FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Commercial, Residential and Repair & Restoration Services, as well as General information about HILGARTNER.

Does where I live affect costs?

Yes it can, if travel is required for HILGARTNER personnel. Contact Us

What are your office hours of operation?

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Scheduling an appointment is strongly recommended for most clients. Contact Us

What are you receiving, offloading and unloading hours?

Our warehouse hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, by appointment only. Contact Us

What type of edge details can you provide on stone?

As a general rule, if it can be fabricated in wood, we can make it in stone!

What types of finishes can you provide on stone?

The traditional finishes of Polished (shiny), Honed (matte) and Rough Textured (sand-blasted) are all available. Custom finishes can also be provided.

What kind of stone do you supply?

The traditional finishes of Polished (shiny), Honed (matte) and Rough Textured (sand-blasted) are all available. Custom finishes can also be provided. Learn More

Do you estimate for Insurance Claims?

Written and documented estimates that are being submitted to an insurance adjuster will incur an INSPECTION fee that may be credited towards the final balance of your order should you choose to proceed with HILGARTNER for the repair or replacement.

Do you offer Stone Inscription services?

We do! Our in-house carver has the skills and equipment for on-site and in-shop inscription.

What is "Bookmatching"?

Bookmatching is the term for when the design of a stone feature requires multiple pieces and the veins and marks in the stone are aligned to create visual continuity and often "mirrored" patterns across the pieces. There are several standard pattern configurations available depending on the the piece count and this is often considered when designing items such as a conference table, vanity apron or wall cladding.

Do you offer field measuring, templating and Drafting services?

Yes!  Drafting services can be included in a HILGARTNER estimate upon request.

Do you offer crating and delivery services?

Yes!  We can crate, palletize and deliver HILGARTNER-fabricated stone as well as customer-supplied stone.

Do you install the stone?

Yes!  We can install stone in a wide variety of applications, using both Traditional and Contemporary methods.

Can you store stone items for HNS to install at a later date?

Yes!  However, stored stone stock and features may be subject to a storage fee.

Do you install customer-supplied stone?

Yes!  Our installers can install client-owned stone items, attic stock and other previously-supplied stone.

Do you offer weekend hours for site work?

Yes!  Overtime/premium rates will apply. Contact Us

Can you supply fabricated stone for my own installer to put in?

Yes!  We can fabricate for others to install, but only to dimensions provided by the installer.  Whoever installs the stone should control and be responsible for the dimensions to which the materials are fabricated. Learn More

Can you relocate my stone Statuary/Art/Furniture?

Yes!  We have decades of experience uninstalling/moving/installing such items for Homeowners & Offices, as well as Museums, Churches and other such institutions.

Can  you import stone quickly for rush jobs?

We do have the ability to do that! However, please keep in mind that circumstance leaves your project schedule at risk of elements outside of our control, both in the fabrication and the shipping. In RUSH conditions, we try to keep fabrication in-house, right here at our factory in South Baltimore where we can be certain that schedules are met. Learn More

Do you offer stone inscription services?

We do! Our in-house carver (link: Historical Restoration/Carver jump tag) has the skills and equipment required for on-site and in-shop inscription for Architectural features, Cornerstone script and other such projects.

Do you offer field measuring, templating and Drafting services?

Yes!  Drafting services can be included in a HILGARTNER estimate when specified and requested.

What are your receiving, offloading and unloading hours?

Our warehouse hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, by appointment only. Contact Us

What kind of stone do you supply?

We supply a wide range of Marbles, Granites, Limestone, Bluestone, Sandstone, Slates, Soapstone and Quartzites. We do not stock landscaping stone such as flagstone, crushed stone, gravel, river rock or bricks.  However, we have the capabilities and know-how to install those types of stone. Learn More

Do you offer crating and delivery services?

Yes!  We can crate, palletize and deliver HNS-fabricated stone as well as customer-supplied stone.

Someone hit my marble landing/steps/wall with their car, can you repair it?

Baltimore is famous for the marble features that appear on many of its historic residences. HILGARTNER has a long history of cleaning, repairing and restoring them - and may have even fabricated & installed yours in the first place! As with most repairs, the nature of the damage dictates the method of repair.  Contact us for an evaluation and estimate!

How can I prepare the work area for exterior work being done at my home?

Check to be sure that your exterior hose and/or spigot is properly functioning and confirm there is electrical access outside of your home. Learn More

How can I prepare the work area for interior work being done at my home?

Please remove any household items that could obstruct or be at risk of being in the crew's work space... including pets!

Do I need to be present during the scheduled work at my home?

Unless the work falls into our ROC+DOC repair program (which requires your presence & feedback), as long as the crew has access to the work area, electric, water and facilities, your physical presence is not required.

Does my project fall under the ROC+DOC repair program?

That depends on a multitude of factors, PLEASE CONTACT our offices for an evaluation!

Can you move my installed fireplace?

Removal of any stone feature is always dependent on how it was originally installed, but in almost any properly installed condition the answer is YES!

