Paramount Granite Co

Jocelyn helped us to look through multiple partial slabs on-site to find what we wanted for counters in our basement finish. The entire selection process was easy and efficient, and pricing was very reasonable. Scheduling and install also went well; we knew what to expect and the schedules and installers called and showed up on time. We were very happy with the entire process with Paramount.

I have worked with many contractors to do jobs and this is far and away my worst experience and really one of my only bad ones.  I would recommend working with anyone else at twice the price. I am not a contractor, but I am reasonably knowledgeable for a homeowner.With most contractors, you sit down and talk through all the details, sign all the contracts, then pay your down payment.  If there is significant design that needs to be done, you might pay a partial down payment prior to that happening, but only enough to cover that design work.With Paramount Granite (PG), they come out and measure and give you an estimate.  You think this is all your are going to sign and you pay 50% down, which is non-refundable.  The issue is that THEN they start giving you lots of legal paperwork to sign.   If they wreck your walls - not their fault (they did do damage to our drywall).  If they damage your cabinets - not their fault (we have a couple big scratches in ours).  I review lots of legal documents for my work.  PG's documents are very one-sided.  If I had seen those before paying the deposit, I'd have gone elsewhere based solely on the adversarial tone they have.However, the person (receptionist?) who answered the phone didn't pass me on to someone knowledgeable, she answered my questions as if she knew the answers.   More forms came later, which did answer my question and those contradicted what she told me. When asked about that, the response is "Oh, those forms don't reflect our current process, they need to be changed."  However you still have to sign them.Then, after all the forms are done and the install is scheduled, you get an email with your receipt for your final invoice.  Final payment is due at the time of install.  Again, I never had to do this with much larger projects.  We missed this requirement in the email (our fault), so we didn't expect it on the day of install. When they asked for payment, my wife said she wanted me to look at the install before we paid (because by this stage we had no trust in PG fixing something later). The installers said they were going to take the granite back out and leave us with no counters or plumbing if we didn't pay immediately.  My panicked wife called me.  (My wife should never by panicked by your business processes!) When I called customer service, they confirmed that is their policy.  When I asked to speak to a supervisor, she indicated that she had worked there 11 years and he would say the same.  Ultimately, I worked out a $500 holdback and paid the balance.  Just left a really bad taste.  We did pay the $500 after I inspected the work.  The counters were fine, although there was damage to cabinets and drywall. Overall, with the exception of Brian, the measurement tech, every interaction we had with them I would characterize as unhelpful bordering on rude.  With most contractors, I would say people go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need and are fully educated and confident in the process.  With PG, they have your money and you can’t leave, they seem to treat you accordingly.  Here are my recommendations to Paramount:1) Know your customer - contractors and homeowners need a different level of communication in the process.  Make your process reflect that difference.2) Treat your customers with respect and trust and they will do the same.  Your adversarial stance breeds the same.3) For homeowners, have a sit-down discussion over the install details in person or even over the phone.  Make them sign them when you're done, but don't make them guess at the answers and tell them it's their fault if they are wrong.4) Train the people who answer the phone.  She should not answer questions for which she doesn't know the answer.  Instead of answering and being wrong, she should get someone knowledgeable on the phone or say "I don't know, let me find that answer and get back to you."5) Make sure people know your final payment expectations BEFORE you schedule the install date.  No communication about those payment expectations were made until after install was scheduled and I couldn't be home at that time.

This company was not selected by me but it's the company my kitchen cabinet company works with. So I went al the way from the southwest metro to St. Michael to select the countertop materials. I was going to get quartz but then did not like the samples shown to me so decided on a type of granite. Not sure if this was due to the companies they work with but it seemed that their selection of quartz was limited. Their salesperson was easy to work with, pleasant, and very helpful, she told me the granite I selected was on the expensive side but  it was not clear throughout the process how much the granite exceeded the allowance in the estimate from the cabinet company. I did not like that.  They did not have the granite I selected there so on another day I had to drive to Eagan (opposite end of metro area) to select the granite slabs. I also did not like that they would not commit to an installation date ahead of time so I could plan for this around work trips and family events. Even after the kitchen had been installed and they had measured for the countertop, they would not give me a date. I had been hoping for installation within 10 days due to an upcoming birthday but it took 2 weeks. When the countertops came in during installation a button of my Bosch dishwasher was damaged, the installer who damaged it told me about it but did not offer me a solution. The button broke off and could not be put back. Fortunately the dishwasher still worked, but now have a little square hole where the button is missing. Then after the installation which otherwise went smoothly I noticed that there was only one hole in the countertop for the faucet but my current faucet which I was planning to continue to use needed two. So the next day my handyman had to run out to buy a brand new faucet even though the one I had was only a few months old and beautiful. The next disappointment came after my new floor was installed and the new slide-in range put in place. Turns out there is a small gap on the right side of the range,  (maybe 3 mm wide), and this is especially bad and visible in the back where there is an opening between the back end of the range and the countertop, so big you can stick your finger in it . The fit is perfect on the left side, so certainly would have been doable. Otherwise the countertops are beautiful, I like the sink, but this does bother me. Not sure if this was paramount's fault or the cabinet company's fault, they had all the specifications for the slide in range. I got this slide-in range so there wouldn't be any gaps, so it's disappointing. I have to pay for my dishwasher damage, Paramount did not offer me anything. In summary, my losses include dishwasher damage, having to pay for a new faucet, and a gap between the range and the countertop. I have to admit the countertop granite is nice and the other countertops were measured correctly but overall not a good experience.

