| 1.About Our Company |
| 2.Estimate, Order & Delivery FAQ |
| 3.Granite FAQ |
| 4.How are we different from other fabricators |
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| 1.About Our Company |
| Why should I choose Direct From Mines? |
| We have thousands of stone slabs with hundreds of colors. While our pricing is competitive, our customers are looking for something more. They value how we handle all the details that go into producing a superior quality product and our responsive service. They don't want to be pressured into making a purchase. They want to work with professionals in every step of the process especially with those who perform work in their home. They want their project completed on-time with minimum disruption to their home and their lives. They want a company that is proven to be environmentally responsible. The Direct From Mines team has a proven track record for assuring these results. |
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| Do I need an appointment to come down to your place? |
| No appointment is necessary but if you would like to get a proper assistance, it is always recommended that you call ahead of time to get the best attention. Direct from mines is open to the public - Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. |
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| Where do you operate? |
Direct From Mines's warehouse is conveniently located at 471 Podlin Dr, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
Direct From Mines operates within the States of - IL, IN, MO, IA, WI, OH, and MI. We are a direct fabricator and installer of kitchen and vanity tops, fireplace surrounds, and custom design kitchen and vanity cabinetry. |
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| What is your payment policy? |
| Direct From Mines accepts cash, personal checks, wire transfers and most credit cards. We can also arrange financing for your project with flexible payment terms upon approval. We require a deposit for all jobs, one payment when the job is measured and the template is performed, and the final payment due at the end of the installation. Ask your salesperson for the specific requirements concerning your order. |
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| What if I can't find what I'm looking for at Direct From Mines? |
| For unique and hard to find stone colors and patterns, we will assist you by working with our affiliated local distributors with 20 miles of radius from our warehouse that give us access to thousands of additional slab choices. |
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| How do we get started? |
| Contact us in the most convenient manner for you by calling, e-mailing or stop in our showroom. |
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| 2.Estimate,Order & Delivery FAQ |
| What factors can affect the price? |
| They include the complexity of your project, the quantity of stone required, the edging design selected, the number and type of sinks, faucets and cook tops used, the removal of existing countertops, the type of cabinets selected and many other variables. We also offer services that can make your project unique: fancy cuts, special features, scalloped corners, clips and corbelled corners, radius arcs, additional installation and removal services. These are all reasons for utilizing our free shop at home services. |
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| Where do I begin? How do I get an estimate? |
| At Direct From Mines, we make it easy for you to participate in the process of selecting your stone and your options. You will need to start by providing us with some basic measurements of your countertops if existing, or hand drawn measurements, or 20-20 cabinets drawing with complete measurements and fill out the attached form and fax it to us at (484)-910-5065. Please make sure to fill out the for completely before sending us the fax that way we know who is it coming from. If you have any questions before sending the fax, feel free to call us and we will guide you all further assistance. |
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| How long will my project take? |
| Once you have made your decision to proceed and have submitted your initial deposit, we will schedule a field measurement within one week. From there, your fabrication and installation typically takes one to two weeks to complete. Your project could however, take as short a time as 2 days from order to installation. |
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| 3.Granite FAQ |
| What do I need to consider when buying marble or granite? |
| Because it is a natural stone, marble and granite has been blessed with a remarkable natural beauty that has captivated people throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that sophisticated architects and designers celebrate. Consumers who are less acquainted with the material, expect the marble ordered to be identical to the picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry's product, the material quarried may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. Interior designers, architects, and consumers have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing by introducing an element of the natural into designed spaces, whether residential or commercial. |
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| What's the difference between marble and granite? |
| Because of marble's more porous properties, it is not recommended for kitchens or bar tops. Marble applications include bathroom vanities, shower, and fireplace surrounds. Granite applications include kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, bar tops and fireplaces. Although both are stones and both are quarried from the earth, granite and marble (and marble's relatives; limestone, onyx and travertine) are very different from each other. Granite is formed deep in the earth's mantle at extremely high temperatures, and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. The marble family, limestone, travertine, marble, and onyx start out as sediment; animal skeletons, shells, plant matter, and silt at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages. |
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| How is quartz or engineered stone different from marble and granite? |
| Quartz countertops, which are sold under brand names such as Zodiac, Hanstone, Silestone and Cambria, are man-made stone surfaces. Quartz products offer consistency in patterns and colors that natural stone cannot. Quartz surfaces do not offer the uniqueness and varied random patterns of natural granite and marble. |
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| Is granite safe to use in a kitchen? |
In a word, yes. There has been a lot of misinformation circulated by competing industries attempting to raise concerns about issues such as bacteria and radon. We would be pleased to share the research that shows that these concerns are not only unfounded but that granite actually ranks second to stainless steel in a study measuring the bacteria resistance capacity of six common countertop materials. This is why most professional chefs and cooks prefer granite over any other surface.
More on granite safety. |
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| Can I cut on my granite countertop? |
| Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than the steel of your knife blade. It will dull them very quickly, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board. Please leave it to us to do the needful. |
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| Can my granite top be damaged? |
Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.
