Choosing the best manufacturer of American countertops is essential to guarantee a seamless upgrade. For the longest time, there have been many horror stories about porcelain tile, quartz, marble, and granite countertop companies that make promises only to fail to provide quality products and services.
After choosing the design and material for your countertops, the next step is to look for licensed contractors that can do the job. You will want top-notch products for your kitchen or bathroom countertops, and you have to hire qualified service professionals who can install them without any issues.
There are several things you have to consider when looking for countertop manufacturers; especially when it comes to the installation of the highest quality counter tops. Here is my short list of things you should do.
Table of Contents
- Check the Company’s Credentials
- Get Recommendations
- Ask About the Products
- Inquire About The Price
- Use a Reliable Service Provider Directory
- Questions to Ask Potential American Countertop Providers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Check the Company’s Credentials
When it comes to countertops, it is not just about the price all the time, and it won’t make sense to choose the cheapest option if the quality is compromised. To ensure their credibility, you also need to check if the companies have BBB business profiles and other professional accreditations.
I also recommend verifying the company’s years of experience, asking to see samples of their past work to prove the quality of their products and service, and reading the testimonials and reviews from previous clients. You can refer to online review sites to help you learn more about potential contractors.
I also think this is the best time for you to know if they are working with other companies and brand names, such as Floors Inc and the largest Blanco dealers that offer a line of sinks and Blanco products that you want to pair with your countertop. All home renovators and interior designers will have a network of relationships to work on full end-to-end projects such as a complete kitchen remodel.
Get Recommendations
Recommendations may come from a family member or a friend who has recently installed new countertops in their house.
For example, suppose you want a marble countertop. In that case, you can ask about the installer and supplier used, what experience they had with the provider of kitchen countertops, and whether they would recommend the company.
If your friend or family member was not happy or satisfied with the company’s results and services, you might want to remove them from your list and move on to the next one.
Ask About the Products
When looking for general contractors and countertop supplies, the first and most basic requirement is to check if they stock the specific type of countertop that you have chosen for your bathroom or kitchen, such as laminate countertops. You should ask the potential suppliers regarding their products and request if it is possible to see their stocks to determine if these will meet your standards.
Inquire About The Price
Budget is one of the most significant factors affecting your decision when choosing a supplier and installer of countertops. Ask for a free estimate from the prospective contractors, and this will help you compare their pricing and offerings.
Always tell contractors you are getting multiple quotes, which may help land a more competitive deal.
Use a Reliable Service Provider Directory
There are now many service provider directories that you can use. The designer showrooms you visited and the local suppliers you have already heard of shouldn’t be the limit. You can let your imagination run by searching for other companies near you.
For example, if you live in Northern Virginia, Las Vegas, Houston area, or other metro areas like Los Angeles, use these directories. Provide your zip code and a few details regarding your project to pull up all the local providers in your place. These providers are all vying for your business, and the best thing is that you will be able to see the company names, ratings, past reviews, and more all in one place.
You may also want to check out HomeAdvisor.com in the United States or HomeStars.com in Canada.
Questions to Ask Potential American Countertop Providers
It would be best if you asked several vital questions to ask a potential countertop provider to ensure that you will choose only the best.
How long have you been in business?
Providers that have been in business for five years or more are great candidates. It is not necessarily bad if the company is new, but you must do more diligence before choosing an unknown provider.
Can you show some samples of your work?
If the company doesn’t have any samples prepared, it is almost always a red flag that they are not ready to tackle even a simple countertop job. It is also a sure sign that you should walk away from that provider.
Seeing samples of previous work is essential, especially if you want countertops made from exotic stones, metal tiles, and other unique countertop materials.
What countertop materials do you offer?
Many materials get used for countertops, including stainless steel countertops, quartz countertops, solid surface countertops, natural stone countertops, and American granite countertops. It would be better if the company offered countertops of all types.
However, there are times when it might not be enough that the company only specializes in installing the highest quality countertops.
An all-in-one company that is well-versed in other areas could be helpful. For example, they may offer proper sink installation, backsplash designs, custom floors of ceramic tile, a complete line of kitchen faucets, and custom cabinets. Some companies provide the complete end-to-end project experience, resulting in 100% customer satisfaction. Your only limit is your kitchen renovation budget.
What process do you follow from start to finish?
It is also crucial to know the process, and if the company fails to answer this question immediately, you will be better off looking elsewhere. The best and highest quality kitchen and bathroom countertops provider will already have a definite process in place, such as in the custom installations of natural granite. A great sales representative will also be familiar with it to answer your questions and provide the best service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get the best deals on countertops?
Getting the best deals on countertops may be a bit tricky. However, if you want to get the best price, don’t be afraid to ask for it. You can ask them if they will be able to help you save money on your total cost and work out a deal that suits your budget.
How much should countertops cost?
The starting cost of countertops is around $30 for every square foot that can go as high as $200 for every square foot. Countertops have an average price of $40 to $50 per square foot for the typical selections.
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation. To see the entire team at Evolutdesign.com, visit Our Team page.
