01/04/2018
A week before Christmas a customer stopped by our shop and asked if we could fix a mess he'd been left with by another contractor. In an attempt to save money the customer had purchased the material on his own and hired a "fabricator" to fabricate and install the pieces. The "fabricator" ( and I use the term lightly ) set up shop in his yard and while cutting out the sink hole broke the customers material. Without saying anything the "fabricator" packed up his tools and left. When the customer tried to contact him he would not answer his phone.
Unfortunately this was a difficult lesson that happens all to often.
It is never a good idea to buy your stone from a "wholesale" store and attempt to hire someone to fabricate it. Mistakes happen... even professional fabricators are not perfect and make their fair share of them. But who is responsible for the material when a mistake happens?
If a contractor does not have the capital to purchase the material and sell you just the amount you need for your job do not hire them. Should something happen there will be no recourse.
Ask the contractor where their shop is located. Ask to see their facility. If it is neat and clean that is a good indication of the work you can expect from them. If they do not have a fabrication shop and plan to fabricate in your driveway do not hire them. Should something happen there will be no recourse.
Also, ask the contractor if they have workers comp and general liability insurance. If they do not carry workers comp and something happens to one of their employees they may file a claim against your home owners insurance. If their scope of work causes damage to your property and they do not have general liability insurance then guess who will be left fixing their mistake?
This "fabricator" planned 4 seams in this simple kitchen. We did it with only one seam. He also planned to reuse the drop in sink in the first photo and attempt to under mount it to the stone. Not only does the sink have a lip around the top that would keep it from sealing off to the stone correctly, it would look terrible. We furnished a 16ga stainless steel under mount sink with lifetime warranty for only $100 and it looks great with the new 3cm granite.
When properly cared for, granite counters will last a lifetime. Is it really worth living with a bad job just so you can say you saved a couple hundred dollars?
