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....

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

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....

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!?!?!?

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”)

Radon & Building Materials

According to the EPA, radon is "In a small number of homes, other building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves."

The scare tactics used a few years ago to promote a radon scare in conjunction with stone, is simply unmerited.  How do I know this first-hand? Well, the EPA has done studies as referenced in the link below. Also, I have had a situation where a home that my family lived in in High Springs, Florida, tested positive for radon when they were selling it.  They had Plastic Laminate countertops--no natural stone ANYWHERE in that home!

A study of granite countertops was done (initiated and paid for by the Marble Institute of America or MIA) in November 2008 by National Health and Engineering Inc of USA, and found that all of the 39 full size granite slabs that were measured for the study showed radiation levels well below the European Union safety standards (section 4.1.1.1 of the Nat'l Health and Engineering study) and radon emission levels well below the average outdoor radon concentrations in the US.

To find out how radon gets into a home, read the EPA's findings at http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#howdoes