Terms of Service

Effective: September 29, 2026

Welcome to NuForm Counter Top Co, Inc.

Thanks for considering NuForm for your project! We've been fabricating and installing countertops and cabinets in central Illinois since the 1960s. These terms explain how we work together to create the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams, and what to expect at every step. If you have a question about anything here, call us at (815) 692-4311.

What we make

We specialize in:

Quartz countertops – Silestone, LG Viatera, Cambria, MSI, Daltile, Envi
Granite countertops – natural stone slabs
Solid surface – Corian, Staron, LG Hi‑Macs, Bellavati
Laminate counters – Formica, Wilsonart, Pionite, Nevamar, Arborite
Butcherblock – Quality maple, cut to order
Cabinets – Wolf Kitchen & Bath cabinetry (authorized dealer) and custom laminate casework

We take jobs of every size: kitchens, islands, bar tops, vanities, laundry rooms and outdoor kitchens. We also work with a number of builders and general contractors.

How your project works

Most jobs take 2 to 8 weeks from start to finish.

Step 1: Get a quote

Fill out our contact form or call us at (815) 692-4311. We'll discuss your project and provide a ballpark estimate. The quickest way to a quote is to email your own measurements to office@nuformcounter.com; we can usually quote from those. If you can't take your own measurements, we'll send our truck out. Quotes are free unless we have to travel more than 25 miles to measure for your quote; beyond 25 miles, the trip is $90. All orders include a $90 measuring fee.

Step 2: Consultation & design

We can visit your home, or you can visit our showroom at 218 W Locust St in Fairbury, to:

Take measurements for your quote, if you can't send your own
Help you choose materials and colors
Discuss your timeline and budget
Provide a detailed written quote

Important: Quotes are valid for 30 days. Material prices can change, so we recommend moving forward within that window.

Step 3: Contract & deposit

Once you're ready to proceed:

We'll prepare a contract with all project details
You'll sign your order confirmation electronically before we proceed
A 50% deposit is required before this agreement becomes binding and any fabrication begins
We'll order your countertops or cabinets

Important: Special orders containing custom materials are not cancelable or returnable once materials are ordered.

Step 4: Template appointment (final measurement)

We can usually measure within 1 to 3 business days of your request. Our field crew measures by hand or with a laser, depending on how complex the job is.

You must be present when we make the template. This is critical because:

We'll finalize all measurements and details
We'll review overhangs, radius corners and layout, and discuss where seams are likely to go. Seam locations are at the discretion of NuForm and are not final until your slabs are laid out in our CAD program, so a seam may not land exactly where we discussed.
Any questions will be addressed at this time
No changes can be made once the template is finalized and approved

See Before your template appointment for what needs to be in place first.

Step 5: Fabrication

Most tops are custom fabricated, and remnants from all selections belong to NuForm.

Step 6: Installation

You must be present on installation day. Installation normally takes one day: half a day or a full day, depending on the size of the project. See Installation day.

Step 7: Final payment

The final payment is due upon completion of delivery. We accept cash, check, or credit card (small processing fee applies to cards).

We stay in touch from your first call to installation day, by phone or by text if you prefer.

Quotes, pricing and payment

Important: All prices are estimates based on drawings provided. The final price is determined from the actual template, based on the actual field measurements and conditions.

After the final template is complete, any discrepancies between the contract and actual measurements will be reviewed for credit and/or additional charges.

Supplier price changes: Supplier pricing can change at any time. We have no control over the prices our third-party suppliers charge or the dates their price changes take effect. If a supplier changes its pricing, a previously issued quote will not be honored, even if that quote has not yet expired.

