My experience with Bucks County Soapstone was flawless and I would recommend them to anybody.

I visited their showroom a few weeks ago and have an appointment for the template soon. So I can't yet speak to how they do with scheduling, etc. However, they were very helpful prior to and during my visit, and if you can manage it, you should try to get to the showroom and see their stuff in person. They even gave me a tour of the shop (which was fascinating).

A visit might give you a better frame of reference when you look at the work done by your contractor's pick.

I think you really need to see more than a sample to make a choice of stone, it would be hard to say from a 5" x 5" square or so whether the stone was really the same. I was surprised how much they varied from slab to slab. Some were pretty much all black and others had really wild, pronounced veining. I did not think that it would matter all that much with soapstone because I always thought it was rather uniform, but the things they had in their yard at BCS were not. So the moral is, if you care enough about your kitchen to be on this site, I think you will want to go and pick the slab yourself. ;) While I was there we identified parts of the stone I really liked and a part that I didn't want to use so they could cut out that part for the sink.

The Franklin edge is really lovely. I couldn't stop touching it. They have a "heavy" Franklin and a "light" Franklin, I guess depending on how long you want it to look like it has been there. They said that because it is not a sharp, precise edge, it will be easier to sand out scratches or nicks over time and it will blend right in.

Oh, and the recessed drainboard is really nice too. Just enough of a slope that the water goes into the sink but not so much that you couldn't use that area as counter space. But I managed to hold back and not add on any more extras. :)

If you go, be sure to check out the puzzle floor! Good luck with your choice.

I would not use anyone but Bucks County Soapstone to fabricate and install soapstone. They are true experts in the field.

Bucks County uses a computer to template so the counters are scribed perfectly to the walls. They template and install quickly (mine was 2 days apart and my mom's was 5 days apart). The seams are literally invisible; my husband still can't find ours. Not to mention, the Franklin edge is amazing. My mom has both the heavy Franklin edge and the scooped sink and they have both caused me to regret not doing the same (I have a regular edge and squared off sink). They look perfectly at home in her 260 year old house.

Getting a beautifully fabricated and installed countertop by a reputable company would be higher on my priority list than making my contractor happy. I also would bet they will be quicker than the other company too.

You really need to visit BCS. It is an amazing place. Once you see the level of workmanship and literally put your hands on the counters, you will understand the difference.

Good luck. Maybe, I'll see you there. Going to visit soon to get a shower base and sink countertop made.

We used Bucks County Soapstone this year and it was the best experience of all parts of our kitchen renovation. BCS was responsive in every way...quick cost quotes (which had to be revised based on our kitchen re-designs)...pleasant to deal with...precise timing on templating and delivery and a superior product. Based on our visits to others and samples, I think their finishing is excellent. We have the franklin edge and requested a more dramatic edge on the main island and less on other countertops. They also did some creative stuff including inlaid butterflies.

Your General contractor should have no worries...BCS does the template and installation. Contractor only needs to coordinate on the timing. And, BCS met their time commitments.

Highly recommend.

I have a friend who used Bucks and loved working with them. Plus, I am pretty sure that is where Florida Joshua started out, so seems good to me!

I made the huge mistake of not using Bucks County Soapstone because I was worried that their Black Venata was too soft. I should have listened to Scott when he told me it didn't matter, because he was right. Instead, I went with another soapstone fabricator and it wasn't a good experience. Stick with Bucks County. You won't regret it!

Hi, we used BCS and are very happy. We got the Franklin Edge and the slightly recessed drain board. Throughout the whole process, from first inquiry, through sales, ordering, picking slab, to install was perfect. They were professional, patience with my fussiness about faucet placement, overhang supports, adding steel rods, making sure they were not visible. I could communicate in person, by phone and via email. they sent drawings when I did not understand. My husband wanted the Franklin Edge, I was not sure so they agreed to do a "lite" franklin edge to make us both happy.

We had orginally priced our countertops via our contractor, who suggested a local stone yard for fabrication. We changed to BCS because we loved their process and their product. Our contractor ended up being on site when they templated, partly because they wanted to see they very cool way they do it and also to work out any details about supporting the undermount sink etc. The two of them (eg our contractor and the BCS installers) worked well together and came up with creative solution that made us very happy.

I would absolutely recommend that you work directly with BSC for the stone - they do a great job, they pay attention to the environmental impact of their shop, recycle water, worry about waste, really know their stone. The finish is fabulous,and we are thrilled with our countertops.

The countertop was the most expensive single part of our kitchen redo and I was a bit nervous about the choice. Was glad that I picked BCS

here is a link to the pix of the install. (just having backsplash done this week, so no final pix yet.)

good luck

L

Here is a link that might be useful:

WE used BCS for our Ice Flower SS 4 years ago....from the recommendations on this forum. They did an excellent job in all respects.

We have the standard edge...has not chipped...but we do have a few dings around the undermount sink. They happened within the first year. it seems to us that the natural oxidation also tends to harden the stone as well whereas it does not ding or chip as easily.

IMO, BCS is the way to go when it comes to SS.

We also used BCS and couldn't be happier!

Do yourself a favor, visit their showroom, and talk to Scott...it should make all the difference. I firmly believe that the fabrication is vital in how this stone turns out. We haven't had ANY problems with our countertops.

Our KD always always does his own templates and was very unsure about letting BCS take full charge. I can't tell you how impressed he was with Doug, Dave and Zach.. and how it turned out. This same cabinetmaker uses someone else in the area, and told me that BC did an amazing job! I'm sure he has offered their name since.

After reading here about so many "not so good" soapstone stories, I realize how lucky we are to have Bucks County in our backyard.

Good luck with your decision, hopefully you will be as happy as we are along with other BCS customers.

oops, didn't quite answer your questions...

they were ON time...as promised, actually they did the fabricating in one week, as most everyone else needed 2 wks.
Scott actually held our stone for months till our kitchen started, and scheduling delivery was flawless.

Soapstone is all they do, that should give you an idea of how good they are. They are true professionals, and for us that made all the difference.

Ditto here. Held stone for mos. (had pix). Sched templating with sink and faucet and had final installation in 2 weeks

I am in the process of getting quotes right now. Have dealt with Scott via email but have not yet visited. He has been extremely helpful. I love their slant-front scoop-top sink and none of the other majors (at least in New England) offer it unless a custom option. Vermont, Maine Sopastone and M Tex all install while with Bucks our contractors will be installing. Anyone have experience with this and has it been an issue. Thanks

I couldn't agree more with what others have written. Working with Buck's was seamless. They're true professionals, were timely, helpful and deserve every bit of the reputation they've earned. We live in Northern VA. I visited their shop to learn about their process and to pick my slabs. Then they came out once to template (on time) and then to install (also on time). We couldn't be happier with their service, level of professionalism, and the product.

I'd venture to say that it's well worth ruffling a few feathers to get the best. And I do think they are. They speacialize in soapstone and know what they're doing.

I had the same issue with my contractor but in the end insisted on going with my guy (it was cheaper too, since I didn't have to pay my GC the upcharge!). The real reason I went with a soapstone-only place (Gardenstate, not Bucks), is my neighbor's counters were done by the same place and three years later still looked phenomenal. And I had heard bad stories of people going with stone yards that really didn't know how to properly ID and properly finish SS. You have to be careful. On this board, you'll hear lots of good things about Bucks and M. Texeira too, although I didn't visit either place so I can't personally vouch for them. Good luck!