Quality and customer satisfaction are top priorities at San Leandro-based Amazing Stone, Inc. The company strives to help clients find the perfect product to enhance their living spaces. “Our staff is extremely patient when working with clients,” says assistant manager Haley Wong. “They may need extra guidance in choosing granite that matches or complements their cabinets, floors and walls, and we’re here to help with that process.”

Mr. Wong says Amazing Stone wants homeowners to take an active role in the selection process. The company encourages clients to take sample pieces home to get a sense of how the different colors and patterns will look in familiar surroundings. “When they’ve made their choice, we have our installers pull up the pieces one by one in a lighted area of our showroom, so customers can pick the actual pieces that best match each other.”

When acquiring material for its inventory, Amazing Stone takes great care in choosing pieces that show uniform thickness, color consistency and shine. “When we purchase material from overseas, we make sure it comes from the same block, which is cut and marked with the same lot number,” explains Mr. Wong. “But even with the ID, the granite can change color from end to end, so we have customers come in and select their specific pieces. Sometimes, we can even mark where certain pieces go in a kitchen.”

Amazing Stone uses prefabricated material, which means the pieces are cut to a certain dimension with the edges already added. These pre-cut surfaces cost less than raw granite slabs without sacrificing quality, says Mr. Wong. The company carries a wide range of pre-cut widths and lengths with either a “full” or “ogee” bullnose edge to suit almost any design or style.

Amazing Stone is one of the few Northern California companies certified to use Dry-Treat sealer. This unique product is a topical sealant with micro-particles that penetrate deeply into porous surfaces, making a permanent bond within the pores and creating a protective barrier against stains and other damage. Amazing Stone provides a 15-year warranty for its products that feature Dry-Treat.

When choosing granite for your home, don’t let price be your only concern. “There are many granite fabricators out there, so you shouldn’t make a decision based solely on price,” says Haley Wong, assistant manager at Amazing Stone, Inc. “Make sure they have positive reviews and a referral list that’s available upon request. If possible, see examples of their work—if not in a home, at least at the shop—and look at the quality of the seams.”

It’s always important to check a company’s credentials. Make sure they’re licensed, insured and bonded. One concern that’s consistently heard throughout the industry is contractors that are hard to track down, especially after they’ve received a customer’s deposit or final payment. It helps when there’s a showroom that’s staffed by people who’ll be there to answer questions, either on the phone or in person. “It’s important to the industry as a whole for companies to stand behind their work,” says Mr. Wong.

If you’re in the market for cabinets, be sure you know exactly what you’re getting, because there’s a wide range of prices and materials—hardwood, plywood, presswood—as well as different standards for construction. Find someone who’ll explain all these options, help you choose the perfect one and do a professional installation job.

Countertops made of granite are becoming increasingly popular with savvy homeowners who want a beautiful surface that’s durable and easy to maintain. Some consumers might wonder why they see such a price variation when shopping for granite countertops. Here’s why:

Once sealed, a granite countertop—whether it’s more expensive or not—will perform how it’s supposed to perform. Prices are different among countertop choices because of patterns. The more intricate the pattern and colors, the more expensive. A moving pattern will cost more than Gothic gray, for example. Country of origin also plays a role in pricing. For example, granite from Brazil—with a lot of characteristic movement—is more expensive than stone that comes from China, where granite typically has a plain pattern.

Q: Do you do free estimates?

A: Yes, but we don’t go out to clients’ homes; they need to bring in a drawing. To help with this step, our website has a design layout form that can be downloaded and filled out.

Q: Should I be concerned about radon?

A: Radon is a naturally-occurring gas that can be found in materials that come from the earth, like marble and granite. We have a radon detector in our warehouse that constantly tests radon levels to make sure they’re below what’s considered dangerous. We can even test a specific piece of granite if a customer requests it.

Q: How long will the job take?

A: It depends on the size of the job. Most jobs only take one day—including tear-out and installation—because we do it all onsite. However, there are occasions when a bigger job may take two days or more.

Q: What about demolition?

A: Demolition is optional. Customers can either do it themselves, ask their contractor to do it, or contract us to do it. If they choose us, we’ll tear out the old material and dispose of it. Including demolition, most jobs still only take one day.

Q: What kind of cabinets do you recommend?

A: We’re proud to be an authorized dealer of Armstrong cabinetry. Armstrong offers a great product line to fit almost any design or budget. We have several different wood styles, and each one has a variety of colors and doors to choose from.

Q: What’s the proper way to maintain granite countertops?

A: Once a granite countertop is sealed with Dry-Treat, the maintenance is very easy. We just ask people to wipe it down with a neutral cleaner and a towel. You don’t have to use an expensive cleaner or do anything special to it, but we do recommend not putting any hot objects directly on the countertop, because that could possibly emulsify the sealant or leave a dull mark. We give each customer an instruction sheet at the end of the job, and there’s always someone at the office to answer questions.

Q: Do you have other kinds of stone besides granite?

A: Yes. We also carry marble and quartz.