Diamond Certified Company Report

Golden State Granite

Name: Golden State Granite
Address: US
Telephone: (925) 201-6191
Rating: 8.9

(925) 201-6191

Contact

Diamond Certified Company Report

Golden State Granite

(925) 201-6191

Contact

Diamond certified ratings dashboard

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i

Customer LOYALTY i

Helpful Expertise i

Company Credentials i

Workers Compensation
Liability Insurance
License Verification
Business Practices
Current Complaint File
Legal & Finance

Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 262 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

Joe B.

VERIFIED Golden State Granite CUSTOMER

1 of 262

Quality 10

10 10

Loyalty Yes

CRITIQUE

Jack, the owner, went out of his way to come out on a Sunday with us choose granite, and he helped us. I would say to use them. He stays impartial, and he'll let you know what he thinks is best. He brings you to the store, sets everything up, and he lets you look and see how the granite would look in your kitchen. He listens to your input. That's what he's good at. He doesn't try to push you. He lets you, be you.

I think that they're very professional and very clean. I like that he lets you be who you are and doesn’t push you into anything. I really like the fact the he goes out of his way to help you. That's very nice. He even came out with us to help us choose a sink. He's very professional.

Dan P.

VERIFIED Golden State Granite CUSTOMER

2 of 262

Quality 10

10 10

Loyalty Yes

CRITIQUE

Their pricing was competitive. The owners daughter, who I talked with, laid it all out for me. They were there on time, they did the work, and it was beautiful.

The people working there take pride in their work. The end result was beautiful. The process was straightforward. The process of dealing with the them was easy, and they followed through with their commitment. It was a great experience.

Robert H.

VERIFIED Golden State Granite CUSTOMER

3 of 262

Quality 10

10 10

Loyalty Yes

CRITIQUE

Use them for sure.

I liked their customer service. The information they provided, and everything was top quality. It was a great experience.

Read All 262 Survey Responses at Ratings View

Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE

Diamond certified company PROFILE

Jack Benning, Owner

Golden State Granite provides and installs granite, quartz, and natural stone products for residential and commercial clients throughout the Tri-Valley Area. The company combines old-world craftsmanship with state-of-the-art laser cutting, polishing and edging technology to create everything from kitchen counters and bathroom vanities to custom fireplaces and outdoor barbeques.

Owner Jack Benning says Golden State Granite’s customers appreciate its honest, straightforward style of communication. “For example, if a customer wants to use a particular stone, we’ll tell them if there are any disadvantages to that product and make sure they understand exactly what they’re getting. We don’t just try to make sales; rather, we steer our clients toward making decisions that will secure their long-term satisfaction.”

Golden State Granite maintains relationships with leading stone manufacturers such as CaesarStone, Cambria, Vadara and Silestone, which enables it to pass its fabricator discount to clients who choose to purchase materials through the company. “We want every customer to get the most value for their investment,” says Mr. Benning. “Our goal is to make sure each stone product we create provides many years of enjoyment.”

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED CAPABILITIES ON Golden State Granite

COMPANY CONTACT

Golden State Granite

(925) 201-6191

EMAIL
1001 Detroit Avenue Suite 9
(near Costco) Concord
Map Hours Website OPEN NOW

Locations

the Tri-Valley Area

Get Directions

SERVICES PERFORMED

Granite, Quartz & Natural Stone Installations

Kitchen Counters

Bathroom Vanities

Custom Commercial Applications

Outdoor Barbeques

Custom Edges

Fireplace Surrounds

BRANDS Supported

Caesarstone
Cambria
Silestone
Vadara

Company Name:	Golden State Granite
Website:	www.goldenstategranite.com
Phone Number:	(925) 201-6191
DCID Number:	DCID9258255888
Hours:	Mon – Fri: 8am – 2:30pm Call For Appointment
Areas Served:	Serving the Tri-Valley Area including Concord, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, Brentwood, Martinez
Managers:	Jack Benning, Owner
Years in industry:	26 (Manager)
# of Employees:	7
License:	638323
Insurance:	Liability Insurance, Workers' Compensation
Founded:	1992
Areas of Expertise:	Granite, Quartz & Natural Stone Installations; Kitchen Counters; Bathroom Vanities; Custom Commercial Applications; Outdoor Barbeques; Custom Edges; Fireplace Surrounds
Key Brands:	CaesarStone, Cambria, Silestone, Vadara, Viatera, MSI
Customer Type:	Residential, Commercial
Warranties & Guarantees:	1-Year Warranty on Workmanship
CC Accepted:

DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED ARTICLES ON Golden State Granite

A recent granite countertop project by Golden State Granite

Company Profile

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Company Philosophy

“We treat our clients with respect and work on their homes as if they were our own. By combining top-notch materials, time-earned expertise and superior workmanship, we’re able to enhance our customers’ enjoyment of their homes.”

