FAQs

You’re welcome to visit either of our showrooms! Stop by Alexandria at 5701 General Washington Drive Suite K (703) 259-9025 or Fairfax at 2814 Merrilee Dr C (703) 440-9091. Both locations have beautiful stone displays for you to explore.

Just bring us your kitchen or bathroom measurements, let us know your preferred stone type and edge style, and mention any sink or cooktop cutouts you’ll need. Photos of your space are super helpful too!

You’ll typically have your quote within 24 hours of giving us your project details. Need it faster? Just let us know and we’ll often get it to you the same day.

Not at all! Your estimates and design consultations are completely free. You only pay when you’re ready to move forward with your beautiful new countertops.

Absolutely! Email your measurements and photos to info@americanqg.com, and we’ll walk you through everything over the phone to make sure your quote is spot-on.

Great news if you’re in Northern Virginia! We serve Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington, McLean, Annandale, Springfield, and surrounding areas within 100 miles of our showrooms.

Your estimate is good for 30 days from when we send it. Stone prices can change, so if you need more time, just reach out and we’ll work with you.

We’d love to help! Our friendly consultants will guide you through all your options based on your budget, style, and how you use your space. You can even take samples home to see how they look.

The whole process is designed to be smooth and straightforward for you.

You’ll pick out your stone and we’ll give you a written quote based on your specific project. If you can bring some basic measurements, that really helps us nail down the pricing for you!

Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll take your order and set up your templating and installation appointments. You’ll just need to put down a 50% deposit to get everything rolling.

We’ll come to your home for templating to get those final, precise measurements. This usually happens about a week before installation, and we’ll need you there to make sure everything’s perfect.

Installation day arrives! Our crew will be there within the timeframe we give you (we’ll call a day or two ahead to confirm). Once everything’s installed and you’re happy, you’ll pay the remaining balance.

Your deposit is half of your total project cost. The remaining 50% balance is due when your installation is completed and you’re completely satisfied with your beautiful new countertops. This payment structure protects both you and us, ensuring we can dedicate the resources needed for your project

You’ll usually have your gorgeous new countertops in 7-14 days, depending on your stone choice and project details. Custom edges or special orders might take a bit longer.

Yes! We take all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Cash works great too. Whatever’s easiest for you.

Your cabinets need to be completely installed and level before we can create your template. Make sure your plumbing and electrical rough-ins are done too!

Small tweaks are usually fine before we start templating. Bigger changes might involve additional fees and could push back your installation date, but we’ll work with you.

Don’t worry, we inspect every piece when it arrives and before we start working on it. If anything’s damaged, we’ll replace it right away at no cost to you.

Life happens! Your cancellation options depend on how far along we are. If you cancel before templating, you’ll get a partial refund minus any restocking fees for special-order materials.

Once we complete your template, fabrication typically takes 5-7 business days. Complex projects with intricate edges or multiple pieces might need an extra day or two. We’ll give you an exact timeline when we schedule your template appointment.

Our skilled team comes to your home to create precise cardboard or wooden templates of your countertops. This ensures perfect fit around sinks, cooktops, and any obstacles. The process usually takes 1-2 hours depending on your project size.

You can choose from many edge styles including straight, bullnose, ogee, bevel, and waterfall edges. Each profile gives your countertops a different personality. Simple edges are included in your quote while decorative edges may have additional costs.

Professional fabrication uses specialized diamond blade saws, CNC machines, and careful handling techniques. Each piece is inspected throughout the process and supported properly to prevent stress cracks or damage.

Every fabricated piece goes through multiple quality checks including dimensional accuracy, edge finish, and surface inspection. Nothing leaves our shop until it meets our high standards for beauty and precision.

All cutouts are made using your exact appliance specifications and templates. We double-check measurements to ensure perfect fit and smooth, polished edges that look professional and prevent chipping over time.

Most installations are completed in 4-6 hours, though larger or complex kitchens might take a full day. We arrive early and work efficiently to get your beautiful new countertops installed and your kitchen back in working order.

Clear everything off your existing countertops and surrounding areas. Make sure we have access to electricity and water. Your cabinets should be completely finished and your sink area should be ready for plumbing connections.

Very minimal dust since most cutting is done at our shop. We bring protective coverings for your floors and surrounding areas. Any minor touch-up work is done with dust collection systems to keep your home clean.

