Reporting back that we have had Lapitec installed for about 3-4 weeks now. We ended up getting 3 cm because of large overhang on the peninsula. Unfortunately that overhang sent us into a 3rd slab. (We'll end up using the extra in a bathroom, rather than what we had originally planned.) We had a very good fabricator in our awesome contractor (Cornell's Quality Construction in Kirkland) who has his own shop and is certified through Pental for Lapitec installation. They did a very nice job, but I've been kicking myself that I forgot to ask for it to be flush around the sinks, and they did a negative reveal which is not my preference, especially if this stuff is prone to chipping. I have a big sink, so hopefully I can learn to keep things away from the edges. The first day, I whacked a baking sheet underneath the edge while washing it and it was fine, thank goodness. We got "Bianco Polare" which is a plain white, satin finish. It looks lovely, but is not without issues. It is nice and smooth. It is cold, and maybe a bit noisier than granite. Of course being plain white every darn crumb shows. But what is frustrating about it is that it marks up. There are grey marks on it from aluminum pans being set down, from moving countertop appliances to wipe under them, etc. Those grey marks do not just wipe off. I can either rub them with my finger like an eraser, or use a scrub like Mrs Meyer's. So they do come off, but what a pain. This was not something I even thought to test when I was trying to damage the sample I had. A friend of mine got Lapitec also - she got the glossy Lux finish, and the color is one of the lighter browns. She likes hers but says it always looks smudged unless she has just washed and dried it, which I think a glossy finish is prone to regardless. She has not commented on it marking up like mine does - maybe the Lux does not do that. I am not sure I would get Lapitec again. But I'm not sure what I would get instead.

Has anyone from this post installed Neolith slab countertops in the north NJ area? I recently reached out to the local Neolith distributor in my area, HG Stones, to get a quote on replacing our current granite countertops (35 sq. ft) and backsplash (32 sq. ft). HG Stones referred to me to one of their local partners to coordinate an estimate/fabrication/install. For 12mm polished Estatuario countertop with mitered edge and 6mm backsplash I was quoted just over $11k for the job; does this seem about right to you (~$167 / sq ft, installed)? Also, can I be confident that the partner they referred me to is skilled in Neolith fabrication/installation or should I go back and try to work with HG Stones, the local Neolith distributor in my area (per Neotlith's website), directly? My last question: Neolith appears to have a 20mm thickness slab product out now. Has anyone see or had this thickness installed? How's it hold up/compare to the 12mm version?

Just an FYI Sush A - Because you tagged this Remodeling first, on the Gardenweb forums this is only posted to remodeling. The forum with the most traffic for Neolith is the Gardenweb Kitchens forum. You should try posting there. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath

"Poor fabrication is exactly how Corian lost its standing as a luxury countertop material. DuPont had problems with their fabricators, told them they all had to be re-certified by them, granite was just coming out, most chose to go with granite and not be re-certified, and then bad-mouthed Corian." When DuPont decertified everyone and only re-certified those who attended Corian school, they lost half their fabricators, but warranty claims dropped by 80%. They also made you have a shop and a full time salesperson. Take notes Neolith. Had you spent some time in countertop history class, you wouldn't have to repeat DuPont's mistakes.