Payment Policies for Commercial and Residential Builder Accounts
Our payment policies are designed to keep your projects running smoothly while maintaining the high quality and precision you expect from us.
Everything You Need to Know About Paying for Your Projects
At World Stone, we understand that builder and commercial projects often have unique needs and schedules. Our payment policies are designed to keep your projects running smoothly while maintaining the high quality and precision you expect from us.
What’s Included in Our Pricing
When you partner with World Stone, you receive comprehensive turnkey service covering every step, including:
Field Measurement: Our skilled technicians perform precise, laser-accurate site measurements to ensure your countertops fit perfectly. This initial measurement is included in your project cost at no extra charge.
Fabrication: Your countertops are custom fabricated in our advanced facility, utilizing CNC machinery and expert craftsmanship to guarantee flawless results.
Installation: Experienced installers carefully fit and finish your countertops on site, ensuring a seamless, professional installation.
Warranty: We back our workmanship and materials with a one-year warranty, offering peace of mind well beyond project completion.
Deposit and Payment Terms
For projects under $20,000, a 100% deposit is required before work begins.
For projects over $20,000, a 50% deposit is required upfront, with the remaining balance due before installation.
For residential builder accounts, we offer Net 30 terms once your account is established.
New builder accounts must pay 100% upfront for their first three projects before qualifying for Net 30 terms.
We accept checks only as payment.
We do not accept credit cards, debit cards, or cash (except in rare circumstances).
Change Orders
A change order refers to any change in the original scope of work, including:
Material selection changes
Labor adjustments
Timeline changes, such as expedited or delayed installation
Since countertops are custom fabricated according to your specifications, even minor changes may require remeasuring, redesigning, or reprogramming equipment, possibly leading to additional costs or schedule changes.
All change orders must be approved in writing and may affect pricing and production schedules.
Please note:
Additional site visits beyond the original measurement and installation will incur a $150 trip fee per visit. Projects outside our regular service areas may also be subject to additional travel charges.
Account Holds and Payment Enforcement
Timely payment is essential to keep your projects on track. Accounts with overdue balances will be placed on hold, and no further work—including measurement, fabrication, or installation—will proceed until payments are current.
Refund Policy
Because every project is custom made:
Deposits are non-refundable once fabrication begins.
If a project is canceled before fabrication, a refund may be issued minus restocking or administrative fees.
Stock vs. Special Order Material Pricing
We maintain an extensive inventory of over 2,500 block slabs in stock, allowing us to offer competitive pricing and quicker turnaround times on stock material.
When your project requires special ordered material—such as high-end slabs, specialty finishes, or specialty colors—the pricing may differ to account for supplier costs, extended lead times, and handling requirements.
Questions?
We are here to support your project from start to finish. For questions about invoicing, payment terms, or project details, please contact your project manager or our office team anytime.
Payment Policies for Retail Customers
Because each countertop is custom-made to your space and specifications, we have a few important payment policies to ensure your project runs smoothly.
Everything You Need to Know About Paying for Your Countertops
At World Stone, we aim to make the process simple and transparent for homeowners and retail customers. Because each countertop is custom-made to your space and specifications, we have a few important payment policies to ensure your project runs smoothly.
What’s Included in Our Pricing
When you choose World Stone, you’re getting a full-service experience. Our pricing covers everything you need from start to finish, including:
Field Measurement: We perform a precise, laser-accurate measurement of your space to ensure your countertops fit perfectly. This initial measure is included with your project at no extra cost.
Fabrication: Your countertops are custom fabricated in our state-of-the-art facility using advanced CNC machinery and skilled craftsmanship to deliver flawless results.
Installation: Our experienced installation team carefully installs your countertops with attention to detail, ensuring a seamless fit and finish.
Warranty: We stand behind our work with a one-year warranty covering workmanship and materials, giving you peace of mind long after installation.
100% Deposit Required Before Measurement
Unlike off-the-shelf products, your countertops are custom-built to your exact specifications, from layout to material to edge profile. Once we begin measuring and fabricating, we are committing labor, equipment time, and raw materials specifically to your order. A 100% deposit before field measurement is necessary because:
It reserves your material —many pieces are one-of-a-kind, limited in quantity, or special ordered from a supplier.
