A Practical Guide for the Buying Public, and Professionals of Stone Products and Services.
The 10 Biggest Mistakes Made when Buying Stone:
1. Not Seeking Qualified Professional Advice:
It has often been said that knowledge is power and that a little bit of knowledge is dangerous. Unfortunately, buyers do not have all of the current information regarding stone materials and products. Most often they do not know of the latest techniques and methods in the stone industry that will help improve their project. It is important that a buyer speaks to a well qualified stone industry professional and learns the basics of selection, technique and application of stone materials.
It has often been said that knowledge is power and that a little bit of knowledge is dangerous. Unfortunately, buyers do not have all of the current information regarding stone materials and products. Most often they do not know of the latest techniques and methods in the stone industry that will help improve their project. It is important that a buyer speaks to a well qualified stone industry professional and learns the basics of selection, technique and application of stone materials.
2. Lack of Planning:
Far too often the planning stages of a project is ignored. Where a buyer might have in mind and what they want to see and how things will look, they fail at times to have plans drawn up by a professional. These plans are vital to insure the right measurements of a project. Plans assist in a projects time efficiently. By proper planning a professional be able to get off on the right track and therefore reduce confusion as to how a project is ato be completed.
Far too often the planning stages of a project is ignored. Where a buyer might have in mind and what they want to see and how things will look, they fail at times to have plans drawn up by a professional. These plans are vital to insure the right measurements of a project. Plans assist in a projects time efficiently. By proper planning a professional be able to get off on the right track and therefore reduce confusion as to how a project is ato be completed.
3. Not Visiting A Showroom or Slab Yard:
Due to busy schedules and other obligations buyers sometimes do not visit the proper establishments in order to select their stone products or materials. Some buyers leave the selection of their materials up to others whom they trust. Where this might be all right for some, in most cases a buyer would want to see, touch and inspect the material they will purchase. This will eliminate any surprise when the material is finally delivered and installed at your project.
Due to busy schedules and other obligations buyers sometimes do not visit the proper establishments in order to select their stone products or materials. Some buyers leave the selection of their materials up to others whom they trust. Where this might be all right for some, in most cases a buyer would want to see, touch and inspect the material they will purchase. This will eliminate any surprise when the material is finally delivered and installed at your project.
4. Not Investigating The Availability of The Product:
There is often a sufficient supply of material for any number of projects. In some cases a buyer selects material that falls into a specialty category. Since certain quarries have time restraints and limitations on special ordered materials it is wise for a buyer to check first on quantities and delivery dates. The availability of some stone products depends upon the time of year and what material is being manufactured at that time.
There is often a sufficient supply of material for any number of projects. In some cases a buyer selects material that falls into a specialty category. Since certain quarries have time restraints and limitations on special ordered materials it is wise for a buyer to check first on quantities and delivery dates. The availability of some stone products depends upon the time of year and what material is being manufactured at that time.
5. Using Outdated Samples:
Buyers often will use a sample piece of stone taken from a slab to make a decision on product selection. However, unaware of the fact that stone material varies, a buyer may wait for a period of time to purchase. At the time of purchase the same stone may seem different. This is due to the fact that sample pieces taken from one slab will vary in features in relation to another slab. To avoid this potential problem, buy stone material from the slab stock of the original sample piece.
Buyers often will use a sample piece of stone taken from a slab to make a decision on product selection. However, unaware of the fact that stone material varies, a buyer may wait for a period of time to purchase. At the time of purchase the same stone may seem different. This is due to the fact that sample pieces taken from one slab will vary in features in relation to another slab. To avoid this potential problem, buy stone material from the slab stock of the original sample piece.
6. Not Buying Enough Material For The Project:
Many buyers fail to purchase the right quantity of material for several reasons. One reason is lack of planning. Another is trying to save cost. Whatever the case may be, a buyer should have an adequate amount of material to complete a project. This will prevent delays and keep the project on schedule.
Many buyers fail to purchase the right quantity of material for several reasons. One reason is lack of planning. Another is trying to save cost. Whatever the case may be, a buyer should have an adequate amount of material to complete a project. This will prevent delays and keep the project on schedule.
7. Buying Inferior Material:
Stone products and materials are graded on a typical scale of A-B-C with (A) being the best quality. Many buyers sometimes sacrifice quality by purchasing inferior material. This more than often leads to project related problems. Inferior material usually is milled at different sizes causing installation delays. Inferior material visually does not have the feature consistency as does top quality material. Buyers of inferior material usually end up dissatisfied after a project is completed. Most buyers of inferior material want the million look on a popcorn budget.
Stone products and materials are graded on a typical scale of A-B-C with (A) being the best quality. Many buyers sometimes sacrifice quality by purchasing inferior material. This more than often leads to project related problems. Inferior material usually is milled at different sizes causing installation delays. Inferior material visually does not have the feature consistency as does top quality material. Buyers of inferior material usually end up dissatisfied after a project is completed. Most buyers of inferior material want the million look on a popcorn budget.
8. Not Investigating the Care and Maintenance of the Product:
It is best, long before a buyer purchases a stone product, to educate themselves on the care and maintenance of the material. While there are a variety of cleaning solutions for stone products only one is right for your particular application. Be sure to know all that you can on the care of your stone material, for the wrong chemicals can cause damage to your stone material’s finish.
It is best, long before a buyer purchases a stone product, to educate themselves on the care and maintenance of the material. While there are a variety of cleaning solutions for stone products only one is right for your particular application. Be sure to know all that you can on the care of your stone material, for the wrong chemicals can cause damage to your stone material’s finish.
9. Not Using Qualified Professionals To Install Materials:
After buying a stone product it is important that qualified professionals fabricate and install the material. Stone products and materials are not like ceramic tile where the skill level can be achieved in a short time to install. However, the installation of stone materials and products needs the expertise and know how of a trained stone professional. It is best to secure a professional fabricator and installer while engaged into the planning and design phase of your project.
After buying a stone product it is important that qualified professionals fabricate and install the material. Stone products and materials are not like ceramic tile where the skill level can be achieved in a short time to install. However, the installation of stone materials and products needs the expertise and know how of a trained stone professional. It is best to secure a professional fabricator and installer while engaged into the planning and design phase of your project.
10. Not Using GLF Enterprises:
Service and professionalism should be your number one priority when it comes to selecting a stone and stone product company. Many of the mistakes mentioned above can be avoided by having a trusted and experienced company like GLF Enterprises, Inc. handle your retail, consultation, fabrication, and installation needs. We will ensure that you get the quality and expertise your want and need on your project. Call us today and let us assist you the best way we know how.
Service and professionalism should be your number one priority when it comes to selecting a stone and stone product company. Many of the mistakes mentioned above can be avoided by having a trusted and experienced company like GLF Enterprises, Inc. handle your retail, consultation, fabrication, and installation needs. We will ensure that you get the quality and expertise your want and need on your project. Call us today and let us assist you the best way we know how.
