steel, or do you want to have a conversation with someone who is versed in ALL of these materials so that you might be able to make the best decision for your project and lifestyle?

-Don't be pressured by a pushy sales person--do your homework; check out ALL that you are considering; see what others say about them; how many projects have they completed; how long have they been in the industry; have they kept the same name the whole time they have been in biz (if not, why!?!?!); have they won any awards for their work; are they just "slapping in" material; do they participate in their communities???

-ALWAYS make certain they have General Liability insurance for the company you have contracted with, and General Liability AND Worker's Comp for the templators and installers that will be in your home!!!  If something happens while they are in your home working, the liability could shift to you if they don't!

-Have they been in the industry long enough to understand and are experienced "working" with whatever materials you have selected--if so, they are worth their weight in gold, as sometimes things do occur in construction, will they be able to remedy the situation--REMEMBER, anyone can hang a shingle and call it a business!

-If this is a warrantied material, are they fabricators/installers certified so that you might get your warranty that comes with that particular material?

-Keep in mind, any material manufactured by man, needs to be checked before fabrication as dye lots differ from samples

-If you don't want seams in the Island, make it max 105"x52", then, if you still want more top, make it bump up or drop down so that you won't have to have a seams (also home configuration & price factor in as it will take more personnel to lift such a large piece up onto the cabinetry and we may have to pull folks out of the shop).

-BE AWARE that some companies use Chinese material in what are called "blanks"--these are pre-cut & fabricated "runs" commonly in 2cm with a laminated (4cm) Full Bullnose edge.  Chinese material in itself poses issues that you may want to stay away from, it is VERY brittle and commonly has LOTS of puck-marks.  The laminated edge DOES NOT make it any stronger!  The installers will tell you the plywood substrate "supports" the stone, to the contrary, those of us who are versed in stone, know that stone needs to breath, and that the four sides of a cabinet wall top is the absolute best support!  Per MIA standards, any overhang over 6" should have support; AND, the Full Bullnose is out of style, much less the issue with drips following the radius edge and then dripping down your cabinetry!

-Does the material blend where the seams do have to be placed?  Can you participate in the layout of movement material?  Can they work with you at template to find the preferred seam placement, both for you, the logistics of the project, and your pocket-book?  Optimally, your tops that are of any length, will maximize the side to side movement.

-Select your own slabs, select your own slabs, select your own slabs.......

-Will your countertop company accompany you on your venture to find the perfect slab?  Will they be offering you 1000s of choices, depending on the quote you have requested and your budget?

-3cm is suggested for kitchens, and 2cm or 3cm for baths, budget constraints sometimes direct this.

-Make sure the grain direction on the slabs will not become an eyesore as this mistake is commonly made by inexperienced saw operators.

-BEWARE of the deal that seems too good to be true!!!  Also, the company that bases everything on price--the company that consistently does the best work will not have to offer pricing tricks and gimmicks to get you to hire them.

-And last but not least, if something does go wrong, as it sometimes does in construction, will they be there to help and support you!?!?!?

NO Seams in the Stone Island!?!?!?

Keeping in mind the average granite slabs are 110" and quartz is only @ 120" when designing the Island will help with making sure you don't have seams in that "Landing Pad" sized Island!

When designing, you can still have the length, just be sure to have a drop down or lift up around the respective lengths as above.  It doesn't have to be a large difference, even a 2" difference will give you the length you desire without the seam....

TheGraniteLady.com attends United Way's Hearts Unite

It was such a great event--over 350 in attendance to learn about the distributions United Way participates in throughout North and Central Florida!

Programs abound in the areas of Health, Education and Income--one of those that was highlighted was providing resources for high school students in need, so they might graduate high school.  Actual high school students and parents gave speeches describing how their lives were greatly impacted by just one of the many programs United Way has initiated.

TheGraniteLady.com has met with United Way and committed to helping her community in this great cause as well.....stay tuned for ways you might be able to participate as well!  For more information, please go to United Way North Central Florida.

TheCounterTopLady.com article in The Gainesville Sun

Please find below a picture of the article in the Business section of the Gainesville Sun, Gainesville, FL...

How Many Slabs Can I Have Access To View & Select From!?!?!?

TheCounterTopLady.com believes that every client should have access to as many materials as they can, and when it comes to stone....that number should be in the 1000s!!!

