Tips for Selecting Granite Countertop Fabricators

Since the cost for granite kitchen countertops from granite suppliers in Cumming, GA and the greater Atlanta area can vary considerably, it’s best to know a few tips when seeking out those who can fabricate granite and countertops. Though there are discount granite counters to be found, if you’re looking for a slab that is customized for your kitchen, you may not find what you’re looking for unless you consider having your counter fabricated from scratch. There’s no doubt that granite countertops are still one of the most popular choices for kitchens, particularly considering its unique beauty and durability. However, you can’t simply go to a home improvement store and pick a granite countertop off the shelf, so selecting a granite countertop fabricator may be a bit intimidating. These few tips should help in your process. 

Always Pick Your Stone First

If you already know what kind of granite you want to use in your kitchen—there are a number of varieties—you may be lucky enough to find a fabricator nearby that stocks the exact slab that you’re looking for. If they don’t have your preferred stone, then it will need to be shipped to the fabricator from one of their distributors. However, if you haven’t yet decided on the type of granite that you want to use, you’ll have a little more work to do. Some of your options are:

  • Visit a few showrooms at some of the large home improvement stores or custom kitchen outlets.
  • Use the Internet and look at pictures on the websites of national slab dealers.
  • Go to a number of fabricators in the area and look at their stock.

One thing to keep in mind is to be flexible about your choice. It’s a good idea to pick out a few different slabs that you like that will work in your kitchen. Otherwise, you may find yourself doing much more work to find a fabricator who has the specific choice that you’ve made. 

Locate a Local Fabricator

Once you have picked out your few choices, then it’s time to find a fabricator—unless, of course, you found your choices at one or more fabricators. If not, do your best to find a fabricator close enough so that you can visit them when the occasion arises, which it will. The easiest way to find fabricators in the Atlanta area is to let your fingers do the “walking” by using the Internet to search out local fabricators. How far you want to travel is a personal preference, but 50 miles or an hour drive is a good rule of thumb. If you found your stone by searching through a particular slab dealer, then you should ask them who in the area stocks your choice. Of course, a fabricator can always order the slab and have it shipped, but that will add to your cost.

Understand that choosing the right fabricator is as important, if not more so, than selecting your stone because a good fabricator will give you advice on what stone is right for your specific needs. You should visit the stone yard to view the granite in person, at which point they can tell you if a slab has any issues before they cut it so that you don’t end up with a defective countertop. They should also instruct you on how to care for your countertop. Finally, before you select a fabricator—be sure to get at least 3 bids—check references and look them up online with the Better Business Bureau and similar sites to get additional information.

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