7 Questions to Ask Your Client as They Choose Kitchen Countertops

Do you work in the home renovation industry but aren't completely knowledgeable about countertops? Don’t feel ashamed to say yes, we all have our areas of expertise and, at Divine Stoneworks, countertops just happen to be ours! 

We want to equip you as much as we can to help guide your client to making the best choice of countertops for their home remodel. 

Here are 7 questions, and a breakdown of why it’s important to know, that can help guide your client:

1. What is the primary use of this area and countertop?

Will there be cooking? Doing laundry? Brushing teeth? Will a lot of people be touching this counter? Is it more for looks than function? We want to know the primary use of the countertop because not every stone is best for a given area. Some stones are porous and can stain very easily, while some stones are very resistant to staining and are more durable. We can help you find not only something beautiful, but that will be useful as well.

2. Will this counter be used every day or just occasionally?

If it’s a countertop that will be used everyday, like a kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity, those stones should be very durable. But if you are adding stone to something more decorative like a shelf,it’s okay to use a stone that is a little more porous because you typically won’t have anything spilling on it.

3. Do you want low maintenance?

Do you want to reseal your countertops or do you prefer not to? Options like quartz and Dekton do not need to be resealed. Once we install the counters, they’re all set for years to come! Any natural stone that you choose, you will need to seal it throughout the year depending on the type and how much the area is being used. It’s not a hard process to reseal the countertops, but you need to remember to do it and it is an extra step. Just something to think about!

4. Will children be using this area?

Kids can be a little messy and that is okay! They’re learning and sometimes juice spills or marker accidentally gets off of the paper and onto the table or countertop. If children will be using this countertop, you should probably pick a more durable option.

5. Will you be drinking wine or hosting gatherings on this countertop?

Not only can kids be a little messy, but adults can be too. ;) If you love to host, have lots of food out, make a lot of tomato sauce or use a lot of spices and maybe drink some wine, then having a porous countertop (one that absorbs things easily), is not going to be your best option. You don’t want to be hosting a party and be cleaning or handing out coasters for drinks the whole time. Relax with your guests knowing that if someone spills that delicious homemade pasta sauce by accident, your countertops are durable enough to wipe it up easily.

6. Do you want to be able to put a hot pan directly on the counter?

If it’s important to you not to use trivets in your kitchen, you should choose countertops that are heat resistant. Not many options are truly heat resistant, but we have some beautiful options that we can show you!

7. What is your budget for the countertops?

Most people have a budget. Not everyone knows what their budget is because they may not have done a renovation before. But if you give us a ballpark, we can point out options that would work within your budget. We understand that this is important to many of you!

Ultimately, we want to make your life easier while you work in your niche and we work in ours. Are you a contractor? Kitchen and bath store? Designer? We can help you! Whether you want to be hands-off and send your client to one of our trained design consultants to help pick the best countertops for them, or you want to come in with your client, it’s a tailor-made appointment for you. There are many ways for us to help you in your business so let us know how we can partner with you!

Did you know that, according to Zonda, 57% of people considering purchasing a home prefer natural stone or granite countertops? Since it's a popular choice, hiring a trusted countertop contractor becomes essential for such a complex task. Here are a few critical questions to ask before you hire one.

1. Do You Have Experience?

It's essential to ask them about their experience and references. If they're an established company, it should be easy to get a list of references from past customers. You could also check online reviews from Google or Facebook. Although hiring a newly established company could be fine, it's always better to go with a company with at least some experience.

2. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Any countertop contractor should have the proper licensing and insurance. Make sure they have a license from the state in which they operate. You'll also want to check their insurance policy, which should cover damage during installation or other accidents that may occur during the project. It's typically best to hire a company with these credentials because you otherwise put your home at risk. If the handyman isn't adequately insured, you may be responsible for any damage incurred during the project.

3. How Long Does Installing Countertops Take?

Another vital question to ask your countertop contractor is how long the installation process takes. Knowing the estimated time for project completion can help you adjust daily plans if necessary. It would help if you also considered that certain materials might take longer to install than others. For example, a granite countertop cut to fit your kitchen will take longer than a standard laminate countertop.

4. How Much Does Countertop Installation Cost?

A countertop contractor can give their customers a written estimate on how much a project will cost, but it can be challenging to know if you're getting the best price until you do some comparison shopping. You should ask several contractors for information on their pricing before making a decision. However, the final price ultimately depends on the selected material and labor cost.

These are four good questions to ask any contractor. When you're getting ready to install countertops, ensure you get as much information as possible. This will help you make the right decision. Contact Provin USA today to request an estimate or learn about our options.