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stpindell_gw

Granite countertops in but not exactly the same color!

stpindell
14 years ago

Our granite countertops are finally in BUT since we had to use more than 1 slab it looks like there is a slight difference between the 2 slabs that I didn't notice at the yard. Now since they had to put a seam and had to use two small pieces from slab 2 to the left and right of slab 1, I can see a slight difference. What should I do? Is this normal?

The granite guy said that the slabs can vary since it's a natural stone and the shade of darkness can vary even within the same slab.

Am I over-reacting???

Comments (57)

  • footballmom
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow! I didn't think it would show up as much as it does. I am surprised that the installers thought this was acceptable. It would not be to me. It would bother me every time I looked at it. The installers certainly have to make this right. I hope you get a satisfactory resolution.

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    footballmom,

    That is why I had to ask for everyone's opinion here to make sure I wasn't over-reacting. The pictures look bad but it's even worse in person. Basically the granite to the right of the sink and the right of the range is all that lighter color. So when you walk in you see a large area of darker color granite and the rest of the smaller sections are all lighter. Even the plumber saw that it was different when he came yesterday!!! I'm ready to cry. Hoping Kevin can tell me what can be done. Don't know if they can even take them out without damaging my NEW cabinets!

  • megradek
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Oh no!!! IMO - it is more than the grain - I can very easily see the color difference. I hope that you get a quick response from the fabricator.

  • morgne
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    For what it's worth, on the first photo you posted (the upclose) I thought it was "borderline". I could see that it might just be the grain. I think the photo Kevin posted looks better than yours but it could be acceptable...

    But then I saw the second photo you had posted (I had forgotten to click "next" to see the second photo in the set). The one from farther away. And I gotta say I would be very unhappy with that no matter why it was occuring. Those look SO different.

    I hope things go well! Keep us informed!

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    thanks for all the responses.

    kevin,
    while i understand your point about the grain and veins, IMO I don't believe that is my situation. If it were a situation similar to the picture you posted I would be jumping for joy!

    My granites is called Blue Argento (at least that's what they tell me). There are no grains and veins to speak of - just alot of dots and specs (hard to explain). The main problem I have is the color difference. One is much lighter than the other - you don't even need to get up close to the granite and the color difference can be seen and not just from one angle either.

    I will take better pictures tonight when I get home and will post. Hopefully it will be easier to see and I will make sure I take a picture from a similar angle of the picture you posted.

    Can you please tell me if it's possible for them to take out the lighter color granite pieces and replace them?

    Will the removal damage my NEW cabinets?

  • remodelfla
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It really looks to me as if the stones came from 2 different lots. Think of it like mixing paint (the only "for example" I could think of). The color will be exactly the same if you take a custom mixed 5 gallon lot and pour it into 3 different pails. However, if you go back to the paint store and have them mix you a new batch, even if it's the same formula, there could be a variation in the color. In terms of granite, my understanding about different lots is that the two slabs may have come from differnt parts of the same quarry and therefore the colors don't exactly match. At least... something along those lines.

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Remodelfla is pretty on the money with the analogy with one exception -
    (well... it's more of a "splitting gnat's hairs" thingy than anything else so Remodelfla - please
    do not take offense - ok? you make REALLY WAY GOOD posts here on GW!! so
    I'm NOT trying to bust your chops or anything)

    First - Technically - In many quarries - a "Bench"
    (a "hugh jazz" freaking long block of stone) is
    broken away fro the rest of the stone in the quarry...

    The "Bench" is then "rendered" or cut up into smaller "Blocks"
    which then can more easily be loaded on trucks
    and transported to finishing plants - where the "Block" is then cut up in a gang saw
    into slabs.....

    Picture #1 - Below - here's what blocks look like - these were at the Zucchi Plant
    in Serra - Brazil - those are train tracks in the forground...


    Picture #2
    Below...here's a closer view of some block before they're cut into slabs...
    On average - they were all about 6 1/2 feet tall - about 8 feet wide
    and about 10 to 11 feet long....

