Written by the Al Jory Marble team. Updated September 25, 2026.
Quick answer: Most countertop buyers compare three quotes and pick the middle one, because the quotes look similar and nobody knows what else to ask. The two questions that separate companies fastest are “do you fabricate in your own shop?” and “can I see my slab before it’s cut?” Everything else — timelines, warranties, edge upgrades, tear-out — follows from those. Here are the twelve questions worth asking, what a good answer sounds like, and the warning signs that matter.
How to Choose a Countertop Fabricator in Chicagoland: Twelve Questions, and What the Answers Tell You
Comparing shops right now? Ask us all twelve. If another company answers better, book them.
📞 Call (708) 362-7674 · 📝 Free written estimate · 🏗 Visit the shop and see for yourself
The Two Questions That Do Most of the Work
1. Do you fabricate in your own shop?
Plenty of companies selling countertops don’t cut them. They take your order and send it to a third-party shop. That’s not necessarily bad work — but nobody in that chain owns the outcome. The schedule depends on a company you’ve never spoken to, the layout decisions are made by someone who never saw your kitchen, and if something goes wrong the two firms point at each other.
Ask to visit the shop. A fabricator with their own equipment will say yes without hesitating.
2. Can I see my actual slab before it’s cut?
Stone is natural and variable. Two slabs with the same name can look markedly different. A company selling from samples is selling you a category; a company with its own yard can walk you to the piece and reserve it.
This matters most on anything with movement — marble, Calacatta, quartzite, marble-look quartz — where the slab you saw and the slab you get can be genuinely different stones.
The Other Ten
| Ask | A good answer sounds like | Worry if |
|---|---|---|
| 3. How many slabs does my job need? | A number, explained | They dodge it — a second slab may appear later |
| 4. Where will the seams go? | Specific locations, with reasons | “We’ll work it out on the day” |
| 5. Will the veining match across seams? | Yes, with the layout shown to you | A blank look |
| 6. Which edge is included? | A named profile, upgrades priced | “Standard” without defining it |
| 7. Is tear-out and disposal included? | A clear yes or no with a price | It isn’t mentioned in the quote |
| 8. Who installs — your crew or a subcontractor? | Our own crew | Vagueness about who arrives |
| 9. What’s the timeline from template to install? | A range in days, with what could change it | A range so wide it means nothing |
| 10. Is the estimate itemized? | Material, square footage, slab count, edges, cutouts, backsplash | One number for everything |
| 11. What happens if something chips or cracks? | A stated policy and who to call | “That doesn’t happen” |
| 12. Can I see photos of your installed work? | Real projects, not catalogue images | Only manufacturer photography |
Warning Signs
- A quote given over the phone without a measurement — it will change
- No written estimate, or one with a single number
- A price far below every other quote — something is missing from it, and you’ll meet it later
- Pressure to decide today — stone doesn’t work that way
- No physical address or showroom you can visit
- They won’t say where the seams will go
- Large deposit demanded up front before templating
- No reviews, or reviews that all arrived the same week
Got a quote that looks too good? Bring it in. We’ll tell you what’s in it and what isn’t — free, no obligation.
📞 Call (708) 362-7674 · 📝 Free written estimate · 🏗 Visit the shop and see for yourself
What the Cheapest Quote Usually Leaves Out
We’re not going to tell you the lowest quote is always wrong — sometimes a shop is genuinely leaner. **But when a quote is hundreds below the others on the same stone, it’s usually one of these:** tear-out and disposal, a second slab, the edge you actually want, a farmhouse or non-standard cutout, templating, or the fact that installation is subcontracted.
None of those are scams. They’re real work. The problem is only that they aren’t in the number you compared. Our guide to what belongs in a countertop quote lists the lines to check.
Questions That Matter Less Than People Think
| Commonly asked | Why it matters less |
|---|---|
| “How long have you been in business?” | Useful, but a long-established company that subcontracts fabrication still doesn’t control your job |
| “What brands do you carry?” | Important for material, but the fabrication decides how it looks |
| “Do you offer a warranty?” | Almost everyone says yes. Ask who honours it and what it covers |
| “Is the stone sealed?” | Depends entirely on material — quartz never needs it |
How We Answer the Twelve
- Our own shop in Crestwood — visit any time we’re open
- Yes, walk the yard and reserve the exact slab
- We state the slab count on the estimate
- Seam locations discussed before you sign
- Vein matching laid out on a photo of your slab — see how we do it
- Standard eased edge included, upgrades itemized — see edge profiles
- Tear-out quoted clearly either way
- Our own installation crew
- A stated timeline, with what would change it
- Itemized written estimate, free, no obligation
- One company responsible if something needs fixing
- Real project photos — see the gallery
Come and Check for Yourself
The fastest way to judge a fabricator is to stand in their shop. Ours is at 4711 W 135th St, Crestwood — the slab yard, the saws, the edge polishing and the crew are all in one building, and you’re welcome to look at any of it.
Directions · Mon–Sat 9am–6pm · Walk-ins welcome · Free measurement and written estimate
About Al Jory Marble
Al Jory Marble is a family-run countertop fabricator at 4711 W 135th St, Crestwood, IL 60418, serving Chicago and the suburbs. We template, cut, edge, polish and install with our own people and our own equipment — nothing is sent to a third-party shop. Founded by Motie Hamdan and Naser Hamdan, with decades of family stone experience behind the work. (708) 362-7674.
Choosing a Fabricator FAQs
What’s the most important question to ask a countertop company?
Whether they fabricate in their own shop. Almost everything else follows from the answer.
Why does in-house fabrication matter?
One company controls the slab, the layout, the schedule and the fix if something goes wrong.
Should I be able to see my slab?
Yes. Natural stone varies, and a sample isn’t the slab.
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three, compared line by line rather than on the total.
Why is one quote so much cheaper?
Usually tear-out, a second slab, the edge, cutouts, templating or subcontracted installation isn’t in it.
Is a low deposit a good sign?
A reasonable deposit is normal. A large one before templating isn’t.
Should I visit the shop?
Yes, and a real fabricator will welcome it.
What if they won’t say where the seams go?
It means your layout hasn’t been considered yet. Ask again before signing.
Does the brand of quartz matter more than the fabricator?
The brand decides the material; the fabricator decides how it looks and fits.
What should an estimate include?
Material, square footage, slab count, edge profile, cutouts, tear-out, backsplash and who installs.
Do you charge for an estimate?
No — free measurement and free written estimate, with no obligation.
Can you review another company’s quote?
Yes. Bring it in and we’ll walk through what’s in it and what isn’t.
Get an Itemized Estimate
Request a quote · Call (708) 362-7674 · Showroom & shop: 4711 W 135th St, Crestwood IL
Related: what’s in a countertop quote · our fabrication process · vein matching · edge profiles · kitchen countertops · gallery
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