It confirms your project timeline and secures your spot in our production schedule.
It covers up-front costs like digital templating, CAD programming, and early-stage fabrication.
It helps us avoid delays caused by non-payment at later stages.
In short, the deposit allows us to move forward with full confidence—knowing the project is funded and approved—so we can deliver your countertops on time and at the highest quality.
Accepted Payment Methods
Checks are our only accepted form of payment.
No credit cards, debit cards, or cash are accepted at this time.
Change Orders
A change order is any change in the original scope of work agreed upon at the start of your project. This includes adjustments to the material, labor, or timeline—all of which can impact your final cost and scheduling. Because each countertop is custom fabricated to your specifications, even small changes can require remeasuring, redesigning, and reprogramming machinery—often with material waste or added labor.
Here are some common examples of change orders:
Switching to a different stone or finish after the original selection
Adding or removing elements like backsplashes, mitered edges, or waterfall panels
Altering the layout after templating
Requesting an accelerated timeline or delayed installation
All change orders must be approved in writing and may result in revised pricing and/or a shift in the production schedule.
Please note:
Any additional trips beyond the original measurement and installation visits will incur a $150 trip fee per visit. Projects outside of our regular service areas may also be subject to additional travel charges.
Refund Policy
Because all our work is made-to-order:
Deposits are non-refundable once fabrication has begun.
If a project is canceled prior to fabrication, your deposit may be refunded minus any restocking or administrative fees.
Questions?
Our team is here to help at every step. If you have questions about your estimate, material choices, or payment, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Customer Expectations
Congratulations on your decision to upgrade your countertops! To help ensure success, please review the following expectations carefully.
Congratulations on your decision to upgrade your countertops—this is an exciting step, and we’re thrilled you’ve chosen World Stone as your fabricator. Our goal is to make the process smooth, professional, and satisfying from start to finish. To help ensure success, please review the following expectations carefully.
Client Responsibilities
To avoid delays, the following items must be completed before we can proceed:
Job Information Approval:
All job information sheets, including any revisions, must be signed and dated by the client.
Failure to sign and return required documentation will delay fabrication and void any tentative install dates.Selections & Fixtures:
Final selections for cooktops, sinks, and faucets must be provided prior to scheduling your installation. These items must be on site at the time of measure/install to avoid return trip charges.Cabinet Readiness:
Cabinets must be fully installed, level, and secured to the wall before the template appointment.
World Stone Inc. is not liable for countertops installed on cabinets or walls that are out of level or not straight.Tip: Crooked walls can leave visible gaps behind countertops. Consider using a tile or alternate backsplash to address uneven surfaces.
Template & Measurement
During the field measure, our technician will use digital laser equipment to take precise measurements of your cabinets.
All surfaces must be cleared before the appointment.
If additional details are needed—overhangs, sink dimensions, seam locations, etc.—someone over the age of 18 must be present to review with our technician.
Incidental Damage Notice
Countertop installation is a construction process, and while we take every precaution, some minor incidental damage may occur.
Please note the following:
We recommend waiting to complete wall painting or wallpapering until after installation.
Scratches to walls, cabinetry, or floors are possible due to the size and weight of the material.
When installing large pieces between walls, seams may be required to minimize the risk of damage. If seams are declined, any damage caused during installation becomes the client’s responsibility.
If World Stone removes old countertops, we are not responsible for existing cabinet damage or the condition of the original countertop.
Plumbing & Sink Installation
We will mount undermount sinks to the countertops, but we do not perform any plumbing work, including:
Faucet installation
Disposal connections
Drain hook-ups
It is the client’s responsibility to:
Ensure all plumbing fits with the sink and backsplash configuration
Schedule a plumber for hookup no sooner than 24 hours after installation to allow adhesives to cure
Dust & Cleanup
Countertop installation creates residual dust, even with careful work.
You may want to cover adjacent spaces to contain dust in the work area.Our team will leave the installation site in a broom-clean condition.
Final Note
We’re here to make this experience seamless and positive. Your attention to the above expectations helps us deliver the quality you deserve—and ensures your project stays on track.
Click here for a PDF version of this page: World Stone Customer Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
Appointments, selections, material, etc.
