Ask them (or better yet, their references) what they do if the seams need to be repaired. Sometimes there is settling and a seam will chip away or crack. Have them put in writing their response. Best case: they repair the seam within a week of being notified by you. I've been trying to get my granite fabricator to fix a cracked seam for 2 months now, it's not fun. I also agree about visiting the shop to confirm the layout. Even though they say they'll match the veining, make sure it's matched in a way that you like.

That would be great! I just read a post from you in another tread. I'm looking forward to seeing it installed! So we set the templates yesterday using the Taj Mahal on the island and the sueded Black Pearl on the perimeter. Some of the left over Taj Mahal would be used as a new fireplace surround. Then I got home and looked around my kitchen. I just could not see the black pearl on the perimeter. I could only see the Taj Mahal on both surfaces. I approached my husband when he got home, and shockingly!,he agreed wholeheartedly. He feels there is no way we can go wrong putting the beautiful Taj Mahal on both surfaces, but that we might regret using the black pearl over time. We decided to sleep on it and revisit it this morning. I felt the same as yesterday. My husband said he didn't even need to look at the kitchen that his mind was made up that the Taj Mahal is the way to go. I called my fabricator this am to schedule another appt to template out the counter Monday morning. She knew we were not completely set on the black. Now I am the owner of one slab of black pearl. We are wondering if its big enough to replace the current counters in our lake house. Of course this was not a project we ever considered until now. The black pearl would look fabulous at the lake. I need to change my faucet as well. I went with a more traditional design to soften the perimeter. Now I can go a little more modern/industrial. I'm excited for that! I'll look forward to your pics!!

In most American kitchens - a dishwasher (d/w) is in the 30" width department (if my memory serves me right).... When cabs are set - the "standard"dimension for the selected d/w is calculated by the cab install crew - it's then "allowed for" when the cabs are set, so whether or not the d/w is available until even AFTER the tops are installed...won't stop the process or slow it down, or even be a blip on the radar...... HTH kevin

To complicate things further, you can use blocking to space your cabinets away from the wall. This allows a deeper counter with more workspace. Kinda more island-like. Very valuable when combined with counter width to create a work zone. 28-30" is possible in a galley layout. Especially on either side of a range. Or any space where prep of a complicated recipe is prepared. Step 2. Once the templet is set the cuts can be laid out on the material. How any pattern in the counter will appear from any angle, how the convex corners patterns meet, how a slab backsplash meets with the counter pattern and how these things use up the slabs are determined. Make sure, if you are able, to get this correct by communicating with the fabricator to include an examination and approval mechanism before work is done. Go in and approve the product before allowing delivery and installation. If the handles have ends that'll catch on your clothes, more overhang can lessen that. The overhang affects clearance space between the island and the opposite run.