Picking Your Stone

Picking Your Stone Southwest Granite and Stone is one of very few companies that walks you through the stone picking process. On the day you are to pickout your stone please ensure you have all pieces you are trying to match your stone against. Things may include a cabinet door, a piece of tile, a paint swatch, or anything else you are using to help pick your stone. By having these items with you at the time you are to pick your stone will allow you to get the stone that most complements your home. Please ensure that you have a check or cash for one-half the cost of the job at completion of stone picking, or your installation date may be moved back.

At Template

Prior to templating you must have already chosen your stone and sinks. Upon the completion of the template we will take your sink back to the shop with us so we shall ensure a proper fit on your new countertops. We require you to have your sink at template, otherwise it will delay your installation date. We do not need self-rimming sinks in the shop, but you must have them on site the day we do your installation. All self-rimming sinks will be cut on site on the day of installation.

If you have a unique counter top design, it may also be neccessary for us to take part of your countertop to ensure the correct cut on your stone.

Removing Your Tile or Laminate Countertops

Every precaution will be taken to limit the mess during the demolition process, but unfortunately we will create dust and dirt in your home, so please take the appropriate precautions to protect your home furnishings. If you have existing tile countertops will we need to remove them 24 to 36 hours before installation of your new countertops.

Drywall and cabinetry damage may occur during the removal of your existing counter top and during the installation of your new countertops, and repairs by another party may be necessary. We will do our best to minimize all damage, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If we will be removing your old countertops we suggest that you remove everything from your cabinets. Some customers opt to remove the countertops themselves, but you should only consider this if you are 100% sure you can complete the job yourself.

If you have an existing tile backsplash, it must be removed by prior to the template appiontment.

Plumbing and Electrical

You will need to have a plumber come out and disconnect your sinks, disposals, and faucets before we can remove your old tops and install your new granite countertops. If we are doing a full back splash we will have to remove the faceplates and pull the electrical outles from the wall.If it is necessary to have any outlets moved, you will be informed, and it is your obligation to have them relocated prior to your installation. We do not disconnect the cook tops and at times, it may be necessary to pull the freestanding ovens away from the wall. We DO NOT reinstall any plumbing, electrical wires, or appliances.

Sub Tops

Sub tops are necessary for a quality installation on 2 cm material. We use three sizes (1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4”) depending on overhangs and cabinet type. If you are installing your own sub tops, the templater can advise you about which size is best, and what overhangs are required. If you have an overhang larger than nine (12) inches you will be advised to obtain corbels. Furnishing and installing corbels or additional supports are your obligation. 3 cm material does not usually require a sub top, however if sub tops are necessary, it will require scribe molding. The scribe molding will need to be purchased and installed by a third party.

Sinks, Faucets and Accessories

It is your obligation to purchase sinks and accessories that fit within the inside dimensions of your cabinet box. We will “loose set” your self-rimming sink and have it ready for your plumber to mount it and attach any clips, hardware and plumbing. Self-rimming sinks are always cut on the job site, in the house, with the top in place to avoid breakage. When your plumber is done, it is his responsibility to clean and caulk your self-rimming sink.

Under mount sinks are mounted under the granite and ready for your plumber to attach the plumbing. Our installer will caulk the under-mount sink. Holes will be drilled if necessary, for your faucets, soap dispenser, sprayer and reverse osmosis system. Please know the location for these items before the installation day and have them prior to installation

Cook Tops and Ranges

Cut in type cook tops will be set loose in the countertop, ready for your appliance installer to mount and hook up. The cut out for your cook top is done after the new tops are installed. This creates a little dust, but prevents unnecessary breakage. Please be careful when purchasing a new cook top, making sure that it fits in the space allowed by your cabinet box. Slide-in ranges will be checked for fit and left ready to hook up and install.

Seams

When we purchase and lay out material for your project, the location of the seams, the grain direction or patterns are considered. If you are present for a template layout, we do our best to ensure that your job is cut as you requested, however there are occurrences beyond our control that will require that we use our professional experience. We will do our best to keep seams to a minimum, but sometimes they are neccesary due to the size of some tops. When you have a seam, it is filled with a matching expoxy, the seam is tight, and the seam is level. Our fabricators and installers are trained to minimize seams; however, we strive to make them as transparent as possible.

Caulking

Under-mount sinks and backsplashes are caulked after installation. Depending on the stone, the caulk can be colored or clear.

On Installation Day

We suggest that everything be removed from cabinets prior to installation day. 95% of the fabrication is done at our fabrication shop, but the last 5% will be done on site to ensure a perfect fit to your home. This is due to walls, cabinets, and etc. not being square, flush or level. We will create dust and dirt in your home on install day so if you are concerned about furniture or other things in your home, it is your responsibility to move them out of your home or cover them with plastic.

Any animals will need to be secured in a place where they are not able to get out of the home or cause harm to the installation crew.

The customer or an authorized customer representative must be present at the beginning and end of installation for walk-through and sign-off on the job.

If problems do arise on installation of your granite we may need to take piece/s back to the shop to be recut/refabricated. We will do our best to be back as soon as possible to finish the remainder of the installation, but please remember we are dealing with a natural stone that mother nature made so somethings may be unavoidable. Your satisfaction is our main concern; we will doing everything in our power to ensure a positive experience for you.