    Picture #3 -
    Below - here's two blocks after they've been cut -
    They are sitting on a gang saw trolley that
    rolls in and out of the gang saw house - where
    plain steel blades are used with friction
    to cut the blocks down into slabs - it takes anywhere
    from a day (if the stone is way soft - to 5 days of
    non-stop round the clock cutting to get the slabs)
    these slabs look just like loaves
    of bread you maybe used to get at the bakery - but WAY harder on
    one's teeth ..... :-o ..... the block on the left will yield
    about 56 slabs of 3CM Granite - see how all of the slabs
    are lined up neatly? The next step they'll do at the factory
    is to "number" each slab - either from left to right, or right
    to left - and number each slab in sequence - 1,2,3,4,6, 6 and so on.

    Notice also how the slabs are set up into 7 slab increments?
    this is a "standard" when producing "slabbage" - 3CM slabs
    are packed into 7 slab "bundles" while 2CM slabs usually go
    into 10 or 11 slab bundles....

    Picture #4 -
    Below is a close up of a bundle after finishing - 7 slabs of 3CM -
    All of these slabs have been
    "resined" at the finishing plant - you can tell because of the
    "dribble" that looks like clear varnish that ran down the
    ends of each slab....
    This is the epoxy resin that gets
    applied to each slab (IF they resin the slabs - 90% of
    all slabs in 2008 were "resined" world wide) prior to it's
    being honed and then polished - Resining makes the
    slabs stronger, a little more impervious to staining,
    and brings out the colour WAY MORE - I AM a big fab of resined
    slabs... I'll do a pod cast on this topic so you can watch for that
    at Natural Stone 101.com - it'll go up sometime before May 1st....

    {{gwi:1806297}}

    NOTE - this is ALL "Nice to Know" intel that you are most
    welcome to use in the course of impressing people at cocktail
    parties or church functions.... HA!!!!

    ANYWAYS.......

    I say all of this because as Remodelfla has pointed out (and is correct)
    stone IS produced in "lots" so to speak - so it is ALWAYS preferred that IF you can select and
    approve YOUR slabs that are in "Sequence" - or from the same Bench & Block - and
    have their slab numbers that run in "sequence" ie: 534-43-1, 534-42-2, 534-43-3 and so on... you'll be
    more likely to get stone that DOES match up......

    HOWEVER......

    Now - WITH that said...there ARE slabs that are light on one side and dark on
    the other (Gris Caramel has been seeing this for a number of years) and other
    colors to - but what Stpindell is experiencing may not be this situation. It IS
    entirely possible that two DIFFERENT slabs - of the SAME stone/SAME colour, etc
    were delivered to Stipndell's Fabricator - cut and fabbed... it happens -
    rarely... but it DOES happen - does this make it right? NO!!

    There are a few paths that can be taken to remedy this issue - some very
    subtle - some more... "stringent"...

    At this point in time Monday afternoon at 2:15PM AZ time ( I think it would not
    be appropriate for me to recommend a course of action until I see
    some more pics of the stone, and find out IF the slabs were in sequence)

    Stipndell - I DO want to help you with this problem - but I want to have all of the
    facts before I make any recommendations for a course of action - I think
    that your Fabricator deserves the benefit of the doubt, and we'd need to find out
    exactly IF your slabs were cut from the same block (in sequence) first.

    Let me know - I'll be checking in from time to time today and into the evening

    sorry to be so long on this response, but I thought it was a good opportunity
    to show some of my pics from my last trip to Brazil,
    and
    help to illuminate the "mystery" (ha!) of Granite production

    HTH

    kevin

    Kevin M. Padden
    Fabricator, Trainer & Consultant to the Natural Stone Industry
    AZ School of Rock
    Natural Stone 101

  • boxerpups
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Kevin,
    I am astounded. Wow. Amazing!
    I hope you got to have a little
    fun in Brazil and it was not all hard work.
    Thanks for the info Kevin,

    Stpindell,
    You must be so upset about the counter. I can not
    answer your questions other than to say if it were
    me, I would want them to come fix it.
    I just know you will get info from GW friends that
    can help you when you go to talk to the granite
    people.
    wishing you luck,
    boxerpups

  • faleash
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Kevin- thanks for the education. It is really interesting to see the process!