All prices are per square foot plus installation
Quotes are free unless we have to travel more than 25 miles to measure for your quote; beyond 25 miles, the trip is $90. All orders include a $90 measuring fee.
You pay for fabricated square footage unless otherwise specified
Minimum square footage: some materials carry a minimum square footage and others do not. Whether a minimum applies depends on the color and material availability, so it is set job by job on your quote.
Edge profiles, backsplashes, and sink cutouts may have additional charges
Prices include standard installation (we'll discuss any special requirements)
Tear-out and haul-away of old countertops is a separate line item, only when you ask for it
Granite and quartz are high-end selections, and some colors and slabs cost thousands of dollars. Installed pricing may vary with material yield and the number of slabs required. NuForm is not responsible for slab overages when extra slabs must be cut to complete an installation. Please confirm all pricing after your template and slab selection or layout.
Remnants, drop material, and sink or cooktop cutouts are not given to customers. Most cutouts are destroyed during fabrication.
Sales tax applies to all Illinois projects
Late payments may incur 1.5% monthly interest

Payment terms

Deposit: 50% due before fabrication begins
Balance: Due upon completion
Accepted Methods: Cash, check, credit card (fees may apply)
Late Payments: 1.5% interest per month on overdue balances

When we work through a general contractor, we bill either the contractor or the homeowner directly, depending on the contractor.

Choosing your material

Samples and slabs

You can take a sample home when we have a spare. We keep very few spare quartz samples, so for quartz we usually have the manufacturer ship a sample straight to you, and we'll set that up.

The sample used to make your color selection may not exactly match the slabs used to produce your countertops. Some granite colors are more consistent than others because of the different minerals in them. If you would like, you may schedule a time to view the lot of material your countertops will be cut from. We encourage customers to come in and view the material we will use to fabricate their job, and we recommend that all slabs of exotic stone be viewed before fabrication.

Important: Engineered and natural stone varies slightly in color and shade from production to production. The random pattern of slight color variations in each slab and between slabs is not a defect, but an inherent property of stone.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone formed deep in the earth, and its hardness makes it an uncommonly durable surface. Granite slabs are subject to variations in background color, veining distribution and pattern. Fissures, dry seams and pitting are naturally occurring features of granite and are not defects. These characteristics will not change over time and in no way affect the performance of the stone. No claims for these characteristics will be accepted after installation.

Fissures are visible separations along the boundaries between the crystals. They may start and stop within the stone or run through an edge. All granites contain some fissures; a fissure is a natural feature, not a crack.
Pitting comes from soft minerals such as biotite (the small black flecks), which flake away during polishing. Pits do not make granite less durable and do not qualify a slab for replacement.

Quartz

Quartz is an engineered stone: quartz crystals mixed with resin and pigment, about 93% quartz to 7% resin. Because of these materials, quartz can show small spots, uneven particle distribution or discoloration. These do not affect the structure or integrity of the material and are not a manufacturing defect or material failure.

Finish

Your countertop will come with a polished finish unless otherwise specified. Irregularities in natural materials like granite are common and give each countertop its distinctive appearance. Granite may be ordered with a honed, antiqued, brushed, flamed or velvet finish. A different finish may affect consistency, stain resistance and appearance, and honing dark colors can show fingerprints and water spots. Finish changes add to the cost and appear as a separate line item on your quote.

Before your template appointment

Cabinets must be fully installed, including all finished panels, before templates can be made. No panels may be added after templates have been made.
Upper cabinets must be installed if the job requires a full-height backsplash.
Undermount sinks, faucets and cooktops must be on site during templating. It is your responsibility to make sure the sink and cooktop fit the base cabinet (for example, a 42″ sink will not fit a 30″ sink base).
Farm and apron-front sinks must be installed in place at the time of template.
Clear your existing countertops of anything that may interfere with measuring.
The template appointment is the last chance to make changes to your original order. Changes must be made in writing and emailed to office@nuformcounter.com. Changes may delay your installation.

Do my old countertops need to come out first?

Usually not. We can take measurements with your existing countertops still in place. The only exception is when an existing countertop keeps us from getting an exact measurement of part of the job; then that countertop will need to come out first.

Are my cabinets strong enough?

