You may have figured this out by now from the contracter, but countertop people should do plywood underlayer. It has to be to guarantee the right fit to the quartz - too many things can go wrong if someone else does it. They screw the plywood into the cabinet. They use a epoxy-like cement between the quartz and plywood - they will float the slab on a large amount of gooey glue, then while the glue starts to cure, they adjust the height with wood screws from below to level precisely. Then the glue sets within 10-20 minutes or so, then it's done.

Hmm. Read through the contract 3 times and not one word price changes pursuant to anything. Guess I'll have to see how it shakes out and deal with something if it arises. I was just wanting to educate myself a bit in advance. Thanks, jakuvall. Oops. Just found an email written by me that I had forgotten about. Guess I covered my bases last month after all? I put my questions in quotes and his answers are directly below each question. > Hi (KD name), > > Thanks for the quote. I do have a few questions: > > 1. "In which group is the Formica Luna Sand solid surface top?" Group C color, price would be $2922.92 plus tax for perimeter countertops > 2. "Does your estimate include installation of the plant on style splash?" Installation of all solid surface materials is included > 3. "I understand the full height up charge is the additional amount for the material only; or is that additional amount including installation?" T price includes installation > > 4."Where would a counter/splash of the same specs fall cost-wise in Wilsonart Antique White color? I am now also considering that as an option." It would be a group B color, the lowest price that I quoted you before ( $2516.28 + 209.43 for the full height splash) > > 5. "Is all of this 1/2" or is some of it 1/4" as we discussed?" It is all 1/2" as formica does not make a 1/4" panel in your color > > 6. "When I decide, how does payment proceed?" We request 1/2 down and balance upon installation completion > > 7. "What is the time frame for delivery of the slabs after ordering?" They would template and it would be about 2 weeks after that when the tops would be ready for installation > > "I think that's what I need to know at this point in time. > > > Looking forward to your reply, >(me)" > > This post was edited by deedles on Sat, Mar 1, 14 at 9:40

When people say that quartz looks like "fake" stone it always makes me scratch my head. For me, I love it because it is clean and uniform--if I wanted "real" stone with the variability that comes with real stone, I'd choose granite or marble. Saying it looks like fake stone is like saying that cork looks like fake wood. Two very different materials, two very different looks. Neither one is better--it's what style you prefer. Exactly! But I have found that many people try to sell quartz counters saying they look like granite but are better/easier/tougher (which I think has already been addressed above). Some of their colours do appear to be in fact imitating the look of real stone. I don't think they do well at that, but I totally agree with you that it's a great choice if you want a uniform or clean look or their vibrant colours.

Florida Joshua installed our soapstone in May. We have a seam in our sink . . . . that you can't find. People have to search to find the 3 seams in our stone, because they are hard to see/feel. He used a black epoxy, it looks like your fabricator used white? And the bit about soapstone being porous and the water seeping in? Puhlease. False. Here's my sink. The seam is in the lower left hand side of the sink, about 3 inches in. Good luck trying to find it. This is freshly oiled. This is 3 months after install. We aren't oilers. As you can see, not having the stone oiled doesn't affect seeing the seam.