Please contact us for information on all surface care products. |
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| Are stone surfaces difficult to maintain? |
| Granite, marble and other natural stone products are naturally porous materials and therefore may require sealing. Every Direct From Mines top is sealed upon final installation. For residential use, it is recommended that the surface be sealed periodically using a sealant designed for use with natural stone. The sealant is available from Direct From Mines. The process is similar to waxing your car and does not require a professional for application. |
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| What kind of granite can I get ? |
| You can find all kinds of exotic stones handpicked and imported from Brazil, Italy, Spain, India, China, and other countries. You can select from our huge stock of over 4000 slabs at any point of time. |
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| I am considering purchasing a granite countertop for my kitchen. Is it expensive? |
| The best choice! The cost of granite counters are less than you think. While somewhat more expensive than laminate tops, granite is the best value with many more benefits. Counters in granite can start at as little as $39 a square foot, but depending on some factors can get to higher costs per square foot. Please read it above. |
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| 4.How are we different from other fabricators |
| Select Over slabs in stock in more than 100 colors? |
| All Direct From Mines Inc. is not only a fabricator and installer of countertops, but also a direct importer of natural stone. With over more slabs in stock, in more than 100 colors, we have the largest selection of natural stone in the U.S.A. You will have no problems finding what you are looking for. We import natural stones from the most renowned quarries all over the world. Having our own stock allows us to work faster, producing countertops with the highest quality. Our inventory is accessible to you at each one of our locations and you can see full slabs, not just tiny samples like in home improvement centers.
Unlike us, small fabricators have few slabs of their own, so if you're looking for a better selection, they will ask you to go to "their" warehouse which in reality is an independent wholesaler. We don't charge any mark-up on the stone, and since everything is here on our yard, we can start working on the project as soon as you order. The usual hassles you get when working with a small fabricator are gone too.
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| Quality |
| Why are these machines so important? |
| We utilize the most advanced fabrication processes available on the market. The cost of hand fabrication is much higher because more people and time are needed to complete the job. So, what most fabricators do to save time is the so called "dry-cutting". In essence, they do not use water to polish the stone. Not using water results in a low quality finish on the edges of the stone. The edges look dull and once you swipe your hand along the edge, you will feel bumps and unevenness. With CNC technology, these problems are gone. Our machinery always uses water, and since it is controlled by a computer, it follows the line of the edge perfectly, keeping constant pressure on the stone. That guarantees smooth, shiny edges without the bumps. |
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| Customization |
| It's all possible with us. |
| Granite as a natural stone has a very varied look, just like our customers' design ideas. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase, and so we allow you to customize your countertops to a degree that none of our competition can. Choosing the color of granite for your countertops is not enough. Sometimes slabs can vary in color and pattern, even within one batch, so we want you to pick the very slabs that we'll use for your project. It gets even more fun because after we template your cabinets, you can come back to the yard and align them on the slab and choose what parts you want to use. Want to keep that colorful vein on the countertop? Or maybe you want to put your sink cutout where the darker spots are? It's all possible with us.
The wide range of edge profiles is also useful to change the look of your countertops. Whether you pick something modern like a beveled edge, or more traditional such as an ogee, we have the edge designs that match every kitchen. But the real freedom starts with custom shapes of your countertops. A corner bump out can truly accent your stylized corbels and make the granite really fit in with your cabinetry. We have the tools and the skill it takes to make your designs come true.
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| Turnaround time |
| We have set the benchmark at just 7 days. |
| We are proud to say, that we have set the benchmark at just 7 days! You read it right, seven days from the time we make templates of your cabinets till the installation.
Getting granite countertops requires you to get rid of your existing countertop surface for the time of templating until the installation. We understand how inconvenient it can be. The time it takes to fabricate and install your countertops varies between different companies. It can be two weeks, or two months. We thought that even two weeks is too long to live without a fully functional kitchen, so we worked hard to shorten this period of time. But don't think we sacrifice the quality of the product. Again, thanks to the CNC machines (which run day and night) we keep the excellent quality at record breaking production speeds.
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| Staff |
| You will never be left alone. |
| The same attention for detail is present when you visit our showroom and yard. Our salespeople will answer all of your questions. They are periodically trained by leading designers on the principles of interior design, and will be able to help you pick a color and pattern that will compliment your home. Whether you already have something in mind, or just want to browse for ideas, they will show you the best prospects for your project. Even though our selection of colors is very extensive, you don't have to worry. You will never be left alone, wasting time looking at colors that don't even apply to your ideas. The truly no-hassle environment and nearly 20 salespeople in each one of our locations will assure a prompt service and an individual experience which many of our customers call "unforgettable".
Our installers have years of experience. They start as apprentices and learn the fine details of granite installation techniques. Once they have proven themselves to be able to install countertops on their own, they are assigned a crew of helpers. This system of training guarantees that your kitchen countertops will be installed by professionals. Courtesy and respect for your property are always their top priorities.
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| Price |
| We guarantee the best prices. |
| Now that you know how we operate, it will be easier for you to understand that our pricing is not just some advertising gimmick, but an effect of efficient management and top notch technology. As a direct importer, we relay our savings into the price of your countertop. By using CNC machines, we save time and resources, while keeping the highest standards of quality. That means, there's no money wasted for redoing or servicing countertops because every countertop we make goes through a computerized quality control screening. And finally, having our own installing teams lowers the costs of labor, since we don't need to subcontract jobs to outside companies. |
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