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Granite is synonymous with quality. Who you choose to fabricate
and install your stone is an important choice. Below are
many Frequently Asked Questions. Of course, feel free to
contact us for additional information.
 How long will the installation take from start to finish?
 Obviously projects vary depending on complexity. But most
projects require only three steps. First, we come to the
business or home and gather all specifications. This generally
takes less than an hour. And rest assured that we will
arrive at the exact time and date scheduled. Step two – fabrication
and crafting – happens at Heritage Stone. By this
stage, most jobs can be turned around within seven working
days. Which takes us to step three – installation.
Under most circumstances, installation for residential
and small commercial jobs will take as few as a couple
of hours and at most a single day.
How does granite differ from marble?
Marble and granite are very different types of rock. Granite
is volcanic rock with characteristics that make it ideal
for kitchen countertops. It is non-reactive with acidic
foods (i.e. lemon juice, wine, etc.). It is also not heat
sensitive and very difficult to scratch. Marble, on the
other hand, is a sedimentary rock possibly containing former
organic material. Thus marble is much softer than granite.
It will burn; it will scratch; and it will react with certain
acidic foods. Heritage Stone does not recommend marble
in a high traffic area like a kitchen, due to the high
maintenance issues mentioned. However, for vanities and
less demanded areas, marble is certainly another option
as a countertop. The same is true for the other non-granite
sub-stones, including slate, soapstone and limestone.
How do I select the best stone for my project?
The best place to start is at the Heritage Stone showroom – conveniently
located in Uptown Charlotte. Call 704.373.3255 for an appointment.
We have a large in-house inventory to choose from. We can
show you finishing options and special details as well. If however, you are unable to find the perfect stone to
complete your project, we will send you to one of our local
suppliers for further options.
If I buy granite from Heritage Stone, will you subcontract
the installation?
Absolutely not. Heritage Stone is the manufacturer, the
artisan and the installer. We do not subcontract. Installation
is a very specialized profession. Therefore, we search for
and employ experienced artisans from around the world. They
are full-time members of the Heritage Stone team. This ensures
slab-to-top, consistent quality control.
How
do I know you’ll be where you need to be, when you need to be there?
Heritage Stone is willing to guarantee it. If we say 8:00
a.m. on Monday, we’ll be on site at 8:00 on Monday.
The project will be completed on time and within budget.
It’s all a part of our Guarantee Program. Ask for details.
 What
makes Heritage Stone’s product superior?
Many things – from stone quality to installation.
But most simply put, much of our work is in the details.
Starting in our shop. Heritage Stone cuts our standard tops
at 25.5 inches, providing a better visual presentation to
the cabinets and cabinet hardware. Within our shop, we fully
embrace and utilize the finest technology. Cutout Areas are
reinforced with embedded bars. Underside edges are smoothed/honed.
We use the finest quality glues and sealers. We only “hard” seam
our tops for a lifetime of trouble-free installation. And
our installers are all fabricators – seasoned professionals
who know and understand the intricacies of dealing with stone.
Therefore, they can prevent or solve unforeseen problems
on the spot.
I don’t want any seams in my granite countertop. Is that possible?
Seams are dictated by three factors. First, the size of
the slab of stone. Second, by the configuration of the piece
to be fabricated. And lastly, by the constraints of the site.
The finished piece must be able to be maneuvered into the
space that it is going. Heritage Stone prides ourselves on
cutting the largest piece possible and minimizing the seams.
However, be aware that a seam is not a grout line. We strive
for a 1/16 seam. In addition, we color-match the seam to
the stone color as closely as possible.
I saw an advertisement in the paper for granite countertops
at $ 29.00 per square foot yet most other fabricators start
over $ 50.00. Why is there such a big difference?
There
are many different ways to calculate square footage, so always
shop based on a bottom line price. With these kind
of offers, there are probably many limitations to your selection
as well as additional hidden charges. Heritage Stone offers
more than 12 colors and 5 edges at a level one price point.
As with any home improvement project, always get several estimates
on the completed job comparing the same specifications.
What are remnants and how much do they cost?
Remnants
are small pieces of stone unused in previous jobs. They are
best used for small vanities, tables and/or desks.
We offer remnants at a discounted price to anyone that can
utilize the majority of the piece. You can really save on remnants with our
"do it yourself" granite vanity program.
What is your turn around time?
Heritage
Stone prides itself on having one of the fastest turn around
times in the area. We are so confident in our
process that we are willing to guarantee all delivery dates
and times. After all specifications and final measurements
are taken, we will turn the job in 7-10 days.
Do you warranty your work?
Heritage
Stone warranties all workmanship issues. We warranty the
sink attachment and the seams for all jobs. We do not
warranty any natural occurrences in the stone such as color
variation. In the unlikely event you happen to chip your
granite countertop, it is not covered by a warranty but can
easily be fixed.
Do you do tile work as well?
Heritage Stone will gladly complete any countertop installation
with a tile backsplash. If you are only in need of a small
amount of tile work, we have several people that we can recommend
to finish the job. Due to our focus on the beauty of slabs
we will not do tile countertops.
Do you handle the tear out of old countertops?
Due
to the many aspects involved in a remodel situation, Heritage
Stone does not handle tear outs. We do have several
people that we recommend to handle everything from the tear
out, plumbing, electrical and disposal of your old countertops.
How far will you travel for installation?
Heritage
Stone has handled installations from Myrtle Beach, SC to
Asheville to Roanoke, VA, so we are more than willing
to travel for your job. The price will be based on the specifications
of each individual job.
What type of materials do you work with in addition to granite?
We
work with a myriad of natural stones including granite, marble,
travertine, soapstone, limestone and slate. We have
also recently added Caesar Stone, a quartz based product,
to our list of materials.
Does it matter what kind of faucet I choose?
Yes, when installing granite countertops, you want to choose
a faucet that does not have an escutcheon plate. To get a
clean look with the countertop, the faucet will sit directly
on the stone. You also want to consider your sink configuration
when choosing a faucet. An offset bowl sink (one bowl is
bigger than the other) is usually paired with a single hole
faucet.
See our natural stone care page to answer questions you may have about caring for your natural stone.
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