WOW - thank you fellow Jerseyites!!!! All Marble and Granite came very highly recommended to my husband. We went there yesterday and because it was the day before Easter and they were closing early, we sort of got the "bum's rush." They were very agreeable to giving us a bunch of samples however. Problem is, the samples have only numbers, and I'm pretty sure a couple of the ones they gave me were not what I asked for. We're definitely going to go back to look again - at a time where we can actually go into the yard and look at slabs. I feel like out of the samples I took home, none of them are exactly "perfect" - but I also know I can't really go by a sample alone. I need to see slabs. Still just trying to get the best idea of what's out there. I truly appreciate the suggestions of other places around me to check. Everyplace mentioned in the posts above is doable from where we are. Thanks!! SQ

Can Sheldon themselves recommend anyone? Occasionally stone places will send their own teams with the stone. Up here in Maine, I've heard great things about Sheldon slate and their service. You could also try Vermont Slate; I believe they sell countertop slate and might have installer suggestions as well. If you wind up using a local, I'd veer on the side of finding a soapstone specialist rather than a regular granite installer, because of their greater experience with alternate types of stone. Here is a link that might be useful: Vermont Structural Slate

My KD recommended Globe Fabricators in Northern NJ. The link to their website is below. The person I spoke to was Peter. I did not use them because I have decided to go with soapstone and I want the soapstone guy to do the fabrication, but my KD had nothing but good things to say about Globe. Here is a link that might be useful: Fabricator

Ask the place where you buying material if they can recommend a reputable company.