Charlie Thiede

The most popular remodeling project in homes today is kitchen remodeling. The kitchen has become the room that the family spends a lot of time. The type of countertop is the first thing to consider in remodeling the kitchen. There are many types of surfaces, granite, marble, or synthetic. The choice of granite is become a growing trend.

Looks-Beauty and Elegance:

Granite is a beautiful and elegant stone. It is available in many stylish colors and finishes, which makes it easy to coordinate with your kitchen design or layout. The natural character of granite creates exquisite aesthetics for your kitchen

Textures-Rich and Elegant:

Granite slabs are formed by removing large blocks from the quarries, which unlike tiles have fewer cuts and scratches for converting the stone into slabs.

Subsequently, granite countertops make for a uniform, surface that is cut and polished to the customer's specifications

Strength and Durability:

Granite stone has a hard and durable surface. It is not easily chipped or cracked and can endure extreme temperatures. With these qualities, granite becomes an excellent choice for countertops, being resistant to liquids, stains, and hot objects. Granite slab requires minimum maintenance for lasting beauty and style for years to come.

Return on Investment:

Granite countertops are expensive, compared to those of synthetic materials, however, their elegance and durability make for a great investment, adding value to your home and a satisfying return on your investment should you sell the house in the future.

This article was written by Charlie Thiede, owner of Rock Tops Granite, the leading granite and marble countertop fabricators in the US. Rock Tops technology is what makes them unique from other companies. With computer numerically controlled (CNC) stone processing equipment, they get a perfectly cut and polished edge on every countertop. Rock Tops Granite serves the following areas in Missouri: St. Louis County, Maryland Heights, Florissant, Ferguson, St. Ann, Overland, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood, Wildwood, Fenton, Eureka and neighboring cities and communities Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and learn more.

The beautiful 15,000 sq. ft. showroom, containing over 1200 unique slabs of granite was awe inspiring to the group

Macomb, MI - Mark Maupin, founder of the National Real Estate Network recently took a few members of his group to visit showroom of Rock Tops Granite, in Macomb, Michigan. Rock Tops is the leading granite and marble countertops fabricators and installers in the state; they are also one of the fastest growing companies, with 7 locations in Michigan plus10 more stores throughout the Us.

The investor group was looking for ideas to remodel the kitchens and bathrooms in high-end homes they had recently acquired. "Investors who purchase property in very desirable, suburban areas know they cannot get away with cheap, inexpensive rehab jobs like they do in urban areas," Mark explained. "I recently met and interviewed Charlie Thiede, of Rock Tops Granite, and I was impressed with the quality of workmanship that goes into the manufacturing of granite and marble countertops. I thought it would be a great idea to take some members of my investment group on a tour of their showroom to learn more about the product and technology they use to measure and cut the granite."

Mark and the group of investors learned a lot when they toured the 15,000 sq. ft showroom containing over 1,200 unique slabs of granite and marble. "It was amazing!" Mark exclaimed. "This is overwhelming; I wonder how customers are able to choose; there are so many to look at."

Charlie Thiede explained, "Unlike Corian or Silestone, Granite and Marble are products of nature, therefore, no two pieces will be the same. Adding a granite or marble countertop to a kitchen is a way to bring Mother Nature's Art Work into your home. Your unique countertop will be the envy of all your friends and neighbors; yours will be impossible for them to duplicate," explained Thiede, proudly.

As it is with most men, they love to show off their "tools and toys." Men will be men, as evidenced by Charlie when he proudly showed the group stone processing equipment, explaining, "We use the latest in computer, numerically, controlled (CNC) technology for a perfect cut with an unmatched polished edge quality. These machines cost between $200,000 and $300,000; therefore, many other fabricators are still using hand routers and grinders to work the edge of the stone. This often takes days, where we can fabricate a countertop within hours. The hand method often creates imperfect and wavy edges, bad seams and a poor finish, where the CNC technology produces a perfect finish every time." Of course, Mark and his group were hardly able to contain themselves. "Let me try it!" Mark exclaimed. "Sorry," Charlie answered with a grin. "This is restricted to use by employees only."

Marked thanked Charlie Thiede for the tour and educational information as he invited him to speak at a future meeting. Mark's group meets the third Thursday of each month in Belleville. "I'm sure a lot of my members will be interested in hearing about Rock Tops Granit countertops. I look forward to having one of their representatives speak at a future meeting; hopefully very soon, before the end of the year," said Mark.

