You’ve made up your mind to use natural stone slab on your countertops, fireplace, or furniture. Well, you’re off to a very goo start by using Allpride. Many of our customers ask “what do I need to do to get started.” So we came up with a general plan of what we think would be a good guide to follow.
Drawings and Layout
The first thing we need is a layout with dimensions. If we are working with new cabinets, we want a set of the cabinet drawings. Your cabinet maker can usually fax these drawings directly to us. A simple hand sketch will also suffice.
Getting a Price
You can fax/email this info to us or, if you like, call and make an appointment and we will go over it with you in person. The general information we need to get things started is:
- Job name
- Contact person
- Phone, fax, and cell phone numbers
- Address or city in which the work is to be completed
- Indicate if project is new construction or remodel
I realize that for this next section of requested information you may not be able to answer fully. Provide what you can and indicate unknown or undecided for the other items:
- Area(s): Kitchen, hall bath, kids bath, master bath, laundry room, etc.
- Edge detail(s): We have 6 standard edge details that are included with our standard pricing.
- Sink(s): Undermount, top mount, vessel, etc. (by area)
- Backsplash: 4-inch slab, full slab, tile or none at all (by area)
- Tear-out: (If any) Formica, corian, tile, slab, etc. (by area)
- Material: Have you chosen your granite or other natural slab? If so, you are way ahead of the game.
Once this information has been received, we will start a file and work on getting you a price and slab count back quickly. Very often, material has not been decided on at this point so we will usually figure in a medium cost slab to give the customer a ballpark material cost.
Price Agreed Upon / All Details Finalized
Once all details are finalized and all costs accepted, we will need the following before we can add your project to our schedule board and proceed with all other details:
1. Signed Bid Sheet
2. Signed Contract
3. START DEPOSIT Check
Contracted / Deposit Check Received
Usually, as the customer is handing us the deposit check, they are also asking “when can you install?” My answer to this question is always the same. 10 to 14 days from templating (if customer is ready).
Customer Ready List / Items Needed at Templating
- Cabinets 100% completed
- Material decided upon and signed off
- All details (edge details, splash, sinks) should have been finalized by now
- Sinks on site (we sell sinks – check our pricing)
- Cooktop on site
- Vent hood or microwave installed (if full splash behind range)
***Please take a moment to review our “Heads up Reminders” below ***
Once templating is completed, we can usually give you an install date at this time. We are proud to say that our promise of delivery is 95% accurate (ask any of our builders).
Day of Install
If remodel with tear out of existing counters, please remove all items from countertops and all items under sink and cooktop cabinets. If tile tear out, remove all drawers and all items in lower cabinets. Most installs will take 6 to 10 hours to complete and we like to start between 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.
Completion / Final Invoice
The installer will usually have an invoice with him to give the customer. Take a moment to walk the job with him, and if all looks good, please send the final payment with the installer.
Heads Up Reminders
- FARM SINKS MUST BE CUT IN PLACE PRIOR TO TEMPLATE (DELIVER TO YOUR JOB-SITE)
- Have undermount sinks on site at the time of templating or have delivered to my shop before templating.
- Have faucet hole layout ready at time of install.
- NOTE: Kohler Caxton 2211 does NOT fit in a standard 21″ deep vanity cabinet. Must use the 2210 or Toto L.T. 569 (16-1/4″ front to back max).
- Have cooktop unit on site at time of install (Specifications will not be accepted in lieu of unit).
- For slide in cooktop units, specifications are needed at time of templating or faxed ahead of time (Unit usually not needed on site).
- If full splash with vent hood above, vent hood may need to be installed before full splash. This is needed at the time of templating. THE SAFE BET IS TO HAVE THE VENT HOOD INSTALLED BEFORE TEMPLATING.
- Remind cabinet installer to maintain a flat and level surface.
- Please note sizes of slabs needed on bid sheets. Home owners must remember to shop for these dimensions when selecting slab material.
- START DEPOSIT due at time of material selection, template, or acceptance of contract.
- Slab suppliers will only hold materials for 30 days without payment, and material will not be purchased without a START DEPOSIT.
- Pre-liens on all projects are standard procedure.
- Balance of contract is due upon completion.
Remodels
- ALLPRIDE WILL NOT RECONNECT ANY PLUMBING, ELECTRIC, OR DUCT WORK.
- Please keep in mind that there is usually some touch-up and repairs to do (after a tear out and install) by the home owners. Paint and drywall are the most common repairs.