What is Quality Stonework and How Do I recognize it?

Quality is important. Quality is a combination of 4 things for the fabricator:

1. Measuring the job site

An accurate measure at the outset means the countertop will correctly fit the site. A good measurer will
review the details of the job with you at the site. You & WeDoGranite.com will better understand the
details of your project when complete. Your estimate should include a breakdown of Material and Labor
costs along with detailed explanation of any additional costs that are unique to your project ie: extra sink
cutouts, outlets, special cuts etc.so that you may accurately compare bids with other companies. Never
accept a flat per sq.foot quote unless it is only to obtain a rough estimate for budget purposes. Each and
every job is unique and should be treated as such. WeDoGranite.com approaches each project as a
custom job, and each customer according to their specific tastes and requirements.

2. Matching material

Your project should not vary greatly in color or structure. Some variation is to be expected however,
especially in natural materials. A good fabricator will buy matching slabs for your project (slabs that are
cut from the same block of stone or lot from the same vendor). A good fabricator will have additional
material on hand in case of breakage during fabrication or installation (breakage does occur; that's part of
the business. Your fabricator should cover the cost of his mis-measure or breakage). You should be
aware of and understand how much the stone you select varies in structure, color and pricing.
WeDoGranite.com has access to a wide variety of stone slab and remanant pieces so that we may assure
completion of your project.

3. Machinery to cut, shape and polish and Skilled Craftsmen to finish and detail.

An efficient plant is a combination of machinery to do the bulk of the fabrication (ensuring consistent
shape, straight lines, smooth curves and a mirror like surface polish) and skilled Craftsmen to do the
work machinery cannot. Machinery is very expensive for the CAD/CAM Work Centers, saws and
edging machines. Skilled craftsmen are hard to come by in this high employment time; especially when
natural stone is a product that is in high demand. Be wary of plants relying only upon employees with
hand tools. The combination of both human and mechanical skills are essential in providing the best
possible results for your project.

4. Communication with the Client and Control of the Project

It is important that we understand what you want to achieve; that we're all "working on the same page".
Our Sales staff, and craft people will insist on reviewing your job with you and will help you prepare for
the work to come. This process has been very successful and has reduced mistakes and confusion.
Control of the project during production. Quality Control. Review of specifications and drawings.
Scheduling of plant resources. Proper tooling and machinery. All of this is vital to ensure a quality product.
Does the fabricator know at what point of the production cycle your project is?

Signs of Problems:

-Your calls are not returned.

-Appointments are missed with no notification.

-Appointments are rescheduled more then once

-A plan relying on craftsmen using hand tools; no machinery

This is Quality customer care in Stone Work industry:

-You understand the properties of your stone; how to maintain it, how it will vary in color and structure.

-You understand what will or will not be done by us.

-You will understand what you need to get ready for your project: what things to have on site for the measure,

what the plumbers will need to to etc. We will prep you on all of this.

Quality Countertop Installation should be exactyly like this:
-Sraight lines and edges shouldn't vary or move.
-Curves should be even and smooth.
-Edge work should have the same Mirror-like polish as the surface (no dull spots or matte finish)
-The shape of the edge should be even and consistent along it's length.
-Stone piece that a-butt each other should have a smooth transition from one piece to another
(i.e., no abrupt changes in thickness at the joint)
-If a laminated edge is used (two pieces of stone glued together to give a thicker edge),
the seam should be very should be very thin almost un-noticeable.
-The tops should, in general, consist of long pieces of stone (5 to 7' or bigger) and only a few short pieces.
If the fabricator insists that your top must be made up of a lot of small sections (3 feet or less), get another quote!