Rock Tops Granite has 15 locations in 7 states, with showrooms in Saline, Holly, Wixom, Grand Rapids and Macomb, Michigan. They have already installed over 10,000 countertops in 2008 and plan to open more stores in the next couple years. Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to learn more and find a location near you.

Contact:

Charlie Thiede

17411 23 Mile Road

Macomb, MI 48042

586-263-6621

info@rocktopsgranite.com

Real estate investors look forward to a new vendor joining the meeting in November, to network and share their home remodeling ideas

Detroit, MI - Members of the National Real Estate Network in Detroit are looking forward to a visit from a new vendor who services property managers and real estate investors. Mark Maupin, founder of NREN said, "Members seem to get just as much enjoyment and benefit out of networking with the vendors as they do from listening to our featured speakers," said Mark Maupin. "Our speakers are terrific, but we actually have some members who just show up for the networking, then leave before we introduce the speaker."

Mark's real estate investors group meets the third Thursday of each month. At a recent meeting where Mark and members of his management team were planning the November meeting, one suggested inviting someone who specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Mark said, "We get plenty of painting and drywall contractors, clean-out crews, plumbers and heating and cooling experts. We have not had a kitchen and bathroom remodeling specialist lately. This is a good idea, to do something new for this month's meeting."

Mark recently toured the showroom of Rock Tops Granite, in Macomb, Michigan, where he learned a lot about granite countertops and the technology used for processing the stone. "I was especially impressed with the computer numerically controlled machines used in fabricating custom countertops. The president, Charlie Thiede, showed me how quickly and perfectly this machine adds a perfect edge to the granite, where other companies are still using routers and grinders, which take hours and leave imperfections. I'm looking forward to having a Rock Tops Granite representative join my group at the November 20^th meeting to show high-end property investors their product."

Since announcing the event, Mark has received many confirmations from people who plan to attend. "It's amazing how quickly word get's around," said Maupin. "I'm looking forward to seeing members who have been away for a while, who are going to come to see this new product." To learn more about the National Real Estate Investors Network, and to register for the meeting visit http://www.megaeveningevent.com "Everyone is welcome, first time visitors who are not members of the group can attend this special meeting free of charge," said Mark.

Rock Tops Granite has been awarded one of the fastest growing companies in the State, with 7 locations in Michigan and 10 other stores across the US, 4 of which were just opened in the last few weeks. Mark recommends visiting http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and take a tour.

Contact:

Mark Maupin

248-939-6232

Email: maupin.mark@gmail.com

As one of the nation's fastest growing companies, who have installed over 10,000 granite countertops in 2008 alone, and opened 4 new stores in the last few weeks, they have earned a good name

Macomb, MI - Rock Tops Granite is one of the nation's fastest growing companies and they are recognized as being one of the best companies to work for. Rock Tops specializes in fabricating and installing custom granite countertops. Founded in 2000, and originally a supplier to large home-improvement companies, Rock Tops has altered their business model and grown exponentially. They have installed over 10,000 countertops during 2008 alone. They have grown to 7 locations in the state of Michigan, and opened 10 new stores, nationwide, in the last few years. Four new stores just opened during the last few weeks.

Bob Gasiorowski, one of the owners of Rock Tops Granite, was recently interviewed by Mark Maupin, a local real estate investor, mentor and college instructor. Mark said, "I love what Rock Tops Granite, one the largest granite and marble countertop fabricators and installers in the United States has done to ensure customer satisfaction. Having owned my own home improvement company, I know that when you look at the number of jobs Rock Tops Granite does with little to no complaints, they must be providing a great service. So, I went to their warehouse and showroom looking for Granite Countertops for my own home."

During the tour of Rock Tops Granite's show room in Macomb, Mark observed the people working there. "I visited their show room and asked both owners of this company what their secret for success was. Both told me the same thing with their actions and their words. What I observed was old fashion hard work, listening to the customers needs, and putting systems into place to take care to the customers," said Maupin.

Mark was impressed with their quality control practices and customer communication policies. When asked why he telling a customer in the show room to spend extra time looking over the work at the time of installation to make sure everything was perfect. Bob explained, "The last thing I want is anyone thinking that "Rock Tops Granite countertops are a rip-off, or that the company is unscrupulous. I want to be sure the customer is completely satisfied before they sign off on the job and the installer leaves their home."