We have seven (7) slab yards in the local vicinity from which to choose from, from standards to exotics--yeah, we've got that!

YOUTUBE video "TheCounterTopLady.com..."

NEW YEAR, New Logo for TheGraniteLady.com!

TheGraniteLady.com has settled in with a new logo, keeping it simple is the key!  We so enjoy the reflection that is created by a brand new, highly-polished natural stone--we incorporated it into our logo!  Using an extremely high-end material called Calacatta Borghini marble, we then took the material picture and softened it with a transparency, then softened the edges.  Using our signature font, we placed our name in Gator Orange and Blue and then placed it strategically on the "countertop" as if it is perched atop the countertop.  After much deliberation, we think the new logo is simply clean and says so much......what do you think!?!?!?

TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.con, LLC of Gainesville Receives BEST OF HOUZZ 2014 Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 16 Million Monthly Users

Reveals Top-Rated Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals

GAINESVILLE, FL, February 4, 2014 – TheGraniteLady.com of Gainesville, FL has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The counter top company was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.  This is the second year in a row TheGraniteLady.com has won this award.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. 

“We are so humbled and grateful that so many appreciate all of the hard work and personal service we offer our clients in the Gainesville area!”  Cheri Howard, Owner, TheCounterTopLady.com.

“Houzz provides homeowners with the most comprehensive view of home building, remodeling and design professionals, empowering them to find and hire the right professional to execute their vision,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize TheGraniteLady.com among our “Best Of” professionals for customer satisfaction as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like TheGraniteLady.com, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and reviewing their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

Follow TheGraniteLady.com on Houzz at
http://www.houzz.com/pro/thegranitelady/thegraniteladycom-aka-flgacabinetstileandtops

About TheGraniteLady.com

TheGraniteLady.com, aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC, is your locally-owned countertop company specializing in granite, marble, limestone, soapstone, quartzite, onyx, etc. natural stone counter tops; Corian, Staron, Wilsonart, Gibraltar, etc. solid surface countertops; Zodiaq, SileStone, HanStone, Caesarstone, Cambria, etc. quartz counter tops; wood countertops; stainless steel counter tops; recycled glass and epoxy resin counter tops for all of your kitchen & bathroom, new build & remodeling, residential & commercial in the Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lake City & St. Augustine areas!  We do things a little different offering our clients No Charge  in-home consultations so they can view samples in their homes lighting & colors and offer our clients personal accompaniment to 1000s of natural stone materials at any of our dozens of local slab yards, for visualization and quality control considerations.

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

TheGraniteLady.com Contributes to a Wonderful Christmas Present!

We were called to come measure a home in October, 2013 (after another Homeowner in the office where she worked had TGL install granite counter tops in her home).  When we first met with the client they wanted more storage, a hood over the stove, a microwave drawer, granite countertops, & tile splashes— oh yeah—and all before hubby’s company Christmas party at the beginning of December!  We put together some numbers that were welcomed & the cabinet maker went to work right away (we always recommend our clients have all of the cabinets checked for level & wear/tear by a certified cabinet maker first).  We made an appointment to go out & make a final selection from the 1000s of slabs we make available for our clients (did someone say “SHOP-PING”???), finding a remnant for the bath and a new pattern/coloration of Ornamental granite for her kitchen tops.  Because of our planning and attention to detail, counter top install day was easy-peasy & BBQ was had by all!  Then came time for the tile guys to make their mark—as you can see, the selections this client made were fabulous and all involved in this project made her kitchen functional, spacious, updated, & exceptional—to say the least!  We not only got it done by deadline, but within budget and she has a whole brand-new look and feel to her kitchen and bath!  What a difference a make-over makes...

 “Cheri and her team were fabulous.  From start to finish it was a pleasant and professional experience.  Cheri took the time to help with any questions and concerns I had and it all turned out amazing!  They were great at measuring and installing the granite and it could not have turned out any better.   Her prices were  much cheaper than another granite company in Gainesville. I will use them again for my other bathroom!”                                                                                                                                                                     -Stephanie D., Gainesville, FL

TheGraniteLady.com Receives "BEST of" 2nd Year in a Row!

TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC Awarded BEST of 2013 on HGTV’s referred Kudzu.com

Voted by the Kudzu Community as a Top Gainesville Counter Top Company.

Gainesville – December 12, 2013 – TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC, a locally-owned company, was named a BEST of 2013 winner for Remodeling & Major Home Repairs, FL COUNTERTOPS, on Kudzu.com, a leading source for local business information and consumer reviews.

Over 5 million local businesses competed across a wide range of categories including home, auto, health and professional services.  Winners were determined based on thousands of votes from consumers in the Gainesville Kudzu community.  TheGraniteLady received the top honor and will be recognized with a BEST of 2013 badge displayed on their Kudzu.com business listing page.

Clients of TheGraniteLady were quoted on Kudzu.com as stating this company as being “worthy of more than five stars”, “Every question was answered so promptly and the quality of the workmanship was exceptional”, also “the service and installation was very professional.  Will do business again” where their counter tops were concerned!

“We are constantly humbled and incredibly appreciative of the outpouring of thanks from our clients, and this award, two (2) years in a row!  Well, that just busts a Gator’s buttons with pride!”  “Winning this award from Kudzu only strengthens our commitment to our clients.”  said Cheri L. Howard, founder and owner of TheGraniteLady aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC, since 2009.

“The ‘Best of’ contest allows consumers to show their appreciation for local businesses that have served them well.  Kudzu is proud to be an avenue for this support, and to recognize companies that offer the highest levels of service” stated Fran Wills, General Manager of Kudzu.

About TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC:

TheGraniteLady.com, aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC, is your locally-owned countertop company specializing in granite, marble, limestone, soapstone, quartzite, onyx, etc. natural stone counter tops; Corian, Staron, Wilsonart, Gibraltar, etc. solid surface countertops; Zodiaq, SileStone, HanStone, Caesarstone, Cambria, etc. quartz counter tops; wood countertops; stainless steel counter tops; recycled glass and epoxy resin counter tops for all of your kitchen & bathroom, new build & remodeling, residential & commercial in the Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lake City & St. Augustine areas!  For more information, please visit http://www.TheCounterTopLady.com.

About Kudzu.com:

Kudzu.com helps consumers evaluate local services and choose highly rated providers in their area.  The website features expert videos, business profiles, consumer reviews and money-saving deals in every major U.S. city.  Kudzu.com is owned by Cox Search, Inc., a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, a leading communications, media and automotive services company.  Cox’s businesses include Cox Communications, Manheim, AutoTrader.com and Cox Media Group.  For more information, please visit http://www.kudzu.com.

TheGraniteLady.com aka FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC publishes a Whole New Look on Their Website

TheGraniteLady.com has announced and totally new and improved experience in websites! Thanks to the technology of GoDaddy.com, we are now able to link to several relevant pages of material suppliers.  Also, our blog is flowing in to the Home Page, along with Twitter tweets & our Facebook page!

Check it out:  TheGraniteLady.com

TheGraniteLady.com and Angie's List

We are now proud members of the Angie's List growing review list from our clients! Please check us out on Angie's List to see our A rating and the reviews posted by our wonderful clients today!!!

angieslist.com

FGCTT introduces its joining of Angie's List Quick Connect Premium program.

We will now be receiving a text or email when an Angie's List member has requested to speak with someone from a counter top request in our region.  We are providing our potential cliens with another way in which to contact us quickly and efficiently--AND, they can input a review when the project if completed!

It is a higher standard that most members will see by promising a return call within the timeframe specified.  Participating in Quick Connect Premium program is part of the higher level of service to which FGCTT has committed to......

TRY IT TODAY!

Angie's List

FGCTT Contributes CORIAN Kitchen Valued @ $4500!

FLGACabinetsTileAndTops.com, LLC (aka TheCountertopLady.com) has generously donated a Corian kitchen with sink to the Builder's Association of North Central Florida for use in their upcoming Silent Auction on August 16, 2012.

The winning bidder will walk away with a Dupont Corian Private Collection color selection as described by designers and homeowners as elegant and sophisticated.  But it's never ostentatious.  From the subtle to the dramatic, it's truly a reflection of the veining and patterns found in nature.  Like all Corian surfaces, the Private Collection offers the ultimate in adaptability and color choice, making it the perfect choice for a kitchen, bath, office building or a hospitality environment.