Check your cabinets: They must be level and sturdy enough to support new countertops. Most cabinets can easily handle the weight of stone countertops. Cabinet problems often cannot be seen until the existing tops come off. If significant structural or leveling problems are found, installation may be delayed, and it is the homeowner's responsibility to have the cabinets repaired to acceptable standards of level and structure. If the installation must be rescheduled because of cabinet issues, return trip fees will apply.

Cabinets must be level. Countertops sit directly on the cabinets and are held in place with acrylic caulk. No wood sub-top is required for 3 cm countertops.

Removing your old countertops

Tear-out of existing countertops is not part of our standard installation. If you want us to remove and haul away your old tops, ask us and it will be quoted as a separate line item. Our own crew does the tear-out. If tear-out is not on your quote, the old countertops must be removed before we install.

Your sink, faucets and dishwasher must be disconnected by a licensed plumber or the homeowner before the old countertops are removed. NuForm does not disconnect or reconnect plumbing.
NuForm does not remove mirrors. Mirrors that are permanently attached to the wall and rest on, or within 1″ above, the existing backsplash or countertop must be removed by you or a general contractor before any countertop work begins. If you ask our installers to remove a mirror, you assume all responsibility for any damage. For anything on the wall that has nothing to do with the countertop, we recommend hiring a general contractor to remove or install it.
Paint, caulk or tile where the old countertop meets the wall can come loose during tear-out. Touch-ups are the homeowner's responsibility.

Removing old countertops and installing new ones is a major construction process. Some dust and debris will travel beyond the work area. NuForm cleans up the immediate work area, but you may notice some dust and debris in other parts of your home. NuForm will not discount, credit or reduce the price because of minor dust or debris left behind.

Installation day

Your part

You, or a representative you designate, must be on site for the entire installation and able to make decisions on issues that come up. That person will pay the remaining balance at the end of the installation.
Clear the area: Remove items from countertops and cabinets before we arrive, and protect anything under the cabinets. You may want to drape or cover the area to contain dust.
Provide access: Make sure we can get to the work area with our tools and materials, and give us a safe place to work. Our installers make many trips between the job site and the truck. Keep the pathway clean and clear of debris and of valuables such as statues, paintings and vases. Countertop pieces are very heavy and difficult to maneuver, so keep children and pets away from the job site. Show us where we may cut and stage material.
Have the dishwasher installed before we arrive. Many dishwashers have removable clips you can move from the top to the sides of the unit and attach to your cabinets; if a side clip comes loose later, reattaching it is the homeowner's responsibility. Some dishwashers attach directly to the underside of the countertop. NuForm warrants that attachment for 1 year; after that, reattaching it is a service call and charges apply. If you need help, or aren't sure how your dishwasher attaches, call us about a solution.
Move electrical outlets so they clear the backsplash or sit within it. This must be done before installation.
Supports for large overhangs (corbels or brackets) must be installed by you or your contractor before we install. See Overhangs below.

