So how do you find a competent fabricator?
In
recent years, demand for stone counters has increased dramatically which has
attracted contractors and granite suppliers with limited experience and poor
business skills all in search of profits. And the variation in product source,
machinery/equipment and skilled labor in the industry accounts for the huge
discrepancy in countertop pricing. That´s why you need to be even more careful
choosing the right fabricator.
There
are too many different types of companies selling countertops; fabricators,
contractors, online companies, brokers, some retail businesses and even some
people who literally operate out of a garage and build countertops in your
driveway. But with a little bit of research you will find an all-in-one
fabricator that does everything from supplying the material to fabricating and
installing. Once you find a potential fabricator, make sure you visit and look
at their operation, fabrication equipment and inventory. Then ask specific
questions so that you can compare apples to apples and make a better
decision.
What questions should you ask?
If a
fabricator can answer all of the following questions to your satisfaction, you
will end up with a beautiful kitchen or bathroom countertop, one that will last
as long as your home. (You may find the printable summary of this qualification
questions at the end of this section.)
1- What kind of Certifications does the fabricator have?
Fabrication
and installation certification programs ensure the technical competence of
fabrication and installation professionals. They go beyond training by
providing a tangible measurement of fabricator´s / installer´s knowledge of a
process and/or product. Certification programs establish standards for
fabricator/installer training and play an important role in developing a
qualified workforce. Fairfax Marble & Granite is Authorized and Certified by Silestone,
2- What kind of fabrication equipment do they use?
Even
the best human fabricator will have variations between finished results,
whereas an automated machine will produce exactly the same result each and
every time it is run. This is very important in stone fabrication, where a
single wrong cut or a wavy edge profile can take away a lot from the beauty of
your new countertops. At Fairfax Marble & Granite, we use the most advanced stone cutting
and profiling machinery. Our state-of-the-art, laser guided and computerized
equipment cuts and profiles the stones consistently with precision.
3- How well are they established, number of locations?
Doing
business with a solid company is very important due to the fact that you will
need pre and post installation support and service on resolving issues under
warranty. Fairfax Marble & Granite is a well-established natural & engineered stone
importer, fabricator and installer. With 22 years of experience, Fairfax Marble & Granite
operates 6 locations in
4- Material variety? How many colors do they offer?
Keeping
inventory at the proper level is very important to a business. The amount of
inventory also shows the strength of the company. Low or no inventory leaves a
company too vulnerable to shocks. If the fabricator is using another company's
inventory or buys the slabs when an order is placed the necessary purchases may
not be available "in time" to meet the customer´s demand. In the
event of a fabrication accident or a mistake your project may be delayed or may
not be finished at all, and that is why
here at Fairfax Marble & Granite we stock over 150
colors and about 2000 slabs at all times, making it very easy to meet the
customer´s demand in a timely manner.
5- What type of license do they have? What is their license
number?
All
states require some form of licensing with regard to building contractors.
These laws have been passed to protect property owners from incompetent or
dishonest contractors. The licensing process tests for basic competency and
most licensing programs have some way of screening out dishonest contractors. A
valid license is the first indication that your contractor might be qualified
to do the job. Fairfax Marble & Granite carries Class A license #2705 1357 12A
6- Are they bonded?
Dealing
with a contractor who's bonded provides important protections for you. Be aware
that there are two kinds of bonds involved in construction. The phrase fully
insured and bonded generally means the contractor's insurance coverage protects
against accidents. The other kind is a performance bond, an insurance company's
assurance that the contractor can finish the job as stated in the contract. If
the contractor defaults, the insurance company will pay another contractor to
complete the work. Fairfax Marble & Granite can provide a bond up to $1,000,000.
7- How do they template? Do they offer digital templating?
