Working with a good contractor is imperative if you are thinking about granite countertops for your home. These countertops are some of the most beautiful and high-quality items available on the market today. Since this is the case, it is important that you take the buying process seriously, and that you do not neglect to do your homework when it comes to researching granite. Before you write out the check or put down the credit card, make sure to ask your contractor the following questions:
Is the Granite Machine or Hand Cut?
One of the things you should know about your new granite countertops is if they are machine or hand cut. In most cases, smaller companies will cut the granite by hand, where larger companies often cut the granite by a machine. There are benefits to both methods, of course. For instance, machine fabrication is a faster process, but the edges might be rough. Some companies that cut by hand will wax the edges to improve the looks, and others will manually polish the edges. Hand-cut pieces usually have polished edges, too, though they take longer to make, and they may be more expensive.
How Many Seams Will I Have?
Another thing that you will want to ask your granite contractor is how many seams you will have with your granite. Most slabs of granite are 10 feet or less, so if your countertops are more than 10 feet in length, you will have more than one slab of granite. When the slabs are installed, they create a seam, and this seam may be noticeable. Most high-quality granite installers will be able to install the granite so that the seam is not noticeable. Though you will be able to feel it when running your hand over the countertop, it shouldn’t be uneven nor should the veining look unnecessarily thrown together. A good installer will line it up as neatly as possible.
Will Your Company Install the Granite?
It is also important to find out who will install the granite countertop. Some larger companies will hire subcontractors to install the countertops, but if this is the case, the reputation of the company might not translate to the subcontractor. In other words, you can choose the best installer in the market, but if they are using an inferior subcontractor, you still may get a substandard installation. If the company hires a subcontractor to install the granite, make sure that they are taking responsibility for the craftsmanship the contractor provides, and that this information is stated clearly in the contract.
How Thick is the Granite Slab?
Homeowners should also ask their contractor how thick the granite slab will be. There are two choices for thickness, a 2-centimeter option and a 3-centimeter option. Many granite suppliers have both available, so it is important to ask which you will be getting. There are pros and cons of both thicknesses. The 2-centimeter option, for instance, is lighter, and it might need support on the areas that hang over the edge of the counter. The 3-centimeter option is heavier, so it is important that the cabinets underneath can hold the weight of the granite.
Is The Granite in Your Showroom the Same Granite I Will Receive?
If you have been to the showroom or warehouse of the contractor you choose, you probably know that there are a number of options available. Most have slabs sitting out in the open for customers who want to look at them, but there might be a catch. Since granite is formed by the earth, there are no two pieces that are alike. One piece might have intricate veining, for instance, and the next piece may have virtually no veining to speak of. In some cases, you will find that you love the veining in the piece you see and think it will look gorgeous in your kitchen. However, the piece that is delivered may not be that exact piece, and that could set you up for disappointment.
How Likely is it that Granite Will Chip, Scratch Or Break?
Asking your contractor about the longevity of your granite is also important. In most cases, your granite will not chip, scratch or break, but there are some conditions that may cause these things. For example, regular use of the granite should not harm it in any way. You can even use a knife directly on the granite, but be aware that it will severely dull the knife. You would really have to drop something heavy on the granite, such as hitting it with a large hammer, to really break it, but it is possible to chip if something heavy lands on it, such as a heavy can or large cast iron skillet. Fortunately, if any of this happens, your granite contractor should be able to repair it.