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11-11-2009 at 6:39 PM
rboisvert
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Joined on 10-07-2007
Ithaca, NY
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rboisvert is online. Last active: 03-20-2010, 1:48 PMNewbie

Is this typical? Re counter tops

We are having new solid surface counter tops installed soon.  We are working with a local contractor who uses a less local SS company to do the fabrication and install.  The SS company was here today and as they were leaving they told me that they do not remove the existing counters.  We have to remove all the counters, unhook the stove top and sink.  This sounds crazy to me.  We can do this as my husband is in construction but what if we couldn't?  Do companies really expect the home owner to deal with demo and possible electrial work?  Our contractor who is doing part of our counters (different matieral from the SS) didn't sound like they would remove them either.  Unfortunatly I am recovering from the flu and didn't think to ask them about it.  We will send an email asking this question but the whole thing seemed odd.  This is the first home reno we have done using anyone but ourselves.
11-11-2009 at 6:44 PM
TEM325
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Yeah, when I had Silestone installed in my own house, we had to remove the old countertops and sink ourselves.....
11-11-2009 at 6:45 PM
prazenjc
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prazenjc is not online. Last active: 03-20-2010, 11:53 AMGold

what is "SS?" i know that acronym on this board to represent stainless steel. but that doesn't fit the context of our post from what i'm reading.

i wouldn't say it is typical, but it is definitely not uncommon.


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11-11-2009 at 6:47 PM
nicoleskr
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nicoleskr is not online. Last active: 03-19-2010, 9:14 PMBronze

Well think about it. When you buy clothes, does it come with the detergent to wash it or the washer &/or dryer to clean it in?

Or, when you get a haircut, does your stylist come back to do maintenance?

The SS fabricator is that, a fabricator and clearly they do installations. Usually, either a homeowner does the tearout or you hire a contractor. So, I would be a little surprised that you hired a contractor that doesnt want to do the tearout because I wonder what he does do. I used to work for a countertop fabricator & we did tearouts but it takes a lot of time & has a possibility of going badly (what if you hit a wall, drywall can come off, lots of possible issues), so I cant say I'm surprised they wouldnt offer the service. 

 
11-11-2009 at 6:48 PM
nicoleskr
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nicoleskr is not online. Last active: 03-19-2010, 9:14 PMBronze
prazenjc:

what is "SS?" i know that acronym on this board to represent stainless steel. but that doesn't fit the context of our post from what i'm reading.

i wouldn't say it is typical, but it is definitely not uncommon.

SS= solid surface

 
11-11-2009 at 6:48 PM
'06Knottie
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'06Knottie is not online. Last active: 03-07-2010, 11:33 AMNewbie

I think she is referring to Solid Surface.

I had my counter tops replaced last summer and they removed and hauled away the original countertops at no charge. 

 

 
11-11-2009 at 7:20 PM
rboisvert
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Ithaca, NY
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rboisvert is online. Last active: 03-20-2010, 1:48 PMNewbie

Thanks for  the replies looks about 50/50 depending on what kind of company you go through.  I am a bit foggy on what our contractors are acutally doing.  Here's the deal.  We went through a design/contracting company.  They showed us options we selected the materials and they did the intial drafting/quotes.  Now the company they use to get the countertops made is acutally doing the install which I was kind of surpirsed about.  I'm having my husband, who has been speaking with  the design/contractor ask about this.  The guy from the design company is that is on our account is acutally usually a draftsman and it sounds like this is his first time acutally working out the install of the products so it may be that he doesn't know what his company has worked out with this counter top company. 

I guess what is really throwing me is that we are not working directly with the counter top company so I expected that removal of counters would happen by the design/contractors.  We are replacing our windows as well and those contractors don't expect us to remove the existing windows.  Just like it's not the window company installing the windows.  The more I think about it the more there must be a missing link somewhere.  I think part of it is the new guy on the account and my medicated flu riddled brain.

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