Our Process: From Template to Installation
At Russo Stone Design, LLC., we believe a perfect countertop starts with a clear and collaborative process. We are committed to guiding you through every step, ensuring you get the beautiful, custom countertops you've envisioned.
Here’s what you can expect when you choose Russo Stone Design.
Your Role: A Collaborative Partnership
For a successful and timely installation, we ask our clients (the homeowner, contractor, or designated representative) to actively participate in the following key areas:
Material Selection: If you have chosen a natural stone, you are responsible for visiting our supplier to select and approve your specific slabs. We cannot begin fabrication until this step is complete.
Job Site Readiness: Before we can template or install, your space must be fully prepared. This includes:
Cabinets are permanently in place, level, and structurally sound.
All necessary appliances (sinks, faucets, cooktops) are on-site.
The area is clear of debris and other trades, including countertops and nearby floors.
Availability: We require you or your designated representative to be present for both the templating and installation appointments to answer questions and provide final approval.
Final Approval: You are responsible for carefully reviewing and approving the digital layout we provide. This is your last chance to make changes before fabrication begins. Be aware that the placement of any necessary seams will be determined by Russo Stone Design at the time of templating.
Post-Installation Services: While we handle the countertop installation, you are responsible for arranging for licensed professionals to perform any required plumbing and electrical work after we have completed our part.
Step 1: Proposal & Material Selection
The journey begins with a detailed proposal. Based on your project’s scope, we will provide a comprehensive quote.
Natural Stone: If you've chosen a natural stone like granite, marble, or quartzite, you are required to visit a local stone slab supplier to hand-select and approve the specific slabs for your project. Remember, each slab is a unique piece of nature with its own distinct color, veining, and characteristics. Your approval is crucial, as this is the exact material we will use to create your countertops.
Engineered Stone (Quartz): For engineered stone, you can select your desired color and brand from the samples we provide. Since these materials are man-made, their patterns are more consistent, and you do not need to select a specific slab.
Step 2: The Template
This is the most critical stage of the process, where we capture the precise dimensions of your kitchen or bathroom.
Job Site Readiness: For an accurate template, the job site must be fully prepared. All sinks, faucets, appliances, and cooktops must be on-site at the time of the appointment. Cabinets must be installed, level, and permanently in place. If cabinets are out of level in either direction, it will result in a noticeable gap between the cabinet and our stone tops, as we cannot install our tops out of level. If using an Apron front or Farm style sink, it MUST be installed prior to our template appointment.
Professional Templating: A Russo Stone Design representative will come to your home with our advanced laser templating device to take exact measurements of your cabinet layout. This ensures a perfect fit.
Your Presence is Required: We ask that you or a designated representative be present during the templating appointment to finalize any details and answer our questions.
Trip Charges: A trip charge will be applied if we are unable to complete a scheduled template appointment due to a missed appointment by the customer, the job site not being ready, or if we have not received a 24-hour advance cancellation notice.
Step 3: Layout Approval & Fabrication
Once we have the precise measurements, we move to the digital layout phase.
Digital Layout: We will create a detailed layout that shows exactly how your countertops will be cut from the selected slabs. This layout will include seam locations, customized dimensions, and an image of your approved natural stone slab.
Final Approval: We will send you a Final Revised Estimate for your final review and approval. Please check every detail carefully. We will not begin fabrication until we have received a signed approval of the revised estimate, a 50% deposit, and your final sign-off on the slab layout.
Custom Fabrication: Our skilled fabricators will use state-of-the-art machinery to precisely cut and finish your countertops to the exact specifications of the approved layout.
Step 4: Installation
Our expert installation team will bring your new countertops to your home and install them with the utmost care.
Scheduled Installation: We will work with you to schedule an installation date once fabrication is complete.
Seamless Process: Our team will carefully transport the stone pieces into your home, set them in place, and professionally join any seams.
Seam Technique: We use a high-strength, color-tinted epoxy to permanently join countertop sections. Our installation goal is to ensure the seam is as tight and flat as the natural characteristics and variation of the stone material will allow.
What We Do & Don't Do: We will secure the countertops to your cabinets and install any under-mount sinks. We do not provide plumbing or electrical services, so please have a licensed professional ready to reconnect these items after we leave.
Caulking Policy: Our team's caulking work is strictly limited to areas where stone meets stone (i.e., full height or 4” splash to top). We do not caulk between the stone and the adjacent drywall or finished walls. This final sealing along non-stone surfaces is the responsibility of the painter, handyman, or finish carpenter.
Trip Charges: A trip charge will be applied if we are unable to complete a scheduled installation appointment due to a missed appointment by the customer, the job site not being ready, or if we have not received a 24-hour advance cancellation notice.
Step 5: Final Inspection & Care
The final step is to admire your new countertops!
Care & Maintenance: We will provide you with a care and maintenance guide, upon request. It is essential to follow these instructions to keep your countertops looking beautiful for years to come.
Our goal is to set clear and realistic expectations from the start, ensuring a flawless project and a delighted customer every time. We look forward to partnering with you to transform your space.