If you’re planning renovations or repairs on the stonework of your home or building, you have considered cast stone as your material of choice. There are a wide variety of reasons why cast stone is such a popular building material, the most popular of which are that cast stone can add aesthetic charm and functionality to your property. It’s more affordable and durable than natural stone, and can also be created in a range of types and colours, meaning that you can easily get the perfect type of cast stone to suit your project.
Once you have decided to use cast stone for your project, naturally the next step is to locate a cast stone company you can rely on. You don’t want to be ripped off with poor workmanship, which will inevitably impact the final outcome. Rather than dealing with low-quality cast stone and a subpar service that could cause problems further down the line, here’s everything you need to know about finding the right cast stone company near you.
What Do They Offer?
The first thing you’ll want to find out about is the variety of products that the cast stone company can provide you with. After all, there’s no point in working with a company if you don’t like their product range. Naturally, what kind of cast stone you’re looking for will impact which company you end up choosing. Perhaps you need decorative stonework, or brick cutting as well as pier caps. You’ll need to check the company's website or give them a call to discuss your requirements and determine whether they can actually provide the work you need. If you are looking specifically for reconstituted stone, you’ll want to check if they are actually reconstituted stone suppliers, or if they only offer natural stone products.
What is Their Process?
Talk to the company about their process and how they make various cast stone forms. If they can give you details on how their cast stone is made, you can feel confident that they know what they are doing and how long they have been in the trade. Ask whether they offer wet-cast stone or dry-cast stone and which one they would recommend for you. They may also offer glass fibre-reinforced stone which incorporates fibreglass and creates a much lighter product. It is a great option for lots of projects, so see if it is something they can offer you.
What are Their Prices?
Some cast stone companies may try to overcharge you for a product, which is often an indicator that it is not quality cast stone. It’s a good idea to reach out to several companies in your area to see the kind of prices they offer you. You don’t want to pay out for a product that isn’t good quality and you may need to replace the cast stone in your project fairly quickly and not end up getting your money’s worth.
On the other hand, you don’t want to pick the cheapest option, as this could also mean they aren’t offering quality cast stones or services. Lower prices often mean they are cutting corners somewhere and you don't want to deal with a low-quality product.
How Much Experience Do They Have?
It’s a good idea to research the company's history, to see how long they have been established and what kind of experience the companies and stonemasons have. If the company has been operating for twenty years, for example, then you can be safe in the knowledge that they are reliable and have experience making plenty of cast stone in the past.
There are several reasons you should investigate the company’s experience and qualifications. First, experience allows a company to develop a strong understanding of the cast stone industry and the materials and processes involved. This can help them to avoid costly mistakes and produce high-quality products. Second, qualifications can indicate that a company has the necessary skills and knowledge to complete projects on time and within budget. Finally, a company's reputation can be a good indicator of its reliability. If a company has a history of providing quality products and services, it is likely to be a reliable choice for your project.
Do They Have Any Testimonials?
One of the best ways to determine a company’s reliability is to check its reviews and testimonials. Check their Google rating and any other trade directories that may have reviews for you to look at. While customer reviews are not always accurate, and often subjective, it’s a good way to get a general idea of how much a company has made previous customers happy. If a cast stone company has many low reviews, it’s fair to say they may not be the best choice. On the other hand, if they have average or positive reviews, they should be a safe bet.
You can also reach out to neighbours, friends or people in your local area who have recently had cast stone work completed on their home or property and ask them which company they used. This will help you establish which local cast stone companies can be trusted. Ask people you trust whether or not they recommend the company and what their experience was like. It will normally ensure you have a good experience and it’s always worth mentioning who you heard about their services from.
What is Their Quality of Service Like?
Ultimately, you are looking for a company that provides 5-star customer service and will go above and beyond to make your project come to life. As long as a company has nice employees and will be able to help you in any way they can, you can feel at ease that they are an honest and reliable partner to take on your project. When you first reach out to the cast stone company of your choice, check that they are providing you with a polite and welcoming feeling, and you get the sense that you can trust them.
Companies that are short and unhelpful to prospective clients give a good indicator that they will likely follow through with similar behaviour. You want to try and find a company that is willing to help you, even before you’ve made any payments and well after. In the long run, should there be any issues during or after using their services, you want to feel reassured that they are going to correct any problems.
Do They Serve Domestic or Industrial Clients?
It’s also important to find what kind of clients your potential candidates take on. Are they restricted to only industrial clients, and are therefore unable to take on any smaller domestic projects, and vice versa? This is especially important to check if you are an industrial client, as some smaller cast stone companies may not cater to these types of clients where the workload is much bigger. Reach out to the company and check whether your project is something they would be able to support, or if you need to look elsewhere. You can usually find this information on their website, or if not, just give them a call or send them an email. They will be able to clear up any questions you may have regarding cast stone.
Shropshire Brick & Stone UK - Precast Stone and Brick Cutting
Shropshire Brick & Stone UK offers a range of cast stone products, perfect for a variety of products. No matter what your queries are, get in touch with our fabulous team today and we can discuss your project. We want you to feel confident that you are choosing the right cast stone company, so please do not hesitate to ask our team any questions you may have and we’ll help you out. We also offer brick-cutting and bonding services to improve your home.
We offer cast stone pier caps, window sills, copings, porticos, decorative items and post stones. Whether you want to replace some stonework on your building, or you are building your home from scratch, we are a great cast stone provider in Shropshire. Get in touch with our team today or visit our website to learn more.
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