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks everyone for your kind remarks -
    I did not want this to go off topic -
    so I apologize in advance if I took things off on a tangent
    as that was not my intention.... but its always good to share
    knowledge.. besides - you NEVER know when you'll need to
    contribute to the "I always wondered how they got slabs
    of granite" conversation... HA!

    There may be an easy remedy to Stpindell's dilema, so
    we'll have to take a look see at some more pictures with a little
    more detail = Stpindell - if you can - please take as
    close of a picture of the stone that you can = to show
    the crystal structure - also a close up of the seam
    where things are making you crazy (I'd be just as dismayed
    myself if I were you) would help in this detective study....

    We'll try to find a solution or solution options ASAP..OK???

    Don't worry - it may SEEM like it to you right now, but
    this is NOT the end of the world as we know it.. if it is..
    I got a lot of stuff to get done in a big hurry ... :-o

    ...... so........
    "let not your heart be troubled and be of good cheer!!!"

    We'll do everything we can to help you through this...

    kevin

  • remodelfla
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Kevin... offended? are you kidding me? I know NOTHING about stone and the teeny tiny little bit I do understand I taught myself (actually you taught me) from reading your posts and I think it was granite girls posts. Those tutorial pics and corresponding explanations are AMAZING. Thank you so much for your generosity of time and effort in selflessly assisting all of us. How I wish you were a So. Fla. man 'cause I'd then only have one place I'd be going for my stone and fabrication when I finally get to that point. You are AWESOME!
    Elyse
    Student of the GW school of all the other professionals who
    ROCK!

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks for all the responses. I took some more pictures - there's alot more(sorry wanted to make sure I took them from different views.)

    So does it look bad to you or is it just me????
    kevin,
    the fabricator was not able to tell me if the granite was from the same block. Wish I had found this website BEFORE I selected my granite - then I would have known to ask this.

    So what do you think? Any solution(s)? Pretty please.

    Here is a link that might be useful: more granite pictures

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    without knowing the slab numbers - I would presume - based
    on the pictures that you have posted - that there were different
    slabs used - Your Fabricator should have OA's (Order
    Acknowledgements) and Pick Tickets that should clearly
    indicate the slabs and their identifiers - These could have
    been "singles" where a "single" slab of Blue Argento from one
    bundle is teamed up with another "single" slab from another
    bundle - not always from the same block - and this could be
    what has happened here.

    Were you offered some kind of "Smokin Deal" on the price?
    Many times - THIS is the trade off - quality on the back end
    and slabs that are all listed as the same "colour" in this case - Blue Argento...
    But clearly NOT close in match up - especially at seams......

    The other aspect that is troubling - is that the colour difference
    occurs at a seam - which had to be "dressed and ground"
    which means that - anyone with the exception of Ray Charles
    would have noticed the colour difference every time the two
    pieces were "membered" or "test fit" together in the shop
    to check the accuracy and tightness of the seam. Unless your
    Fabricator is listed as "Braile Marble & Granite" - this should
    have been caught in the shop... Maybe it WAS and they decided
    to roll the bones and hoped that you wouldn't notice the variation in the shades of the two pieces.

    What kind of verbage is in your contract pertaining to
    "natural shade variation" and were you afforded the opportunity
    to view and approve all of the slabs that were to be used
    in the fabrication of your countertops?

    Did your Fabricator give you ANY education on Natural Stone
    and did he inform you that Natural Stone does have shade
    variation within a single slab?

    If you were given NO disclaimers, and you were not afforded
    an opportunity to view the slabs - either prior to the start of
    Fabrication - or when the templates were laid out prior to
    cutting - you definately have a case.

