What product should I choose?

The most durable options available are Granite, Quartz, and Quartzite. Natural stone handles heat better than quartz does, while quartz can handle unsupported overhangs better than natural stone does.

Stones like Dolomite and Marble have a different mineral composisiton which makes them very porous, brittle, and fragile. (Please see the waivers page for our Marble/Dolomite/Soapstone waiver.)

Porcelain, is another product that is especially fragile and requires a signed waiver.

Though we don't reccomend these products for countertops, there are certain applications where they are the better option. Marble absorbs heat well and does not dicolor, so it's a good option for a fireplace surround.

Porcelain is very thin and light, so it can be applied to walls that would not be able to support the weight of a regular slab.

If you are curious about what we would reccomend for your specific project, feel free to give us a call or send us an email.

What's the process?

1. Select your material

This can be selected at the distributor or at our shop. Maybe you just need a remnant, or maybe you need several slabs. If you aren't sure, give us a call and we can help you figure out how much material you need. This would also be a good time to figure out what sink you would like, what edge profile you want, and  whether you'd like to use slab for your backsplash.

2. Receive an estimate

We will need a layout with rough dimensions to know how much material you need and what the labor cost will be. Typically, this layout will be provided by your contractor who will also discuss the price with you. Once you approve the estimate, a deposit is required to secure the material. Pricing and payment goes through your contractor unless they direct us otherwise. 

3. Schedule a template

Once your cabinets are installed, drywall is done, nearby outlets are in their final location, etc. your project manager or general contractor will call us to schedule the template. The template is done with a laser templater, allowing us to get the tightest fit for your countertops. At this point, nothing will be allowed to change in the layout, no additional panels can be added, refacing, shifting, etc. If adjustments are made, please call us to schedule a retemplate, otherwise the countertops won't fit.

4. Schedule the installation

Our turn-around-time from template to install is 2 weeks (we may slightly exceed this timeline around the holidays) so long as all your selections have been made and no outstanding questions remain. We will text you an install date after we receive the template and review all the details (this may take a couple days after the template is done).

5. Prepare for the installation

Please make sure no children are in the area and all pets are closed in other rooms. Please give our installers ample space as it is very dangerous; injury or death may occur when handling stone. Please be respectful of our installers' safety and your own. 

Make sure driveways and walkways are totally clear, shovelled & de-iced in the winter time.

Plumbing must be disconnected and sink-base cabinets must be clean. ***I.V. Granite & Marble does not provide plumbing services.***

Have all plumbing fixtures inside the correspondind sink-base cabinet (faucets, air-switches, soap dispensers, etc.) our installers will drill these holes at time of install. If the units are not there and we have to return to drill them, we will charge mobilization fees if we make return trips, even in the same day, so please plan ahead and be prepared for your install.

Our installers are required to wear steel-toe boots at all times and cannot take them off inside your home due to safety protocol. If you have floor protection, it must be tightly secured to the floor so that our installers do not slip or slide. The floor protection cannot shift beneath the feet.