The Basics of Getting a New Countertop
– Choose your material, edging and sink
– Schedule a template for us to get an accurate measurement of your cabinets
– Finalize your choices and signoff for fabrication
– Schedule your installation and plumbing disconnects and reconnects
– Enjoy your new countertop and refer us to everyone you know!

Before Measurement and Template
– Review our materials, edging, sinks, options, and request an estimate
– Sign estimate in office or return to us by email or fax
– Pay 50% deposit
– Schedule Template Date & Time (Templators arrive within schedule time not on the hour. If time is 1pm – 3pm they will arrive within that time period. Allow 1-2 hours for template for normal kitchen)
– Ensure everything is ready for templating by Date & Time scheduled. (See section below)
If you need to reschedule please do so with a minimum notice of 48 hours
AN ADULT OVER 18 MUST BE PRESENT AND ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS AND APPROVE COUNTERTOP DETAILS!
– If replacing existing countertops clean off countertop, access to countertop, and surrounding area
– If new cabinets ensure lower cabinets are fully installed, secured in place, and LEVEL. (1/8” per 10’ Run)
– Have faucets, sinks, cook tops, and other fixtures needing cutouts on site (Fabrication will not be started until we have required items)
– It is recommended to have appliances in place at templating. If not customer takes full responsibility for fitting.
– Discuss seam location and install concerns with templator and be available if they have questions for you
– Sign template sheet to make final approval for fabrication (Or contact our office for revised quote/details)
– If any adjustments to the original project estimate are required our office will contact you with a final estimate.
– Make deposit payment if you have not already made (Total of 50% is required BEFORE FABRICATION)
Day of Measurement and Template
*If a responsible adult is not present, no one is home, the cabinets are not ready on the day of template, or you cancel within 48 hours. We will re-schedule your project and you may be charged a return trip fee minimum of $150.
Before Fabrication
– Ask any questions regarding material, edging, sinks, seams, etc
– All final decisions must be signed off (sign at template or from a revised estimate)
– If you choose to layout the slab please call us to schedule time (if you choose this option we will not begin fabrication or schedule install until layout is approved)
– Until the total 50% deposit has been received, and all decisions have been made and signed off in writing, fabrication will not begin and your project will not be added to the installation schedule.

Day of Installation
AN ADULT OVER 18 MUST BE PRESENT AND ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS AND APPROVE COUNTERTOP DETAILS!
– For safety keep children, pets, and yourself away from construction area and path of access.
– Create a clear path to the installation area and cover any furniture or floors (Do NOT place plastic on floors)
– Move all breakables, valuables, or obstructions from area. Including items in cabinet under sink location.
– Disconnect plumbing, gas, and electrical equipment (Our installers cannot do disconnects)
– If we are not removing your old countertop ensure it is removed and all items are disconnected (If not removed we will remove and there will be a charge)
– If advised during template you need countertop supports for overhangs have them installed
– We will install your new countertop and as a courtesy the sink but not any cooktops, faucets, or make any connections etc.
– Upon completion of your project our installers do a basic clean then review your completed project with you for inspection and signoff.
– Make final payment (either give check to installers or call our office with a credit card)
– We suggest you schedule a plumber at least a few hours before installation for disconnect and the day following for the reconnect. If the plumbing is not disconnected when installers arrive we will reschedule your installation for our next available date and you will be charged a return trip fee minimum of $150. We have recommended plumbers if needed.

While T Brothers Tile is committed to excellence, high quality, and will take every precaution please be aware that countertop installation is a construction process. Noise, dust, and scratches to walls, cabinets, floors, or nearby items are rare but possible. These items are considered incidental damage and are the customer’s responsibility to repair.

Material Disclaimer – Marble, Granite, and other natural materials do vary in color, polish, structure, and movement. Inherent in these materials are sometimes visible fissures, pits, and inclusions that are not flaws in the stone. It is the customer’s responsibility to review material for unwanted spots. While T Brothers only uses the best quality stone available it does not guarantee flawless materials. Like diamonds these also make up the beauty and uniqueness of natural stone.

I got a call from a customer we did a pool tile job for. He supplied about $6,000 in glass tile and it seems that the tile was cracking. new website list . He notified the manufactuer and sent them pictures. Their response “it was the thin-set the installer used” That seems like an odd statment. He sent pictures and it didn’t make sense to me how thin-set (an inanimate object) could cause a crack. So ( like all responsible contractors do) we went out to inspect the job.  I called the Thin-set manufactures rep and scheduled a time to go out there. Upon inspection I viewed tile that seems to randomly crack. The homeowner said it was the “light blue” ones. ask kids . After reviewing left over sheets front the original insulation we realized that theses “light blue” ones were the back side of the iridescent tiles. Looking at the profile the glass seemed to be fused together. The glass supplier said the thin set we used didn’t allow the glass to move and thats what causes cracks. Cracks are caused by pressure & stress. Alleviating those eliminate cracks. Usually you’ll see those in linear directions. I thought that these random single tile cracks didn’t make any sense. So I asked if the homeowner had a heat gun I thought if we get the glass hot to the touch (like it is in the sun) and then drop cold water on it and see what happens. Sure enough the tile cracked. Proving that the cracks are caused by cold water hitting a hot tile. The waterline tiles that had cracked in a linear direction were caused by the concrete slab pushing outward. So now since the homeowner supplied the material he now has to figure out how to battle with a supplier that never even seriously wanted to address his issue. When I supply material I mark it up. Its what happens in business. What it gives my clients is peace of mind that if there is an issue we will fight with them since we “supplied” the tile. I have several jobs where we did what it took to make the job right even in some cases at our own expense. More on that in my next blog.