Quartz counter install feedback

8 years ago

My contractor said that he can install countertops and Fabricate them if need be. He took measurements and made cuts. I wanted the square edges. I thought that this would be the only information I needed to provide. However when I check the progress I am noticing it does not look as professional and clean as I would expect. I do consider that the job is not complete, but the things I am noticing, I just don't see how buffing, polishing or whatever can make these show better.

Please have a look and provide feedback on how I should handle the situation.

The images below are the countertop next to the frig, the lip on the sink cut but all look like this, the countertop by the stove and extra piece was added because it was not a long enough cut. the other is just the blimish in the top from the polishing of the wet/dry sanding pad.

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Backyard Bubba the unlicensed and uninsured Hack of All Trades strikes again. Get this Lowball Larry off of your property. He’s only going to mess up everything he touches. And that includes whatever else besides stone. He doesn’t know to stay in his lane.

That can’t be fixed. Consider it Tuition. Hire better.

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Comments (20)

mark_rachel
8 years ago
Stop him now & get a professional fabricator to do the work. A general contractor should not be fabricating stone.
Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
8 years ago
It looks like he had a slab and is trying to save time but not finishing the edge or using the end of the slab instead of cutting from the middle.

This also does not look like quartz, are you sure it is?
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layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes it's Quartz. White Macaubus.
layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
@ Mark - the problem is, all these Fabricators are installers and they are only willing to work on stone bought through them. I can't find any one else to take over.

How can I remedy this? Should I coach him up.
cpartist
8 years ago
Yes it's Quartz. White Macaubus.

It is NOT quartz. White Macaubus is quartzite. A natural material. Quartz is a manmade material.

Having said that, the sink cutout looks good but him adding a piece by the cooktop is just plain bad.

The "blemish" is natural to the stone.
zmith
8 years ago
The built-up edge looks awful! Maybe your contractor intends to polish the rough spots? Or maybe you should insist on it? What a shame with such a pretty stone. I wish Joe Corlett would chime in for you.
layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
@ Zpartist - sorry I'm no pro in the stone identification. I just knew it looked good and to me better than granite. I don't like the movements in granite.

@zsmith - I agree. I know he is still working on it but it looks bad and I don't see how much better it could become. those cuts just aren't right. I'm going to give him a chance to fix it, but I believe I need to have a plan in place if it does not turn out how we envisioned, or how it should be.
lucky998877
8 years ago
Wow, this is far from a professional fabrication. Quartzite is harder to cut than granite and he probably doesn't have the correct tools, or the experience! Did he have something in writing with you regarding this?
layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
@ lucky no he didn't except for his cost to install the countertop. I do have him on other jobs so perhaps I could hold payment?
alex9179
8 years ago
Oh my. My advice is to DISCUSS what he plans on doing to try and remedy this. Carefully consider the cons of his proposal, because the counter at the cooktop needs to be recut. Is he going to eat the cost of the mistakes? Is he going to invest in the tools to cut this stone correctly? Is he going to hire someone, who knows what they're doing, to correct the job? Is he going to give you an allowance to hire someone of your choosing to redo it all? You two need to figure out where you're willing to compromise.

I think that he should find a solution for you but he should NOT be the one doing the work.

Something you didn't mention but should be brought to your attention. There is a much greater chance for chips to happen when the edges are sharply squared. In the long run, I think you'll be happier if you choose an eased edge.
layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
@ Alex - yes the edges are supposed to be eased. This is in the middle of the process I'm hoping it gets better. I also understand that nobody will touch these tops after this. I'm going to try and follow your suggestions on the contingency plan.
lisadlu16
8 years ago
Just no.
annvw
8 years ago
I hope you haven't paid for this?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
8 years ago
Most everything Sophie said. I actually burst out laughing when I saw the first picture. Every time I think I've seen it all, I get on the interwebby and find out I haven't.

I won't play the bassoon in a band or enter a drawing contest. Why not? Because I'm horrible at each. How is it that I know the things I can do and can't and this guy doesn't?
layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
Do any of you think it matters that he hasn't finished yet?

I'm trying to be hopeful here, because if I have to go another route it's going to be a few weeks wait from other companies and I'm going to have to handle the situation of not paying him.

I know he not going to folk up the $ for me to repurchase, so I'm going to have to just withhold payment.
millworkman
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
"Do any of you think it matters that he hasn't finished yet?"

No. Just the simple fact that he thinks this is an acceptable way to fabricate a top is the biggest issue. And he is finished alright, he just hasn't realized yet......................
User
8 years ago
He doesn't own the tools to fabricate this correctly. Did he cut the stone in your driveway?
cpartist
8 years ago
Stone countertops need to be fabricated off site with the correct tools.

When my granite was installed all edges were perfect and all pieces fit together perfectly.

Do you have a written contract with this guy with everything spelled out?

Does this guy have a license?
layitdown33
Original Author
8 years ago
No contract. Yes he is Licensed. I guess they need to have certifications for contractors to state or verify what they can do.

Like they do in most other fields; Medical, Education, Law, Electrians, Mechanics... etc...

lesson learned the hard way. $**+