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What Do We Do To Get Started?
Granite countertops checklist
1. Create a budget
Call Paragon to schedule a free in-home estimate. Jeff will come out and go over pricing and options with you. Depending on the size of your kitchen he will determine the number of slabs we will need for your job. Before or after the estimate, please come visit our showroom so you can meet our friendly staff and also see samples and choose an edge detail, among other things.
2. Start looking for materials (slabs and tile)
When you visit our showroom, you will be able to go through the slabs that we have onsite. If you do not find something that you love in our yard, we can provide you with a list of other slab yards that you can choose your material from. We suggest that you bring samples of the other materials (cabinet door, floor tile, and backsplash sample) with you when you are choosing your granite. Having the cabinet door with you, for instance, will help you see what the two materials will look like together. These are big decisions and can be confusing at times! Dont worry, we have seen almost every possible type of kitchen and can guide you through every step.
3. Shop for sink, faucet, and cook top
It is important to pick out your sink, faucet and cooktop before our fabrication process begins because we will need these dimensions in order to assure accurate cut outs. At Paragon, we carry a line of Artisan stainless steel sinks that you can see on display in our showroom. We can also refer you to different vendors in town.
4. Schedule demolition of existing countertops
Demolition of countertops can be done once your material, sink, faucet and cook top have been selected. The demolition process normally takes one day. Unfortunately, it is not possible to preserve your existing backsplash during demo. In preparing for demolition, we ask that you empty out your lower cabinets and clear a work area around your countertops. During demo, we take every precaution to protect your floor and cabinets. Although we use plastic sheets to create plastic barriers between rooms, as you can imagine, it is still not a dust free process. In some kitchens it is possible for us to template over your existing tile and put off demo until the day your new counters are being installed. This will significantly reduce the amount of time that your kitchen is under construction.
5. Schedule template
The template day kicks off our countdown! Templating is done in an hour or two and is the process in which we make patterns of your actual countertops.
6. Slabs are sent to Paragons shop
We will coordinate with the slab yard that you chose your slabs from to have the slabs sent to our shop. They normally arrive by the time the template is done.
7. Schedule layout
Once the template is complete, we invite you back to our shop to view your slabs and do a layout.
During the layout, the patterns that were made at template are layed out onto your favorite portion of the slab so that portion can be featured where you want it. We can also give you a piece of your slab as a sample that you can use to pick backsplash, if you havent made that decision already.
8. Fabrication
The fabrication process is when your job is actually going through our shop. You can expect this to take anywhere from a week to two weeks.
9. Order tile for backsplash and choose grout color
Unless you are doing a granite backsplash, you can select and order the tile for your backsplash while your job is being fabricated.
10. Schedule Installation
Once we have completed your installation, our installers will fully seal your new countertops. We recommend that you seal your granite annually. Since granite porosity varies greatly, make sure to ask us how often you will need to reseal your tops. Maximum is once a year and minumum is never.
11. Schedule plumber
Our installers will connect your sink to the countertops, pre-drill faucet holes and caulk the sink in but it will need to be re-plumbed. We suggest that you schedule the plumber to come out the day after we install so that our glue can cure. It is also important to note that we do not re-connect your appliances or electrical.
12. Backsplash installed
Tile backsplash- Normally, installing a tile backsplash is a three day process.
Day 1: Preparation of backsplash, mud and wire
Day 2: Installation of tile
Day 3: Grout
After the grout has dried (min of 48 hrs), it is recommended that you seal your grout and/or splash tile. The same sealer that is used on the countertops can be used on any natural stone. Or you can pay us to come out and seal the grout. This sealer can be saved and used for your annual sealings.
Granite backsplash- Template for granite backsplash is done on the day that countertops are installed. Installation of the backsplash is a one day process and normally occurs a few days after countertops are installed. After granite backsplash is installed, the electrical outlets will need to be re-connected by the homeowner. Sometimes, a longer screw is required to secure the outlet plate because your new granite backsplash is thicker than your previous backsplash. An electrician should not be required for this task.
Now, just relax and enjoy your new counters!