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Comparative Summary

Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for marble and granite companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Golden State Granite, the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is simple: make sure every client is completely happy with the results of their installation. “Like any business, we have to be profitable in order to stay afloat, but our foremost concern is making our customers happy,” affirms owner Jack Benning. “In most cases, we’ll go above and beyond to make that happen, even if it costs us a bit more.”

Golden State Granite has been providing and installing granite, limestone, marble, and quartz products for residential and commercial clients throughout the Tri-Valley Area since 1992. The company combines old-world craftsmanship with state-of-the-art cutting, polishing and edging technology to create products like kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, outdoor barbeques, custom fireplaces, and more.

Unlike less experienced marble and granite companies that are primarily motivated by high profit margins, Golden State Granite focuses on installation quality over sales, which enables it to take a more customer-oriented approach to every project. “A lot of sales-oriented companies in this industry tend to mark up the prices of their products, but we’re in the installation business, not the retail business,” says Mr. Benning. “If we’re able to pass along a discount on a product, we’re happy to do it.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Golden State Granite is its dedication to quality control in every aspect of its work. “Quality is very important to everyone who works here,” confirms Mr. Benning. “As the company owner, the buck always stops with me, and my employees know the standards of quality I expect. If a customer is unhappy with any aspect of our work, we’ll make it right.”

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Industry Info

When shopping for a granite, marble or limestone product, make sure you know all your available finish options. Whether you want a smooth, glossy polish or a more unique texture, there are numerous finish styles to choose from. Here’s some information about a few of the most popular styles.

Polished
The standard factory finish for most granite and marble products, a polished finish provides a sleek, highly reflective surface. As the least porous finish style available, it offers both a low level of maintenance and strong resistance to stains.

While factory-polished finish remains a popular option, Jack Benning, owner of Golden State Granite in Concord, says the polishing process has changed significantly in recent years. “About a decade ago, most stone slabs were polished out with diamonds all the way down, but in recent years, manufacturers have started treating slabs with resin after being polished. This change in methodology has a couple of benefits. By treating the slab with resin, the manufacturer doesn’t have to polish it out as far to give the product an optimum shine. The resin treatment also seals the surface, which gives it an extra layer of protection. However, this technique isn’t without its drawbacks. When a granite professional treats a seam, they have to grind off that layer of resin, and there’s no way to reapply it.”

Textured
A textured finish provides the same benefits as polished stone while offering a rougher, more antiquated look and feel. Textured surfaces are achieved through a variety of techniques and manifested in styles such as leathered, river-washed, and flamed.

Mr. Benning says textured stone is a great option for those looking for products that have aesthetic character and high functionality. “Unless you’re committed to a factory-polished slab, I would definitely take a look at some of these textured surfaces. One of their most impressive benefits is they don’t show as much wear from everyday use. If you have a slab with a fine polish finish, it’s more likely to show things like water spots and fingerprints, whereas a textured surface will hide them.”

Honed
If you want to find a middle ground between glossy polish and rough texture, a honed finish may be the right option. By ending the finishing process prior to the buffing stage, a honed surface finish offers a smooth surface without the reflective quality of a full gloss polish. While it can be used for marble or granite countertops, honed finishes are often used for floors, stairs and other underfoot locations where a polished finish may not be preferable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will my granite project take to complete?

A: It depends on a variety of factors, but we always do our best to get in and out in a timely manner. We’ll give you an estimated timeframe before we begin, and we’re able to finish within that timeframe about 90 percent of the time.

Q: Can you help me choose a granite product?

A: Absolutely. We can accompany you to stores or showrooms and give you suggestions as to which products would work best for your specific situation.

Q: Should I go with natural stone or an artificial material?

A: In our opinion, natural stone is a better choice because it wears better over time and is easier to repair if you ever have an issue like chipping or denting. Some people prefer artificial products because of their low maintenance and color uniformity, and those are perfectly valid reasons as well. It’s all about finding the product that’s right for you.

Q: Will there be dust during my project?

A: Granite counter installation projects often require some demolition work as well, which means existing countertops need to be cut, and that process creates fine dust. However, we always take measures to minimize dust, from protecting floors and covering entryways to using a high-powered vacuum to keep the dust contained.

Q: Will the seam be visible on my granite countertop?

A: Long seams always show, but by minimizing the length of our seams, we can make them less intrusive.

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SELECTED PHOTOS FROM Golden State Granite

A recent granite countertop project by Golden State Granite
A recent project by Golden State Granite
Golden State Granite
Golden State Granite
Golden State Granite
Golden State Granite
Golden State Granite
Golden State Granite

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Jack Benning

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE

Jack Benning is owner of Golden State Granite, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (925) 201-6191 or by email.