No
matter what, if a job is not measured right it will not be fabricated right and
if it is not fabricated right it cannot not be installed
right. Since the walls are never square, an accurate kitchen measurement
cannot be done by a $5 tape measure or some piece of cardboard. At Fairfax Marble & Granite we use Proliner digital templating technology to reduce measuring
errors, transportation errors and communication errors. We capture the
measurements directly at the job site digitally and carry it through your whole
fabrication process without fear of misread or transposed numbers. The accurate
data is captured with our unique digital technology and the digital
measurements provide verification of what is at the job site and what was
measured.
We
know that our clients expect the very best for their homes and projects! That
is why we place our emphasis on accuracy that ensures a secure measurement.
With the accuracy and error reduction of digital templating process, you will
be enjoying a better fitting tops that doesn´t need to be reworked and can be
installed with minimal on-site modifications.
8- Will they provide a copy of your countertop's layout for your
records?
This
is an important piece of paper work to hang on to. This will show you all of
your countertop measurements ensuring that you have been properly charged. It
will also help if you choose to go with a tile for a back splash or do any
additions to your project at a later time. Fairfax Marble & Granite will proudly offer
you a copy of your digital template upon signing your contract.
9- Do they offer a written Limited Lifetime Warranty?
When
making any kind of purchase, it is nice to know that you will have a Limited
Lifetime warranty to cover any kind of defects or problems that may later
occur. One of our main goals here at Fairfax Marble & Granite is service after the sale
and that is why Fairfax Marble & Granite offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty to all of its
customers. Making it headache free if something should later occur.
10- Will you be able to pick out your actual slab?
This
is something that we highly recommend especially if you are going to use a
natural stone. As you are probably already aware there are no two Granite slabs
alike and that is why you should pick out the actual slab that you will be
using for your project. You should never pick by a small sample.
11- Do they offer the option of doing a lay-out?
Doing
a layout means that you would be able to come in and work with one of our
highly skilled technicians to layout your slab. This option will let you see
how it will all come together as far as the seams, the flow of the vein and
where each piece of stone will lay in your kitchen. This will also let you have
the opportunity of taking out areas of the stone that doesn´t meet your
expectations. This is a very important option to offer especially if you are
going with a natural stone. At Fairfax Marble & Granite we encourage our customers to
participate in their project
12- Do they offer a Reference list of past customers; are they
respected by other trades?
It is very important to hear feed backs from other customers on
how their experience was with their project. Fairfax Marble & Granite offers an updated
reference list of residential and commercial jobs that we have completed. We
work with numerous different companies that would tell you that we are a well
respected company and that they are very happy with coming in behind us to
finish their work.
Weather you are building a home or just replacing your
countertops it should be as hassle free as possible and that is why here at
Fairfax Marble & Granite we believe in educating the customer up front so they know what
to expect before they make their purchase.
13- Are they competitive?
Don't
just rely on the old headline "per square foot price". This often leaves out
basic and essential costs to actually fabricate and install your countertop.
There are some basics like edging, cut-outs for sinks, cook-tops, faucet holes
and electrical outlets that will all affect your over all price. Each
fabricator has different charges for these items, so it is best to look at the
bottom line price versus just the square foot price.
Here
at Fairfax Marble & Granite we import our slabs directly from quarries which results in
reduction of costs and consequently enables us to be more competitive in prices
for the benefit of our costumers. While we meet or beat any competitors written
offer, we do not try to compete purely on price with the "driveway"
fabricators. We offer the best overall
Value for the customer by providing quality materials, outstanding customer
service and expertise at a great price.
14- Do they offer Pre and Post installation support?
Knowing
what to expect is an important part in building a good business relationship.
At Fairfax Marble & Granite we are committed to customer education and the philosophy of
"no surprises." In order to
implement your project smoothly we provide you with a free "Planning Guide"
which helps you understand and be prepared for every phase of your project.
After your project is completed our "Care and Maintenance Guide" will give you
information on how to properly care for your natural and engineered stone and
if at any time you should have any questions or concerns our staff will be
happy to assist you. We proudly stand behind our word when we say service after
the sale.
