Fair and Clear Pricing Policy

First of all, don't get sucked-in by a low price-per-square-foot advertisement.

Heritage Stonecraft is committed to simple, clear and detailed cost estimates. We do not use any bait and switch tactics or leave any probable costs undisclosed. We also offer to match the price of reputable companies provided we see a complete and detailed proposal.

Price per square foot

We often get phone calls asking for unit prices for our products. We know that less scrupulous companies advertise an artificially low $/sq ft price to get people hooked, and all the "add-on's" only get revealed after the customer has invested a lot of time and energy.

Such tactics include:

• Extra charges for estimates, templates or fuel "surcharges";
• over-estimation of square feet (double counting corners in "L" shaped pieces);
• additional charges for several basic edge polishing options;
• charges for cooktop cutouts and faucets holes;
• charges for sealing the stone;
• charges for smoothing the underside of the front edge;
• charges for adding reinforcement or "rods" to cutout locations;
• surcharges for "L" shaped pieces;
• charges for firm installation dates................ etc etc.

Also, many base their square footage on the size of the slabs used, not the square footage of your kitchen or bath.

The bottom line - only a complete and itemized estimate for your particular kitchen or project can be used for genuine cost comparisons.

Stone & Fabrication Quality

Heritage Stonecraft uses only "first quality" stone slabs in 3 cm thickness (1.25") where available.

Others sometimes base their advertised prices on 2 cm (3/4") granite, "commercial grade", or pre-manufactured chinese"blanks" - which normally increase the number and placement of seams and can result in larger color variations between pieces.

All our large machinery is "made-in-the-USA". The edge polish and cutout accuracy is the best that can be attained with machines that cost over $300,000 each. Many smaller companies perform most of the work using hand tools and even cut the stone inside the home.

Our templates are made using the latest laser technology and feed their digital data directly to our CNC machine. The old-fashioned method of wood or paper templates is still used by most other companies.

As Marble Institute members since 2003, all fabrication and installation is done according to their standards. Almost every day we see installations done by others which are improper including:

• seams over dishwashers
• no subtop with 2 cm granite counters
• no reinforcement at cutouts
• use of the wrong adhesives with undermount sinks
• failure to use mechanical support for undermount sinks
• inadequate support for large high-bars
• excessive and unsupported overhangs
• diagonal corner seams
• etc etc

Layout and Cutting Options

Heritage Stonecraft works with the customer to minimize the number of seams. For granite with large patterns/veins, we invite the customer to participate in the layout process so they can make choices on how the slabs are cut and positioned in the project.

For many other companies you don't even get to see the slabs before they are cut, and have no say on how the pieces are cut and the number and position of seams.

Warranty - What Warranty?

Heritage Stonecraft is very unusual in offering a 5 year warranty with our natural stone installations. Engineered Quartz sometimes come with longer warranties. On over 5000 completed projects since we started business in 2003, we have had only 2 warranty calls. Both were addressed immediately although one was as a result of foundation movement and repair which, strictly speaking, wasn't covered.

Other Factors

Heritage Stonecraft does not use subcontractors for any aspect of the granite or countertop fabrication or installation. All employees are thoroughly background-checked before employment and all are US citizens or legal residents. All are offered a heavily subsidized medical insurance benefit and paid fair wages and overtime in accordance with State and Federal regulations.

Insurance

We carry $2,000,000 liability coverage and all our employees are protected by Workers Compensation Insurance.

Affiliations

We are members of the Marble Institute of America , the authoritative source of information on standards of natural stone workmanship and practice. We are also authorized by all major engineered quartz and recycled glass manufacturers who have inspected and approved our fabrication facility and processes.