FAQs

The first thing you need to consider is how you want your finished project to look. Think about the color of your cabinets and flooring. We feel you’ll get the best look if your countertops and cabinets have some contrast. If they are too close to the same color they blend together. Stone and quartz countertops are a finishing detail of your project, and you want them to stand out and compliment the other elements in your kitchen or bath.

Before your visit, measure your countertops and make a rough drawing. We need to know the length of the back wall of your countertops and the depth from front to back. Most kitchens have an ‘L’ and maybe an island or another top. Take a photo to bring with you too. It’s also helpful if you bring any flooring, cabinet door or paint color, tile, etc that you will be using in your room. It will help our designer assist you with your selection.

Now it’s time to visit our showroom. We prefer that you set an appointment so that you will get our undivided attention and we can spend all the time you need to get your questions answered. We will spend time explaining the characteristics of the different stones and quartz available and determine which one will fit your lifestyle. Then you can tour our slab gallery. Don’t worry if you don’t find the slab that you love in our shop. You won’t hurt our feelings! We work with all the local importers in town and can give you information about their locations and available slabs and you can keep looking until you find the stone that is perfect for your project.

While you’re in our showroom, we can show you edge samples so that you can pick your favorite edge for your project. We will also talk about seams and what the MIA-approved way to make a seam is and why we follow the Marble Institute of America guidelines. One other detail that sets us apart is that we always finish the underside edge of your stone. That’s important when you stand at your countertop and curl your fingers around it. You want to feel a smooth edge, not a rough unfinished edge. Natural Stone Designs will always finish the underside edge of your countertop. It’s an extra step for us but we feel it is the only way to do it right!

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Yes, when you have made a stone choice and we have a simple drawing, we can supply you with a competitive quote for the completion of your project. Our quotes include the material, fabrication and installation to complete the job, as well as applying the sealer on a natural stone job. There are no hidden fees- we don’t charge extra for holes to be cored or sinks to be finished. It will be one price that includes it all!

There is more to consider than just price when you purchase a new countertop. The quality of the craftsmanship is going to be something that you will live with for years to come so you want it right and you want to love the finished look. Remember to think about the look of the seams, the edge detail, and the years of experience your fabricator has. They all play a vital role in the look of your finished project.

Next sign your contract and set a date for the template. If you are installing new cabinets, we will try to be there the day after they are installed so that you won’t have too much down time in your kitchen or bath. If you are keeping your existing cabinets, please have the old countertops off and make sure they are level so that we can get the most accurate template for your new countertops.

Our craftsmen will digitally measure or template your countertop so that you are assured a perfect fit. We ask that you be on site the day that we template so that any questions we have about details can be answered by you and you will be assured you get just what you want.

Please have your appliances, sink, faucets, etc on site the day that we measure as well. If you will be using a farm house sink, please have it set prior to our template date.

After your template is completed, we will begin cutting your project. If you have selected a natural stone with lots of movement, we can arrange for a template placement with you in our shop. Just ask us for details.

Now sit back and let us work our magic! Our craftsmen will get busy cutting, polishing, and finishing your project with the utmost care and attention to detail. All fabrication and installation is performed by our employees.

Install day is very exciting. Plan a full day for a kitchen and a half day for a vanity. We will set your undermount sink at install and core any holes for your faucets, soap dispenser, etc. We ask that you wait overnight before your plumbing is hooked up so that everything is set and dried. All natural stone countertops will be sealed.

Enjoy your new kitchen or vanity and all the compliments that will come with it!