Our standards

Overhangs: the standard overhang for stone countertops is 1.5″. Walls are rarely perfectly square, and cabinets set against an out-of-square wall follow that wall. Where they do, the overhang can come out slightly more or less than 1.5″ from one cabinet to the next.
Unsupported overhangs, such as an island seating area: how far a countertop can extend without support varies by material, so we'll go over it with you when we measure or quote. Supports, where needed, are not included in the price of the countertop.
Backsplash: the standard backsplash height is 4″. If you want a different height, you must request it. NuForm is not responsible if the backsplash does not cover paint or wallpaper lines. We can run the countertop material up the wall on request. Tile backsplashes are done by a tile store and a general contractor.
Walls: we scribe countertops to fit crooked walls. A gap of 1/8″ to 1/4″, covered by the backsplash, is normally left between the countertop and the wall so your home's framing can expand and contract with the seasons. Where there is no backsplash, countertops are scribed to industry standards, and in some situations small gaps (up to 1/4″ from the wall) cannot be avoided.
Undermount sinks: our standard is a negative reveal, where the countertop overhangs 1/8″ to 1/4″ into the bowl, for looks, hygiene and engineering reasons. Any other reveal must be requested in writing. On written request, cutouts will follow the sink manufacturer's specifications. Reveals may vary slightly because sinks vary slightly in size and shape.
Sink plumbing: the plumbing for an undermount sink may be reattached 24 hours after installation. Reattaching it sooner can make the sink move or drop, and correcting that is the homeowner's responsibility.
Sinks: we fully install undermount sinks. For drop-in sinks, we cut the opening and set the sink in place to check the fit. We do not connect water lines, drain lines, garbage disposals or any other plumbing.
Cooktops and appliances: for drop-in cooktops and appliances, we cut the opening and set the unit in place to check the fit. Your plumber or electrician makes the connections. Our installers do not move, reinstall or mount appliances. Openings for drop-in cooktops and sinks may be cut on site to reduce the risk of breakage.
Caulking: NuForm caulks stone to stone and between the countertop and the wall. We use silicone only. If you plan more wall work after the install, such as painting or drywall, let us know beforehand and we'll leave the joint between the countertop and the wall uncaulked. Sealing it afterward, with the adhesive or silicone of your choice, is then the responsibility of you or your painter.

Dust and clean-up

Installation creates dust. We leave the site broom clean after every install. We can cover floors on request, for an extra fee. Dust will continue to settle for hours after the installation is over, and that clean-up is the customer's responsibility.

Seams, chips and fit

Placement of seams, reveal at backsplash ends, and veining is at the discretion of NuForm. Your input is welcome and we will try to accommodate where possible. We place seams in the best location for structural integrity and appearance. We can discuss likely seam locations at your template appointment, but they are not guaranteed until your slabs are laid out in our CAD program.

Seams range from 1/16″ to 1/8″ and can be seen and felt. We fill them with color-coordinated epoxy to blend with the countertop.
The natural characteristics of granite make it impossible to guarantee a match in color or veining where two pieces meet.
NuForm reserves the right to move seam locations to cut around inclusions, cracks or other major irregularities in the slab, or to make the best use of the slab. No financial compensation will be given for moving a seam.
On laminate, we keep seams away from sinks, dishwashers and other high-moisture areas.
Seam height (lippage): there should be no detectable difference in height at the front or rear edge of a seam. The maximum at the center of the countertop is 1/32″ (0.8 mm). Some difference may be unavoidable because of permanent warp in the slab.
Chips at seams: the diamond blade that cuts stone can leave small chips, especially on brittle stones. We do not normally ease seam edges, because it makes seams look wider, but on naturally brittle stones we may add a small 1/16″ eased edge (an arris) at NuForm's discretion. All seams are machined in our shop, and any visible chips are filled with polyester resin when the pieces are joined on site.
Chips from fabrication: chipping at edges and corners can occur during fabrication. These chips are normally patched and are a normal characteristic of natural and engineered stone, as long as the structural integrity of the stone is not affected. Larger chips may be repaired with epoxy or polyester resin when the repair matches the color and texture of the slab.

Caring for your countertops

All care and cleaning should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific product.

Granite sealing

All granite countertops are sealed twice before installation with a specially formulated stone sealer.
Granite needs to be resealed every 6 months.

Heat, knives and sunlight

Heat: quartz withstands moderate heat but is not heat-proof. Granite is very heat resistant, but extreme temperature changes can cause thermal shock or cracks. Always use a hot pad or trivet under hot pans.
Knives: granite and quartz resist scratching, but cutting directly on the countertop can damage the polish of the granite or quartz. Always use a cutting board, and never cut directly on quartz or granite. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Take care when moving heavy objects, and avoid dropping anything heavy on quartz or granite.
Sunlight: quartz can discolor with prolonged direct sunlight. For this reason we do not recommend quartz for outdoor use.

