THE COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION PROCESS
Thank you for considering Fortis Stone & Cabinet for your project. Enclosed is our information on the installation process.
Fortis Stone & Cabinet works in a 5-step process to help achieve your highest satisfaction.
Fortis Stone & Cabinet works in a 5-step process to help achieve your highest satisfaction.
- INITIAL CONSULTATION / PROPOSAL
- We begin with the initial to assess all of your needs to help you achieve the style you are looking for: COLORS, EDGE DETAILS, BACK SPLASH AND SINK OPTIONS. Proposals are based on customer’s cabinet drawing/measurements or a rough sketch, but this will result in an estimate only. To more accurately determine the cost, you may elect to have a field measure completed and can arrange this through your local dealer. We understand that things change and many customers decide to make alterations once construction has begun. The template (onsite pattern) will confirm the final price. If you cancel the order for any reason, there is no cancellation fee, however, you will be responsible to pay for any work already performed.
- DEMOLITION PREPARATION
- You may choose to do your own demolition of any existing countertops or order the demolition through your dealer or contractor.
- The following must be completed prior to arrival if you arrange to have your dealer do the demolition.
- Clearing of contents in cabinets, drawers and countertops prior to demolition as well as the moving of any furniture that may be in the path of the technicians. This includes all appliances.
- It will be DUSTY. Please cover anything that you want protected.
- Disconnect all plumbing, electrical and gas lines.
- MEASURE AND TEMPLATING
- The field measure is where we come out to make a final measure of your project to begin the fabrication. At this time, all cabinets should be already installed or refaced and as close to level as possible. Top-mount or under-mount sinks should be onsite for measuring. To better aid us in the fabrication, we make a template of your finished cabinetry where the countertops are going to be installed.
- A template for cutting (final measurement) is made once the job site is ready.
- It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure the following is completed prior to the technician’s arrival.
- Cabinets must be installed and leveled. If cabinets are not properly secured to the floor and walls, our technician will not be able to install your countertop.
- Under-mount sinks require plywood to be installed. The sink and the template that came with the sink must be at the job site before template of countertop can be completed. Some situations may require that we take the sink to the shop to ensure a proper fit.
- All other items such as a top-mount sink (including template that came with the sink), faucets, bay windows, hoods, cook tops, ranges, downdrafts or anything else that requires cutting of the countertop needs to be at the job site, but not yet installed or attached.
- Appliance garages are installed after the countertops. If you are having new cabinets installed, make sure you advice your cabinet installers to wait until the countertop has been installed.
- FABRICATION
- For fabrication, we require to have all of your countertop information confirmed: color, edge detail, sinks (non-integrated sinks require templates or a physical measure). Depending on the size of your project, some take more time to fabricate than others. Some colors also require a lead-time of 2 weeks. All these factors contribute to your install date. In order to fabricate your custom countertop, a template must be taken with your color selected, drawings and a final proposal must be signed. If an up charge is required after the template is completed, it must be paid before fabrication begins. Once these have all been completed you can expect your new countertop to be installed between 7 – 14 working days. Occasionally a delay may occur. This can be due to several unavoidable reasons. We apologize in advance and promise you that we will alert you ahead of the appointment to reschedule, however this is not to be misconstrued as a provision of our warranty or that your dealer or Fortis Stone will be liable for any consequential damages resulting from delays.
- INSTALLATION
- The exciting day is here and your counters have arrived! Installation is approximately 1 to 2 full days. Before the installers arrive, please check the following:
- Cook tops, ranges, downdrafts, hoods, top-mount or under-mount sinks or anything else that requires cutting of the stone must be at the job site, but not yet installed or attached.
- Sink plumbing and garage disposals must be disconnected (the installers will need to move the sink into position). Faucets must also be removed if they have been installed. Fortis Stone installers do not do plumbing of any type.
- The counters are very large and heavy and there needs to be a clear and easy path free from clutter. It is your responsibility to make sure that anything that is at risk of being damaged is out of the way, protected and not in the path of the installers.
- The installers will need access to electricity and water. We will be doing some detailing in your kitchen and/or bath. Yes, there will be some dust, so take precautions.
- Cook-tops need to be disconnected. Ranges and refrigerators may have to slide out if the space is too tight. Ranges and refrigerators should be moved out of the cabinets to allow the installers free access to all countertop edges. It is your responsibility to move and/or disconnect all appliances. Fortis Stone and its installers will not be responsible for any damages.
- Concerning mirrors, Fortis Stone recommends that you remove wall-mounted (hanging) mirrors and glass shelves. Should you elect to leave these items on the walls during the demolition and installation process Fortis Stone, will not assume any liability for damages and/or replacement cost.
- After installation is complete you will be required to sign a completion form. This is your opportunity to not only check the quality of the material and installation of your countertop but also to make any comments concerning the entire experience. Please let us know of any problems you may have had with our technicians. We would appreciate any suggestions that you have to make the home installation process more convenient for future clients. Wait! You can do more. PROTECT YOURSELF. Check your kitchen or bathroom. Has our installation resulted in any damage to your walls or appliances? Did your technician leave your home relatively clean? Failure to notify your dealer or Fortis Stone on this form at the time of damages may result in your future claims being barred.