Whether you’re a gourmet cook or a microwave meal assembler, a granite kitchen countertop makes preparation more palatable. Granite is a top choice in countertop replacement materials. It offers sleek beauty, sparkling highlights and a smooth surface for working and cleaning. If you don’t have a granite countertop, it’s time to remodel. If you’re not a building professional, it’s time to find the best installation team in your area.
Placing granite countertops requires deftness and expertise. Stone slabs are heavy and expensive, and must be cut to exacting specifications. Search for a general contractor who specializes in kitchen remodeling. The builder can direct you to material salespeople and interior designers who will get the prep work done.
Your most important task is deciding on the parameters of change. Purchase your granite countertop as a stand-alone main course or an accompaniment to beautiful new cabinets, flooring or storage space. Gather the ingredients and read the fineprint before the work begins. The quality of your plan may dictate whether the remodeling experience will be a delicious respite, or a recipe for disaster.
What a Countertop Remodel Entails
What you will need depends upon what you’ve already got. In order to bring in the fresh stuff, you’ll need to clean out your old kitchen leftovers. If you’re replacing a simple wood-frame and laminate-topped counter, disassembly should be swift and simple. If you’re moving away from dull concrete toward glittering granite, however, be sure your contractor is prepared to extract and haul away a heavy slab.
Once the room has been gutted, you may find structural issues that need attention. Your floor may have settled, or the cabinet frame may have deteriorated so that it is no longer strong enough or level enough to support the weight of granite. Talk to your contractor ahead of time about contingencies. You don’t want to reach this point only to find that the builder doesn’t perform such repairs.
As in baking, measurements must be exact. Consult past remodeling clients and ask them how well their finished countertop or cabinets fit into the space. Check the contractor’s guarantee about unsatisfactory service. If something looks off to you after the project is finished, ask the builder to make it right. Granite may outlast you, or at least your period of home ownership. Don’t let a poorly installed countertop detract from your enjoyment or your property’s value.
Countertops most often adjoin sinks, so choose a remodeling contractor with a plumbing license and demonstrated skill. Realize that you may be without the convenience of your kitchen sink for the duration of the renovation.
Who Can Best Serve You
All of these disparate details mean that you’ll need a countertop contractor with a wide range of experience. Ask the contractor and testimonial customers about the company’s success in:
- Selecting, cutting, hauling and handling large stone slabs
- Installing polished granite without incurring scratches, gashes or dings
- Ensuring level, sturdy structural support
- Adding adjoining sinks and backsplashes
- Finishing edges and sealing any gaps
- Removing old cabinets and counter tops without damaging walls or floors
Remember, unless you are a professional yourself, an experienced contractor is the best cook for this job.
The Benefits of Professional Installation
Granite is heavy and long-lasting, but it is also vulnerable to surface abrasion. Be joyful that someone else will handle this fickle material for you and situate it for efficient performance. A gorgeous granite island that is wedged into a tight a spot might never reach its full potential. One that is convenient to stove and trash disposal, however, might never be out of use for a single day.
Do-it-yourselfer’s must often endure the dust and hassle of a torn-up kitchen for however long it takes to fit the job into a busy schedule. In contrast, the best contractors pride themselves in meeting deadlines. They know that this is a selling point for their services. Plenty of contractors can install countertops well. Those who show up when they say they’ll be there and finish the job when promised get rave reviews.
Work crews that are professional, friendly and attentive to customer needs earn bonus points no matter how simple the job. Getting a beautiful, new granite countertop is one thing; enjoying the process validates your choice of contractors.
Risks
Like anything you cook, you should familiarize yourself with all the ingredients and steps for a countertop remodel. Read your contract and guarantee clause all the way through. Ask about how workers are hired, and whether the company performs a background check. If everyone who steps into your kitchen is licensed, bonded and insured, your risk is cut considerably.
When selecting granite from a showroom, get a physical sample that you can test in the actual space, to make sure that both color and texture please you. View the exact piece of stone that will be used ahead of time, if possible.
Getting stuck with damage or debris can leave a bad taste in your mouth. Your contract should describe the type of clean-up and haul-away service you can expect. Past customers will probably be frank in their assessment of a contractor’s commitment to this part of the bargain. Minimize your risks now, and you’ll enjoy your new granite countertop for decades to come.
