skip to main content

Is this normal for quartz and granite purchase

10 years ago

We are getting perimeter counters out of quartz and the island top out of granite. I was able to get 1 1/2 slabs for the quartz and the granite is coming from a remnant ( the bottom part of a slab). They came and took the measurements for the template. I asked if we could go when they put it on the granite to see where they are going to cut it and was told no. The island top is 7' long. She said that would take most of it. The counter with the quartz is an L shape from one end to the wall is 11 feet and from the next wall to the end is 9 feet. (so is there 24" of overlap) then there is a double oven cabinet which does not use any quartz then a 2' cabinet. I asked if there would be much left over and was told no. A slab of this quartz is 55"X118". Does it sound correct that not much would be left over. Also when they came out we asked all the questions people on GW suggested we ask except the important one about seams. We forgot to ask. Do you usually meet again to go over where the seams will be and where on the stone exactly they will be cutting? We have already ordered it and paid. Does this all sound normal that not much will be left of the quartz, we can not see where they will be cutting from on the granite and I have no idea about the seams?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

gpraceman55
10 years ago
When they come to template, you can discuss with them about where the seams will be. You should also ask for a layout meeting so you can see the templates on the slabs and be able to have some say in what parts of the slabs that you do/don't want to use.
firstmmo
10 years ago
I agree with gpraceman. I would be very insistent that you see the templates taped to the slabs before they are cut so that you can approve exact placement. Sometimes depending upon your edging, you might not be left with as much usable material as you thought. I was surprised after they laid everything out and saw the cuts, how little there was and how tough it would have been to save some of it for another counter.....mostly this was because of certain areas that I liked better than others on the slab.

If they don't charge you too much, you can ask that they make you trivets out of the leftovers. I had about 10 circles of different sizes made and I glued them to thick silver candleholders from IKEA and they make lovely cake stands and food serving pieces!
Related Discussions
Mixing granite and quartz
Q
Comments (1)
There is no right or wrong. whatever you like is ok. note stone or quartz tops will be relatively heavy.
...See More
Is it normal for the granite fabricator to NOT come to house?
Q
Comments (23)
Another reason a template isn't optional: on your drawing your adjoining walls are 90 degrees exactly to the back wall. Are they really? Most walls aren't. Your back wall is perfectly straight - I know, it's a drawing, so of course the lines are straight, but you see the point. Your back wall is likely to have some waviness along the length which a good template will follow. If the fabricator just cuts a generic rectangle and brings it along, you will inevitably have gaps along the edges which you hope will be covered by your backsplash. Maybe, maybe not. Speaking of which, did you measure perfectly? Down to the nearest 1/16th? Do you want to take the hit for that if you didn't read the tape just right? About the sink opening: so he proposes bringing along his hand tools and winging it right there in your kitchen? Yikes. Have you used a skill saw and tried to cut a straight line with it? Personally, I don't get those lines terribly straight even when I clamp on a guide board. Think of the corners! In a well set up shop, a fabricator will have tools that ensure actual straight lines. My fabricator has laser guided cutters which get the straight lines straight, the curve for the sink corners the same radius on all four corners, and the wavy-to-the-wall lines wavy as called for. For faucet holes, he cut them almost all the way through at the shop and bonked them out on site.
...See More
Can you reuse/refabricate granite or quartz countertops?
Q
Comments (3)
Hi Shanin, I’ve just discovered your post and in a similar situation, so just wondering how you got on with recycling/repurposing your quartz worktops?! I’m of the mindset ‘if there’s a will, there’s a way!’ (compromise/creativity might be required!) so fingers crossed it is somehow possible! :)
...See More
Is this normal? Quartz countertop seam and pattern.
Q
Comments (16)
@User - the OP said she bought 3 or 4 slabs. Given the size of the kitchen pictured, that is not ”trying to use minimal material as the first criteria”. Stop always blaming the homeowner in your posts. To the OP - we see on this forum many, many posts on this same topic of the Quartz pattern not flowing across the seam. Most look much more glaring than yours. I think you’ll get used to it once the kitchen is fully set up and lived in. I don’t see how that section can be made to flow perfectly without having to start over from scratch. Even if they brought in a new slab, it is unlikely to match across the seam since Quartz slabs are not made that way except for a few specific patterns that can be ordered grain matched. You would have had to know that ahead of time, and those patterns would be more costly. Most people do not opt for them, and are fine with a slight mismatch. There is a school of thought that the perfection seen in design magazines and Instagram (often photoshopped) have created unrealistic expectations for homeowners.
...See More
lucas_tx_gw
10 years ago
You may or may not own the leftovers on the quartz assuming there are any. Some places price slabs and fabrication separately, in which case you buy and own the slabs. Some charge by the used foot, in which case you get the footage you paid for and the rest is theirs to sell as remnants or throw in the dumpster, which does happen :-(

