What Goes Into Granite Fabrication Costs?
Have you ever wondered why fabrication estimates vary? Are you curious about the different methods and tools that stone fabricators use? In this article we will consider some of the things that can make your stone countertop estimates vary. Once you know what affects the price, you will be in a better position to make budget choices.
Valuing Stone Fabrication
As with most other things, determining the value of your stone fabrication project requires a lot forethought. This is mainly because of the variables involved in each project. If you are contemplating your granite countertop, marble vanity project, or any other stone fabrication project, it's good to be familiar with factors that can alter the price of the job.
One thing that can affect the value of your stone fabrication project is the level of detail required. This is because detail usually requires time for cuts, polishing, or some other aspect of the fabrication process. For example, A galley kitchen is simpler for the fabricator than a kitchen with a number of surfaces that have curves or recesses on certain sides.
Not only will there be more cuts in the latter, but any notches in long sides or edge profiling that has a lot of detail will take more time to polish than the galley kitchen. On the other hand, the galley kitchen has pretty straight edges, and most of the surfaces will be basic rectangles.
So the complexity of the project itself will play a large part in determining the value of the job. However, this is only one aspect of a project's detail.
Performance Level & Customer Service
It goes without saying that there are varying levels of detail when it comes to any service provider. Both quality and speed are facets of any project that affect the price. The more effort the project requires, the longer the project will take. Additionally, the level of communication or control of the project the customer expects will affect the time as well.
First, let's consider quality. The quality of the project is determined by the skill of the fabricator and/or installer. However, it begins with the tools the professional selects. There are certain situations that call for specific kinds of supplies. Take for example, a quartz countertop. When the stone professional decides on which polishing pads to use he will have a variety of options. However, will he choose a
polishing pad designed for quartz? Of course, using the tools properly is what matters. But it is much easier to get good quality by using a high quality tool designed for the purpose.
Now let's talk about the speed element of your fabrication project. Cutting stone takes time. However, the more quickly the professional can cut the stone, the quicker the next task can be accomplished. The goal is to make a profit. But to do that, the fabricator and the installers must perform efficiently. Patiently cutting a stone into the proper shape can require multiple cuts. So having a blade that cuts fast is imperative. Let's consider why.
In this scenario, we will look at a project that consists of using a quartzite countertop. Quartzite is a very hard material. So, again, selecting the right tool is important. Many blades can cut quartzite. However, selecting a fast and clean cutting
quartzite blade will improve the efficiency. The faster and better the blade cuts, the more productive the stone professional will be. If the fabricator can product more good cuts in a shorter period of time, he does not have to charge as much. So then, he can pass along some savings the customer if he chooses. Of course, the value of having the project completed quickly will also play a role in the pricing.
So, what it boils down to is this: the cost of stone fabrication is affected by three main things:
Getting all three of these will no doubt be more expensive than only 2. But all three of them contribute to the value of the project. As a result, they must all be taken into consideration.