Do you offer weekend hours for site work?

Yes!  Overtime/premium rates will apply. Contact Us

Do you offer field measuring, templating and Drafting services?

Yes!  Drafting services can be included in a HILGARTNER estimate when specified and requested.

What stones do you carry?

There are currently over 5,000 natural stones quarried and available for use, as well as man-made products (see CORIAN FAQ answer below).  ANY of these can be supplied to you by HILGARTNER, as no stone is proprietary.  These stones are sold as slabs to a fabricator such as HILGARTNER. For smaller projects, we have a remnant inventory of over 2,000 partial stone slabs, from which an individual piece can be selected for your specific need.  We maintain a photographic record of every remnant in our inventory here at HILGARTNER.

Do you work with Corian (TM) products?

We work with a wide range of man-made materials; Silestone (TM), Caesarstone (TM) and Corian Quartz (TM) are several familiar examples with properties similar to Natural Stone. The original "Corian" product is an economical solid-surface countertop material introduced in 1967, composed of a blend of roughly 33 percent synthetic polymers and 66 percent natural material.  We do not work with this specific product, as our equipment is designed to cut materials harder than the original 1967 Corian and comparable products. Learn More

What are you receiving, offloading and unloading hours?

Our warehouse hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, by appointment only. Contact Us

What kind of stone do you supply?  

We supply a wide range of Marbles, Granites, Limestone, Bluestone, Sandstone, Slates, Soapstone and Quartzites. We do not stock landscaping stone such as flagstone, crushed stone, gravel, river rock or bricks.  However, we have the capabilities and know-how to install those types of stone. Learn More

Do you offer crating and delivery services?

Yes!  We can crate, palletize and deliver HNS-fabricated stone as well as customer-supplied stone.

What types of stones can you repair?

For the most part, if a natural stone can be repaired, HILGARTNER can repair it. We have sucessfully repaired Onyx, Marble, Grainte, Gneiss, Slate, Limestone, Shellstone, Alabaster, Soapstone, Quartzite and Sandstone within the last 20 years alone. MAN-MADE stones (or stone-like products), generically marketed as "Quartz" can possibly be repaired by HILGARTNER, depending on the specific product and the synthetic components used in its' manufacture. There are also Ceramic products that resemble Natural Stone, which can possibly present problems when attempting to repair. The best way to find out is to call us and ask - if your damaged item is MAN-MADE, please provide the specific product NAME when you do! Learn More

What is the difference between Interior and Exterior repairs?

The biggest difference is ENVIRONMENT.  Temperature, precipitation, and humidity all have an impact on both Natural Stone and the repair medium (patch materials).  Materials used for Exterior repairs must be able to expand and contract with the stone, and also manage water/moisture through that same temperature cycle.  When a temperature cycle goes below the freezing temperature of water, unless the stone and patch expand and contract together and at the same pace - fissures will open, water will get in - and when the water expands, either the stone or patch will break. Interior patches/repairs do not suffer from these same issues. As a result, more options are available to Interior repairs to make the aesthetic of the repair less visible than Exterior repairs. Learn More

Is a "Dutchman" repair better than a "Patch" repair?

"Better" is a misleading word.  "Different" is a more accurate description for the two generally-accepted methods of repairing natural stone.  Since HILGARTNER opened its doors in 1863, we have enjoyed a reputation as among the best in "Dutchman" repairs.  With the development of epoxy and patching materials in the early 1970's and polymer-modified cement patching materials in the 1990's, HILGARTNER has remained on the leading edge of those techniques as well.  It's our philosophy that it's best to discuss repair options and let the client choose once he or she understands the implications and results of the selection. Learn More

Does where I live affect costs?

Yes it can, if travel is required for HILGARTNER personnel.

Do you estimate for insurance claims?

Written and documented estimates that are being submitted to an insurance adjuster will incur an INSPECTION fee that may be credited towards the final balance of your order should you choose to proceed with HILGARTNER for the repair or replacement.

Do you clean stained stone?

Yes!  With decades of experience, HILGARTNER has the skills and knowledge to treat your stone features for soiling, stains and other surface damage to return them to their former beauty.  While durable, stone can also be subject to damage from normal everyday use and common household products. At HILGARTNER we treat such damage with great caution and care, with a focus on achieving the best outcome with the minimum amount of alteration to the stone as possible. Learn More

Can you repair my stone in the field/in-place?

Under most conditions, the short answer is YES.  However, this depends heavily on the type of repair and the desired outcome.  When evaluating damaged stone, there are many methods available for repair, but only some of them can be executed in the field. A shop repair in our factory affords us the control and tools for the best possible outcome. However, in many instances a field repair can offer an improved appearance that meets client expectations.

Can you match my existing stone?

Whether contemporary or historic, HILGARTNER has the resources and knowledge to match existing stone if it is still quarried, and sometimes even when it isn't! You can be sure that we will do everything within reason to find the best possible match to existing materials for repair and restoration work, should replacement materials be required.