    Now as far as a remedy - the first thing I would try is to
    have your Fabricator apply some Tenax Ager Tiger -
    FIRST to a test piece that is lighter than the
    DRAKER side of the stone - THEN - if it darkens up
    the lighter stone successfully - to the
    LIGHTER side of the two pieces that are not close in shades.
    The Tenax Ager Tiger is a color enhancer that will darken
    the lighter side down a shade or two - to match up more closely
    with the darker side. this can be done without any removal
    of the stone, and in 80% to 90% of the time - it works.

    The other thing I would suggest is to have your fabricator
    try (also on a test piece first) some Tenax Pectro - it's a colorant
    that is used in these cases, and will last a long time.

    Either of these two remedies should work so you won't have to
    rip out any stone - that would be the last resort....

    Either way - you need to keep working with your Fabricator -
    this is a situation that needs to be made right....

    HTH

    kevin

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    kevin,

    Thanks for the response and at least I know I'm not over-reacting. The granite guy is making me feel as though no one else would have complained about the color and that I'm been overly "picky".

    The price was bundled in with the cabinets. I was not given any type of "smokin deal" as the price was comparable to others I had received. The cabinet maker said he had a granite guy who did all his jobs.

    We went to pick out the granite. At that time I mentioned that the slabs did not look 100% the same in color - I was told it was me and the angle and lighting in which I was looking at them. (of course now that I have found this forum - I know that I should have stuck to my guns and selected something else)

    Then I went back for the templating. Again, I mentioned that the slabs did not look 100% the same in color - I was again told that it was me and the angle and lighting in which I was looking at them. Then I was reassured that once it was installed I would not be able to even tell the difference.

    During install - I notice the color difference again. I was told a third time it was me...and that I should wait until they finish installing and cleaning - then I wouldn't even notice it.

    After they finished cleaning - I expressed my concerns again and was told that only I could tell and that anyone else looking wouldn't be able to because they were not at the install.

    So far - EVERYONE that has walked in the kitchen can tell. Basically half the granite is one color (the sink area and pass thru area) and the rest is another (to the left and right of the range).

    Is the Tenax Ager Tiger permanent or does it need to be reapplied?

    As for the Tenax Pectro - you mentioned that it would last a long time. How long is a long time? And then I would need to have someone reapply it?

    If we had to resort to ripping out the lighter granite - would it damage my NEW cabinets? Have you had to rip out any granite countertops before?

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    First of all.....

    IT'S NOT YOU!!!!

    You clearly developed a pattern of noticing the color
    variation and brought it up each time you saw the slabs.

    This in my opinion has set a precident - and I'm no atty,
    but have testified as an expert witness in many cases involving
    stone issues - so I feel that you DO have a case....

    As far as the remedies go - the Pectro will last for
    many years to decades - as long as you do not expose the stone
    to harsh chemical solvents like Acetone and MEK solution,
    and Amonia and Chlorine -
    normal everyday use will not affect it. Same goes for the Tenax
    Ager & Ager Tiger - two fantastic products that have saved
    many a Fabricator's butt in instances like these......

    IF you have to resort to a total tear out - AS LONG as the
    adhesive that was used was NOT epoxy (T2000 in particular) to
    "set" the stone to the cabinets - you should not experience
    any damage to the cabinet boxes. A Lot of guys (me included)
    like to use simple latex caulk (HD's Alex Plus works great) for
    setting stone to the cabinets just fo this reason - IF you
    ever have to take a piece out - it will come out in one piece
    with out damage to the stone or the cabinet. All the latex
    does is keep the stone adhered to the cabinets or subtops.

