Arco-Iris Grante

Your Expectations ---- The Process ----- The Business Terms

GRANITE IS A BEAUTIFUL NATURAL STONE CUT FROM MOUNTAINS. We use quality granite slabs to fabricate your countertop. Granite is a natural stone and a product of nature, cut out of mountains in “blocks” and then cut into – 3 cm. slabs – one and one fourth inch thick. You should not expect a product of nature to be perfect like a man made surface. Natural stone inherently lacks uniformity and variations of color shades, spots, and pattern movement, should be expected. Each slab may have color variations from one part to another. Some granite colors have small “fissures” (tiny surface lines) that occur in rocks, --- this is normal. A few granites have long elongated fissures that go deep into the granite and could open when cutting. In some granite you may see small pits, divots or indentations on the surface and/or sides of the granite, or on the bottom of the slab / counter top. Fissures, pits, divots, indentations, and chips may need to be filled with resin or epoxy, and does not weaken or in any way speak to the quality of the stone. That’s part of the natural mountain rock. Granite is the second hardest natural stone in the world. Only diamonds are harder. ALL OF THESE INCONSISTANTIES ARE PART OF THE UNIQUE BEAUTY OF GRANITE. Reemphasize the thought ---- granite is a beautiful natural but imperfect mountain rock.

PICKING YOUR SLAB ---

When you select a color from a sample, remember that a sample is just a small piece of --- one large slab --- and the sample may not be an exact match to the slabs from which your countertop will be fabricated. A sample may not show the range and variations of color and movement created by nature, in the entire slab. If you chose a granite color with lots of movement – it’s best that you pick your slab. A sample will not provide the over-all look of the granite, and we want you to be completely happy with your choice. It’s always helpful to bring a cabinet door and or a floor tile too.
When you visit a slab distributor, be sure to bring a flashlight – so you can see the color and slab quality under the best direct light. Don’t let beauty be the only factor when you pick your slab, check the slab for cracks, pits, divots, marks, lines, or any other imperfections that would be objectionable to you on your finished counter top in your home. Check the slab structure; look on the back of the slab for cracks. Reject any slab that does not meet your approval. Examine the slab thoroughly. Be a smart buyer. Slab examination and selection is your responsibility.
One man’s imperfection is another person’s beauty --- and we are cutting and polishing your counter top from the slab you select. Select a good slab. If you do not select a specific slab, and direct us to cut and polish an inventory slab that you have not inspected, do not expect slab perfection. Any of the above-described conditions may be a part of your finished counter top.
All of the above ----- apply to Marble, Lime Stone and Onyx too.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS –

In order to provide a counter top quote, you will need to select a granite color and we will need to determine the amount of granite you will need based on the square feet of your counter top. After we have these two factors, you will be given a written quotation for you to review. It will list the details of your job and our price based on drawings or sketches or field measurement or dimensions provided by phone. The only factor affecting your quote is the price of the granite you pick. We do not spend one cent more cutting, polishing, transporting and installing the most expensive from the least expensive granite. If you accept our quote you will contact us and tell us to make templates. Your request to make templates activates our contract and the production process begins.
The first step --- after your cabinets are set --- is to make templates from Koraplasti with your participation and with you making decisions. We will make suggestions about many little features and details, but you will determine the final decisions. When the templates are finished the granite will be cut just like the templates we designed together. Your quote may need to be adjusted based upon final square footage, after the template is finished. Normally there is little or no difference, but the templates will tell the story. Our square foot math calculations are always an open book for you to review.
If you are replacing an existing counter top, we can make templates with the existing top in place, but we won’t be able to address cabinet support problems at template time. When we remove the counter top, cabinet problems will be addressed at that time. It’s possible that you may have design or support issues which could require abnormal installation procedures that could create minor additional costs to you. If the solution is simple we can fix the problem on site but in the past we have discovered problems that required cabinet and/or contractor work beyond a simple solution and outside our capabilities.
If you are installing new cabinets we can make templates and address all support issues at template time It is very important that your contractor have all surfaces affecting the granite measurement finished, including trim work which, if excluded, could affect accurate granite measurements. As we work together we will make suggestions to you and/or your contractor if we think some things need to be addressed. For example, you may need adequate support structure behind the dishwasher and Lazy- Susan. We can correct both of these support problems at installation for the cost of materials and labor.
Your contractor will need to construct an under cabinet frame to support a farm sink, and the sink must be mounted in place, before templates can be made. If you have a raised bar top, with an overhanging eating surface, we can recommend several adequate support systems to your contractor to construct after the bar top is installed. On installation, we will support the raised bar top with temporary wood legs (stilts) that will support the bar top until your contractor installs corbels, or another permanent support system. Do not remove the temporary supports until the permanent support system is in place.

