Frequently Asked Questions

What material can I use for my project?

  • Quartz is an engineered stone made from crushed quartz and resin. It’s very durable and resistant to scratches, heat, and stains. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns and does not require sealing. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns and has a wide price range. A general rule of thumb would be, the more simple the design, the lower the cost, the more bold the design or complex, the more the cost could be.

  • Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile that is fired at high temperatures. It is very hard and resistant to scratches, heat, and stains. It can mimic the look of natural stone or wood and can be installed in large slabs or tiles. In most cases however the color is not through-body, the design is printed on top. However, the prep work must be immaculate to ensure a quality installation and due to the difficulty when fabricating this material, there is a higher cost to fabricate and install compared to quartz or most basic natural stones.

  • Granite is a natural stone that is formed from cooled magma. It is very strong, resistant to heat, and available in many colors and patterns. It has a unique and elegant appearance that adds value to your home. However, it can be porous and prone to stains if not sealed regularlyDescription text goes here

  • Marble is a natural stone that is made from metamorphosed limestone and is very beautiful. It comes in various colors and veining patterns and can create a luxurious look for your kitchen. However, it is also very porous and susceptible to scratches, stains, and etching from acidic substances. It requires frequent sealing and careful maintenance.

  • Quartzite is a natural stone that is formed from metamorphosed sandstone. It is very hard, resistant to heat, and less porous than granite or marble. It has a natural and elegant look that resembles marble but typically has more durability. However, it can still be scratched or stained by some substances and needs periodic sealing. It can also be costly and heavy.

  • Travertine is a natural stone that is formed from sedimentary rock. It is very porous, with many holes and pits that give it a rustic and textured look. It comes in various colors and finishes and can create a warm and cozy feel for your kitchen. However, it is also very soft and prone to scratches, stains, and etching. It requires frequent sealing and filling of the holes to prevent bacteria growth.

  • Slate is comprised of clay, volcanic ash, and looks beautiful. The subtle shifting in coloration is less bold than in marble or granite, but this also makes it much easier to produce countertops for your home that have a more uniform appearance. Lovely shades of black, charcoal, gray, pewter, brown and even those with highlights of green, blue or red can be found. While the differences in slate slabs is not as distinct as you find in granite or marble, each countertop is still unique. Unlike granite, marble and concrete, slate is non-porous. This means that it cleans up very easily and does not have a tendency to harbor bacteria. It won’t absorb liquids, so you won’t get any staining from juice, tomato products, oil, cleaners, etc., since they can’t penetrate the surface. The hardness and durability of slate is also very appealing in the kitchen or bathroom. It won’t easily chip or scratch, and it stands up very well to heat. Hot pans or hair tools won’t mar the surface.

  • Soapstone is a natural stone that is formed from metamorphosed talc. It is very soft, resistant to heat, and nonporous. It has a dark gray color that can darken over time with mineral oil application. It can create a vintage and charming look for your kitchen. However, it can also be easily scratched or dented by sharp objects or heavy pots. It requires regular oiling to maintain its appearance.

  • DalTile - San Leandro (+ Other Various Locations)

    IRG (Integrated Resource Group) - Dublin (+ Brisbane)

    MSI (MS International) Surfaces - Hayward

    Evolv - Berkeley

    Pietra Fina - Hayward

    ANS (All Natural Stone) - Dublin (+ Burlingame + Berkeley)

  • Cambria

    Silestone by Cosentino

    MSIQuartz by MSI

    Raphael Stone

    ONEQuartz by DalTile

    PentalQuartz by Architectural Surfaces

    Ceaesarstone

    Della Terra by Arizona Tile

    HanStone Quartz

    CorianQuartz

  • Dekton by Cosentino

    Neolith via Evolv

    Diresco via Evolv

    Lapitec via Willis Surfaces

    SapienStone via Stoneville

How can I get started?

  • To get a quote for our services, please send us a sketch or rendering of the project with length and depth measurements. If you want backsplashes, let us know where and how tall so we can calculate the required material. Also, inform us of the materials and colors you're interested in. You can schedule an appointment in advance to view our quartz or porcelain samples in the showroom. Quotes are valid for up to 60 days, and material costs are valid until the supplier updates the prices. Please contact us to request a quote before we can proceed with any work.

  • Having Romarts Marble and Granite make your tear out is optional. As the customer, you are responsible for clearing anything from your cabinets before the tear-out date.

    Because each kitchen is different, we cannot predict which counters and backsplashes will be removed easily and which will tear into sheetrock. Romarts is not responsible for replacing any torn sheetrock. This is to be done by the homeowner or your contractor.

    At the end of the tear-out, we recommend 5/8” plywood to be set. If your drawers touch the top of the cabinets, you will need to use 3/4" plywood to ensure you can open and close your drawers.

  • Once you have accepted our estimate for the work, we can schedule a time to come out and take a template of your project. Typically, this is scheduled about a week in advance to allow the material to be delivered to Romarts. If any exchanges regarding the material need to be made, we can address it before we come out to measure rather than after the fact.

    Any original contract changes must be done before the template date. Although the placement of your seam will be addressed during the template appointment, keep in mind that factors such as slab size and kitchen layout will determine the final placement of the seam.

    We need the job site to be ready as if we were going to install it that day, meaning that the plywood and sinks are onsite. Please see the template readiness checklist for more details.

  • If this has been requested, then after we have had time to process the template and take photos of the material we can facilitate a digital layout and send it to you for approval before proceeding with fabrication. Keep in mind that production will be put on hold for your project until we receive approval for the proposed design intent for your project.

  • Most installs are completed on the same day; if the project has natural stone, it will have been sealed at least once.

    At installation, Romarts Marble and Granite will caulk the sink in place, drill holes for the faucets, and cut out for the outlets if applicable. All faucets, fixtures, cooktops, and slide-in ranges must be at the job site during installation. If these items are not on the job site at the installation date, there will be a charge if we have to return to the job site to make the necessary cutouts.

    See the installation readiness checklist for more information.

  • If we are working on your project with anything other than Quartzite or Porcelain, then the project can be expected to be completed within 7-10 working business days from template to install.

    If your project is with Quartzite or Porcelain then you can expect the project to take between 10-12 working business days from template to install.


Do you offer a warranty on your work?

Yes, one one-year warranty from installation on the workmanship

How about on the material?

As the material warranty comes from the supplier, it varies from vendor to vendor, but typically, the limited warranties can range from 15-25 years or even offer a lifetime warranty. To know more about your specific material, please get in touch with us; we can provide that information.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash / Checks are preferred and are typically how the jobs are priced out unless otherwise noted; these are usually provided by mailing them to the office or providing them to the RMG draftsman at the template or to the head installer at the installation appointment.

Card payments are accepted; processing fees must be added, typically at 3%-3.5%. This can be done over the phone by calling the office and referencing your invoice number.

Care & Maintenance

Here you can find more information regarding our general advice when it comes to taking care or potentially taking care of your countertops