Questions to ask a countertop fabricator before you sign
Countertop quotes are hard to compare because every shop includes different things. Ask these before you sign anything.
The quote
- Is the price per square foot installed, and what does it include? Templating, fabrication, standard edge, sink cutout, installation and sealing should all be in. Ask separately about removal of the old tops, plumbing disconnect and reconnect, and backsplash.
- How do you measure square footage? Some shops charge for the whole slab you use, others for the finished top. Both are fair, but you need to know which.
- Which edge profiles and sink cutouts are standard, and which cost extra?
- Is the slab I pick the slab I get? Shops with a slab yard let you tag your exact slab.
The work
- Do you fabricate in-house or send it out? Shops that fabricate in-house.
- Where will the seams be, and how are they matched? Ask to see photos of their seams on similar stone.
- Do you use digital templating and CNC cutting? It usually means tighter fits around sinks and walls. Shops with CNC or waterjet (use the “CNC / waterjet” filter on your city page).
- How long from template to install? Two to three weeks is typical; ask what happens if a slab cracks in fabrication. Shops installing in 2 weeks or less (use the “Install in 2 weeks or less” filter on your city page).
- Who installs: your own crew or a subcontractor?
Protection
- Are you licensed, insured and bonded? Rules vary by state; many fabricators hold a contractor license for installation. Ask for the license number and look it up.
- What does the warranty cover, in writing? Fabrication and installation warranties are separate from the manufacturer's warranty on quartz. Shops with a written warranty (use the “Written warranty” filter on your city page).
- Are you accredited? Natural Stone Institute accreditation means the shop passed an inspection of its work, safety and business practices. Brand certifications (Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone) mean trained fabricators for that product.
- How do you control silica dust? Reputable shops cut wet and use dust collection; it protects their workers and it's a sign of a well-run operation.
Nationally, installed granite typically runs $33 to $65 per square foot where shops publish prices, and quartz $50 to $1,815. Use the comparison table on your city page to see who publishes what.