Typically 2-3 experienced installers handle your project. This ensures safe handling of heavy stone pieces and efficient installation. All our installers are trained professionals who treat your home with respect.

Yes, removing your existing countertops is included in our installation service. We carefully disconnect plumbing fixtures and dispose of old materials responsibly. Your new countertops go in the same day.

You can use your countertops immediately for light activities like food prep. For heavy use and full curing of adhesives, we recommend waiting 24 hours before placing heavy appliances or putting significant weight on overhangs.

Yes! All our installation work comes with a comprehensive warranty covering workmanship and proper installation techniques. We stand behind our work and will address any installation-related issues promptly and professionally.

For daily cleaning, simply use warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. For granite, add a drop of mild dish soap. For quartz, you can use gentle household cleaners. Always wipe up spills immediately and dry the surface to prevent water spots and maintain that beautiful shine.

Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar, lemon juice, or harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. These can etch natural stone and damage the surface. Skip abrasive scrubbers too since they can scratch your countertops. Stick to pH-neutral cleaners designed for stone.

Granite typically needs sealing every 1-2 years, but this depends on usage and the specific stone. You can test if your granite needs sealing by dropping a few drops of water on the surface. If it absorbs within 15 minutes, it’s time to reseal.

For granite, make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight. For quartz, most stains come out with gentle scrubbing and regular cleaners. For tough stains, call us for professional advice.

Yes, both granite and quartz can be damaged by extreme heat. Always use trivets or hot pads under hot pots, pans, and small appliances. Sudden temperature changes can cause cracks, and extreme heat can discolor or damage the surface.

Regular cleaning with appropriate products keeps most countertops shiny. For granite, occasional use of granite polish can enhance the shine. Quartz maintains its luster naturally. Avoid harsh chemicals and always dry surfaces after cleaning.

Use cutting boards for food prep, placemats under small appliances, and be gentle when placing heavy items on your countertops. Avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface, and clean up spills quickly to prevent staining.

Quartz countertops are engineered surfaces made from 90-95% ground natural quartz crystals mixed with polymer resins and pigments. This combination is pressed and heated to create slabs that are incredibly durable, non-porous, and available in consistent colors and patterns.

Quartz is actually more durable than granite in many ways. It’s non-porous so it won’t stain, never needs sealing, and resists bacteria and scratches better. However, granite handles heat slightly better. Both are excellent choices depending on your lifestyle and preferences.

Absolutely! Each quartz color and pattern is manufactured to strict standards, so multiple slabs of the same style will match perfectly. This makes quartz ideal for large kitchens or projects where you need multiple slabs to look identical.

Quartz is very scratch resistant thanks to its hardness, but it’s not completely scratch-proof. Normal kitchen use won’t cause problems, but always use cutting boards since knives and sharp objects can potentially scratch the surface.

Quartz comes in 2cm and 3cm thicknesses. The 3cm option is more popular because it looks substantial and doesn’t require plywood backing. Both thicknesses are equally durable, so it’s really about the aesthetic you prefer.

All edge profiles work beautifully with quartz! Since it’s manufactured, quartz takes crisp, clean edges particularly well. Popular choices include straight, bullnose, and beveled edges. More intricate profiles are also possible and look stunning with quartz’s consistent coloring.

Granite contains trace amounts of naturally occurring radioactive elements, but levels are extremely low and pose no health risk. The EPA and health organizations confirm that granite countertops are completely safe for residential use and emit less radiation than many common building materials.

Granite weighs about 18-20 pounds per square foot. Most quality cabinets easily support this weight, but we assess your specific cabinets during templating. Occasionally, we might recommend adding support brackets for extra-large spans or islands.

Those are natural fissures that are filled with colored resin during processing. This is completely normal and actually adds character to your granite. The fills are permanent and won’t come out, and they don’t affect the durability or function of your countertops.

Yes! Granite is perfect for outdoor kitchens and applications. It handles weather, temperature changes, and UV exposure beautifully without fading or deteriorating. Just remember that outdoor granite will need more frequent cleaning due to exposure to the elements.

Most minor chips and cracks can be repaired professionally using color-matched resins and polishing techniques. Small chips are often barely noticeable after repair. Larger damage might be more visible but is still repairable. Prevention is always best though!