Installation Process
COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION PROCESS
Please take the time to read the information below this will get you familiarized with the steps of going through normal project. For most people a counter top installation is not something that is done every day. The below information is a more realistic idea of what to expect so the overall installation will go as smooth as possible.
Lead Times:
We can usually install a kitchen in 7-10 days from the time you select a color. The actual installation normally takes only one full day. The completion or installation date we have quoted is our best estimate of when your order will be completed. Although rare, back orders do occur. We will do our best to complete your order as quickly as possible pending availability of slabs. Due to weather or similar, installation dates may change.
Template And Measure:
If you find your material at another supplier , place the final selections on hold under our account name we usually receive trade discounts and it will be passed over to you. Then call us to schedule a template. At this time of template we will go over final details of your project. At Bay Area Stone we also offer to go over the seam layout with you at the time of template. This is a free service. The buyer, home owner or (designated decision-maker over the age of 18) MUST be present during the entire template process. This person will have to answer questions in regards to seaming, overhangs and “special designs” on island, etc; therefore it is recommend that this person be familiar with the project.
Appliances:
All appliances including dishwashers, stove (cooktop) etc., MUST be in place at the time of template.
We are not responsible for the moving of appliances,furniture or personal items stored in the cabinets. If it’s necessary for our templates/installers to move the appliances, furniture or personal items stored in cabinets we will NOT be responsible for damages.
Removal Of Old Tops, ( Tear out ) :
Installation of natural stone surfaces require the removal of old countertops. We will remove all old existing countertops and haul these away. If we are installing your new tops in an existing kitchen or bath area, there may be unfinished areas of your wall or cabinets that will be exposed and / or not covered by your new top. We DO NOT finish these areas. This is the responsibility of the homeowner to either fix it themselves or we could give you a separate estimate to match the paint and texture of your existing walls.
Installation:
Please remove all items in the lower cabinets, we will need to have these areas clear so we can install your new counter tops professionally. The counter top materials are purchased either by us or homeowner. We cut to size, edge profile, then polish. This is all completed at our shop and not in your home to avoid unnecessary messes. We then bring all pieces to the job site and install the new counter tops. Most kitchen counter tops are completed in one day. We then clean the counter tops the same day.
Under Mount Sinks:
A minimum of 3” inches is required in front and behind the cutout. Bay Area Stone will only work with sinks which are specifically designed as under counter sinks. Our standard edge at this cut out location is a simple square polish edge that is flush with the wall of the bowl, +/- 1/8” inch We will install the sink itself but will not do any plumbing or cabinet work. Drop in sinks are available for installation.
Cutting And Fitting:
In most cases, granite is cut to rectangular shapes with opposing edges parallel. Drywall will have to be floated to correct any deficiencies, like bowing, cupping and walls being out of square. Normally the backsplash material will cover any of these wall deficiencies
Overhangs:
Granite / Marble has very little flexural or bending ability. 3cm granite will have no sub decking and will rest directly on the cabinets or support walls. All overhang or cantilever areas should be properly braced from below. This bracing should allow loading of 250 pounds per square foot without any flexing of the countertop. High bar overhangs more than 9” inches from the sheetrock outside wall will be braced with flat steel support strips, evenly spaced, supplied and installed by Bay Area Stone if customer approves the up-grade. Any overhangs over 15” inches will need well supported corbels, to support the granite. Purchasing these are the responsibilities of the buyer, homeowner or builder.
Edges:
3cm thick edge is approximately 1-1/4” inch thick and without a seam line. 2cm thick edge is approximately ¾” inch thick. All Granite / Marble can vary in thickness from slab to slab and sometime within a slab. When this occurs between slabs, the edges will be feathered to match at the seam.
Seams:
We have great seams! Placement of seams may be made in sink areas and cook top cutouts. These seams will be established based on what we can yield out of a slab size, aesthetic considerations, practicality of handling and installation. We try to minimize seams when possible. Slab sizes are random, making it impossible to locate seams for any given plan. The horizontal stone to stone seams are filled with an epoxy, which will be color coordinated. Vertical variation at the seam will be no more than 1/16”inch. The largest guaranteed size available for granite slabs is 100” x 50” for all colors. Some random tops may be slightly longer or wider, but cannot be guaranteed from house to house. Even though seams are about 1/16" of an inch and color coordination is added to the epoxy the seams are not invisible and depending on the material selected some seams may be more visible than others.
Back Splash:
If you decide on a tile or tumbled stone back splash, this back splash is usually installed on a separate day. In most cases, it is suggested to wait and select a back splash tile after the new tops are completed. A tile back splash is to be installed after the granite is installed anyway. This allows you to see what the outcome will be to help the overall look and compliment each other. We can bring samples to your home to select a color that works best with the new counter tops. The installation of the new back splash usually takes one to two days.
Clean Up:
We will clean up our mess! Installation of counter top is a construction process and residual dust should be expected. The customer may want to cover areas to contain the dust to the construction area. The job site will be left in broom or vacuum condition.
Incidental Damages:
Final wall preparation (painting, wallpaper, etc.) should NOT be completed prior to installation if at all possible. Care will be exercised during the counter top installation, however scrapes, punctures or digs are possible. Minor touch up may be needed, these items are considered incidental damages and are the customer’s responsibility to repair.
Sealing Or Care And Cleaning:
After installation, we will go over with you how to maintain and seal your new counter tops. This is very simple and easy process for you the homeowner to do yourselves.
