Shop around if you must- You'll end up buying your counter here.
We have been renovating for three years and have received multiple quotes from Home Depot and Lowes for every 10%/free sink/edge upgrade bla bla promotion. We never felt confident in the product or in the design consultant we spoke with and were not thrilled with purchasing and then having to drive an hour or two to choose a slab (as samples look nothing like current lots) A friend had a horrible experience with stone creations when she purchased through Lowes and so we were only shopping Home Depot. When we asked them to match the Lowes quote they said it must be "apples to apples" and we had to get another quote for the same exact color. Not the same grade like A, B, C but the exact color. When digging for this, we discovered- they BOTH use Stone Creations!?! Then we stumbled on another unhappy victim of stone creations who found out the contractors inflate their installation rate because Home Depot requires 20% of the job as payment for 'advertising' in the store for them.
Enter Heidi from Ripano- so warm, welcoming, layed back, experienced and genuinely interested in our project and being part of a solution. Being upfront with our budget, she kept me on track and yet still offered me so many choices! Because they quote by the job and not by sq ft you will get way more for your money at Ripano. Heidi spent hours with me going over measurements, design, taking me around to hold my cabinet doors and trim to the slabs- Oh yeah. It's all in house, right there, one stop shop. (side note- my Home Depot sample we compared to theirs-they have access to the exact same colors- and the Home Depot sample was way different because was from an older lot!!! Had I purchased elsewhere, I would have driven hours only to discover I needed to cancel my order!?!) We chose the perfect slab that day, got the quote, beat both Home Depot and Lowes and we decided to upgrade from a 16 gauge to a 14 stainless steel sink as their option had superior design at a competitive price.
Scheduling templating was a breeze and quick and scheduling installation was easy and fast, even with a holiday monday in the mix. They gave us the option to approve design and you literally get a digital picture of your stone and how it will look cut out so you can control where the unique patterns in your granite will end up. They will also discuss if a seam is needed anywhere and options. !?! Go with the other places- you're lucky if they show up with the right slab and they'll put seams where ever they want- and not lined up or level, either.
Installation with Shawn was quick (the hubby is picky and he was pleased) and the final product- I apologize for being dramatic- but I'm in love.
Solid countertops are an investment and it is absolutely unacceptable if you are not head over heels with your purchase. You will not save money going elsewhere, even with a promotion, even with an additional coupon. Trust me. I'll show you quotes. Yes, this project was my first time meeting them and no, I was not paid to write this.
Save yourself the hassle and get the best product, the best installation, the best warrantee and the best design and the best value. Oh, and to boot- you're supporting a local company. read more