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Granite install - Disaster or?

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

Hello everyone,

We just recently remodeled our kitchen in the house we bought 4 months ago, went from a 1960s kitchen to more modern era. New appliances, tore down a wall to open it up, there's been a lot of work done and was looking forward to new countertops. Last night we had a granite company come into the house to install Saturina tops. We have about 46sq ft at which they were installing.

First off, after countless cancellations and excuses two guys showed up. They made multiple comments about needing 3-4 men for this job (I ended up helping carry the stone, place the stone, loan them lights, shop vacs etc). What a mess, I'll skip past all these details and get to the real concern.

Please see the attached pictures -

This edge, it's horrible, the "rounding" isn't even at all, it's very poorly done. There's also a gap, the length of my fingers, that covers the sink. Where as, elsewhere, it matches the sink, almost like a huge bubble. Poorly cut! Also, they cut the faucet and soap dispenser in the house after it was placed. Is this normal?

These seams, I was told by others there shouldn't be any around the sink. This is a 5-6' section of the counter that's easily accessible and easy to place one stone in here rather than two halves. How is this acceptable, when you're paying top dollar you expect a good install. Thoughts? (can't see so well in pics, but in person it's an eye sore)

They had to shave this slab a few times, it still knocked my pantry out. The wood started cracking and you can see the gap now up top, where as down bottom there is no gap.

One of the MANY gouges/scratches...

My biggest concern, they started to cut the cooktop ON SITE! They literally used a angle grinder, with a diamond blade! The one corner, which isn't shown in the picture, has some serious chunks taken out, which he told me "I'll fill it with an epoxy".

I was told this was a big concern! The amount of dust and particles all throughout the kitchen, what a mess. My Fiancee is pregnant and I'm sure having all the silica airborne was not good! My cabinents are covered in stone shavings and dust. My floor has shiny quartz/pieces all over the place and it's like glitter, it won't come off. It sticks everywhere, all over my new microwave... all over the new tile, all over my cabinets.

Is this a mess, is this "normal", not even sure what to think or expect. I am beyond aggravated and fed up with this company. We were told 7-10 days from the time we ordered. It took 33 days for them to finally show up and install, which, they didn't have all the pieces with them anyhow.

Is this a complete mess, is any of this normal, this is pretty poor in my opinion. Thoughts, suggestions?

I'm concerned for my fiancees health and the little one she is carrying... not to mention my two dogs having to breath in the dust from all the grinding.

Comments (6)

  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    "This edge, it's horrible, the "rounding" isn't even at all, it's very poorly done. There's also a gap, the length of my fingers, that covers the sink. Where as, elsewhere, it matches the sink, almost like a huge bubble. Poorly cut!"

    Do you mean there is a gap between the sink flange and the granite bottom?

    "Also, they cut the faucet and soap dispenser in the house after it was placed. Is this normal?"

    Yes, but done properly, it can be nearly dust-free.

    A seam at a sink center is an acceptable industry practice. Your picture isn't good, but it doesn't look too bad.

    I don't like how the tops are cut flush with the plane of the walls. The top overhang edge profile should return to the wall/cabinet when possible.

    I can cut granite on site dry with minimal dust, but then I just replaced a $700.00 vacuum to be able to do so. These guys have not invested in the proper tools.

    Place a level/straightedge over your seams. It should not rock or have gaps. Let us know.

  • 10 years ago

    I think he was saying here:

    "This edge, it's horrible, the "rounding" isn't even at all, it's very
    poorly done. There's also a gap, the length of my fingers, that covers
    the sink. Where as, elsewhere, it matches the sink, almost like a huge
    bubble. Poorly cut!"


    that a portion of the sink cutout has a negative reveal, whereas the the rest of it is cut flush.

    Another potential concern with cutting granite on site, (and not controlling the dust), is if you have expensive, soft-close drawer glides (and the fourth picture looks like you do) the soft-close mechanism can be ruined by the granite dust.

  • 10 years ago

    Is your last photo a jagged cut with chunks missing?

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    @ Joseph Corlett

    "Do you mean there is a gap between the sink flange and the granite bottom?"

    What I am trying to say, if you take a ruler and put one end in the sink, and hold the other out and above the countertop. Outline the sink with it, and when you hit that spot, it'll curve inward, towards the drain, if that makes any sense. The counter top edge literally sticks out and overlaps the sink bowl. Only in one place, no where else. It was poorly cut.

    As far as the seam, it's off, when you put a level there, it moves isn't balanced or level.

    @bob_cville

    Yes, they're soft close drawers.

    @snookums2,

    That is the slab where the cook top is supposed to be. This is where they started grinding away in my kitchen. They stopped after about 20" of cutting and realizing the stones breaking and falling apart. Their answer was "fill it with epoxy". How's that a good resolution to a bad cut?

    The one end of the countertop literally has huge chunks from the grinder missing. They were flaking away at it, as of it was a piece of coal. Now, there's chunks taken out of it, and it looks horrible

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    You've got under-bidding guys losing money on your job. Don't make the final payment until everything's fixed.

  • 10 years ago

    Looks like they need to take their stone and go home.

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