When does PDP remove (demo) a customer’s old countertops?
If you requested a demo, we do this the same day as your template. This is because we need to make our templates atop the base cabinets. This helps us to avoid having unexpected issues on the day of installation. For example, if we discovered a customer’s cabinets were out of level after demo on template day, they would have a week to correct those substrate issues while the fabrication process takes place.
How should I prepare for my demo and/or template appointment?
Please have your existing countertops cleared so they’re ready to be removed. Also, depending on how your pre-existing countertops are attached to the cabinet and/or wall, debris can result during the removal. Please clean out or cover the contents of your cabinets to avoid them being dirtied.
How long do customers go between the demo of their old tops to their new tops being installed?
Once PDP completes a customer’s template (and demo if requested), your new countertops will be installed 7-10 business days. Customers must make prior arrangements and know that their application (kitchen/bathroom) will be unusable for that period.
Does granite need to be resealed?
Prior to installation, PDP seals all tops with a 15-year sealer. We do, however, recommend using a light sealer annually since the places you touch and clean the most (like your sink and stove area) get worn down with time. Using a sealer is not complicated like some may think. It is as simple as spraying the solution onto a towel and wiping down the surface.
What are the differences between Granite, Marble, Quartzite, and Quartz?
Granite is a natural stone that is quarried from the Earth. Granite is heat and stain resistant. It’s available in both light and dark colors, however it tends to have a lot of veining and wavy movement/pattern. Hardness: 6 out of 8. Price: $-$$$$.
Marble is another natural stone. Marble is heat resistant, but it’s also relatively porous and can be susceptible to scratching, staining, and etching over time if not carefully maintained. Therefore, frequent sealing is recommended. Marble is usually found desirable because of its minimal veining and quieter patterns. This is the only natural stone available in solid white. Hardness: 3 out of 8. Price: $$-$$$$.
Quartzite is a natural stone that is quarried from the Earth. It is resistant to heat and staining and is even more durable than granite. Quartzite is a good option for those who want the “look” of marble, with the durability of granite. Hardness: 7 out of 8. Price: $$$-$$$$.
Quartz is a man-made solid surface available in a variety of colors; usually imitating the look of real marble. Quartz is non-porous and very durable, however it cannot withstand heat above 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Quartz countertops are made of 93% natural Quartz, but the rest is pigment and hard resin. For this reason, we advise customers to always place their hot pots/pans onto a different surface to avoid burning the Quartz. Appliances such as air fryers and pressure cookers should not be used atop Quartz as it’s susceptible to thermal shock from the appliance’s quick temperature increase. Hardness: 7 out of 8. Price: $$-$$$$.
Where do the slabs come from?
We purchase our materials through dozens of large distribution centers across the state. They ethically source slab bundles from across the globe. We welcome our customers to visit any of our stone distribution centers. Give us a call and we can give you the names of slab suppliers near you!
What finishes are available?
POLISHED: The most common finish for inside the home. This finish is shiny and has some reflective features.
HONED: This is a matte finish where the surface is flat - no texture or shine.
LEATHERED: (AKA Antiqued) Leathered countertops have a unique texture which allows you to feel the slab’s natural veining with your hands. A more extreme version of this is a BRUSHED finish. Brushed finish is just like the Leathered, but with an even deeper texture.
For an extra charge, polished slabs can be sent away and re-surfaced to your desired finish.
Does PDP include any plumbing and electrical services?
No, any countertop business that includes plumbing and/or electrical is more than likely not insured to perform those types of services. Insurance policies for countertop fabricators are separate from plumbing and electrical policies because the amount of liability for accidents in these trades is much greater. Please hire your own licensed and insured plumber to do all connections once your new countertops are installed. We can provide referrals if needed.
Can I supply my own sink?
Yes, customers can supply their owns sinks. However, PDP can recommend and provide sinks that are best suited for the application at hand. It can become somewhat complicated making sure you’re purchasing a sink that will work with your cabinet sizes. To avoid issues and/or having to return a sink you’ve bought, have PDP supply your sink. You can also send your PDP salesperson a photo/link to the sink you’re considering and we can tell you whether it would be a good fit.
If you are supplying your own sink, it is important to choose a one that:
Fits within the cabinet base it will go in (with extra room for mounting).
Will hold up well long-term / won’t need replacing.
Is sized proportionately to the scale of the space it’s going in.
We will NOT accept Dual-Mount sinks provided by clients to be undermounted. Only true undermount sinks are appropriate for our installation methods. Dual-mount sinks have a wide lip at the backside that do not fit inside standard size cabinet bases, which can alter your sink’s setback size.
We will NOT accept Drop-In style sinks. They are dated and better suited for laminate countertops.
What makes PDP Countertops different than the competition?
Our consistently 5-star rated company, PDP Countertops, is woman owned and has been in business since its founding in 2007. We are a family owned-and-operated business who truly cares about each client and the result of their project.
We do not use subcontractors for our templates or installations, but only our own employees. We are a certified drug-free workplace, and all employees are background checked.
Our team lays out every single job by hand to ensure consistency with pattern/veining and carefully selects seam location(s) based on many factors like material weight, color, and cleanability.
We embed coated steel rods at the front of all large openings/cutouts to ensure the longest-lasting product. We often remove old granite that wasn’t installed by us and notice that there is cracking at the front of sinks and cooktop openings. This does not occur when coated steel is placed within. We have incorporated the extra cost of this into our pricing so that customers receive long-lasting, durable countertops.
We have a 0% sink failure rate because we mechanically install sinks, unlike most of our competitors. We get frequent service call requests to come reattach sinks that are falling/detaching (not installed by us). Rest assured knowing you’ll never experience this issue when using PDP Countertops Inc.
Our employees offer an unmatched level of customer service. The sales team at PDP will go above and beyond to search and source you the perfect slabs if we don’t have your desired color in stock already. We can browse inventories for you until we find you exactly what you need.
We always classify our materials correctly. Some (unethical) fabricators will sell marble as granite or quartzite. This is deceiving and we always make sure our customers are 100% aware of the durability of the material they select, as well as the way to properly care for it. Please read our Google reviews to hear testimonies from past customers for more info about what sets PDP apart from its competition.