In any event, discussing seams should be mandatory. Them saying no to letting you see the layout would be a big red flag for me. Even quartz sometimes has some flaws and I would want to be sure they didn't use them.

IMO, time to have a polite but firm conversation ASAP before any cutting takes place.
Kristen Hallock
10 years ago
I ordered quartz twice. The first time our kitchen was small enough that we didnt have any seams. This time I did ask about where the seam would be, but I never asked to see the template on the slab. I dont really think it matters qith quartz. But I guess I would probably want to see that with granite.
User
10 years ago
I would want to see the quartz slabs too to check for resin pooling. Don't assume the slab will look exactly like the sample.
jess1979
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for your help. I called and made an appointment to see how the template will be laid out on the slabs. I was told they can show me on paper how the template will be laid out, but they do not show people on the actual slab of quartz. They did say we can have any of the left over material. I will ask to see the slab if they have it.
suzanne_sl
10 years ago
I would definitely want to see the quartz slab. Someone here recently got a finished counter with a really large resin pool is a really unfortunate place. Turns out resin pools do happen, but it doesn't mean you want one front and center. Considering what you're paying for the quartz, you are most reasonable in wanting to have a look at what you bought before they cut it up.

I know that not all fabricators have high tech equipment, some still use paper or luan templates or even just masking tape, but that is no excuse for requiring the buyer to accept whatever strikes their fancy on any given day. This is one of the two potential layouts that our fabricator emailed us before cutting. We knew exactly what was arriving. This used 2 slabs, but no seams.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Stunning, Easy-Care Engineered Quartz

By Ivon Street Studio

There's a lot to like about this durable blend of quartz and resin for kitchen countertops, and the downsides are minimal

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Granite Composite Offers Superior Durability

By Rachel Grace

It beats out quartz composite for strength and scratch resistance. Could this kitchen sink material be right for you?

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Home Purchases Worth the Splurge

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Make buyer's remorse over furniture, textiles and more a thing of the past with this wise purchasing advice

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertops: Granite for Incredible Longevity

By Ivon Street Studio

This natural stone has been around for thousands of years, and it comes in myriad color options to match any kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Favorite Granites for Gorgeous Kitchen Countertops

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

See granite types from white to black in action, and learn which cabinet finishes and fixture materials pair best with each

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Granite, Still a Go-to Surface Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Every slab of this natural stone is one of a kind — but there are things to watch for while you're admiring its unique beauty

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertop Materials: 5 More Great Alternatives to Granite

By Kathryn Peltier Design

Get a delightfully different look for your kitchen counters with lesser-known materials for a wide range of budgets

KITCHEN DESIGN Alternatives to Granite Countertops, Part II

Still looking for a new kind of countertop? Try sodalite, zinc, limestone, onyx and more

KITCHEN DESIGN What Goes With Granite Counters?

By Laura Gaskill

Coordinate your kitchen finishes beautifully by choosing colors that complement granite’s natural tones

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Walk Through a Granite Countertop Installation — Showroom to Finish

By Innovative Design Build

Learn exactly what to expect during a granite installation and how to maximize your investment

Sponsored

Frasure Home Improvements

2 Reviews

Franklin County's Highly Skilled General Contractor

More Discussions

Does anyone have Medallion cabinets in Maple Biscotti?

7

hello , what are your thoughts on two tone countertops?

5

contractor chooses kitchen

13

Two tier drawer in 3 stack

11

Matt tiles - quality issues out of the box

11