Bob also showed Mark their rigid hiring process and the detail that goes into checking future employees' references and conducting background checks. Bob said, "We are proud to be known as one of the best companies to work for. With our management's open-door policy, we encourage our employees to let us know when they have questions, concerns or suggestions that would benefit our company. We pay well, include a nice benefit package, and work to build employee moral and improve their motivation."

Bob proudly showed Mark their state of the art, computer controlled cutting equipment for cutting and shaping the granite countertops. Bob explained, "This system expedites the field measuring process, and it is especially attractive for remodels because the technology allows for detailed measurements to be taken and accurate data to be collected, without having to remove the existing counter tops. Customers don't have to live without use of their kitchen while their replacement counter tops are being fabricated. It also helps to map uneven wall surfaces for an accurate fit and finish."

So if you're ready for the most perfect countertops at the best possible price, or if you simply enjoy looking at beautiful things, stop by Rock Tops brand new showroom and manufacturing facility. Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranit.com to find a location near you.

Contact:

Rock Tops Granite
17411 23 Mile Road
Macomb, MI 48042
Toll Free: 1.877.ROCKTOP
Phone: 586.263.6621
Fax: 586.263.7067
Email: info@rocktopsgranite.com

Advance Payment to a Contractor; Are You Joking? Real Estate Professional and College Instructor "Eats his Words" when he Interviews the President of Rock Tops Granite

Detroit, MI - Mark Maupin, college instructor with over 25 years experience in the real estate and property management business knows what being ripped off by contractors is all about. "I've been ripped off by contractors in more ways than I thought were possible," said Mark Maupin of National Real Estate Network. "Now, when I hire a contractor to do a job, I have my own contract that they must sign. I've led seminars and workshops where I show investors how to work with contractors to be sure they get favorable results. My number one rule is to never, under any circumstances, ever pay the contractor before the job has been completed."

Mark has recently been made to "eat those words" when he visited the 15,000 square foot show room of Rock Tops Granite and interviewed the president, Charlie Thiede. Mark said, "I understand you require advance payment for fabricating custom countertops. Does this pose a problem with customers and how do you convince them to pay upfront?"

President, Charlie Thiede explained, "Granite slabs are very expensive countertop material. Once the slab has been cut and customized to fit a specific countertop, it is of little to no use to us if the customer should change their mind. We are able to produce granite countertops at a much lower price than most companies because of the high-tech stone-processing equipment that we use. We can pass this savings onto our customers; however, if we do not get paid in advance, and the customer has a change of heart, we would be forced to pass this cost onto our customers as well. Once I've explained this, most of my customers understand and comply without a problem."

Mark was stunned as he said, "Wow! I never thought I would put any faith in a remodeling contractor who demanded payment in advance. I'm eating my words! You've convinced me that there an exception to my rule of not paying contractors upfront."

After the interview, Mark told Charlie he was looking to update his kitchen and have new countertops installed. He admitted that he has already done some research. "I spent hours on the internet, researching different companies and learning as much as I could about kitchen remodeling. Kitchens are one of the most expensive rooms to do and I don't want to do it all over again any time soon." Mark thought it would be nice to post the results of this time and effort on his blog at http://activerain.com/blogsview/781542/Avoid-Rip-Off-Reports-on-Rock-Tops-Natural-Stone-and-Granite-Countertops-can-Help-Consumers-with-Choosing-a-Marble-or-Granite-Countertop-and-Hiring-the-Company-to-Fabricate-and-Install-it to help others get started with their research. "I wanted to share this with others because it took so much time and effort and I found some really great information that I thought others would be able to put to good use."

Even though Mark has decided to use Rock Tops Granite to do install his kitchen countertops, he still recommends everyone do thorough research before choosing the company they use for extensive remodeling projects. "You can learn a lot by visiting the 15,000 sq. ft. showroom of Rock Tops, even if you don't choose to hire them for your project," said Mark. Visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to learn more and locate a showroom in your area.

Contact:

Charlie Thiede

17411 23 Mile Road

Macomb, MI 48042

Phone: 586-263-6621

Toll Free: 1-877-ROCKTOP

info@rocktopsgranite.com