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EVerything went well, and they did a great job.  They showed on time, cleaned up after themselves, and acted professionally while doing the work.

The products and service is really good. The quality is really good. I would use them again.

The project went very smoothly.  We made a trip to Paramount to meet with their salesperson and review our needs.  Then we looked at the various options they had in stock.  The suggestions made by the sales person helped significantly.  Once we decided on the granite we liked, Paramount completed the project within a couple of weeks which aligned well with the overall construction project.

Entire process went well.  Each and every time I communicated with Paramount, I got a quick and professional response.  They were able to answer questions regarding how to deal with my bar height overhang and creatively able to utilize invisible bracket supports to prevent the need for some type of external bracket or corbel support.
The price was competitive and the bid very detailed so I was able to make sure I was comparing apples to apples.  I especially appreciated the extra time and effort they put in to figure out how to eliminate two seams on the island countertops without an extra charge required.
Once we decided to go with Paramount, they directed me to a couple of granite wholesalers to choose the slabs, once the slabs were at Paramount, I stopped out to discuss the layout with them.   Bryan did the measuring, on a Monday and a week and a half later on a Wed. the countertops were installed.  Entire process less than two weeks.
Lisa's communication through the entire process was professional and always very timely.  
Installation went as planned with the install crew dealing with the invisible brackets with some creative problem solving.  Entire install took 4 hours for all 7 pieces.  Looks great and they look beautiful!  Would highly recommend to friends and family and would use them for future projects.

. Overall it went better than we had hoped for. Not one problem, and the results are beautiful.

From the selection process to installation, everyone we dealt with at Paramount Granite did an exceptional job.  They were very helpful in our selection process.  The installation was done on time and beautifully.  As an architect, I would recommend Paramount to my clients.  As a homeowner and consumer, I would recommend Paramount to my family and friends.

Paramount Granite Company was a joy to work with! They offered an incredibly reasonable and detailed estimate (including options and their costs) within a day. When I visited their offices, I was treated with respect and courtesy. Barb answered my questions and showed me their slabs of granite (as well as the sinks and faucets they offer). I had already viewed slabs of granite at the various warehouses, but they had some beautiful pieces to choose from. I ended up picking a gorgeous piece of St. Cecelia granite from their selection, which just happened to be in the least expensive category.
The whole process was made easy by Angie's prompt and helpful responses to my emails. Paramount was flexible with my schedule when we needed to postpone the installation by a week. On the day of installation, the workers arrived on time and worked quickly and excellently. I was impressed when they discovered (from a spec sheet they brought along) that the particular slide-in range we had chosen needed rounded corners for the opening. The worker finished the job except for this part, drove back to the office and returned within the hour with the rounded piece to complete the job perfectly!
Paramount Granite Company is a first-rate company. I would highly recommend them to any of my friends. I am simply thrilled with my countertops and the excellent experience I had with Paramount.

Excellent! Couldn't be happier! The upper level kitchen granite is so beautiful! It makes the house!The service was awesome! We are very very happy!

It went extremely well.  We were so happy with how quickly everything was done.  We were expecting to wait a few weeks and were pleasantly surprised with how fast everything was done.

EVERYTHING WENT PERFECTLY.The measuring service is really cool. They take digital pictures using a special tape with measurements to fit the granite perfectly. The two installers were such great guys and they couldn't have done a better job. Again, I am a VERY PICKY customer and would recommend them. GREAT COMPANY, GREAT PEOPLE AND PRICING.

