After looking at the brochure and 3 sample displays of Orco Carmel Natural Stone at 2 building supply stores and at the Orco facility in Stanton, I decided to purchase 3 crates of the material (over 450 sf) for an exterior walkway at my home. The material comes in a 5-piece pattern and cost over $4,000 for the 3 crates. In the middle of installation we found multiple pieces of the stone that were significantly different in pattern and color. I understand that variation is to be expected in a natural stone product, but in this case the variation was extreme and ugly. The Carmel stone is tan with a caramel colored swirling natural pattern, while the rogue pieces were a light rose color with no pattern. Two of the largest pieces in the pattern were the worst offenders and obviously weren't compatible when installed. They looked like a bad patch job. The Orco rep came to the job promptly at my request which I appreciated, took photos of the two worst offending pieces, then returned the next day with one tile replacement but refused to replace the other because the company said the offending color is part of the natural variation. He had no answer when asked why this "natural variation" isn't depicted in any of the 3 Orco displays or the Orco brochure that I saw.
Yes, I purchased extra tile in case of breakage etc. but the company demonstrated very poor customer service with their refusal to replace one extra tile (less than 4 sf out of 450 sf purchased) that obviously was an eye sore to the job. I don't recommend their products. read more