Granite Transformations

Approximately 5 years ago I used Granite Transformations to install new countertop on my island.  I loved it and decided to refinish my remaining countertops this year.  I knew that the old countertop did not have to be removed before installation as the new top fits over it.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the backsplash could be installed over the old tile also.

Dani, the manager, had some great suggestions such as covering the windowsill over my sink with the same material etc. I loved the result!  

Installation went great. No complaints at all. Installers were easy to talk to. Kitchen looks much more modern. We will be doing our bathroom countertops next.

We had hoped to do our cabinets as well as counters but given the experience with our counters and backsplash we will not continue the work.

Installation was scheduled for Friday May 4th from 9:30am to 5:00 pm. Entire installation took from 7:30 am til 10:30 pm that night. They definitely need to work on estimates they give customers for installation times. My job should have been scheduled over 2 days, not just one day.I opted to use their plumber since I believed he would be more aware of what he needed to do. Plumber arrived at 7:30 am so I had him come in and start. He left to go to Tampa for another job and said he would be in contact with the installers and would be back to finish that day. Installers arrived around 9:30 am. Everything seemed to be going well until it came time for backsplash installation. Many of the tiles (3/4 and quot; tiles) fell off of their layout as he was trying to bring into the kitchen. The installer called his supervisor after trying to piece tiles back on the layout. The supervisor decided to send another installer from Vero Beach to Pt Orange to straighten out the problem. When he saw it, he was surprised and thought it was only a few tiles; it was actually 50 to 100 tiiles. The new installer decided to move ahead with the installation. As he was carrying the tile panel in, tiles were dropping off and breaking and leaving glass shards all over my tile floor.I finally stopped him and said this was not going to be acceptable as I was running around trying to sweep up the glass shards. They finally told me I would have to speak with their supervisor to tell him this was not going to be acceptable and I wanted new backsplash tiles and another installation date. I did this and they then moved onto finishing the bathroom granite overlays. They finally finished around 7:30 pm and left. Was told I would be called regarding date for backsplash installation. The plumber returned around 7:00 pm and began reinstalling plumbing to the sinks and finished at 10:30 pm.On May 8th they came back and installed the backsplash. Another all day event. When they left I was told to let the grout sit for a couple of days and then wipe down with water. Needless to say it surprised me after paying so much money, that I was the clean up crew. I waited the time I was told and then began wiping down grout which I'm still doing. During that process I discovered numerous chipped or cracked tiles and uneven tiles. Where the 2 backsplash met in the corner, they were out of alignment-- not horrible, but noticable. I found obvious black marking spots they used for measurements. After the cleaning, the granite edges appeared to look like they had been attacked by sandpaper and their is a dull film on the granite.On May 22nd, I wrote an email to Gary Lawrence (salesman) to inquire if he would come look at the installation and the issues I believed I had. He responded on that same day that he had forwarded to appropriated persons and someone would contact me.On June 17th, I again emailed Gary and indicated I had heard from no one and was extremely disappointed since I had paid them promptly. I mentioned I would be doing an Angie's List reivew and would he please provide me a contact to discuss my issues. I belive it was in the next 2 days that I heard from someone to schedule another visit.On June 20th their installation supervisor came out. I showed him the concern I had over the edge's of the granite looking so rough and the filmy look. I also showed him the backsplash chipped tiles and uneven rows. He indicated that the backsplash was not meant to look perfect. I told him I understood variations in material and even pointed some out. This was definitely not issues inherent with the materials. He started grinding the edges with a silicone pad and it improved the look slightly. He proceeded to look at the tiles and see what he could do there. When it appeared he had finished, I asked again about the chipped tiles and the permanent markings on the backsplash and he said he would have to come back as he didn't have any tiles with him. He then looked at several of the black markings and said it could be fixed.On June 28th the installation supervisor returned. We had tagged the tiles I believed should be replaced. He selected the tiles he was willing to replace. When it again appeared he was finished with the backsplash, I again asked about the filmly look on the granite. He indicated he did not see it. He said for this particular selection I made, this is what it looked like. (The sample I saw from the salesman was nice and shiny). I'm uploading pictures....take a look for yourself. I realize now I was so impressed with their display at the Home Show, that I rushed into the job without getting other quotes. I love the colors I selected, but after seeing what I ended up with...I should have researched and gotten quotes from other Granite installers. During the entire installation process with Granite Tansformations, the message sent was and quot;just get the job doneand quot;. I spent a lot of money to have filmy, gritty feeling countertops and a bad looking backsplash. In addition to the money I spent to have my kitchen upgraded; they did not take into consideration the cost to me of having to take time off of work to be there to correct issues that never should have occurred.

The estimator was very helpful in picking out colors, etc. Was happy with the installation. Had a small problem for which they returned and corrected. Not so happy with the quality of the counter tops. Seem to have a few cracks on the edges. But overall they look very good.

The job turned out great. Everything went as they explained. It looks better than we thought it would.

I was very happy with the rep who came out with sample and with the whole installation. I was very pleased with the results. The PROBLEM happened a couple of months later. The rep told me that the granite I chose contained minerals that would be dissolved with lemon juice, so that we should not let lemon juice get on the counter or used cleaners with lemon juice. Right there, I should have stopped and picked another color that did not have this problem. It turns out that other acidic liquids eat through spots too, which I discovered when I laid a washrag with vinegar on it on the counter. Since I cook every day, I should have realized that lemon or lime juice or vinegar would accidentally get on the counter, and especially since with the other members of the household who are not diligent at wiping up what they spill. After some phone tag and emails, someone came out to look at the damaged portions in December 2010. He said there was nothing they could do except replace the damaged section, and that he would talk with his supervisor and get back with me. That was the last I heard from the company. I was hoping there was some kind of compound we could rub into the dissolved areas, and maybe coat the counter to avoid further pocking, but the rep told me that would not work. The photos are not very good, but the light spots are the pocked areas. If you rub your finger across them you can feel the pitting.

The process went very well. We did have Juan (our installer) come back once for a couple of very minor cosmetic adjustments that just needed a little bit of attention. He was quick and our concerns were addressed immediately to our satisfaction. The countertops look wonderful and will be appreciated for years to come.

It was a much easier process than having your countertops removed. They put the new countertops in over the old ones.

Michael and Dudley and Lee were wonderful. I couldn't ask for better workers. They were very nice and clean. They cleaned up after themselves. Very hard workers and didn't take a break. Everything turned out beautiful. There was no mess. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. There was no mess and no demolition needed.

Some of their workmen left some glue around the house that I haven t been able to remove. They got some on the wallpaper and someone left a glue finger stain on the door. They were quick, efficient and cleaned everything up besides that glue.

Very well done, careful and accurate measuring. The installers Gene and Justin were very experienced and worked quickly and efficiently. They cleaned up after themselves very well also.

THEY WERE GREAT. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL. THEY WERE PUNCTUAL, AND THEY CAME IN WITH THE TIME THEY COORDINATED. THEY SET THE DATE AND CAME IN AND SAID IT WOULD BE DONE IN SO MANY HOURS IN THE DAY, AND THEY CLEANED UP AFTER THE MESS. THEY JUST DID A GOOD JOB.