After 15 years in my current home, I was finally getting granite countertops. I was so excited. I went to Paramount on the advice of a friend who had used them. From the start they were very helpful. They answered any and all questions I had. I looked at multiple granite places, and I ended up selecting my granite at another business. Paramount did an excellent job coordinating the delivery of the granite to their site in a quick and efficient manner. The gentleman that came to measure our kitchen was professional and on time. Paramount allowed me to come down to the company and they put up all three slabs they were using for my kitchen and put the template of my counters, island and desktops on them. They were patient and helpful in deciding where to cut the granite to get the maximum effect I was looking for. (Lots of movement). Along the way, I made changes - edges of the granite, backsplash changes and added sinks and faucets. They patiently updated my invoice and emailed me the updates to the project within an hour every time.  I never felt they were frustrated or upset with me, and they treated me with respect. The installers were on time and professional.  They did an excellent job and I love it. I have had many compliments on them and wouldn't change a thing. Thanks!

We were very happy with the services PGC provided. The granite selection at their office was more than adequate. The granite was cut and installed to perfection. All communication was timely, complete and with very good follow-up on the entire project.  We were very satisfied with the outcome and would not hesitate to use PGC on any future projects.  We would highly recommend their services.Lou & Kathy Cristan

After looking at several company's  comparing countertop choices, colors, advise given and price I felt they were the team most qualified to do a quality project.  Quality was the most important factor for me.  ParaMount Granite Company showed me many samples of granite on site comparing it to my floor sample and cabinet color.  They were helpful and patient with me trying to make up my mind.The installers were very professional, there seams between cuts, corners and back splash are clean, straight and tight.  Everything went very smoothly in a timely matter.  Everyone was friendly and professional.  Turned out beautiful.  Quality work.

While we were searching for our dream granite, Paramount was very helpful with giving us a variety of estimates and answering many questions. We visited Many granite installers and Paramount was over and above the most competitively priced and customer-service oriented. The work was preformed in a timely manner with the utmost professionalism.

The procedure went very smooth from start to finish. One must have the countertop area braced and ready to go when the installers show up. Everything fit well  - the Installers were more than happy to answer all my questions.

We have been very pleased with their work from start to finish.  They keep to their producation and installation schedules as quoted.  Highly recommend them.

It was easy - they measured and came back to install all within a weeks time.

It went very well.  They were timely each time they came and called the day before with a reminder.  Having granite installed is a very time consuming project.  I have gone to many fabricators and contacted many other by email and telephone.  Paramount Granite representatives are very responsive and they have a fair price.  They will tear out existing counter tops if you wish.  I had my own tear out done and had my own plumber.  They came to my home and measured for the kitchen counter tops, island and 2 bathroom counter tops.  After I was provided an install date I scheduled the tear out and plumber to disconnect sinks.  When Paramount Granite came to install everything had been cut to fit.  The entire install took about 2 1/2 hours.  They did not take away the old counter tops as that was the responsibility of person who did the tear out.  Everything was sparkling when they left.  The last half of paymet was made then by a telelphone call to their office with a credit card number.  My plumber came back the same day and re-did the plumbing so I was back in business. 
Paramount Granite has continually offered their assistance to me with any questions I may have.  I highly recommend them. 

Both projects went very well. They helped me with sugestions on colors and styles of stones. For my bar, I had picked out what I thought was going to be a great piece, but they corrected and advised me not to use it as it was a very pourous stone that could have stained easily. I stopped their several times before making my decisions (as this was a major purchase for me) and they were always really patient and helpful. Pricing was very sililar to chain stores after you figured in installation and they gave me a discount for cash.
Do's : Make sure you checkout their website, but you really need to see the granite/stone up close in person before deciding. Have a general idea of what colors you want before you go there and maybe call ahead of time and have them set out for you to look at. They did this for me whereas other contractors did not have this capability. Check out the selection they have. If you're looking for a very rare or cool and original piece of granite this is the place!
Don'ts : I would recommend knowing a general idea and sq ft size area you're planning before going to the store so you can get a better understanding of what it will cost. Don't spend your $ on a big box store for something like this - use a good local company
I already am thinking of a couple other areas in the house I want to upgrade to granite or marble and I will definately be using Paramount Granite again.

They were very helpful when we came out to the store to select granite. The granite was installed on the date they said and the installation was done very nicely.

They had a good selection of granite, people who came to install and measure came when expected. The final install went quickly and the counter turned out beautiful. They called with the measure and install date but I had to call them to confirm measure and install time. The turnaround time between measure and install did take the full two weeks.