Those are iron deposits within the stone.

Did you see the slabs before the layout? Natural stone has mineral deposits that sometimes show as rust spots. I have some in my stone, but it is natural stone, so I have learned to embrace it. Did the stone fabricator say that those were caused by the mesh?

Then why did the majority of it just wash off. The slabs that were on the yard clearly showed the imprint of mesh. This was not the case of "its just the nature of the stone" issue. This is what it looked like before it was cleaned. I can't believe they would fabricate and polish dirty granite.

I can clearly see the mesh imprint from the very first photo. Idk why a couple people here are saying it’s part of the natural stone. That imprint is not. Having said that, you should have refused the stone when it was first brought in your house, before it was installed as your counter. It’s kinda too late now, unless your fabricator is very honorable and will cut and install new slabs. Perhaps you could work an arrangement to split the cost or something. Otherwise, you’ll have to live with the grid marks. Idk what kind of discount you can get. For me, there’d be no discount big enough; I wouldn't want it in my home looking like that. Evidently you are more easy-going.

I know you always get a split vote around this site. Some folks say its no big deal and needlessly worrying and others in your camp think it is worth fighting to the death. I got a feeling some fabricators are going to say only I was to blame.

I’m with nidnay.

Ok, I didn’t see the mesh in the first pic, but the second pic is very clear. Totally the mesh, but I would not have accepted those slabs with that rusting. I would not take a discount on this, I would want a new slab...whether they agree to that depends on their business ethics.

So they really have no way to remove it? I saw this alot in the outdoor stone yards, but it seemed to be removed easily enough. I'll be honest I did not notice it when they carried it in. It took some examination. The word perfection and my home do not even belong in the same sentence I just would like some compensation for their mistake. It seems they would be far better off letting me retain my 50% then doing the whole thing over.

First of all, you’re not to blame. And while it may be true in other situations, the assertion that you have no recourse because the stone is already installed is incorrect in this situation.

How did you leave things with the installers, anyway? Did they say they’re coming back to work on it, perhaps using a poultice?

A manager came today to inspect it. They are coming next Wednesday to see if they can repair it. I guess I have to wait and give them the benefit of the doubt. But I just hate how they try to gloss over everything, "it;s beautiful", And "Typhoon Bordeaux has so much color it isn't even noticeable". I know it is there and I know it that isn't how it was yanked out of the ground. I guess I will have to wait and see...they are not asking for money so I believe they have some integrity.

You may want to contact another fabricator of a stone supplier. There are likely options to clean and remove those marks. This isn't the only instance of this problem.

And another vid- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJSusCZoLg

There are no straight lines in nature (well relatively none). The grid is clearly not natural and they should be able to fix that. The color is gorgeous though.

My fabricator gives a week to inspect once installed, I think because it can be overwhelming to try and look at and touch all of it at installation. So I don’t think you are or should be stuck with this and even if there is some rust in the slab they should be able to remove the stain - or if they can’t you could ask them to replace the slab...

Mary Glickman

I can ask them to replace the slab....

How likely do you think this request would be complied with?

Your first question is how much of a discount you should negotiate to keep them.

You saw the stains, and instead of insisting that you be allowed to pick another slab before this was cut, you let them BS you into going ahead and fabricating them. The rusty bits were obviously not bad enough at that template placement to put that full stop to the project. And it obviously isn’t bad enough for you to not keep the counters if you’re asking about a discount as your first question.

So, you’ve paid 50% of the total. Give them the choice of keeping what’s there, or replacing it all, and then they can collect the other half. It was wrong of them to assure you that the stains could be removed. But it was also wrong of you to not insist that the stains be removed before they fabricated the stone. If there is ever any question about a stone slab, don’t use that slab. Pick a different one.

Ok, here we go, yes my original question was regarding negotiating a discount and after 10 responses no one has given their opinion on what percentage of discount would be the norm for this kind of flaw. Several pp said a discount wasn't good enough and I should reject the whole job, but I live in Real'ville...meaning I don't think it is all CRAP. My original post also stated that I watched them clean portions of the slab right there in front of me and was assured it was superficial. I assumed it would be like my porcelain toilet, CLR cleans it ALL. If that was BS, that is what I got. So it is your opinion that this kind of deceit is worth 50% or they redo it? Thank you, this is the information I was seeking.