    Speaking of which - is your stone 3CM or 2CM - don't remember
    from your pics and I can access them as I am writing this reply...?)
    IF you have 2CM laminated fron edges - set on a plywood subtop
    the cabinets should not be damaged either. IF silicone
    was used to "stick" the tops to either the subtops OR the
    cabinets - the stone may be destroyed when it gets removed -
    as the silicone has a monster grab to anything it gets stuck to and ususally -
    stone set with silicone - when removed - comes out in "chunks"..... :-(

    Total tear out should be a last resort, and I'd give you over
    50% odds that the shading problem may be able to be resolved
    with either the Ager Tiger or with a mix including Pectro.

    Yes I have had to rip out countertops before - none of my own
    that were set wrong - but a few that a dopey electrician
    STEPPED ON and cracked...doh!!!! It AIN'T easy - but it can
    be done.....

    hang in there...... be nice - BUT.....be assertive

    HTH

    kevin

  • lesmis
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Stpindell, you are NOT being picky or overreacting! I was looking at your pictures (actually your camera phone pic) and my husband walked by my monitor and without even knowing what your post was about he said "that doesn't look right!"

    So if even the casual observer can see it from a camera phone picture on a monitor from 5 feet away, then it is a problem and they need to fix it. I hope that what Kevin has recommended will be the solution. That way you can get them to match and not have to tear anything out.

    Good luck and keep us posted!

  • olga_d
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I can definitely see the difference. In some stones there may be that kind of variation from one end of the slab to the other (in terms of darkness and pattern) but even then I would expect a good fabricator to join the pieces where the colours were similar. Even if he had put the other slab on the other side of the stove or something it would lessen the impact of the mismatch.

    When we chose our stone our fabricator was there to ensure that we had consecutive slabs (ours were #50 and #51 if I remember correctly). Honestly, it sounds like the fabricator is not on the up-and-up if he has not thought of these things. I'm especially mad for you that you tried to point out the colour difference and he dismissed your concerns. He should definitely be correcting this issue to your satisfaction!

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Update - spoke with granite guy yesterday. He did not give me the impression that he is wanting to fix our problem. He said that he never had this problem before and he didn't think it was as bad as I thought is was. I mentioned to him Kevin's idea about using the color enhancer but he didn't seem like he wanted to even try that.

    Question for Kevin - how do I measure how much granite I need? I also need enough granite for full back splash. My DH wants to go out this weekend and see if we can find the matching slabs elsewhere on our own. I am going to see if the granite guy is willing to give us a large enough sample to take with us. We don't want our kitchen to be in limbo forever but I have a feeling that finding slabs that match the darker part of the granite will not be as easy as my DH thinks.

  • faseeh
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    This problem came with china material granites or If granite is imported from china, You must ask Genuine indian granite, look here genune granite.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Genuine Granite Pictures

  • remodelfla
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    faseeh.... I'm a really tolerant person. But this is like the 3rd time I've seen you do nothing but promote your own company. If you've got something constructive or helpful to add that'll assist the poster without benefiting you then great... we'd love to have you. If your sole reason for posting is to promote your own company then don't bother... this forum is not about advertisment. In fact it is prohibited.

  • lesmis
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    stpindell, where are you located? Your granite guy apparently doesn't know the old sales/marketing saying that one unhappy customer = many lost sales, and one happy customer = many new sales. He may want to take a gander at this forum to see that one bad post can cost someone a lot of headaches, and a glowing post can result in them getting new business in a very tight market.

    Your pictures speak volumes about the difference in color and the camera doesn't lie in this case. I often wonder why owners of companies refuse to fix something that is "their" fault, but instead try and ignore the problem or worse bully someone into accepting the mistake. Even though this is a problem, if they admitted the mistake (we all make mistakes) and corrected it promptly, you would most likely recommend them or even use them again yourself. Instead they will end up making you tell everyone you know, and with the use of the internet, everyone you don't know, what a lousy job they did.

    You pointed this out to them on several occasions, so it's not like you were saying "oh look how pretty they match," the whole way along. I wish you all the best in your resolution, but it sounds like some sort of legal action may be your only hope if they aren't willing to work to resolve the issue. Too bad, for everyone involved. :(

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    lesmis,

    I am in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. I completely agree. If they had either 1) listened when I pointed out the color difference or 2) admitted the mistake after they noticed the difference during installation I would have a completely different opinion of the granite guy right now.