Cutting boards

NuForm does not sell quartz or granite cutting boards, and we cannot make a cutting board from your sink cutout. A cutout of about 3 square feet can weigh more than 45 pounds, compared with 8 to 10 pounds for a typical solid-surface or butcherblock cutting board. Manufacturers do not allow cutouts to be given to customers for this purpose because of the risk of injury if one is dropped.

Schedules, delays and breakage

Removing existing countertops and installing new ones are major construction processes, and delays are common. Every project is unique, and unforeseen circumstances can arise from material breakage, personnel issues, equipment, and weather or acts of God. No financial compensation will be made for such delays. Please plan for them.

Planning an event? Allow at least 10 to 14 days of cushion between your scheduled installation and any event in your home.
Breakage: a top can occasionally break during fabrication, transportation or installation. If that happens, NuForm will remake the top and prioritize your installation. We will not discount, credit or otherwise compensate for unforeseen breakage.

Changes and cancellations

Before materials are ordered

Cancellations are accepted with a 30% restocking fee plus return shipping charges. We understand plans change!

After materials are ordered

Special orders containing custom materials are not cancelable or returnable. You'll be responsible for the full contract amount.

Design changes

Small changes are usually fine before the template is finalized. No changes can be made after approval. Changes must be made in writing to office@nuformcounter.com.

Warranty and repairs

Installation workmanship – 1 year

We stand behind our work. If there's a problem with our installation (seams, edges, mounting), we'll fix it within the first year.

This includes a dishwasher attached to the underside of the countertop. After the first year, reattaching it is a service call and charges apply.

What's not covered

Chips or cracks from dropping heavy objects
Damage from improper cleaning or chemicals
Variations in stone patterns or color
Natural pitting in granite, which is a natural occurrence of the stone
Natural characteristics of granite and quartz described above
Issues from settling or movement of your home
Damage from others or after‑market modifications

Repairs for chips and other damage after installation are billed.

Material warranties

Your countertop material comes with the manufacturer's warranty. We'll help file claims, but final decisions rest with the manufacturer.

What's not included

NuForm does not remove or reconnect plumbing, electrical, or gas lines. NuForm is not a licensed plumber. Illinois law allows homeowners to disconnect or reconnect their own plumbing, but we don't recommend it: if a leak or flood ever leads to an insurance claim, the first thing your insurance company will ask for is the licensed plumber who did the work. We recommend a licensed plumber.
NuForm does not move, reinstall or mount any appliances.
Removal and/or disposal of old countertops is not included unless you request it and it appears on your quote.
We only install countertops we fabricate. We do not install countertops purchased elsewhere, and we do not repair, modify or otherwise work on countertops that another shop fabricated or installed, because working on a top we did not build would leave us responsible for it later.
Plumbing services and other non-countertop work are never included in the price of the countertops.

We're happy to recommend local plumbers and contractors if you need these services.

Text Messaging (SMS) Terms

When you provide your mobile number and ask to be contacted by text, you agree to receive text messages from NuForm Counter Top Company related to your quote or project — things like quotes you've requested, appointment reminders, and order updates.

Message frequency varies depending on your project. This is a conversational service, not a bulk marketing list.
Message and data rates may apply according to your mobile carrier plan.
Opting out: Reply STOP at any time and we'll stop texting you. You'll receive one final message confirming you've been unsubscribed.
Help: Reply HELP, call (815) 692-4311, or email office@nuformcounter.com.
Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

See our Privacy Policy for how we handle your information. Your mobile number and text messaging opt-in data will never be shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

Disputes

We've been in business over 60 years because we treat customers right. If there's ever a problem:

Call us first: (815) 692-4311 and let's work it out.
Mediation if unresolved.
Binding arbitration in Livingston County, Illinois, if needed.

All agreements are governed by Illinois law.

Contact Us

NuForm Counter Top Company Inc.
218 W Locust St, Fairbury, IL 61739
Phone: (815) 692-4311
Email: office@nuformcounter.com
Hours: Mon–Thur 8 AM–5 PM (Closed 12–1)