Granite Countertops Installation

Of course, the best way to find an ethical company that knows what they're doing is to ask around for references. Collect at least three references from friends and business associates. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and look online to see if there are any complaints posted. If you really like a specific company, but see one scathing review online, consider asking them directly about this. Not all customers are honest and ethical, either, so trust your instincts and give them a chance to explain. Both on the phone and in person, they should be expressly interested in giving you the best and most timely service for the money. If you don't get that feeling, walk away before it costs you thousands of dollars.

How long have they been installing granite countertops? Experience is usually worth the extra money. Do they guarantee their installation? For how long? Consider, too, that a small local company that has been around awhile has more at risk than a huge corporation. Bad news spread fast and it can shut down a small, locally owned business is they are not doing their job right.

What thickness do they recommend? If you are concerned about saving money (and who isn't these days?), usually a lower price reflects a lower grade of stone or a thinner cut. The recommended thickness of a granite slab used for a countertop is 3 centimeters. If you choose a slab 2 centimeters in thickness, it will need to be reinforced. Check with your contractor or installer to see if this adds to your installation costs. Does the extra material and labor outweigh the savings? Do they know it needs to be reinforced?

Will they insure that the countertop is perfectly level? A countertop made of granite MUST be level or you risk splitting the stone eventually due to weight and stress. How do they plan on sealing the granite? If the counter top is not properly sealed, not installed perfectly level or not cut right, your long term durability and beauty are at risk.