Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get started?

A:

Choosing what color of stone you want is the most difficult part of any new or remodel project. Some questions you may want to ask yourself…

  •   What do you like and dislike about your kitchen, bathroom, etc?
  •   What type of stone do you want?
  •   What type of edge do you want?
  •   What color scheme are you using throughout the project?

Q: What is the process after I choose my stone?

A:

Once you find your natural stone…

  •   An estimate is created using the square footage of your project and the color you have chosen.
  •   You approve the estimate and put down a 50% deposit of the job cost.
  •   After the slab is approved, we will fabricate your stone to the correct dimensions.
  •   Once the stone is cut and fabrication is completed, we will install your new natural stone.

Q: Do I need to tear out my old countertops to measure?

A:

No, you can keep your old countertops until installation day. They will need to be removed before the installation process.

Q: Do I need to know what type of sink I want?

A:

Yes. The sink you plan to use will need to be brought to our facility. We also need to know if you want your sink mounted over or under the countertop.

Q: Will there be dust during installation?

A:

Our installation team makes every effort to keep dust and debris at a minimum, but you can expect a small amount of dust to be present during any installation.

Q: Do I need to remove all items from my cabinets before installation?

A:

Yes, everything in the base of the cabinets needs to be removed to keep your possessions safe, this also helps for an efficient installation.

Q: Can you reconnect my electrical and plumbing connections?

A:

While we are highly trained for natural stone countertops, we are not licensed electricians or plumbers. Therefore, we cannot assume any liability for making electrical or plumbing connections. We can, in most instances however, recommend reputable and licensed individuals or companies to complete these tasks for you.

Q: Do you provide a warranty?

A:

American Granite and American Quartz warrants that all custom fabricated granite, quartz, quartzite and marble will be free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use for a period of (1) year time. This warranty runs from the date of installation (the “Warranty Period”).

Q: Do I need to hire a plumber to disconnect my sink?

A:

No, we will take care of disconnecting the sink. Once your countertops are installed, you will need to reconnect your sink.

Q: What is it so important to seal my natural stone countertops?

A:

Natural stone is porous, so it is susceptible to staining. The use of a sealer will not prevent stains, but it will provide you with reaction time to clean the stone. All natural stone countertops that we install are sealed before they reach our facility and installation.

Q: Will you be creating a lot of mess in my house or driveway?

A:

We generally work with full sized slabs of material approximately 5-6 ft high by 9-10ft long and 3cm thick. This means every countertop is custom made specifically to fits your design, minimizing the amount of seams and maximizing the beauty. We do nearly all of the “messy” fabrication work in our factory, with the exception of small finishing work on-site to make your counters just right.

Q: Will my countertop have visible seams?

A:

Most kitchen countertop installations will require at least one or more joints called seams. During layout and design, American Granite and American Quartz will always try to minimize the numbers of seams required, and to locate seams in places which make them less conspicuous. Finally, American Granite and American Quartz installers are trained to color-match the joint filler material to enhance their appearance. Seams are created with a permanent, maintenance-free epoxy material. Not like tile grout in any way!

Q: How often do I need to re-apply stone sealer?

A:

It’s hard to predict how our customers will use their countertops, so American Granite and American Quartz does not advise any present calendar for re-sealing, but in general, once every year or two is sufficient. Over-application of sealer can build up over time and cause a haze on the surface of your countertops. The frequency for re-sealing really depends on the type of stone installed (lighter colors are more porous than darker ones) and the amount of use that the countertops see. An easy rule of thumb is to closely monitor the area around the sink. If you begin to notice that the water does not bead up or soaks into the stone within 10-15 minutes, then it’s probably time to re-seal. Applying sealer is easy; you simply spray it on, let it soak in for a few minutes, and wipe it away with a clean towel.

Q: Do you sell remnants?

A:

Yes, we currently sell some granite and quartz remnants. Each piece is sold “as is” and is not reserved until the contract is signed.