    I am hoping that we can find new slabs that match the darker part of the granite since all the plumbing has been installed and we would hate to have to everything in that area taken apart. I've been told by a few granite companies that it may be hard to do so and we may end up having to start over by picking out new granites completely!

    If anyone knows how to calculate how much granite is needed please let me know. We are planning on going to granite places on Saturday and I would like to know approximately how much granite we need.

    I am "suppose" to hear back from them today as far as a resolution so please keep your fingers crossed for me.

    Hopefully anyone reading this and is planning on installing granite will learn from my mistakes. Always listen to your gut instincts and don't let contractors make you feel like you don't know what you're talking about! It would have saved me alot of headaches!!

  • sprengle1
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Are you willing to divulge the name of the business? I, for one, do not want my family and friends in Florida to use this company!

    As lesmis is pretty much saying, maybe they need to know that there is a large forum of savvy kitchen customers that has seen their work and will steer clear of them or recommending them and is willing to spread the word, with your pictures to back it up!

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    sprengle1,
    I completely understand where you're coming from, however, I would like to wait and see if they try to resolve the issue. I don't want to give them any more reason to not want to fix my issue.

    I will continue to post updates on this forum and once things are settled I will be happy to disclose.

  • vrjames
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    just my .02cents.

    Everything Jevein said is right and a reputable fabricator would not be putting you tru this.

    It is his JOB to be sure the tonality of the seams matches.... PERIOD.

    I said in an earlier post that the guys in Fla are giving it away CHEAP and this is the result.

    I hope you have not paid in full. If you have then You might as well stop calling him. And if you haven't paid in full, you probably will not get satisfaction anyway.

    Kevin,

    Seeing your pictures reminds me of the absolutely beautiful landscaping at Zuchhi's plant. Were you treated to the wonderful hospitality of their outdoor kitchen?

    Blessings

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    UPDATE:

    So far it seems like the cabinet company who hired the granite guy is trying fix the granite problem (that's of course after I sent them the same pictures I posted here). Today the granite guy called and said he found some matching granite. I went to look and I'm not certain it matches 100%. The good news is that there are 5 slabs and it looks like it's from the same block. My DH and I are going again tomorrow morning for a second look.

    Right now we are leaning towards having them rip out all the granite that is in the kitchen now and start over with 3 new slabs rather then take a risk trying to "match" the darker granite we have now. Thoughts?

    I'm thankful that they are not trying to blow me off and it seems like they want to make it right. So for now I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

    Thanks to all that have responded with helpful information and support. I'm thankful I found this forum and it has truly helped me not have a complete meltdown!

  • remodelfla
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    stpindell... can you please email me through my page so I can ask you the name of the granite/fabricating place privately? We live outside Ft. Lauderdale too and I want to make sure I don't go to this particular fabricator when we redo our house in Hollywood. I'm glad it looks like they're going to try and resolve it. Also, if it doesn't work out; someone awhile back who was also from our area gave me the name of a couple of granite places they had really good experiences with. I know I saved it somewhere but I'm in NY right now and can't look it up till I get home on Monday.
    Good luck tomorrow,
    Elyse

  • ttennis
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    stpindell,

    I know firsthand what you are going through, and I'm very sorry. The exact same thing just happened to me, but we purchased the slabs ourselves through a tile shop. We were never asked to inspect them, nor did we know we had to. My husband was installing it himself. Since we were doing all the backbreaking work ourselves, it was even more disheartening knowing we were going to have to tear it out again. In our case, we were not so fortunate to have the supplier be "professional and businesslike" and want to fix it. Nope, we had to buy a new slab, go pick it up ourself and fix it. That was AFTER the guy sold us a sealer/enhancer that stated right on the bottle "was not for use on polished granite", and in fact did nothing to change the color. He wanted me to come back and exchange it for a plain sealer, which I did- no change. He even had the nerve to suggest a 3rd sealer! That's when I snapped..So needless to say, we learned a very important lesson in granite, a lot of blood sweat and tears, and loss of time and money!! I hope yours works out without having to tear out your countertops. Hopefully the sealers will work for you- you have a pretty knowledgeable guy helping you out (Kevin)..I attached my picture so you will not feel like you are being picky, you are not. Good luck to you guys, I hope they follow through.


