Hiring a professional stone contractor can be difficult. A careful reading of this report should give you enough background to know what a professional is talking about. Here are some points you should definitely cover before arriving at any decision:
1. Before calling any contractor, ask around. Have any of your neighbors had their
marble/tile done recently? Who did it, and were they happy? Call your local stone/tile suppliers and ask whom they'd recommend for this type of work. Some of the stone/tile Associations may provide some good recommendations.
2. Once you have located several companies, schedule appointments to receive estimates. Almost every fly by night contractor will perform a free or over the phone estimate, this is not the guy for you. Be sure you are there for the scheduled time; it can be very frustrating for a contractor to arrive for any estimate, only to find no one home. On the other hand, if the contractor fails to show for the scheduled appointment without at least calling, he obviously do not take pride in his trade so why would he take pride in your project.
3. When the contractor arrives, explain what your concerns are and what you are trying to achieve. After all, you live with the floor or countertop every day; the contractor is seeing it for the first time. Give the contractor as much information as possible. What do you use to clean? Has the stone ever been ground in place? What
polishing compounds was use by the last company? Is there any wax or coating on the floor? Was the stone color enhanced or dye? If it's a new installation, the contractor will also need to know what materials are on the floor now. Any information will help him decide how to fix the problem. If the restoration guy does not inquire about these things, they are not guys for you.
4. Once the contractor has determined what is needed, ask him to explain the procedure he intends to use. Are there other options? Do your own research on restoration and
polishing and ask specific questions. What
polishing process will be used, etc.? A competent contractor will be more than happy to answer any question you may have. If not, they are not the guys for you.
5. A word on negotiating price: Among contractors, as in any occupation, personalities vary widely. Some contractors will negotiate; others will stick to their guns—although if you mention that you are getting two additional estimates, even a stubborn contractor may sharpen his pencil, but the true professional will never be the lowest bidder. Above all, make sure you're comparing apples to oranges. If one contractor is only going to polish and the other is going to grind, the difference in price will be considerable. You always get what you pay for.
6. If possible, obtain a demo or sample. Ask if a free demo can be performed, this is unlikely to me free from a true craftsperson; have it performed in a representative area. This will indicate what the final job will be like. Be reasonable, however; don't expect a contractor to perform a demo if the job is too small. Also take a look at the person website and see before and after images.
7. Ask for references—and check them. Many contractors in all fields have references, but you'd be surprised how rarely they are actually checked. Call at least three and ask if the contractor did a good job. Were there any problems and did he correct them? Where his employees professional?
8. Does the contractor carry insurance? Ask for proof. Have him show you a certificate of insurance, or, if the job is large enough, have his insurance company send you one. Be sure he carries liability, any reputable company will have insurance, if not, they are not the guys for you.
9. Once you choose a contractor, schedule the job. Don't be surprised if the contractor is booked for several weeks. Be patient; a good contractor will be busy, and you will have to wait your turn. If you absolutely must have it done now, ask him if he'll book you if he gets a cancellation.
10. Gut feeling—are you comfortable with the contractor? This is much more important than you might think.
Even the best contractors can make mistakes. The difference between a good contractor and a bad one is the willingness to correct those mistakes.
11. Please make sure the contractor is active in the stone community like the guys here in this unbiased stone community.
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 | | Marble | MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS
This standard includes general information on the characteristics
and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems
associated with the material.
INTRODUCTION
Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite
(CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of
limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic
processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone
with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite
porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high
polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and
sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially
polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects
of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed,
is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is
readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the
actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the
acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds
react differently with marble and produce various by-products,
which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability
of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine
the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration.
Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the
other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid
attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the
brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red,
yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition.
TYPICAL USES
Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for
outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture
it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative
features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is
used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of
exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the
feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not
the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage
to which marble is susceptible. | |  |
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