| Selecting a Stone Mason to Build Your Natural Stone Fireplace. Brought to you by Cole Farms, Inc. |
After you have planned, measured and sketched out what you want your granite, travertine or marble fireplace to look like you will need to find an installer or stone mason and also begin selecting your materials. These two events happen at about the same time but sometimes one before the other. In most cases you will want a bid on the construction before you commit to purchasing the stone.
Selecting a stone mason or installer is the most important part of the process of having a natural stone fireplace built. They can help you from the very start by assisting you in estimating materials, helping you get a good deal from the stone supplier and in helping you finish out the design work. Our installer saved us about $5,000 easily. Most good stone masons will be able to work with any stone but will prefer some over others. Their installation price is often affected by the type of stone you choose in that some materials are more difficult to work with than others. The main thing is to find an installer that has experience building fireplace surrounds, mantles and hearths and take a look at their portfolio. Get some references if necessary and check them out just like you would a builder, sub contractor or an employee. Work out a payment schedule ahead of time so that there is no misunderstanding as to when payment is made. Progress payments are typically how the work is done. A down payment up front is not unusual.
Once you have found a good installer and have gotten a bid on your design, you are ready to purchase the materials.
You will find below an index of the articles that I have put together on this subject. I have tried to cover building a granite, travertine or marble fireplace hearth, surround and mantle using a step by step approach.
Step by Step Articles on Building a Travertine, Marble or Granite Fireplace Surround.
Intro - An Overview of Designing your Stone Fireplace Surround, Mantel and Hearth - Overview of our articles on Building a Natural Stone Fireplace.
Article 1 - Sketching and Designing your Stone Fireplace Surround - Measuring, planning and sketching out your Natural Stone Fireplace.
Article 2 - Finding an Stone Installer - Choosing a craftsman to build your travertine, marble or granite for your natural stone fireplace.
Article 3 - Finding your Materials - Choosing your travertine, marble or granite for your natural stone fireplace.
Article 4 - Finding your Materials 2 - Finding Marble, Travertine, Granite, Concrete or Cement Columns for your Fireplace
Article 5 - Installing the Fireplace Hearth - Installing your Marble, Travertine, Granite, or Limestore Fireplace Hearth
Article 6 - Installing the Fireplace Surround - Installing a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace Surround
Article 7 - Installing the Fireplace Mantel - Installing a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace Mantel
Article 8 - Installing the Fireplace Surround - Installing Wall Tile on a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace
Article 9 - Grouting the Fireplace Surround - Grouting Wall Tile on a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace
Article 10 - Enhancing and Sealing your Fireplace Surround - Applying Enhancer/Sealer to your Travertine or Natural Stone Fireplace Surround.
Picture Page 1 - Photos, Pictures, Images of Installing a Marble, Granite, Travertine or Limestone Fireplace Hearth, Mantel and Surround.
Picture Page 2 - Photos, Pictures, Images of Installing a Marble, Granite, Travertine or Limestone Fireplace Hearth, Mantel and Surround.
