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Renovating A Kitchen Or Bath?
Look Past
The Stone!
Granite countertops have become so popular that granite has become
a commodity. Certainly, granite countertops are one of the smartest and
most exciting choices a consumer can make, provided a very important point is kept
in perspective: Granite may be a commodity but the proven ability to
deliver complete solutions, meticulous quality, and unrivaled customer service
is not.
You're not simply buying
stone. You're buying the company's ability to lead you through an important series
of choices and decisions that will make the critical difference in the finished quality
of your project and, ultimately, the value you receive for every dollar you
invest. You need
a knowledgeable, experienced and reliable resource that is committed to leading
and supporting you through each step of your renovation project. Here's
what to look for:
1. Does the company
specialize in granite countertops or are they just a "big-box" retailer or
pickup truck proprietor selling
countertops to be made by someone else, somewhere else? There is no substitute for dealing directly with LOCAL experts who
DESIGN, FABRICATE and INSTALL comprehensive custom solutions. Creating
beautiful results that deliver true value to be enjoyed over a lifetime is not work for
"arms-length" vendors.
2. Does the company own a showroom
with a large selection of stone, tile, sinks, faucets, related materials and
accessories? Be wary of anyone who doesn't actually own a showroom. Do they
truly have the resources, experience, product knowledge and skill to guide you
through the maze of decisions that differentiate a great result from a major
disappointment?
3. Does the company employ knowledgeable sales people who impart product,
design and process knowledge versus making you ask all the questions? You should
ask for a process guide in writing.
4. Does the company own a
state-of-the-art
manufacturing facility? Although minor,
on-site adjustments and finishing touches are not uncommon, high quality
results require a properly equipped manufacturing facility. Also, be especially wary of vendors using standardized, pre-cut
pieces of natural stone. Every project is unique and a cookie cutter approach
will simply not compare to the beauty and quality of work
that is tailored to your unique specifications.
5. Does the company have
designers, dedicated project management teams, qualified stone
artisans and fabricators, and licensed, multi-discipline remodeling and installation teams
on staff? Are they capable of handling every aspect of your project from design to installation?
(That's called "soup to nuts" or "turnkey" and eliminates finger pointing across
a cadre of sub-contractors.)
6. Does the company have a dedicated
scheduling department? Without one, how can they place proper value on timeliness
and honoring their commitments?
7. Does the company have an
established reputation? Ask for a list of more than 3 client referrals and
call them.
8. Call local granite importers.
Ask the importers which companies pay their bills on time and
have the best overall business reputations. That, in addition to contacting
more than just a few customer references, will give you the best integrity check
you can have.
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