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Yes. We want you to have our undivided attention when you take time out of your day to visit our showroom. Please give us a call and we can schedule a time.
Sanford Showroom: (919) 469-8450
Myrtle Beach Showroom: (843) 790-0808
Charlotte Showroom: (704) 372-9968 -
World Stone offers high-quality countertops of quartz, granite, marble, and quartzite.
Quartz: engineered stone surfaces composed of natural quartz crystals, resins, polymers, and pigments. Renowned for their durability, they resist scratches, stains, and impacts, outperforming many natural stone options.
Granite: natural stone surfaces cut from large slabs of granite, a highly durable igneous rock formed deep within the Earth's crust. Renowned for their natural beauty and unique patterns, granite countertops bring a touch of elegance to kitchens and bathrooms.
Marble: exquisite natural stone surfaces crafted from metamorphic rock formed when limestone undergoes intense heat and pressure. Known for their timeless elegance and luxurious appearance, marble countertops add sophistication to any space. However, they are more susceptible to staining and scratching than other stone surfaces.
Quartzite: Quartzite, a tough metamorphic rock from sandstone, is perfect for countertops.
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Natural stone, like granite and marble, is quarried from the earth. Engineered stone, such as quartz, is a composite material made from crushed stone and resin. Both have their unique advantages, so the choice depends on personal preferences.
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Thicknesses range from 1 to 3 centimeters. Thicker countertops, such as 3 centimeters, are the most common, chosen for their robustness and more substantial appearance.
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World Stone offers a variety of edge profiles.
Standard Options: straight, quarter round, beveled, half bullnose
Upgraded Options: full bullnose, ogee, crescent, cascading
Specialty Options: mitered, laminated
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Yes, stone countertops, especially granite and quartz, are heat-resistant. However, it's advisable to use trivets or hot pads to protect the surface from extreme heat.
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Stone countertops, particularly granite and quartz, are resistant to scratches under normal use. However, it's still best to use cutting boards and avoid dragging heavy or abrasive items across the surface.
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The best way to clean a countertop is with warm water and soap!
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While some stones are suitable for outdoor use, it's essential to choose durable, weather-resistant options like granite. Outdoor stone countertops may require additional maintenance to withstand the elements.
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Yes, stone countertops can be customized to fit specific shapes and sizes. Discuss your design preferences and requirements with your World Stone representative to create a tailored solution for your space.
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The sink reveal refers to the exposed edge of the countertop around the perimeter of an installed sink. It's a crucial detail in the installation process, and the size of the reveal can be customized based on design preferences.
Positive reveal: some of the top of the sink is visible.
Negative reveal: the countertop has some overhang over the sink.
Flush reveal: The countertop edge is in line, flush with the sink bowl.
World Stone’s proper measurement and precise fabrication ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing integration of the sink with the stone countertop.
Warranty Work: Repairing Chips and Cracks in Countertops
No stone is perfect, and sometimes an issue is noticed after the installation. We have specialized service technicians trained in stone repair and restoration.
No stone is perfect, and sometimes an issue is noticed after the installation.
We Warranty Our Work
Every installation is covered by a 1-year warranty, giving you peace of mind that our craftsmanship is built to last.
“World Stone warrants that all materials furnished and labor performed in conjunction with the project, in accord with the contract documents and any authorized modifications, will be free from defects due to defective materials and workmanship.”
Specialized Service Technicians
If something does go wrong, we don’t just send any contractor—we have specialized service technicians trained in stone repair and restoration. They’ll assess the damage and offer the best solution, whether that’s a cosmetic touch-up or a replacement.
Can Your Countertop Be Repaired?
Small chips: Usually fixable with epoxy color-matched to your surface
Cracks: Repairable in some cases, depending on location and depth
Stains: Removable in some cases, depending on cause and severity
Seam separation: Can often be reset
If you’re unsure whether your countertop can be repaired, contact us. We can inspect the damage and offer honest recommendations.
“Nothing in the above deemed to apply to work which has been abused or neglected by the Owner. World Stone retains the right to determine the solution, repair, or maintenance method as required and seen appropriate.”
Downloadable Resources:
World Stone Customer Expectations
Selections Sheet
Quote Form
Countertop Layouts