Post Work Review
This is going to be a long read, but if you can bare with me, you'll get an in depth look at my experience with Granite Expo. While I will not make a recommendation as to what you should do, I will NEVER spend another dollar with this company!
In August of 2016, a representative from Granite Expo came out to my home to take measurements. Following this visit, I received an email from Ray, stating that my job measured roughly 48 sq ft including 4-4 1/2 inch granite backsplash (same as counter tops). NOTE: This point will be revisited in the coming paragraphs. Despite having the measurements completed and the confirmation from Ray, my wife and I chose not to proceed with the installation at that time as we were still in the planning phases of a larger renovation.
In late March 2017, we contacted Granite Expo a second time as we were ready to proceed with the job. Measurements were taken a second time, and we confirmed with Tim (in store) that the measurements and terms of the package we were purchasing were still the same ($2599 for up to 50 sq. ft/ which included 4 inch stone back splash). We decided while in store that we would not however have additional glass tile back splash added to the wall space behind our stove. It was at this time that a contract was drawn up reflecting the terms of the agreement. The contract, which I have a copy of, states that we were having 48 sq. ft of granite installed (including 4 inch granite back splash confirmed by Ray both in an email and in person), but no additional glass tile back splash.
Installation was scheduled for 4/21/17 between 9:00 - 9:30am. At 9:45am on the morning of 4/21/17, I had yet to hear anyhing from Granite Expo regarding my installation. I called and spoke to Ray who advised me that he'd contact his guys to determine their location. Following my conversation with Ray, I received no update as to the location of the installers, they simply arrived at my home around 10:15am. When the installers walked in, I asked who the lead installer was. Having introduced himself, I asked to go over the job that was going to take place and it was at this time that it was discovered that the company had not cut ANY 4 inch stone back splash for the job. This was the first call that I put in to Ray regarding issues with this job, however it would not be the last.
NOTE: I should point out that I take responsibility for not stopping ALL work until this matter was corrected. Unfortunately, I decided to proceed with the installation under the impression that it would be resolved, but that was NOT the case at all.
I read the reviews on this company prior to hiring them, and one review in particular stood out to me. Another former customer pointed out that during the removal of the old counter tops, Granite Expo damaged the drywall in their kitchen. Having this information in hand, I notified the installers that I wanted to inspect the cabinets and drywall following the removal of the old cabinets, and they agreed. While they were removing my cabinets, I was having a discussion with Ray about whether or not Granite Expo was supposed to actually install 4 inch stone back splash. Ray's position at this point was that he would look into it and get back to me. This would have been about 10:25 am. The old counter tops were removed, the old back splash was removed, and the old bar top was removed. When the removal of the old cabinets was completed, I inspected the cabinets, the drywall and the bar top. The installers managed to remove the back splash in some areas without causing damage, while removing the back splash in other areas and putting holes in the drywall as well as leaving the bar top drywall unlevel. I had a conversation with the lead installer about the damage, I asked him directly if they were going to repair the drywall prior to installation. He told me that they would not. The counter tops and the bar top were installed. NO back splash was installed at this time, meaning the damaged drywall area was left exposed.
The installation of the new granite counter top and bar top concluded around 11:45 am. At this point, I had yet to hear anything back from Ray so I placed another call to his office. During this conversation with me, Ray took the position that I had not communicated a desire to have any stone back splash installed. Obviously a disagreement ensued from that point on. To be frank, I reminded Ray of the fact that I had paid $2599 for up to 50 sq.ft of granite, which my job (and contract for that matter) specified that I was to receive 48 sq. ft of granite which supposedly included 4 inch back splash. Ray disagreed. We went back and forth in a fairly heated conversation, because my position was that I had paid for back splash and Ray's was that I had not paid for it, nor had I specified that this was a desire of mine.
Please see Part 2 of this review!! read more