  • desertsteph
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm so sorry this happened to you - but many will learn from it also!
    I'm glad to hear the cabinet guy is going to make it right. I'm sure he told the 'granite guy he uses' it'd be done right if he wanted more bz coming his way. It would also tarnish the cabinet company who uses him.

    stick to your guns and don't take a shoddy job - you're paying a bundle for it.

    btw, looking at your pics I could see it immediately WITHOUT enlarging any of the pics. I ALWAYS have to copy out and enlarge with my eyesight... it's just a tad better than Ray's...

    I was going to liken what I saw to sewing and fabric joined at the seam with nap going the wrong direction on one piece. not exactly the same (nothing to do with lot #'s etc) but it shows up like that.

    I'd never accept that job. maybe your fabricator needs to have HIS eyes checked?

    I'd also tell the fabricator "I STILL see it - even with the change of lighting".

    hopefully he won't try to pull the wool over anyone else's eyeballs.

    Kevin - thx for all the info. If I were gonna put in granite, I'd be calling you. I'm in AZ!

  • boxerpups
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Stipindell,

    I am so happy that they are going to fix this for
    you. Truly this is good news.

    I think ripping out the unmatched and starting over
    will assure you that everything will match better.
    And years from now you will have this story to tell.

    This is good news that they did not blow you
    off. Soon you will have beautiful counters.
    Good work on your part.

    ~boxerpups

  • caryscott
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    This has been an incredibly informative thread.

    Sometimes it seems that folks have rather unrealistic expectations and a very low threshold for adaptation to the properties and reaities of their spaces and materials (myself included) but that is not the case here. I am so glad you will be working with the cabinet company and the installer on a solution as the process of you going out and trying to match the existing counters (light or dark)seems really fraught with potential problems. Good luck the rest of the way! It is a great granite choice by the way it looks great with your cabinets.

  • kpaquette
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    stpindell, I'm so sorry this is happening to you, but I'm glad the cab. company is stepping up. I am kind of with you in that I'd lean toward insisting they replace the whole thing - especially if you aren't 100% certain they match. If you're still not 100% after looking at hte slab and you do allow them to proceed with only replacing one part, I'd make sure they know that if you are not 100% satisfied, you expect the whole thing replaced - so it's up to them, do they want to replace part only to possibly replace the whole thing again, or just replace the whole thing now and save everyone more headache.

  • sfcitydweller
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sorry to stray off topice but a quick sealant/adhesive question.....

    azstoneconsulting- I'm curious why you use a low grade latex such as Alex Plus, is it solely in case something like this happens? I would have thoughts an synthetic based rubber co-polymer or atleast a more elestameric latex, that could expand and contract without failure. I get the adversion to silicones because of adhesion concerns, I was just curious why AP. Just a random question before I force something upon my installers that may cause issues in the long run!

  • buddyrose
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    stipindell, if u can, go to where the stone will be cut and see the template laid out on the stone. I was able to do that for my stone. And it helped me because I have an "L" shaped kitchen so wanted to see the corner laid out. This way you can see it before it's cut again.

    I'm sorry you're going thru this. it stinks. And you are NOT over reacting. This is a major investment and one that you'll use every day for years and years. you should be happy with the result.

  • pluckymama
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Very informative thread and Stipindell, I join with the others who have assured you that you are NOT being picky or over reacting. Print out this thread with all of our posts and let your fabricator know his work is unacceptable. The difference in color is very noticeable and he should take care of this for you at his cost and make it right. Sorry you have to go through this. In the end, your kitchen will be beautiful. Hang in there.

