A1 Granite

Countertops
Calgary AB T2E 7K8
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HomeStars  >  Countertops in PATUANAK  >  A1 Granite  >  Granite kitchen countertops
Joyce Sharp from Calgary
Joyce Sharp from Calgary
1 review Calgary, AB
3/10

Granite kitchen countertops

Countertops review in Calgary

A1 Granite and Marble Ltd was punctual and the price was good. The price never changed and the timeframe requested was met. The contertop is polished and edged beautifully.
Why the rating 3/10? It doesnt look good. It reminds me of a flawed or cracked countertop. Let the pictures speak for themselves. I know I know. Granite comes with veins.
We were not satisfied in the end perhaps through fault of our own but believe A1 need to take some blame and responsibility for this as well.. We should have been more educated as to the questions to ask before signing any contracts but then they should have been more informative as well. We were not aware of some options so didn't ask about the possibilty. Before putting down 50% of the cost price we should have asked for a 3D picture of what the precut product would look like. At that point they should have told us they were unable to meet our requested deadline due to time needed and perhaps the quoted price due to more expenses incurred. We had asked that the countertop be installed by Christmas based on the quote given.They were set on meeting this expectation so a 3D option was not given as an option. We did have the countertop by Christmas but would have changed that deadline had we known we could have asked if there were more options to getting the countertop we were hoping to - one without veins running through it.
When we were called in to view the slab from which the countertop was to be cut and I said I did not like the looks of that slab because of the vein and upcoming cut, it was explained that the vein would run through a corner of the island and apparently on another countertop. The washroom countertop would have no vein and it does look beautiful! The gentlman informing us was very courteous and encouraging. We were not to worry.The end product would look very nice. I asked if we could buy another slab. He said the colors may not be the same. We unfortunately signed another form saying we approved the slab being used not aware of how it would actually look once cut. We certinly didn't think that much vein would be used. It is, however, polished and edged beautifully but then that isn't where the eye goes when seeing the counters.
I realize granite is a natural stone and has distinctive lines or veins within the stone, I asked if we could change to another slab. I was told no and that all slabs of this particular color were the same at this time with this vein running through it. This was a 2nd time I should have asked for a more visual picture of what the finished cut was to look like or ask for a credit to be held until an acceptable slab was available. As I understand now there would have been no refund option but I could have changed my choice of color or asked for a credit to be used at a later date. I had no idea this vein would show as it does, My fault. Apparently I was expecting something they could not provide within the timeframe originally given and I didn't ask if we could change that date. Had I seen a picture of the end product (even an eraseable felt pen drawing on the slab) I would have did a little more shopping around or changed the requested installation date. There appeared to be no options at the time and they did not inform me of more choices.
In summary I suppose we should have asked more questions and ensured we knew exactly what we were buying. Buyer beware.
I cannot in all fairness recommend this business because I went in needing for them to show me what exactly I was getting for my money and because I didn't ask for a 3D picture or given options to a later date, we ignorantly went ahead with the purchase.
This is basically a issue of miscommununication. They did their best to meet what they thought was important to us in meeting our deadline before Christmas but they neglected to inform us of all options available to get the end product we wanted. Yes, having new countertops before Christmas was important but not that important to now have lifetime countertops we are not proud of. Lesson learned!
They also ask the customer for 50% down before measuring and seeing the slab. This locks one into buying before seeing anything, Smart? They ask the customer to sign a form approving THEIR measurements. We needed to remeasure to confirm their "professional" measurements? We didn't know how to do this so believed them when they assured us their measurements were accurate. Never did understand why they wanted us to sign we approved their measurements but signed in blind faith they knew what they were doing. Smart? Fortunately the measurements were fine,
Note also there may be a BBB approval sign on the front door... smailler print says "thoughout 2012", not 2013 or now 2014. We didn't notice this until too late. Sign mght be down now but was there when we were doing business.

Approximate cost of services:
$6,098.00
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Previous versions of this review:

Joyce Sharp from Calgary
Joyce Sharp from Calgary
1 review Calgary, AB
1/10

Granite kitchen countertops

Countertops review in Calgary

see answers to optional questions submitted. Most of my story was summed up there.
A1 Granite and Marble Ltd was punctual and the price was good but we did not feel we received even close to what was expected. They claimed they could not cut around the veins in the stone any better than they did but let the pictures speak for themselves.
Know exactly what you are buying before paying for any of it. Post care and customer satisfaction are not there. Note also there may be a BBB approval sign on the front window... smailler print says "thoughout 2012", not 2013. We didn't notice this until too late.

Approximate cost of services:
$6,098.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
They claim customer satifaction and it definitely isn't there! For us they would need to replace the countertop to one with no veins. It was suppose to be a focal point of my kitchen but now I find I am constantly trying to explain these veins are not flaws nor cracks but a part of the granite stone. I know that but I didn't want veins showing in my countertop and made it clear when I first saw the cut, polished and delivered countertops. It was too late then. They had 85% of my money by then. They want anothert 35% before they cut. I have seen many countertops much bigger than ours with no veins. What I have reminds me of discounted or rejected granite slabs. They ask for 50% down and an additional 35% before cutting granite.That should have been a very red flag for us. If they had faith in their final product being what their customer wants they would not have to ask for any down until they could at least show you a picture of how your countertops will look when complete and if any veins will be needed to be included in the final cut. They also ask the customer to sign a form approving THEIR measurements. We needed to remeasure to confirm their "professional" measurements? We didn't know how to do this so believed them when they assured us they knew what they were doing.The measurements were ok but why would such a form be needed if they were sure of their own measurements?? Before the cutting they showed us the slab. I told them I did not like the vein running through it. They assured me all the slabs that came in were the same. Can I get a different one? No, all the same. They had 50% of our money but I should have asked for a refund at this point and not settle for a VERY disappointing final product. Cost of $6,000 should have given me a countertop to show off, be proud of and all it does is make me angry as I try to explain away the what-appears-to-be a flaw or crack in the granite.
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
Always request to see what parts of the slab will be used for your countertops before it is cut and paid for. If they say they will do their best to work around it do not except this. Be sure to actually see what "their best to work around it" will actually look like when the cut is complete. Don't pay any down until you actually see a drawing of the finished product. Once they have 50% of your money you begin to accept more. Once they have 85% you just cringed and watch as this sad piece is added to your newly renovated kitchen. Don't get tricked into thinking you will receive what you are hoping you are buying. See a picture or drawing of it before handing over a few thousands of dollars. This is a lifetime countertop. If you pay for quality, get quality according to your expectations, not theirs. If you don't want veins running through your countertop to give the illusion of cracks or sub grade granite don'ty accept the slab BEFORE actually seeing what the final cut will result in. If they say all the granite is the same, don't believe it. Most important see what you are going to buy before giving any money. See the actual cut and how your countertops will look.