[Dwight]

Posted By Wags on 07 Jan 2014 11:13 AM

Dwight, look at it this way. Would you want YOUR customers to be able to call up your suppliers and get YOUR cost on materials? They are only protecting all the fabricators by not sharing confidential information with non-fabricators. I’m sure it’s frustrating, but, in the long run it’s good for everyone.

Are you looking to add solid surface to your existing contracting business? If your only going to do a job once in a while, it may not be worth the investment in training, tooling etc. Like most mature industries, it’s not the cash cow it once was. When Corian was new ( 70’s) it was the “hot thing” and you could get the $ you needed…as the industry grew and additional products were added, along with new products ie granite, quartz, concrete etc. solid surface was no longer the “hot thing” and profits dropped.

You can make a living but, your not going to get rich, add the investment in time to train, learning curve, and tooling needed it may or may not make sense to “do it yourself”. Sometimes your better off doing what you do really well, and are set up to do, and partner with someone to do the things you can’t do in volumes that make sense.

Hope this make some sense to you.

Not looking to get rich by any means,, I currently build cabinets,, been doing it for years,, I have had some unpleasant experiences with countertop installers in my area . that started me looking into this part of the business as well,, if I do the cabinets why not the countertops.

I already have all the tools,, I have already built countertops,, I was just looking for raw material costs to see if this is an investment worth pursuing. if that makes sense.

I realize I can buy materials from websites like solidsurface.com,, as any business owner you look for the actual supplier cost rather than marked up middleman.

[Dwight]

Posted By Kevin Cole on 07 Jan 2014 09:39 AM

Hi Dwight – if you drop me an email, I can help you gather some information on pricing and training. My email address is kevin@isfanow.org.

Best,

Kevin

sent the email Kevin , thanks in advance

[Dwight]

thanks for all the good info guys..  

my main objective was to get a price list just to see what kind of business I was getting  into ,, being in the construction business for 15 years , I like to know my cost before going all in on a new venture,,

I have called 5 solid surface companies to get sample pricing on raw materials and all have basically shut the door,,

Even the livingstone rep slammed door,,

Livingston Rep:  “OH I thought you were already a fabricator”

ME: “I AM, just not countertops, but that is why I am calling, I would like to fab countertops”

Livingstone Rep: “Well go to school and get certified and we will help you.”

ME:  “I would like to get more info on raw material pricing before I make a decision on full investment.”

Livingstone Rep: “Sorry can’t help until we have proff you went to one of these 2 classes, then he disconnected line”

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Is it collusion between industry and these 2 training facilities, dunno,, but I can see them wanting trained paople to install the product to make it look good, but I am just asking these people for pricing,, I am not asking for them to sell it to me.

FRUSTRATING

[Dwight]

quick update,, I contacted corian and was blown away by the requirements for training.  Basically Corian wont help in any way unless you agree to give them all you financials and agree to start a business exclusively with their product, basically a franchisee for their product, Jackie Talton said ” We do offer training , but we will not offer training until we have a contract agreement signed for franchise”

I advised the rep I was speaking to that I once I do get some good training ,, I will avoid their company and products  for life..

The REPS at LivingStone actually helped and answered questions I had, I was really surprised after dealing with Corian,

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I live in Oklahoma,, anyone know of  training please let me know. As of now I will research the info Livingstone gave me.

thanks.

[Author]

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