Solid Image - Home Depot
 

My wife and I are going to replace our kitchen and bathroom countertops. We are thinking of Corian and will be talking to Solid Image and Home Depot.
Can anyone give us some insight into these two possible countertop contractors?
Thanks in advance.

Solid Image did our kitchen counters with quartz and our bathroom vanity with corian. The fit and installation were perfect and we were very happy with them.

Thank you for taking the time to pass on this info.

Home Depot typically uses subcontractors for installations, some good some bad. IMHO, I would stick with a company that uses their own employees for installation.

We had Solid Image do our Corian sink tops in our bathroom. Integrated (seamless) bowl (with pattern carried through and seamless backsplash. We're very happy. Measured using laser and fit and install was flawless. Got a quote for Cambria quartz and was lowest of four so will use them when ready.

Thank you so much for this info, good to hear, this is very helpful.

As always, good advice from VT.

I would go right to the contractor who does the work. Home depot has both good and bad so find ones with good reputations.

BTW we just did ours with quartz with ultimate granite and very happy with their work.

I used Home Depot and they did excellent work. I read the comments above and I agree it sounds better for a smaller contractor has his same steady team etc. BUT, I have used Home Depot at lady lake for counter tops in bathrooms and kitchen and it was an excellent experience. They also did a closet organization install and a kitchen cupboard refacing. All done great with no complaints. Also, I was able to use their 24 month free financing and only paid a monthly installment for 24 months, interest free which was very appealing rather than use my cash up front.

With respect, I like Corian, but it was the hot product forty years ago. If you simply want a new look, and you like it, fine. If you are hoping to increase the sale value of your home, you would do better to pay the extra money and get granite or quartz or some trendy composite. To be honest, I don’t know if those really increase the sale price of your home, but they are perceived as valuable upgrades, so they could lead to a sale that might not happen with what you have now. As for me, I’ve downsized from a larger home here with granite countertops to a smaller one with bland beige Formica to match the bland beige paint. It works fine and should be fine for my lifetime, and not replacing it saves me a lot of money I can spend on something else.

Thanks to Stu, Lizzie and MM for their inputs. We recognize the potential marketing differences between today's hot countertop materials, quartz & granite, vs solid surfaces such as Hi-Macs and Corian. But our preference is for: a less reflective surface, the "feel" of solid surface materials and, the wear, use and maintenance properties of a solid surface. Thx again.

You don’t want Corian. That is from the 80’s and will not help you if you decide to sell. Go with Quartz or Granite.

Recommend Counter Impressions
 

We had Corian installed in our kitchen by Counter Impressions Counter Impressions >> Countertops and Cabinets
I would highly recommend them.

Properties of countertops
 

Get what you like. My main requirement is that it is easy to clean and sanitary. I wanted seamless for that reason. It is also nonporous and easy to repair.

I had Transolid solid surface in my previous house and I loved that brand. I purchased custom size from Lowes and a handyman installed. It remained beautiful for 15 years. So consider other brands of solid surface.

I visited Jetta stone and they custom make their own solid surface and are a very reputable company. They do nice integrated sinktops. I may use their solid surface to replace my horrible shower tile installation by the builder and it will be very clean without any grout.

Consider quartz for the kitchen as it is less prone to scratching. Ask about the quartz that has a matte finish.

Good luck!

I would not consider Home Depot to be a contractor. They sell materials, and they have a list of independent installers. One advantage to Home Depot is that, if you have a disaster, they are big enough to be able to resolve the problem, and they won't disappear like some smaller contractors will.

But, whoever you hire, do not pay any money in advance. I am amazed at how many posters on TOTV will warn people not to hire a certain contractor, when the real problem is that they paid the contractor in advance, and he disappeared.

Counter Tops
 

Solid Images did our countertops in the kitchen and one bathroom and the job was excellently done. We are very happy with their work and would go with them again for any other countertop work.

Thanks for your reply.
You make many good points with which we agree.
We redid our tile & grout shower with Jettastone and couldn't be happier with the seamless product and their outstanding installation and service. Looking for a little more variety in patterns available for the kitchen and bathrooms.

Home Depot
 

Home Depot remodeled our master bath, they use ABC construction in Ocala. They are terrific, new cabinets, removed tub, new tile and re -did the plumbing.
Home Depot is now putting porcelain tile in our laundry using their own people.

Please give Roberto’s a try. Great choices, great pricing and excellent service. We used Matt with Roberto’s in Colony. He was wonderful to work with.
Robertos Flooring

Thanks retiredguy123.
Your point about HD's size and staying power would be one of the biggest motivators to go with them, but we have also seen some positive comments on TOTV about their counter work as well as from our cabinet installer, who is a smaller independent doing work throughout the Villages. Sometimes it is difficult not to be required to put some money upfront for materials, particularly when dealing with a smaller contractor. So due diligence on the contractor's capabilities, staying power and reputation becomes essential.

If you need to pay for materials, use a credit card. Any reputable contractor should accept a credit card for an advance payment. If they won't, I wouldn't do business with them. You have 60 days from the statement date to dispute a credit card charge. If you do it correctly, there is no risk to you.

Choose Corian if you want to reduce your property value. Choose quartz if you want to increase it. Corian is a glorified plastic material.

I had Corian for 16 years in last kitchen. Would NOT choose it again. It doesn't seem to age well.

I agree, we had it in the kitchen and found the same so went with quartz. I did love it in my bathroom though and so did the same down here.

I don't know the contractors, but just to let you know once Home Depot takes your money, it's up to you to TRIPLE CHECK all details of your order from start to finish. Home Depot doesn't care so much if the contractor writes your order up wrong or not even close to your Home Depot supervisor's original quote about what you are going to get. I got 2 countertops different than what I was shown at Home Depot. Even if things look OK. make sure the contractor explains all details, measurement, thicknesses and corner details.

Solid Surface Countertops
 

Before deciding on Home Depot, you should call "Central Florida Countertops and Bath Surfaces" 352 351-9905. They did my bathrooms and countertops faster and less expensive than any other quote I got. The countertops are beautiful and they came when they said that they would. I would highly recommend.
Bruce Ruckdeschel

Thanks to everyone who has provided us with their insight and experiences regarding our project. You have given us a lot of valuable info to think about. Best regards.