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!?!?!?

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