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!?!?!?
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