Old World Stone

Old World Stone might have been good at one time, per the reviews, but have definitely turned south. They are a "Pay up and shut up" shop.

INSTALL: 3 guys show up, one spoke English as a 2nd language, the other 2 spoke little if any English. So, I can only communicate with male number 1. Not good. Upon installation the countertops looked good, pretty. But they left a mess under the sink that my plumber was upset about, having done poor work. Then we discover caulk on cabinets even though we left dozens of towels for them to cover everything under the counter. Messy work. And they did NOT caulk the sink they installed.

Then hard reality struck.

POOR MEASURING & CUTTING: Countertops were cut too wide and extended beyond cabinets, reducing the area available for appliances, poor workmanship. This is something I did not notice UNTIL measuring for and ordering new appliances. DO NOT HIRE Old World Stone.

Refrigerator area is 36 inches precisely between cabinets. With countertops extended over the edges we were unable to order 21st century standard 36 inch refrigerator. Available space only accommodates a 33 inch refrigerator of which there are few choices.

Stove area just barely accommodates a 29.5 inch stove. With countertops extended over the edges we are unable to order anything wider than that, not even by a quarter inch. Available space only accommodates a 29.5 inch stove.

Their contract says any work done AFTER the install will be charged. They did not install properly and a fix would either require removal of countertops and shimmed slightly OR all new replacement tops. This could cost us thousands of dollars - more. I am VERY sorry I hired Old World Stone.

COMMUNICATION: After a pleasant exchange ordering countertops (because we handed them a check) a pattern emerged of poor communication, emails unanswered, representatives not listening, and obvious lack of customer service. They acted like I was serving THEM instead of them serving me. Is THAT what I paid for, "Pay up and shut up"?

OBSTINENCE and POOR COOPERATION: After measuring the area Jake indicated he needed the make and model of the sink we would be purchasing. My wife called in the information, and then came the first email from Stephanie asking the same information (lack of coordination with Jake) and Jake sent the 2nd email, again, asking for sink make and model. I responded to both emails with the same information, now getting redundant.

After receiving sink info requested Jake insisted I BRING the sink to his shop for him to measure - we DO NOT live across the street. I responded he should come to our home and do that, after all - we ARE paying him to provide "service". He insisted I bring it to Huntley. It was pointless explaining I have advanced glaucoma and that highway driving is dangerous for me and other drivers on the road. Finally, he had some guy swing by. At the door a grumpy looking man announced he was there for a sink, which I told him was inside and motioned for him to enter. He looked insulted that I didn't bring it out, grabbed it, and left without a word. That was weird. Minimal effort.

GOING DARK: After getting my sink they went "dark" as there was no communication. I had to call one week before the install to inquire about the final measurements they expected me to approve, which they sat on for days, I believe they forgot it. Stephanie did get Andy to begin moving but the price had been bumped up.

CONCERNS: Seeing things that troubled me, communication problems, poor service issue, obstinate employee, minimal service, I echoed my concerns to Stephanie who passed them along to the GM fearing I might cancel the order. He called back with PR fluff but essentially the guy's general attitude was "Pay up and shut up". He soothed me enough to where I felt I should go ahead with the install AND he said I'd get a call Thursday with the time on Monday, AM or PM. The call came late Friday not Thursday. If you say it then DO IT.

PRICE CORRECTION: Andy added a couple hundred dollars onto the estimate for a dumpster based upon the GM's discussion who misread me. I had explain I already had that covered so remove that pricing and adjust the estimate, which they did. Communication, again. They took a couple hundred off the price.

GOING DARK AGAIN: There was no call on Thursday indicating Monday install time, it came late Friday afternoon before the install. Look - when someone (I'm paying) tells me they will do something I damn well expect them to do it.

CONCLUSION: DO NOT HIRE Old World Stone.

My wife and I decided to get new kitchen counter tops in our home. We called many different companies but no one was able to beat Old World Stone. They are truly amazing in what they do. We were VERY impressed with the people and the work they had done. Brian and his staff helped us and walked us through from the very beginning to the end. I am very pleased with Old World Stone and would recommend them to anyone who is working on a house renovation.
Thanks again Brian for everything, You guys are truly the BEST.

I received a quote for my kitchen counters which was about $ 1500. more than the other three fabricators. After I received the quote, after much chasing, I could not get a call returned. I made an appt. 4 weeks ago and Brian and I looked at remnants. There was a piece they would cut for a job 5 days later and he was to let me know if there was enough for my job. three weeks later I called again and he was going out to the shop to check the size and call me back. That was it, i never heard back. I am not chasing a vendor to give them business.

Best place ever to get granite! Brian did an amazing job helping pick out the right granite for our kitchen. Old World Stone worked within our tight timeline and delivered better than we could’ve asked for! The staff is so easy to work with and the installers were fantastic! My kitchen looks amazing… couldn’t be happier!!! Thank you Old World Stone!!!

This was our 3^rd Granite Install from Old World Stone. Once again an adventure in timeliness and professionalism. From picking out our stone in the show room (WOW is an understatement on the selection in house!) to the accurate measurement with the latest laser measuring system to make perfect CAD designs producing a very high quality product! All 3 times perfect fit! Installer were on time, very mindful of not damaging banister and made little to no mess! We will be back to Old World Stone for the shower remodel this winter! Our friend the realtor stopped by today. She was blown away by the California Alura in the master bedroom. She added we have greatly increased the value of our home by adding high quality natural granite stone! Thank You All at Old World Stone!

Bought a Cambria quartz countertop from a local business that used these guys as the installer. Given that Cambria actually cuts the countertops in their own facility, the installers really have little more to do than measure correctly and set the countertops properly. Shouldn’t be too hard right?
Well, the measurements were not correct even though a modern laser device was used. The sink cutout did not conform to the template given, the overhangs on the counter were not uniform, and the required seam (run too long for one slab) was placed in a terrible location when it could have been stuck 3″ from a wall in the back.
The actual installers were nice enough, but didn’t do a great job. Instead of setting the top on dollups of silicone as is customary, they tried to tell me just shooting a bead on the FRONT of the cabinet up underneath the overhangs was okay. Baloney! They also did a lousy job of shimming what few spots needed to be shimmed flat. Thankfully the cabinets were pretty flat at the start.
Even after a decent (not great) result was achieved with much supervision by me, I still had to get them back out to polish the major seam as they had left the finish dull with a spot of epoxy that easily chipped off. It’s still not perfect, but enough already.
I would not recommend this place. When you’re spending around $ 100/sq.ft. on something, perfect is the only acceptable result.