You can join in the fun by contacting the Builder's Association of North Central Florida today at 352.372.5649 or by contacting TheCountertopLady.com at 352.327.3466.

How to Choose a Counter Top Company...

OK, you have decided to purchase new counter tops--how exciting this venture can be--IF you select the right counter top company to help you in your endeavor.....

REMEMBER the saying "you get what you pay for!!!"

There are so many factors besides just price that you want to consider! 

-First of all, you should never let a counter top salesperson talk you into giving them a deposit on their 1st visit. ALWAYS get at least a couple of quotes, and make certain you "get to know" these folks by referrals from jobs that have been done for a while--after the counter top's "newness" wears off

-Make sure the counter top company is properly insured!!!  And, I mean, not only General Liability for everyone you contract with, but ALSO Worker's Comp for the guys templating and installing! If they don't have the proper insurance and something happens while they are in your home, the liability shifts to you......

-Have they been in business long enough to know how to "work with/craft" the material you have selected? (if they know how to "work with" the material you have selected--they are worth their weight in gold)

-If this is a warrantied material, are the fabricators and installers certified so you can get the warranty the material manufacturer offers?

-If you have selected a man-made (solid surface) or partly man-made (engineered stone or quartz) material, remember, just like tile, dye lots can differ from the sample you selected, variations could be slight shading to major differences so if you are adamant that the color be exactly like your sample you picked from, go view your actual slabs/sheets prior to cutting.

-So many of the "production" type counter top companies these days are trying to afford those "deals" themselves and cut corners on your counter tops--you may end up with gaps if they don't have the proper experience to make your counter tops "fit like a glove"; using Chinese blanks (pre-cut "runs" of Chinese material that are 2cm with a laminated bullnose edge); or they may not know how to finish a vein or fissure and it may end up "letting go" upon installation.  Most likely if this is the situation you are experiencing, they will not be able to repair same!

-Does the material blend where the seams do have to be placed, how will they blend the movement, you can ask to be part of the template placement (there is sometimes a fee for this if they use a CNC to cut) to find out before they cut and you can also ask where the seams will be before they cut to get a good idea of what this project will look like.  Optimally, your blend will try to accentuate the side to side movement on runs of any length.  Sometimes a shorter return will have the material front to back or corner to corner.

-Select your own slabs, select your own slabs, select your own slabs--and have your counter top expert come with you to help with visualization and and help you with Quality Control!!!!

-Natural stone 3cm is suggested for kitchens and 2cm or 3cm for baths.  However, for budget's sake, some folks go with 2cm for the kitchen.  Be leery of the counter top installer that wants you to take pre-cut "runs" of 2cm counter top with a 4cm stacked laminated edge (it just simply means you are getting a stacked/laminated edge that runs approximately 1-4” in from the outer edge underneath) lamination does not make the interior 2cm material stronger.  We call these pre-cut runs blanks, they are straight pieces, material from China, granite “runs” (watch out for excessive "puck" marks and brittleness) that are pre-cut lengths of counter top commonly a full bullnose edge profile which can be detrimental to your cabinetry as any drip will follow the curve of the full bullnose and run down the cabinets. You will find this type of material will have to have seams at every turn and the corners will have to be cut sharp in the corners—on a Raised Bar high traffic area this can be dangerous as normally an outside corner, particularly on a Bar overhang, requires a heavy radius at around 2"-3” or more, for safety reasons. Keep in mind stone needs to "breath" and does not require a substrate underneath, a substrate will NOT make the stone any stronger, MIA standards dictate that stone has 4 sides of cabinet wall top inside of each seam, for security, and not any more than 6" of overhang without a support of some kind.

-Make sure the grain direction on the slabs will not become an eyesore as this mistake is commonly made by inexperienced saw operators.

-Ask how long your counter top business has been in business under the same name and how long the personnel have been in the industry?

-BEWARE of the deal that seems "too good to be true" and the company that bases everything about your quote strictly on price--the company that does the best workmanship is not going to have to offer pricing tricks and gimmicks!!!

-And last but not least, if something does go wrong (as it sometimes will in construction), will they be there to help and support you?!?!?

PICTURES FROM THE INTERNET OF POOR STONE COUNTER TOP JOBS (just google “bad granite counter tops”)