Marietta couple values screened contractors

Two years ago, Marietta resident Tomi Johnson found a contractor through ServiceMagic to install a new roof on her home. The experience was so positive that she used ServiceMagic again this past September when she and her husband, Kurk, wanted a new granite countertop for their kitchen.

"We've had nightmares with contractors who worked on our house before," Tomi said. "We had heard that ServiceMagic's people were bonded and insured. With big projects like the roof and countertops, we wanted to use a reputable company."

As she had done the first time, Tomi searched ServiceMagic.com to find a contractor with top reviews from other homeowners. She submitted a request to several different companies and heard first from TAM Marble and Granite LLC in Atlanta. Tomi knew immediately she had found the right provider for the job.

"Their prices were competitive, and their sales manager, Jorge Quintero, was exceptional," Tomi said. "He was very positive and seemed to empathize with our needs. Any questions we had, he was able to answer. He personally wanted to make sure the job was done right and that we were satisfied."

Tomi and Kurk went to TAM's showroom with a specific color and material in mind.

"My husband had seen black-galaxy granite in other kitchens and businesses and really liked the look of it, especially how the light reflects off it and makes it look like it has specks of gold," Tomi said. "We had a budget, but Kurk was really adamant about having the black galaxy. Jorge worked with us so we could get what we wanted. He wanted to make sure we were thrilled with the outcome."

One-day installation

And thrilled they were. TAM's team installed the 60-square-foot countertop, along with a vanity countertop for the bathroom, in less than a day. In addition, Jorge guided the Johnsons in choosing a new kitchen sink that would match the countertop.

"I showed Tomi a brochure of undermount sinks that would fit with the new countertop," Jorge said. "We helped pick the right sink shape for her and installed it as part of the project."

"Everyone at TAM was concerned about how everything looked," Tomi said. "They were really good at helping us with design issues."

Shortly after TAM finished the countertop installation, the Johnsons hosted a party and invited Jorge. Tomi and Kurk were so pleased with his company's work that they recommended TAM to their friends at the get-together.

"The good thing about ServiceMagic is that you know you're going to have someone who's bonded and licensed," Tomi said. "For us, the added value was the pleasure of working with nice people."