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thank you for all the posts, support and reassurance. This is like a support group for me right now. =)

    Here's the latest update:
    Saturday DH and I went to see the granite. The original granite was called Blue Argento and the new slabs are called Azul Platinum (but they look the same). Much to the granite guy's dismay we have decided to have them take all the old granite out and start over. The new granite is slightly lighter but not as much difference as what we have now. Still we decided that we didn't want to take the chance on them not matching again.

    Needless to say the granite guy is not happy right now. I'm meeting with him at noon today to do the templating (buddyrose - I completely agree with you). The plan is for him to take out the old granite and install the new granite on Saturday. Then come back to do the backsplash. So if all goes well my kitchen should be done by May 9th!

    DH and I are extremely nervous that the cabinets may be damaged when he takes out the old granite. He already nicked and scratched some of the cabinets during initial installation.

    We've been told that we need to have the plumber come back and uninstall everything under the sink. Does anyone know if this is true?? If so, we will have to schedule the plumber to come back before this Saturday. Do you think they should pay for the additional plumbing cost or should we just pay and get it over with?

    Again, thanks everyone for the support - it has helped alot and I hope that this thread helps someone else not have to go through something similar. =)

  • eandhl
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    stpindell, they are correcting the error as they should. Apparently not to happy about the complete change of granite so I can honestly say I wouldn't push the cost of the plumbing. From this point I would treat them very nice and do what I could to not make them anymore upset. They may end up offering to cover the cost. JMHO

  • natesgramma
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I would at least take a lot of pictures of your cabinets that have no damage in case you need to compare after the install. Thank goodness your cabinet guy is concerned enough to make sure you get what you ordered.

  • Fori
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    New plumbing isn't hard to deal with--you could probably do it yourself in 30 minutes if you wanted to.

    Anyway, glad they're fixing it. It was pretty badly matched!

  • weedmeister
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    the plumbing will need to be detached. Depending on how the faucet was installed, this could be a 10-minute task or less. The sink may take more effort depending on how it was attached.

    I just looked at your pictures. That's a nice sink. It will take a few minutes to detach the disposal. If he used standard attachment clips for the sink, it won't take long to get off. The only 'issue' will be the silicon sealant which will take a bit of care to separate so as to not scratch the sink.

  • pluckymama
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Agree with fori. You can detach the plumbing and reattach yourselves. Go to plumbing section on GW and you can post and ask how it's done. So happy for you. They should be able to do this w/o ruining your cabs. So many people just redo countertops without damage to the cabs. Can't wait to see your new granite. Good luck.

  • stpindell
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Update:

    The granite guy came over on Saturday and took out the granite and replaced it with new matching granite. Thankfully, the cabinets were not damaged (okay - there were a few small scratches, nothing that couldn't be touched up). It looks 100% better. He will be back next Saturday to install the backsplash!

    Thanks for all the support!!1

  • Jodi_SoCal
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Great, great news! Thanks for the update.

    Jodi-

  • Buehl
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Pictures??? (We like to see the good jobs too!)

  • erikanh
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Congratulations!

  • paintpanther
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes we want pictures of the new granite!!!

    THanks for all the good information in this thread!!

  • boxerpups
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Stipindell,

    Yippieee they fixed it.
    Where are the photos? I am sure you love it but we want
    to be sure you were treated well.

    I just love a happy ending.
    ~boxerpups

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Glad to here that your Fabricator did the right thing...

    Sfcitydweller - I use the latex caulk because it can release
    if I ever have to remove a piece in the future (with damaging
    the piece) bond is fine...

    sorry I have been absent for a while - I just got back from Maui...

    Some pics of the new install would be nice to see!!!

    kevin

  • twogirlsbigtrouble
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    So glad to hear this got fixed! Make sure to post new pics!