We had SHI install granite countertops and an electrical outlet in our kitchen.
First we had a sales person come out to our home to take a look at our kitchen and give us a price for the countertops we wanted. While he was there we also asked him about our cabinets as we were looking to do something to update them around the same time. He gave us a quote to do the work for us but also gave us a lot of information and tips about doing it ourselves (which is what we ended up doing). As he inspected the kitchen he also noticed that we didn't have an electrical outlet for an over-the-range microwave and said that they could install one for us. I guess good sales people are always looking for an ""upsell"" but I didn't get that feeling at all -- him noticing the lack of an outlet saved us frustration later on and his tips on DIY for the cabinets were honest and gave us confidence he cared more about the relationship than squeezing a few extra dollars out now.
The price he quoted us per square foot seemed high at first but I was pleased to learn that it included everything (demolition, edging, a stainless undermount sink, hooking up the plumbing after installing the sink, etc.). The other people I talked to about countertops advertise a lower cost but then charge extra for all the (necessary) ""extras"".
We ended up just going with the granite at which point Mickey (our sales guy) met us at their office to show us their facilities and to begin looking at stones. We didn't care for any of the exotic level 2 and 3 stones they had left over from other jobs (that they offered to us at level 1 prices) but found something we liked at a local granite distributor. After we picked our stone we wrote SHI a check for half the project cost.
The next day an electrician came to install the outlet. He was on-time, quick and efficient.
The next day we received a call from the office saying that the granite guys wouldn't need the full day to install and was it OK if they came around 12? It was. They were waiting for to get home from work at 12:10 and were done by 3:30 or so.
The day after that their plumber came by to install the faucet and garbage disposal I had provided. Once he was done (again, on-time and no fuss) I asked him how you were supposed to install a dishwasher under the granite. He said normally you would fix a piece of wood under the countertop and screw into that -- he then got on the phone to the office and arranged for a carpenter to come out and do so for us. I'm not sure if was a miscommunication between myself and the granite installers and should have been done earlier or just a favor based on my question but either way I'm happy with the result.
We were really impressed with the communication. While some of the workers weren't the most talkative (at least not in English), I felt comfortable that they knew what they were doing and that the girls in the office were keeping everyone in the loop with regards to the schedule and who would be showing up when and to do what.
I realize I sound like an ad but I was happy with the service and am happy to recommend SHI. I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives but I value the confidence that comes from working with a company that values their reputation (I mentioned I found them through online reviews and they did ask me to review them).
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