Jack Benning: Granite Ambition

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

CONCORD — With his background in general construction, Jack Benning says his transition into selling and installing stone products was a gradual process. “Granite really came into its own as a home remodeling product back in the early ’90s. A friend of mine was involved in it and I was intrigued, so I started helping him out on the side. It wasn’t long before it became my full-time career.”

Today, as owner of Golden State Granite, Jack says his favorite aspect of his job is the versatile nature of his chosen trade. “When you’re working with natural stone, every project is different and poses a unique set of challenges. It’s not a cookie-cutter business, which can certainly make things more complicated, but it also keeps things interesting.”

A lifetime resident of the Bay Area, Jack resides in Clayton with his wife, Michelle, where he says he appreciates the close proximity to a more rural environment. “We live right at the base of Mount Diablo, which makes it easy to get away from it all. After about a two-minute walk from my house, you’d never think there was a house within a million miles!”

Outside of work, Jack engages in a variety of hobbies, from restoring vintage cars to fishing at local reservoirs. An avid sports fan, he also enjoys following local teams, particularly the San Francisco Giants and the Cal Bears. “I’ll root for just about any Bay Area team, as long as it doesn’t affect my Bears or Giants,” he laughs. In addition, Jack likes cooking at home and taking short trips in his RV. When he’s not pursuing one of his personal hobbies, he keeps up with his and Michelle’s two grown daughters, Amanda and Meagan.

In regard to his career, Jack says when it comes to ensuring quality, cutting corners is never an option. “One of my mottos is, ‘We don’t do it the easy way, we do it the right way.’ Sometimes the easiest way may in fact be the best way; other times, it’s not. In any case, I don’t care what’s easiest—I just want to do things correctly the first time.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Jack says he’d embark on an extended road trip. “I’d do some traveling in my RV. I’ve only been to about six states, so I would definitely like to spend some time seeing more of the country.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Iced tea.

Q: What was your first car?
A: A Triumph TR4A.

Q: What’s your favorite season?
A: Fall. It’s not too hot and not too cold, plus I love the rain…provided it doesn’t affect our work!

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Watch golf.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Popcorn.

Q: Music or talk radio?
A: Talk radio.

Expert articles

The Hard Truth about Manufactured Stone Products

by Jack Benning, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

CONCORD — When choosing new kitchen counters, many consumers want to know what’s better: a natural product such as granite or marble, or a manufactured product like Caesarstone or Cambria. While there are pros and cons to either option, a common misconception is that manufactured products are impervious to surface damage, which isn’t the case.

Since natural stone products are porous, they need to be sealed and periodically resealed. A marble or granite product’s seal protects it from surface stains and scratches, as well as etching from acidic elements like vinegar, limes and tomatoes. Due to the necessity for recurrent resealing, some consumers prefer the low-maintenance character of manufactured products.

Even though manufactured products don’t need to be sealed, that doesn’t mean they’re impervious to stains or scratches. In fact, when such damage does occur, it’s often permanent. While surface damage to a natural product can often be repaired, these processes don’t work on man-made products because they’re made from plastic, from which it’s nearly impossible to remove stains and scratches.
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Expert video tip

Video: Differentiating Countertops

with Jack Benning of
Golden State Granite

Complete Video Transcription

CONCORD — Host, Sarah Rutan: If you’re planning on installing new counter tops, you’ll want to know the differences between natural and man-made products. Today we’re in Concord with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jack Benning of Golden State Granite to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Jack Benning: The biggest question I get is “What type of surface do I use?” “Do I use natural stone, granite, marbles, or manufactured product which could be Silestone, Caesarstone, Cambria?” But sometimes, people don’t want to even look at natural stone because they feel the man-made products, you don’t have to seal them, they wont scratch, they won’t stain.

With natural stone, you do have to seal them but once you seal them properly, my belief is it will be many, many, many years before you have to reseal them if you do it right the first time. So, I wouldn’t necessarily use a man-made product over a natural stone because of the sealing process and you think that man-made product won’t scratch. It will scratch and the sad thing is you cant fix it with the man-made granite, marble or with another slade, you can usually make a repair but with the man-made products you can’t and they will stain and the processes we use to get stains out of natural stone don’t really work on the man-made stone or man-made products because it is plastic and once you get embedded in the plastic, its almost impossible to get out.

So, I see advantages over the man-made – one can be color, everyone loves white. You don’t see a lot of whites in granites. If you’re going into marbles for a kitchen, you’re looking at an after product, one that stains easier and is more susceptible to etching from anything acidic, vinegar, limes even tomatoes are a little acidic and they can actually etch the stone. And there are some granites that can be etched also. In most cases if you seal them properly, you’ll be fine.

Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local top-rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.info
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Golden State Granite WEBSITE AND EXTERNAL FEED

COMPANY WEBSITE

http://www.goldenstategranite.com

Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Golden State Granite

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