Starting is easy! The best first step is to gather some inspiration – think about styles and colors you love. Then, you can either visit our Mesa showroom to see materials firsthand, explore our current inventory and options, or contact us to schedule an initial consultation. We'll discuss your project, needs, and budget to get the ball rolling.
While walk-ins are welcome, we recommend making an appointment. This ensures one of our countertop specialists can dedicate their time to you, answer all your questions, and provide a personalized experience as you explore our wide range of materials.
To make the most of your consultation, it’s helpful to bring:
- Rough measurements or a sketch of your current countertop layout.
- Inspiration photos of kitchens/bathrooms you like.
- Any samples of cabinets, flooring, or paint colors you're working with.
- An idea of your budget. This will help us guide you to the best options for your space and style!
Great question!
- Granite is a 100% natural stone, known for its unique patterns, durability, and heat resistance. Each slab is one-of-a-kind.
- Engineered Quartz is a man-made product, typically composed of about 90-95% crushed natural quartz mixed with resins and pigments. It's non-porous, highly durable, low-maintenance, and offers consistent colors and patterns.
- Modern Porcelain (Ultra-Compact/Sintered Stone) is a technologically advanced material made from natural minerals subjected to extreme heat and pressure. It's incredibly resilient against scratches, heat, UV rays, and stains, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
The 'best' material depends on your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budget.
- Kitchens: Granite and Engineered Quartz are very popular due to their durability and resistance to stains and scratches. Porcelain is also an excellent high-performance option.
- Bathrooms: All three are great choices. Marble and Travertine can also bring a luxurious feel to bathrooms, though marble requires a bit more care. We can help you weigh the pros and cons of each during your consultation!
Absolutely! For natural stone, since each slab is unique, we encourage you to view and select your specific slab. We also offer digital slab layouts, especially for materials with directional patterns or significant color variations. This allows you to see a virtual representation of how your countertops will look with your chosen slab, ensuring the veins and patterns flow as you envision before we make the first cut.
Yes, our countertop materials, especially granite, engineered quartz, and porcelain, are excellent and safe surfaces for food preparation. Engineered quartz and porcelain are non-porous, which means they resist bacteria. Natural stone like granite, when properly sealed, is also a hygienic choice. We'll provide specific care information for the material you choose.
The timeline can vary depending on material availability, project complexity, and our current schedule. Generally, after your final material selection and templating, fabrication takes a certain number of days, followed by installation which averages about 4-5 hours. We'll provide you with a more specific timeline estimate once we have all your project details. Our goal is always to complete your project efficiently without compromising quality.
For templating, please ensure your countertops are completely cleared of all items. If you have existing countertops, they should remain in place. For installation, again, please clear the countertops and the surrounding work area, including items in lower cabinets. Ensure a clear path for our installers. We'll discuss any specific requirements, like having your sink or cooktop on-site, before our arrival.
Yes, we offer countertop removal as an additional service. We can also coordinate plumbing disconnect and reconnect services. For your convenience, if we handle the disconnect when removing your old tops, we can often arrange for the reconnect the day after your new countertops are installed. Please note there are some conditions, such as for older copper lines or the requirement of a new faucet for the plumber to reconnect.
Countertops are typically priced per square foot. The price varies based on several factors: The material you choose (e.g., standard granite vs. high-end quartz or porcelain). The complexity of the job (e.g., number of cutouts, edge profile). The specific edge profile selected (e.g. Ogee, Bullnose, Eased). Any additional services like tear-out, plumbing, or special supports (e.g. T-Bracket Steel, Flat Steel). We provide transparent, detailed quotes so you understand all the costs involved. Standard products can range from approximately $45 to $125 per square foot, while custom and highly specialized selections can vary more widely.
Yes, we offer free, no-obligation estimates. You can request one by contacting us or visiting our showroom.
We stand by our workmanship with a 2-year installation warranty. Additionally, the countertop materials themselves come with manufacturer warranties, which can range from 10 years to a lifetime, depending on the product. We also offer an optional Granite Gold Protection Plan for granite, quartz, and quartzite, which covers accidental damage like chips, cracks, caulking issues, and more, offering unlimited free service calls for covered items (a typical service call for such items is approximately $300).
Care varies slightly by material:
- Granite: Clean with a pH-neutral cleaner or mild dish soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Re-sealing may be needed periodically (we can advise).
- Engineered Quartz: Simply wipe with soap and water. It's non-porous and doesn't require sealing. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers.
- Modern Porcelain (Ultra-Compact/Sintered Stone): Very easy to clean with standard household cleaners. It's highly resistant to staining. We'll provide specific care guidelines for your chosen material upon installation.
Resistance levels vary:
- Granite is highly heat and scratch-resistant. It can stain if not properly sealed, but sealing is straightforward.
- Engineered Quartz is very stain and scratch-resistant and generally heat resistant, though prolonged exposure to high heat or sudden temperature changes should be avoided (always use trivets).
- Modern Porcelain (Ultra-Compact/Sintered Stone) is extremely heat, scratch, and stain-resistant. No countertop is completely indestructible, so we always recommend using cutting boards and trivets to keep them looking their best.
Choosing Chivino means choosing a partner dedicated to 'infusing style with quality' in your home.
- Family Values & Customer Care: We were founded on the principle of treating customers like family, guiding you with honesty and care.
- Unmatched Craftsmanship & Technology: Our 30,000 sq ft facility is 100% digital, featuring state-of-the-art machinery for unparalleled precision. This means a perfect fit and beautiful finish. We also offer options like the Chip Minimizer, a slightly rounded edge along the inside of your sink cutout to reduce chipping.
- Health & Safety Commitment: Our advanced wet cutting techniques significantly reduce airborne silica, ensuring a safer process for your home and our skilled team. We also utilize a closed-loop water filtration system, reflecting our environmental responsibility.
- Experience & Expertise: With over 100 years of combined industry experience, we have the knowledge to bring even complex visions to life.
- Comprehensive Service: From design consultation and digital slab layouts to expert installation and optional protection plans, we aim to make your experience seamless and satisfying.
- We believe: 'how much we care is ultimately what separates us from our competition'.