Who to call to cut marble for sink

[vickii]

I have 2aging cracked cultured marble sinks integrated into a fairly presentable marble counter top. I would like to cut out the sinks and install new sinks. Who would I call to get this done--what type of profession does this?
Thanks for any info

[jadnashua]

Are they actually bonded seamlessly to the top (does it look like a single piece), or attached with a small overhang (what looks like an undermounted sink)? Did you take a look underneath and see if there were any clamps or screws holding the sink to the top? If bonded seamlessly, it may be cheaper to just replace the entire top. Don't know for sure...give more details.

[hj]

Is the counter top also cultured marble? If so then any somewhat adept tradesman can cut around the old sink, as long as the resultant hole is smaller than any sink you wish to install. If the old sink is too large to cut out and still leave a usable hole then you will have to replace the top also. If it is a real marble top with cultured marble sinks, which would be unusual, then the two are merely glued together and should separate with a bit of judiciously applied force.

[vickii]

The sinks and counter are one unit --all cultured marble. Between the sinks there is a tall cabinet from counter to near the ceiling. The whole length is about 8 feet. I'm not sure what type of tradesperson to contact.

Thanks for your input!

[PEW]

It would be my guess that it is molded as one unit.

I have a good friend who was in the business of making cultured marble, and have spent some time in his plant and others others around the US.

Personally, I am not a fan of cultured marble. I would doubt that anyone can cut out the sinks and leave you with anything workable. CM unlike other solid surface products only has a finished surface a fraction of an inch thick. It is not every repairable, to say the least.

One option would be to cut the sinks out, and replace with drop in sinks which would cover the opening.

Paul

[vickii]

My hope is to cut out the sinks and drop sinks the over hang the counter in.

It seems that this is possible but who do I contact to cut the opening?

Will any sink that fits the opening work or are there other issues that need to be considered?

Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

[PEW]

I would suspect that just about any plumber could do the job. It is a material which is easily cut.

Your first challenge will be to determine what the minimum size hole is that can be cut out to remove the existing sink. Then, what sinks are available that will accommodate the available space (which may be larger than the hole which will be left after removing the existing sink) of your top, taking into consideration the plumbing requirements on the bottom side.

Paul

[hj]

You will need sinks that are at least 1" larger than the hole that will be made and have the same shape to cover all the edges.

[jadnashua]

Many of the one-piece vanity tops I've seen have the front of the bowl quite close to the front edge of the top. If yours is that way, I doubt you'd be able to put a drop-in sink in the resulting hole. Take careful measurements, and be prepared to just bite the bullet and replace the entire top, or leave it alone.

[jimbo]

Cultured marble basically can be worked almost like wood. Chain saw, Dremel tool, anything in between. Howver, several good points were made in the above posts. Overall, I suspect that it would be less expensive to just get a new top. If it is a standard size it will be very reasonable. Even custom is not that expensive.

[Ron6519]

Vickii, look in the phonebook under "marble". You will see companies that fabricate marble and granite counters. Call them to see if they will work on your cultured top.
Ron

[RioHyde]

I've cut CM walls for tub/shower surrounds with a Rotozip and a tile bit. Whiles it cuts with relative ease, it would be my guess that to cut out the exisiting bowls is going to leave you with too big of an opening for drop in lavs. Check it out, but weigh the cost difference with just getting a new top.

Rio