Granite Procedures
Getting Prepared For Granite Countertops
Supreme Surface, Inc. is pleased that you have decided upon one of the most beautiful, prestigious and durable countertop surfaces available – Granite, “The Supreme Surface”. Due to the unique characteristics of natural stone, we would like to focus your attention on the following points.
Stone Selection and Seams
Granite is a natural substance that is mined all over the world. Supreme Surface, Inc. maintains close quality control over all color selections. Individual “slab selections” are usually not necessary. It is our greatest desire for you to be completely happy with your new granite countertop & countertop installation. Customers are welcome to visit our fabrication facility located at 5720 Kopetsky Dr. suite J, Indianapolis, In. 46217 in order to preview and/or approve the bundles that will be used in your home or other granite project.
Pattern, color, and graining will vary within the same “Color Name”, selection, slab and or slabs from the same lot and bundle. This should be expected!
Samples are available for initial pairing with cabinetry, paint and flooring choices, but may be inadequate to base a final decision upon.
When choosing a pattern or type of stone, please keep in mind that stones with wavy characteristics, streaks, movement or “veins” can be difficult to match or blend between corners or seams.
During the natural stone estimating & fabrication process, great care is taken to balance cost. Supreme Surface, Inc. will lay out the slab(s) to minimize waste, blend the pattern and match colors to the best of our ability. At the discretion of Supreme Surface, Inc. seams will be placed in the best location for structural integrity and visual aesthetics.
Granite is a natural stone material, it is cut in varying lengths from the quarry and pieces must be seamed together on site using butt joining techniques. Seams should be viewed as an integral part of a “granite countertop” project. Granite is a product of nature. The properties and characteristics that give granite such beauty also make it impossible to guarantee a match in pattern or color from one piece of countertop to the next. No replacements will be made for natural color and thickness variations within a countertop.
Estimate/Detail Visit (approx. 30~60 minutes)
· Measurements are taken and drawings are made for estimating and quoting purposes – all existing countertops and or cabinets will need to be measured. Some items such as small appliances may need to be moved or removed from the surface for the purpose of measuring.
· Stone samples are reviewed and the color is selected.
· All options will be discussed including: sink type, number of faucet holes, slide-in stove or drop-in cook top, type of backsplash, and edge profile.
· The overall production process (this sheet) is discussed.
Templating Visit (approx. 1~2 hours)
· Templates (or patterns) are made from existing countertops and/or new cabinets.
· Please completely clear all countertops by removing all appliances and other items.
· New cabinets must be completely installed.
· Supreme Surface, Inc. does not accept any liability in the case of cabinets that are not level and walls that are not square/plumb which may result in a final assembly that is not 100% level/square. Any required adjustments to cabinets, brackets, walls, etc. are the responsibility of the customer and/or his/her sub-contractor and must be completed prior to countertop installation.
· Make and model numbers of all appliances, cook tops, sinks, faucets and any additional hardware are required prior to scheduling the template. If the sink is an undermount style, we may need the sink at our Indianapolis fabrication facility prior to any fabrication. Ideally, have sink/sinks on-site for the template visit. If needed, we can take it with us and return it at the time of installation.
· Locations of any seams are discussed.
· Locations for all faucet holes and accessories are discussed.
· All excess stone material (waste) is considered the property of Supreme Surface, Inc. Waste may include any unused stone, sink and cooktop cut-outs. All customer requests for waste materials will be considered, but may be subject to additional charges for any cutting or finishing.
· There may be areas where your old countertops sit that may not get completely covered with the new granite countertops. These areas can include walls behind existing backsplash, tops of painted cabinets and where the countertops meet walls. We will discuss these items and any options that may be available to eliminate these occurrences. Typical solutions can include increasing the height of the granite backsplash, sometimes for a nominal fee. Supreme Surface, Inc. does not include painting or adding tile or other trim to cover any unfinished areas unless specifically written in the customer sales order.
Installation Visit (approx. 2~6 hours)
· Sink cabinets and cooktop cabinets must be completely cleaned out.
· Please take down pictures and wall hangings, move throw rugs, plants and pet dishes.
· Seal off any adjacent rooms. Any construction creates dirt and dust. Tape sheets or plastic drop cloths over doorways and protect any new appliances. This will keep dust out of the rest of the house. If you have a cooktop or drop-in sink being installed, final cutout is completed with the countertop in position, (inside your home). This can create a lot of dust. All Air Conditioning units should be TURNED OFF during this cutting process. Your kitchen may require a thorough cleaning once your new countertops are installed.
· We use a very strong adhesive for seams. Please be aware that these chemicals emit strong odors that should go away within a couple of hours.
· All under-counter appliances (dishwasher, ice machine, trash compactor, wine cooler, etc.) should be installed prior to the countertops. Additional trips to secure these items will result in a minimum charge of $125.00.
· Undermount sink(s) will be mounted to the granite. Additionally drop-in sink(s) and the cooktop (if applicable) will be set in place to verify fit.
· Disconnection and reconnection of all plumbing, ventilation ductwork and fuel lines are the responsibility of the owner and/or other sub-contractor unless written into the signed sales order. Reconnection may require new or additional ductwork and/or piping. Any additional materials and/or labor are not the responsibility of Supreme Surface, Inc.
· If we remove existing countertops or sinks, our crews try their best to be as careful as possible, but there is a chance that your walls, wallpaper, tile, or other wall coverings may be damaged and we will not be responsible for any repairs.
· If you are going to have other contractors doing work in your home, please instruct them NOT to use your new countertops as a workbench. This will avoid damage to your new countertops.
This page is provided so that you may better understand the process required to install your new granite countertops.