ACinTN, I too live in Realville...and I just had an entire slab replaced for a defect in installation. YMMV but all I had to do was ask. Nicely. They saw my point and they wanted to have happy customers - and they can still sell the slab they used first for smaller jobs..

Not sure if you meant to mock me but there’s my honest answer. Good luck in however you decide to deal with it.

@ACinTN (I'm in TN, too). I don't think they need to discount it if they can fix it. If you want a discount instead, then the first rule of negotiating is never make the first offer. Ask them what they propose to do about it. Then you make a fair counter offer;

I am a fabricator. Give the fabricator some time to remove the stains from the mesh. I do not doubt he believed it when he told you it would clean off and the stain is subtle enough that it could have been missed by the fabricators in the shop. There are good options for removing the stain.

Regarding a discount; my suggestion is for you to ask the fabricator what discount he would give you in lieu of a replacement which is a reasonable request if he can't remove the stains. Tell him you are not negotiating and that you'll consider both options based on the number he gives you. He already knows what a replacement will cost him so if you are not counter offering then he's likely to give you his best number. If the stains are barely noticeable you might rather a substantial discount; that's for you to decide.

Mary Glickman

No, I'm sorry if you felt if I was mocking you. That statement was made so pp do not think that I am trying to get something for nothing. The fabricator is implying that I am being nit-picky...I am not a push over by any means, but I can also relate to being perceived as a perfectionist. I did extensive research, mainly on this site and I have seen many disagreements whether a seam was good or bad. I may also be a little put-off when pp suggest that it is my fault for being bamboozled. I felt like I did everything I could to vet a reputable fabricator.

Now I guess I just need to wait...they are sending someone out next Wednesday to see if the stone can be remedied. I feel like I need to give them every opportunity to do what is right before I go ape-s..t. It just leaves me worrying for another week .

“after 10 responses no one has given their opinion on what percentage of discount would be the norm for this kind of flaw.”

That’s because there is no “norm“ for this. Perhaps you think this sort of thing happens commonly so there’d be some relatable experience and consensus about what percentage discount you should get. But your situation does not happen commonly; actually it’s rare. Typically when people have problems with their fabricator, it’s about seam placement, vein direction, the overhang, the joints. And on the rare occasions I’ve seen people report flaws in their stone, I’ve never seen one that is a mesh imprint—and I’ve been a regular on this forum for years. The more common response I‘ve seen here would be “I’ve spent thousands on this counter, this is my dream kitchen, and I am not marring my kitchen with this. It needs to be replaced”. You have made it clear you want the discount instead. You will have to figure out your own discount percentage then, as there is no “industry norm” as you put it, and no one has “comps” for you.

Shannon in WI - that was in direct response to mackdolan comments.. And then poor Mary and I guess the rest of you think it directed at everyone. I just go in sequence order to reply to the last comment.

I guess it is just my bad luck that something so rare would be bestowed upon me. Yes I have read a plethora of difficulties with granite installs but alot pp usually fall off the site and do not report what the resolution is. I cannot afford to walk away from 50% of my deposit and go to another granite fab. Thank you for your opinion.

I have found that anyone that comes around to what "you did wrong" is someone who works in the industry or a designer who think if only you would have hired him or her your life would be bliss.

I am sorry for falling off this thread without stating what the resolution was. Never late than never...maybe it will help someone else someday. 

I sent the company a certified letter stating that they had the option of releasing me from the additional 50% of the contract or ripping out the granite and replacing with new stone. They choose to forego the money. I only paid half of the cost I was originally quoted and I am very happy with that decision.

 I have challenged guests to point out the flaws and no one has been able to  point out the stains.

I also think it is only fair not to bash or write a negative review of the company since I set the terms of the resolution and they met those terms. They also were still polite and amicable, which I was not necessarily expecting after sending a certified demand:)