Transform Your Kitchen or Bathroom in One Day!

By Bob Cox

Chances are good that you or someone you know has been trapped in a nightmare. Not the bad dream you wake up from the next day and then sigh in relief knowing that it’s over. The nightmare I’m referring to is when you wake up the next day and your house is still torn apart during a lengthy and expensive remodeling project. To make matters worse, every time the project manager gives you an update on the newest thing to fix, your timeline gets pushed out a little further while the costs go through the roof. Does this sound familiar?

Fortunately, you don’t have to endure a nightmare like this to get the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams. There is a company called Granite Transformations that specializes in one day installations without the noise, dust and chaos that comes with conventional remodeling. I spoke with Chris Barr, the franchise owner of Granite Transformations, recently to learn more about how his dynamic company is changing the way remodeling gets done, on time and on budget!

Q: What are some of the things you do to ensure that your customers get their dream kitchen or bathroom without the nightmare of a lengthy and costly remodel?

A: You’d be surprised how many people come to us specifically because they had a bad remodeling experience and never want to go through that again. They’re initially attracted to us because we use their existing surface as the subtop, rather than ripping their old surface out, taking it to the dump and starting over with a piece of plywood. We simply go over their existing surface. Once we’ve built a plastic template of all the surfaces that we’re going to cover, we do all of the construction work in our shop here (in Rancho Cordova).

Q: So, you don’t outsource your work to other countries or contractors. You actually build your products here in Rancho Cordova, is that right?

A: Yes. We have people who have worked here for 10 years. We’re very oriented towards the continuity of a well trained staff that provides excellent service. Another benefit to our customers by not outsourcing is that we’re 100% accountable for the project. If you buy a new counter at one of the big box stores, their employees are not installing, someone else is. And so if there’s an issue, which there often is, you get the installer blaming the manufacturer and vice versa. Our employees do the entire project. Furthermore, every job is backed up by is a lifetime warranty on the product and the installation, which is transferrable for 10 years if you sell your home.

Q: It’s common for many remodeling jobs to take twice as long and cost twice as much as the original estimate. Does this rule apply to your business?

A: It’s definitely common that the investment of time and money is much more than is originally anticipated. Our system is built around one day kitchen installations. The installers that are in your house today are in someone else’s house tomorrow. And you have a contract that says exactly how much you’re going to pay, so unless you change what you want to have done, you’re going to get what you paid for. No surprises.

Q: How are you able to transform the look of an entire kitchen or bathroom in just one day?

A: You know, it’s a surprising thing how much the appearance of the materials on the countertop and specifically on the backsplash, changes what you see when you walk into a room. You see that vertical surface before you see the horizontal surface that’s flat on the countertop. It’s really like art.

Q: What are some of the biggest concerns people have about Granite Transformations?

A: Because the material is thinner than regular slabs, I think the biggest concern is product durability and the second concern is counter height and thickness. But once people see the examples of what we’ve done, they feel completely reassured. This is the most durable product currently being manufactured and when you bond it permanently to the surface that you already have, it becomes even more durable than traditional surfaces.

Q: Are people trending away from higher maintenance countertops like granite and marble?

A: For sure, which is why the materials we use for countertops, backsplashes and cabinet refacing are super low maintenance. Our countertops never have to be sealed, treated or cleaned with anything special.

Q: Are you offering any new products that are becoming popular?

A: Yes, we now have a product that looks just like marble, without any of the downsides of the natural stone. Natural stones like marble are fragile and high maintenance. They are going to stain and scratch. We use a photographic process that embeds that pattern into the stone, which prevents it from coming off.

Q: What other services do you offer besides countertops for kitchens and bathrooms?

A: We also do cabinet refacing, bathroom showers, tub surrounds, vanities, fireplaces and floor tiles. We can add a design element in any place in your home, not just the kitchen or bathroom. Best of all, these additions will be low maintenance, highly durable and beautiful. We’ve even done entire accent walls in a room, which can make an incredibly dramatic and beautiful statement.

Q: Your business made it through one of the worst economies in US history. What helped you survive?

A: It's the same reason we're surviving today, by building a base of satisfied customers. The single biggest source of new business that we have is referrals from our customers.

Q: What are the core principals you follow to achieve success in business and in life?

A: You know, I don’t want to sound sanctimonious about this but we believe as a company across the chain in being fair. We treat our employees well, and we treat our customers well. If there’s a problem, we fix it.

Q: What advice do you have for young people that are transitioning into adulthood?

A: I think there are two key things: 1. Identify what interests you. Don’t try to force yourself to do something that you’re not going to enjoy and then do it every day of your life. 2. Whatever that thing is, you’re going to have to work hard. Go into it knowing that you’re going to be tired and you’re going to use up a lot of creative energy if you’re going to be successful at it.

Editor’s notes: Granite Transformations is located at 11367 Trade Center Dr. # 130 in Rancho Cordova. Their phone number is (916) 851-9745 and their website is www.granitetransformations.com.