SINK BOWLS – We provide superior 16 gage (25% thicker than 18 gage) -stainless steel sinks with insolated bowls, available in various bowl configurations. We also have 16 gage stainless veggie and bar sinks and Porcelain vanity bowls - white or biscuit.
SEAMS – Your counter top will be cut from of slab that on average -- will measure approx. 65” x 116”. (Each slab is different). The low price you have been quoted is based upon using the least amount of granite to produce your counter top. Because of slab length & height restrictions, pattern flow match up, weight, hauling installation logistics, ( Kitchen access, cabinet configuration, ceiling height, room size -- etc.) it will be necessary to cut you counter top in various lengths that must be seamed together.
What is most important is that the flow of the pattern movement (grain) and color variations are matched as close as possible. These are visual experience factors that we have achieved by experience over the years. For example (only an example) we may cut on piece from the top of the slab and an enjoining piece from the bottom of the slab or from left of center or right of center to get the best results. The location and number of seams will be kept to a minimum, but they are necessary, and will to be determined by Arco-Iris exclusively with consideration to all the factors previously mentioned. While you should expect seams, many, but not all, are virtually undetectable. Seams are most visible in black and dark brown colors and “plain pattern” and solid granite colors (little or no movement). Back splashes, are almost always seamed. Re-emphase the point – Arco-
Iris will determine the location and number of seams --- exclusively.

INSTALLATION

Depending on workload, installation can normally occur in about two – three weeks after templates have been made. The most common problem encountered with installation is un-level cabinets and walls that are not straight and or “out of square”. Granite does not bend, and cabinet and/or wall problems will affect the appearance of your job. Some problems can be mitigated by calking or shimming; and in some cases scoring and cutting away the drywall will be necessary to adjust the countertop, in order to make it fit. (Normally drywall cutting will be hidden by the backsplash) Obviously, most of these problems can be avoided if your walls are “true” and cabinets are level.
Fortunately most kitchens only have small problems that we can fix on site --- but every so often a bigger problem is discovered that requires more that a simple fix. . Arco-Iris is a granite company, we are not cabinet designers, builders or installers or general contractors or a remodeling company. We are experienced and will gladly solve simple problems on site – but problems beyond our control can affect installation of your countertop, and could require additional work from another company.
After your counter top is installed --we will silicone the granite to your cabinets and silicone the back splashes to the counter top where the two meet, ( it will be virtually invisible ), but we do not calk above the back splashes against the walls. Here you will want to apply “paint able calk” --- so you can paint over any gaps. After painting -- the gaps will disappear from eyesight . ( page 5 of 6)
Be sure that on the day of installation you have on site, your sink, faucet, freestanding stove or cook top. We will attach your sink and drill faucet holes. Do not hook up the plumbing until the next day so the sink will “set-up” and be firmly attached. We will attach the top metal grips on your dishwasher to the bottom of the counter top with 100% silicone. Do not open the dishwasher door for 12 hours to let the silicone “set –up” . This attachment method will allow your dishwasher to be moved out of position for repair or replacement in the future. We will install your counter top without the dishwasher in place and explain the simple attachment method to you.
We can disconnect your existing plumbing and/or electric but we are not licensed to perform plumbing, gas or electric reconnect work. We can, however, suggests a qualified, inexpensive plumber / electrician. He does excellent work, and his price is low. You will pay him directly.
Please note that the installation crew will attempt to keep dust in your home to a minimum, however, on-site hole drilling, cook top cutting and other cutting ---- necessary to fit your countertop, could cause dust. Silicone caulking ---- will need 8 to 12 hours to dry, and you may have to remove excess caulking with a razorblade or solvent after it dries. We will clean up after installation, but you should expect to perform minor clean up after installation.

GRANITE CLEANING and SEALING

Wipe up spills as they occur. Clean your granite with normal soap and water. Do not use chemicals. Once every 3 months you can clean your counter top with “denatured alcohol” purchased at H.D. for $7.00 in the paint department. This cleaning will take 10 minutes. One pint will last a year. This is optional cleaning, but it will clean your counter top as antiseptically clean --- as a hospital. Wipe off the alcohol cleaning with mild soap and water.
For a small cost we will seal your granite with a new 15 year super sealer and provide you with a 15 year warranty. You will not need to seal your granite every year. When you have a spill, use common sense by quickly wiping up the spill. If a spill is left overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil, coffee, or wine the granite may darken.

TERMS :

The quote is based on one visit for making templates and one visit for installation. If we must return for more visits – you will be charged a trip charge based on labor time and distance, unless the return trip is the responsibility of Arco-Iris. Deposit of sixty percent (60%) of the quote is payable at time of templates, the remaining forty percent (40%) plus any amount for additions and modification is payable at installation. The customer acknowledges that he/she has read, understands and accepts “teamwork” as the terms and conditions and mutual responsibilities of this sale, and agrees that the granite remains the property of Arco-Iris , even after installation, until the total amount of the contract has been paid. If Arco-Iris must remove the counter-top for non-payment, the customer agrees to allow Arco-Iris to re-enter the property and remove the counter-top.