Elegant Granite and Marble » Hiring a Contractor

Can Granite Be a Do-It-Yourself Job?

admin — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:57:36 +0000

Yes and No.

With the right tools, care, time, and effort, anything can be a do-it-yourself job. However, you must ask yourself, is the money I might save worth that time, effort, and care?

Granite is heaver, requires expensive tools, and can be broken with improper care. If that happens, you’ll really have a problem.

Additionally, you might find getting it right could prove difficult. By the time you’re done with the job, you may find it’s easier to just leave it to the pros.

Four Tips For Choosing Your Marble or Granite Surface

admin — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:57:36 +0000

1. Quality. When you are looking to renovate your house, do not make price your only issue. This is an investment. Make sure that the company you are dealing with has 1) a great reputation, 2) customers that you can speak with and 3) quotes that include cutting, custom installation and sealing.

2. Selection. Find a company who has a large selection. Many companies only carry selections from a certain part of the world. You want to buy granite and marble from a company with a wide selection of products from classical, exclusive or even promotional materials so that you can find the perfect fit for your home. Start your search online looking at samples.

3. Service. It probably goes without saying but make sure that you purchase you natural stone from a company that provides excellent customer service.

4. Price. We don’t leave this at the bottom because it is the least important. Price is many times the main factor in a purchase. However, in the marble and granite world, quality, service and selection are as important as the price of the purchase. Remember that natural stone is an investment that will bring both financial value and personal appeal value to your home or office. Click here to get a quote on your next project.

4 Tips For Hiring Contractors

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:43:40 +0000

There has been a lot of press recently about bad contractors and, while there certainly are many bad contractors out there, you can take a few simple steps to identify and avoid them for your next project.

Verify that the contractor is licensed.
Before agreeing to terms with a contractor, be sure to check with the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) to make sure that they are licensed. Further, be sure that the contractor is authorized to use the license number they give you. Many bad contractors will use a license number registered to someone else. Don’t fall for this trick; verify, verify, verify
Ask For References/Check For Complaints
When deciding on a contractor, ask them to provide a list of references to check so that you can talk to people they have worked with previously. It seems simple, but if you can talk to some of their clients about their work, you can get a good idea of whether they will be a right fit or not. The same principle holds true when checking the CCB for their complaint history. Company’s who have proven track record of resolving disputes amicably will generally do so in the future should the need arise.
Get Multiple Bids
Always look at multiple contractors to see who is the best fit. Getting multiple bids will help you determine the best price, quality, and timeline for your project.
Always Use A Written Contract
A good contract will define your agreement, cost, timeline, materials, liability, and payment terms. Using a contract protects both parties and helps you be clear about who is responsible for what.

These are a few simple ways to protect yourself against bad contractors. Of course, you can always call us. If we can’t help you, we often know someone who can and can refer you in the right direction.