More and more homeowners want to enhance their outdoor living spaces with a fireplace, which can also mean more challenges with sourcing materials. Here’s what to look for when choosing a masonry supply for your next outdoor fireplace project in Harrisburg, PA.
Ideally, you want one-stop shopping for all your outdoor fireplace material needs. This means:
1. A wide availability of natural stone and cultured stone for various budgets and design styles. While a masonry supply can’t be expected to stock mass quantities of every single product a manufacturer offers, it has to be able to get these materials in a timely manner.
2. Quality. You want the assurance that the materials and supplies you get from a masonry supply company will never jeopardize the integrity of your craftsmanship. A good masonry supply will work with reputable manufacturers and quarries to ensure consistently high-quality products as well as products that are readily available. Nearly all contractors have experienced the nightmare of a homeowner falling in love with a product that is notorious for always being on backorder - or only available in limited quantities, styles, or colors. This can completely derail a project and lead to a terrible experience for the homeowner. And it can lead to bad reviews for you. Only work with a masonry supply company who either carries the inventory you need, or can order it quickly and reliably from reputable sources.
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2. Variety. Whether your next fireplace project is completely custom or a kit, you need access to a variety of materials. Many homeowners like to customize outdoor fireplace kits to integrate them into their existing hardscapes. A masonry supply needs to carry various products, including pavers, brick, coping, block, and stone veneer to give even out-of-the-box fireplace kits the look of a custom piece. Variety also includes materials that are suitable for use in all architectural styles, so you aren’t limiting your customers to a few particular looks.
3. Affordable prices: a good masonry supply will work with contractors on pricing, especially as they develop a working relationship. They may also alert contractors to special deals.
4. Expert advice. In some cases, the demands of a project may require knowledge and skills beyond what the contractor knows. Expert advice from a knowledgeable staff can help with design tweaks, material substitutions, and creative solutions for various landscaping masonry challenges.
5. Service. It’s always helpful to have someone on your side, whether it’s another set of eyes making accurate material calculations, or someone who is always on top of your special orders to ensure timely delivery.
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6. Showroom. Customers like to see, and touch, before they buy. Often, a small sample just doesn’t cut it with people who have trouble visualizing the finished outcome based on a single piece of stone veneer. If you can take your customers to a showroom where they can see their dream fireplace in a real setting - preferably outdoors in natural light and weather conditions - you can help them make the best design and materials decisions.
7. Behind-the-scenes materials, equipment, and tools. A successful masonry fireplace project is more than stone and mortar. A good masonry supply company will carry all the materials you need to complete the project, from footing materials to chimney caps. Since tools and equipment can break on the job, you want a fast and affordable replacement to keep your project on target.
