CENTURY STONE INC

We chose this installer based on the recommendation of the tile supplier in Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, communications seem to be a problem in our opinion. From getting the tile ordered, open disclosure of tile pricing (we paid for the tile and paid for the labor as seperate components of the contract), to giving directions to the seemingly inexperienced laborers, there seemed to be communication problems. First day of job, the job drawing was left behind at their office...the tile cutter/layer didn't hear or understand how part of the tile pattern was to be laid out. When it came time to seal the tile and grout, the laborer sent to perform the sealing, did not clean off the grout haze or the tile cutter's pencil marks prior to applying the seal! A return trip had to be made and acid used to clean and correct. The evfort to make corrections was appreciated but the need to do so impacts the overall review of Century Stone. The overall result of the tile laying was o.k. but rather "rustic" effect because the grout line widths were greater than we had hoped for. The price for the labor was overall reasonable.Customer was a bit surprised to be asked to make full payment PRIOR to job completion...we declined, however we did go out of our way to get the check to them personally before they had to make payroll on Friday of that week. At the time full and final payment was delivered to their office, and then two more times (once by phone and once in writing via email) we requested the leftover tiles (job estimated and we paid for 15% more than sq. footage). No response other than "I'll check into that". We expressed that we would be satisfied with two or three tiles of each size in case we need to replace a damaged tile in the future. We have learned a lot from this experience and would advise as follows for any stone/tilework:In the future we will ask that the tile purchased actually be delivered and accounted for because tile can be quite expensive, especially decorative finish pieces and accent tile. We will make sure that the retail price of the tile and any applicable discounts are applied so that there are no questions about material amounts or costs.We would be sure the drawing/plan is available and reviewed by the actual labor doing the installing.We would request that the principal come and check on the execution of the job at each of the steps (this would save their time and money anyway!)We would ask to see examples of their work before contracting.