Recommend a Quartz/Granite shop

[Buzzard]

Hey guys...just as the title says.

We want to go with a Quartz counter top in the kitchen. Anyone already done some legwork and able to recommend some good outfits with good prices or anything else to look out for?

Thanks!

[CarlLester]

We used these guys probably 8 or 9 years ago. At the time their quote was almost 50% less than all the other quotes we had. They did a good job and we are still pleased with it.

http://www.jmjtop.com/Home.html

[calgarygeologist]

Haven't done quartz specifically but Dauter Stone did our wet bar counter top and they were great to work with. The cost was lower than I had expected.

A good stone/quartz showroom is Stone Selection. They don't do the fab and install but they have a good selection and great service (much friendlier than the other wholesalers in town.)

[REDVAN]

Came here expecting a joke from calgarygeologist about how it's not really "quartz" or "granite".... leaving disappointed.

[terminator]

There's a place in falcon ridge plaza, I will post it here tonight.

I promise there prices will be atleast 1/2 everywhere else. If I forget to post shoot me a pm to remind me.

[Envitro]

I'm looking for this as well, so any recommendations would also be very appreciated! Thanks all! And thanks Buzzard for starting the thread!

[linecook]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

We used these guys probably 8 or 9 years ago. At the time their quote was almost 50% less than all the other quotes we had. They did a good job and we are still pleased with it.

http://www.jmjtop.com/Home.html

My brother works for these guys and does the installs. I would highly recommend them. I'm obviously biased but some of the work that he has done in the past include: the new terminal at the airport, suites at the dome, shopping malls, new hotel in Jasper.

He also just did my counter tops for our new home. They look incredible. Can't even notice where the seams are.

[Slava]

Let me say that if you're going with quartz then go with Caesarstone. Don't get sold on some cheap knockoff, because quality-wise some of the others are not close.

[Rerun]

Great thread...

I too was planning to have granite counter tops installed in my kitchen.

I was just going to go to Home Depot and have them do it.

Probably better and less expensive options out there?

[killer_carlson]

I will chime in and say to be very careful with the granite market right now. Ask for references and do a courthouse search to see if there has been litigation over the quality.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Great thread...

I too was planning to have granite counter tops installed in my kitchen.

I was just going to go to Home Depot and have them do it.

Probably better and less expensive options out there?

I would not recommend going with a big box store. I've heard a lot of bad stories about jobs gone awry. However, I've actually heard really good things about Ikea and their prices are pretty competitive. I think the prices are $79 to $99 per linear foot (I don't recall if it was 25 or 26 inches.)

[Fobby]

I went with a company call kings stone and granite. They did a great job two years ago.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Slava

Let me say that if you're going with quartz then go with Caesarstone. Don't get sold on some cheap knockoff, because quality-wise some of the others are not close.

This.

Do not go for the cheap option if you want quality.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I will chime in and say to be very careful with the granite market right now. Ask for references and do a courthouse search to see if there has been litigation over the quality.

References I take with a large grain of salt... I mean who is going give a potential customer a bad reference?

However, how do I do a courthouse search?

[CrazyCaper]

I'd recommend Granite Gallery. Great service and quality products.

[Reneeee]

Got ours done through hgbstone. Cheapest price out there and quality is top notch.

[Buzzard]

Thanks for help so far guys.

Today a kitchen install guy (who was not selling the quartz) whom my wife talked to briefly said not to be talked into more expensive quartz. He said quartz was quartz, and that you should only pay more for thicker slabs which are better because its stronger and no need for base over top of counters. I don't know any more than that as I wasn't there, but can anyone back that up or argue this one way or the other?

[calgarywinning]

Alberta Marble and Tile, super professional, talented and very experienced. Not the cheapest in the market, but extremely professional and superior results.

[calgarywinning]

The Caesar stone people are the originators of the formula for the Quartz. Then the patent expired/or formula re discovered and suddenly you have competition.

Quartz is not without it's downfalls, sharpies can permanently damage them.

Originally Posted by Buzzard

Thanks for help so far guys.

Today a kitchen install guy (who was not selling the quartz) whom my wife talked to briefly said not to be talked into more expensive quartz. He said quartz was quartz, and that you should only pay more for thicker slabs which are better because its stronger and no need for base over top of counters. I don't know any more than that as I wasn't there, but can anyone back that up or argue this one way or the other?

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I will chime in and say to be very careful with the granite market right now. Ask for references and do a courthouse search to see if there has been litigation over the quality.

Thanks, don't know if it applies as well, but we're pretty much set on quartz.