FAQs

Our shop is our showroom.  We meet with customers at our shop where customers can see the different wood species we work with, small sample tops, as well as the projects we have in production at any given time.  Additionally, we have a robust portfolio of our work showcased in the many brochures we have posted on our website.

Yes, we meet with customers at our shop by appointment.  If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (978) 456-3947.

We first provide quotes to potential customers using drawings or sketches of the job.  Once a customer has committed to working with us, we will meet with a customer on site during the templating process.  If you are still in the information and planning phase of your project, we are happy to meet with you at our shop.  Please call the office at (978) 456-3947 to make an appointment.

The first step in the process is requesting a quote.  There are multiple ways to request a quote on your countertop project: fill out our quote request form found on our website, email a request to info@spraguewoodworking.com, or call our office at (978) 456-3947.  Second, once a quote has been accepted, we require a fifty percent deposit up front to begin the project.  The final payment is due upon delivery/installation.

We will need your contact information including your email address, phone number, and the job site address.  Additionally, we will need information about the project such as countertop style, wood species, countertop thickness, outside edge profile, corner profile, special features to the top such as sink cutouts, finish, countertop size and description, and information about templating, delivery, and installation.  If you can provide us with a sketch, plan, or photo of your project to help us better understand your project, it is greatly appreciated.  Our "Countertop Request" form will walk you through the information you need.

Current lead time is six weeks in total from the order date.  If applicable, you should schedule a template appointment approximately three weeks from the order date.  Installation would be approximately 3-4 weeks after the template appointment.  Please note:  Our lead times are always fluctuating depending on our workload.  Understand that wood countertops that require templating can often add additional time to the project.  Our schedule is dependent on our customers’ projected timelines.  When projects experience delays that are out of our control, it can sometimes impact our schedule and add unforeseen template and/or installation delays.  

We sell countertops all over New England.

The pricing for raw materials fluctuates which means the most economical wood choices varies due to these price fluctuations.  Historically, maple and cherry have been the most economical wood choices.  Plank-style countertops tend to be less expensive than butcher-block-style countertops because they require less labor to build than butcher-block style countertops.

Our standard countertop thickness is 1 1/2".  Raw wood planks are initially planed to 1 5/8" and finished at 1 1/2" after sanding. We also offer a 1 1/4" thick option at the same price as it comes from the same 8/4 stock. Thicker countertops require special orders, which may increase costs and lead times.

Our maximum countertop size depends on raw material availability. While we typically build up to 12 feet long without butt joints, some wood species allow for even longer spans. Please call us at (978) 456-3947 with any questions.

We recommend undermount sinks–they provide a seamless, easy-to-clean surface around the sink that keeps water and crumbs from collecting.  In contrast, drop-in sinks have a rim that can trap moisture behind and underneath their flange which can damage the wood over time.  Undermount sinks not only protect your countertop by allowing the easy clean up of water but also creates a clean, modern look.

We encourage customers to peruse the photo gallery and view the various brochures on our website to gain an understanding of what each wood species looks like.  Additionally, customers can make an appointment to visit our shop where they can see our sample countertops.  Since wood is a natural product that has variations in color, tone, and grain, it is difficult to get a full picture of a wood species through a small sample.  However, we can provide samples, but due to the labor involved with making samples and the cost of shipping, we charge $30.00 per sample.  Each sample measures 9” x 5” x 1 ½”.  Please call the office at (978) 456-3947 to request a sample.

All of the woods that we have in stock are considered hardwood according to the Janka Scale.  The Janka hardness test is a value assigned to wood based on resilience to denting and wear.  Of the woods we keep in stock, hickory scores the highest on the Janka Scale, meaning that it is our hardest wood option.  The other woods we stock rated from highest Janka score to lowest Janka score are as follows:  hickory, sapele mahogany, maple, white oak, red oak, birch, walnut, and cherry.

We do not sell wood/boards.  The wood we have in stock is used for the custom countertops we fabricate.

Our customers do not pick out their own boards.  We rely on the experience and talent of our craftsmen to design each custom top.  Please visit our website and browse through our photo gallery and our brochures to see examples of our work.  If you have further questions, please call the shop at (978) 456-3947.

Occasionally we have pre-made slabs hanging around the shop.  They tend to go fast, so please call the shop to check on availability.

All unfinished slabs will be sanded to 150 grit and require 180 grit orbital sanding before finishing. While we sell unfinished wood slabs, they are not warranted after leaving our shop, as we cannot control their storage and finishing, which are crucial for care. Improper care and storage can lead to cracking and warping due to moisture. Unfinished tops should be kept away from focused heat sources and damp areas like garages or basements.

We use “Zar” and “Old Masters” stains for countertops to complement flooring or wood elements, but staining is not a standalone finish.  A Waterlox Urethane finish must be applied over the stain.  Note that scratches, dings, and dents are more obvious on stained surfaces, and repairing them often requires refinishing the entire top.  Staining is not recommended for tops in busy areas of the home.  Stain color can vary by wood species and individual boards, making color matching difficult; we do not color match but will provide color samples that come close or complement your needs.

Due to our manufacturing work load and the large geographic area we service, we are unable to offer refinishing services on site.  We can offer refinishing to customers who can bring their countertop to our shop.  The cost of refinishing will vary depending on the job and the amount of labor required to refinish the top.

We do not paint countertops.  All of our countertops are finished with either a mineral oil/beeswax finish or with Waterlox Urethane finish.

We will only install countertops that are designed to fit within walls, against walls, or alongside other countertops if we have previously templated.  Our templates utilize 1/4" plywood and should be scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance. Please contact us three weeks before your desired appointment. Ensure all cabinetry and supporting structures are installed before the templating appointment. Custom features like undermount sink cutouts, apron sink cutouts, arches, intricate notches, rounds, and waterfalls require a template appointment before fabrication.

In order to ensure that your wood countertops are not damaged during the construction process, they should be delivered and installed once all other construction is complete. 

Yes, some customers choose to pick up their tops.  If you would like to pick up your countertop, please bring clean moving blankets for padding during transport as we do not package our countertops.  Drop cloths are not sufficient as they do not provide enough padding to protect your top.  It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure the top is not damaged during transport and storage if they should decide to pick up.  Pick up hours are by appointment only Monday-Thursday 7 a,m.3:30 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment only.  We are not open on the weekend.

The care and maintenance of your wood countertop will vary depending on the finish you’ve chosen.  In general, you need to protect your wood countertop from moisture and temperature changes, monitor it for wear, and protect it from heat by not placing hot pots or pans directly on the wood surface.  Please see the “Care and Maintenance” page of our website for more detailed information on caring for your countertop.

Avoid any harsh cleaning product containing ammonia or bleach that can soften or discolor the finish.  We recommend using Waterlox Wood Surface Cleaner and Waterlox Cleaner Concentrate for cleaning your countertop.  Other cleaning products that can be used include warm water with a mild detergent, or vinegar and water.  For more detailed information, please see the “Care and Maintenance” page of our website. 

Always use trivets or heat pads under hot pots, pans, and baking dishes to prevent heat damage and keep your countertop looking its best.  Please see the “Countertop Companions” page of our website for suggestions on products we use on our countertops to keep them protected from heat.

This depends on the type of countertop and the type of finish you have.  Butcher-block-style countertops finished with mineral oil/beeswax are designed to be cutting surfaces.  It is not recommended that you cut directly on plank-style countertops or countertops finished with a Waterlox Urethane finish.