BE A SMART BUYER – “TEAMWORK” EXPLAINS NATURAL STONE & ENGINEERED QUARTZ & THE PROCESS WE FOLLOW FROM START TO FINISH + OUR SKILL & KNOWLEDGE - EXPOSED
“TEAMWORK” IS PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THE QUOTE - Quote / Invoice / Contract Terms ---
Natural stone is beautiful rock cut from mountains all over the world.
Natural stone is a product of nature, cut out of mountains in “blocks” and then cut into three (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 natural stone colors have small “fissures” (tiny surface lines) that occur in rocks, --- this is normal. A few Natural Stones have long elongated fissures that go deep into the Natural Stone and could open when cutting. In some Natural Stone you may see pits, divots, chips or indentations on the surface and/or sides of the Natural Stone, 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. Except for diamonds, Natural Stone is the hardest natural stone in the world. Only diamonds are harder. Reemphasize the thought ---- Natural Stone is a beautiful product of nature ----but imperfect mountain rock. Be aware of this information when you pick a slab Unfortunately -- We human beings do not know the consistency of Natural Stone or how it was formed of how it will react to water, cleaning chemicals, or other liquids. IT’S WORK OF NATURE.
QUOTE and TEMPLATES
Prices are based on two Factors The size of your project and the cost of the material you wish to use .After you select a counter top material and we determine the size of the project, you will be given a written quotation. The quote will include everything from beginning to finish to do your project. After you accept our quote you contact us and tell us when it is best for your schedule to make the templates.
SINK BOWLS and EDGE PROFILES
When we make templates together you will need to select a sink bowl and an edge profile. We provide many models of 18 gage and 16 gage “ traditional “ and “ Ninety Degree” under mount - stainless steel and “ Composite “ sinks and porcelain vanity bowls - white or biscuit. If you are using a farm sink, the sink must be mounted in place, before templates can be made. You can choose one of three free edge profiles or 3 other profiles at low additional cost. We can also use a sink that you provide.
FINAL TEMPLATES
When the templates are finished the Natural Stone or Quartz 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.
FABRICATION AND SEAMS
Your counter top will be cut from the slab you picked that on average will measure approx. 70”x 120”. (Each slab is different). The final templates that we designed together will be placed on the slab and cut according to the template. The low price is based upon using the least amount of Natural Stone to produce your counter top. Because of slab length & height restrictions, pattern flow match up, weight, hauling installation logistics, including kitchen access, cabinet configuration, ceiling height, room size -- etc. it will be necessary to cut the 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. With some slabs, color variations, are impossible to avoid; and pattern movement is impossible to match. We try hard, but can’t guarantee complete matches. Match ups are determined by visual experience factors that we have achieved by experience over the years. For example (only an example) we may cut one 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 Natural Stone colors (little or no movement). Back splashes, are almost always seamed. Arco-Iris will determine the location and number of seams for counter tops and back splashes, exclusively. During fabrication we will cut in and polish your sink bowl opening and put on the edge profile that you chose.
INSTALLATION TIME
Depending on workload, installation can normally occur in about two – three weeks after templates have been made. Be sure that on the day of installation you have on site, your sink, faucet, free standing range or drop-in cook top.
CABINET ISSUES - BE ALERT
When the old counter top is removed from your existing cabinets, it’s almost certain that you will need small support wood behind the dishwasher and/or lazy Suzan. Normally nothing else is needed. In rare cases, however, cabinet and wall problems can be serious and require additional work for proper counter top installation. The most common problem installing a counter top on existing cabinets is un-level cabinets and walls that are not straight and or “out of square”. Natural Stone does not bend, and cabinet and/or wall problems will affect the appearance of your job. Cabinets must be perfectly level to seam Natural Stone pieces together. 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. ( drywall cuts are covered by the backsplash). Counter top over-hang distances will be different if cabinets are not set against the wall. These are normal installation modifications that are necessary to attempt to get the best fit.
If you have a raised bar top we will install the bar top on the support wall ( 2 x 4 --- 2 x 6 ) and support the raised bar top overhang with 3/8” flat steel that will be embedded in top of the support wall after routing out 3/8” – so the steel and the wood are even.
Please remember --- Arco-Iris is a counter top company, we are not cabinet designers, builders or installers or general contractors or a remodeling company. We install Natural Stone on your cabinets and against your walls. We do not fix serious cabinet and/or wall problems.
FINAL STEPS – INSTALLATION
After your counter top is installed --we will silicone the counter top to your cabinets and silicone the back splashes to the counter top where the two meet, ( clear silicone will be almost invisible ), but we do not calk above the back splashes against the walls because you may wish to paint the walls or install tile above the walls and neither will adhere to silicone. You may want to apply “paintable calk” --- so you can paint over any wall gaps. After painting -- the gaps will disappear from eyesight.
We will attach your kitchen sink to the Natural Stone or quartz with adhesive and a wire harness that attaches to your cabinets. ( no charge ) Vanity bowls do not need wire harnesses. We will never drill into your countertop to attach sinks. At install we will drill faucet holes, om site, and cut in the cook top hole if applicable. You should 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 or screws. 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 countertop without the dishwasher in place and explain the simple attachment method to you.
PLUMBING – GAS & ELECTRIC We will disconnect your existing plumbing and/or electric, but we are not licensed to perform plumbing, gas or electric reconnect work. We can, however, suggest 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 about 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.
NATURAL STONE AND ENGINEERED QUARTZ CLEANING and SEALING
We will seal your countertop with a new 15-year Nano Science sealer. You will not need to seal your Counter top every year. When you have a spill, use common sense by quickly wiping up the spill. If a spill is left to sit overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil, coffee, or wine, the Natural Stone may darken. Wipe up spills as soon as they occur. . The quartz industry suggests using “Barkeepers Friend” to clean quartz blemishes. As mentioned previously, no human being knows how natural stone will react to liquids.
Clean your Natural Stone with normal soap and water. Once every 3 months you can clean your counter top with “denatured alcohol” purchased at H.D. for $8.00 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.
As a fabricator we template , cut to size, polish the edges, cut in the sink hole, cooktop and drill faucet holes. and install. We have no idea how Engineered Quartz is made ( we are not experts ) – and have no advise to offer to address stains or blemishes SOME QUARTZ MANUFACTURERS OFFER WARRANTIES.
BUSINESS TERMS
The contract begins when a customer accepts the Arco-Iris quote and invites Arco-Iris to make templates. The quote amount is based on one visit for making templates and one visit for installation. If Arco-Iris must return for additional visits – the customer may be charged a trip charge based on labor time and distance, unless the additional trip is the responsibility of Arco-Iris. At the time templates are made, a deposit of seventy percent (70%) of the quote is payable, the remaining thirty percent (30%) plus any amount for additions and modification is payable at installation. If issues arise that are outside normal installation and payment procedures, Arco-Iris, reserves the right to be paid in full before addressing further issues and performing additional work. IF Customer agrees that the Natural Stone and quartz countertops remain the property of Arco-Iris LLC, even after installation, until the total amount of the contract has been paid in full. The unpaid balance will triple if not paid within 14 days after installation. Customer agrees and consents that this transaction / contract/ occurs at 231 Walker Lane Edgewood Kentucky 41017, Kenton County Kentucky (regardless of the installation location and/or address of the customer in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana or West Virginia and/or the location where the contract is signed) and that the law of Kenton County and the State of Kentucky prevail. Customer further agrees and consents to the jurisdiction and venue of Kenton County, Kentucky, for any action arising out of this Agreement or the relationship between the customer and Arco-Iris LLC.