Granite and Marble Designs’ Award-Winning Journey
Granite and Marble Designs earned seven Parade of Homes awards, BBB A+ accreditation, 10 consecutive Summit County Parade of Homes recognitions, and Best of Houzz awards between 2007 and 2019. These achievements established our reputation as Colorado’s premier stone fabrication company.
Founded in May 2007 by Michael Clifton and Jack Wilt, Granite and Marble Designs grew from a garage startup to an industry leader through consistent quality and customer service. The awards earned during our first 12 years document this transformation and validate our commitment to excellence.
This retrospective examines each major recognition and what it represents for homeowners seeking a trusted stone fabricator.
Denver Parade of Homes Awards
The Denver Parade of Homes is Colorado’s premier showcase of residential construction. Builders, designers, and trade professionals compete for recognition judged by industry experts. Granite and Marble Designs earned seven awards between 2008 and 2019.
Award History
Our first Parade of Homes recognition came in 2008, just one year after founding. This early award validated our approach to custom countertop design and precision fabrication.
| Year | Award Category |
| 2008 | Best Kitchen |
| 2012 | Best Kitchen |
| 2013 | Best Kitchen |
| 2014 | Best Master Bathroom |
| 2015 | Best Overall |
| 2016 | Best Kitchen |
| 2019 | Best Kitchen |
The awards continued through 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019. Each recognition came in different categories, demonstrating our versatility across project types.
What Judges Evaluate
Parade of Homes judges assess stone installations against strict criteria. Understanding these standards helps homeowners appreciate what award-winning work entails.
Surface quality receives primary attention. Judges examine polish consistency, edge treatment precision, and finish uniformity across all visible surfaces. Any imperfection disqualifies entries from top consideration.
Seam placement and minimization demonstrate fabricator skill. Award-winning installations feature seams positioned to minimize visibility while maintaining structural integrity. Our stone design consulting team plans seam placement during the design phase.
Design integration evaluates how stone surfaces complement surrounding elements. Countertops must work harmoniously with cabinetry, flooring, and architectural features. This requires collaboration between fabricators, builders, and designers.
Builder Partnerships
Each Parade of Homes award was the result of collaboration with Colorado’s top builders. These partnerships combine architectural vision with stone fabrication expertise.
Builders select trade partners based on reliability, quality, and communication. Granite and Marble Designs earned repeat invitations to showcase homes through consistent performance on previous projects. Seven awards across 11 years demonstrate sustained builder confidence.
BBB A+ Accreditation
The Better Business Bureau provides independent verification of business practices. Granite and Marble Designs achieved A+ accreditation on August 19, 2015, maintaining this rating through 2019 and beyond.
Accreditation Requirements
A BBB A+ rating represents the highest possible score. Achieving this distinction requires meeting standards across time in business, complaint history, complaint resolution, transparent practices, and proper licensing.
Granite and Marble Designs met all requirements, demonstrating ethical business practices alongside technical excellence. The BBB evaluates factors including complaint volume, response effectiveness, honest advertising, and insurance compliance.
What A+ Means for Customers
BBB accreditation provides homeowners with third-party verification when selecting contractors. The A+ rating indicates complaints are resolved satisfactorily, business practices meet ethical standards, advertising claims are accurate, and proper licensing and insurance are maintained.
View our current standing on the BBB profile. Our accreditation date of August 19, 2015, reflects over four years of A+ status by the end of 2019, with $2 million in general liability insurance maintained throughout.
Summit County Parade of Homes
The Summit County Parade of Homes showcases luxury mountain home construction in Colorado’s high country. Granite and Marble Designs earned recognition at this event for 10 consecutive years through 2019.
Mountain Market Excellence
Summit County construction presents unique challenges. Homes in Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne face extreme temperature fluctuations, high altitude conditions, and demanding aesthetic standards.
Stone installations must account for thermal expansion and contraction beyond what Front Range projects require. Material selection, installation techniques, and sealing methods differ from those used in standard residential work.
Earning 10 consecutive years of recognition demonstrates mastery of these specialized requirements. Our service area spans Breckenridge for luxury ski homes, Frisco for year-round residences, Dillon for lakeside properties, and Silverthorne for a variety of residential styles.
Recognition Significance
Few stone fabricators achieve sustained recognition in both the Denver and Summit County markets. The combination validates our ability to deliver award-winning work regardless of project location or environmental conditions.
Best of Houzz Awards
Houzz connects homeowners with home improvement professionals through an online platform featuring project photos, reviews, and professional profiles. Best of Houzz awards recognize outstanding performance in service and design.
Award Years and Customer Recognition
Granite and Marble Designs earned Best of Houzz Service Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Unlike industry awards judged by professionals, Best of Houzz reflects direct customer feedback.
Our 4.9-star rating is based on verified reviews submitted after project completion. Visit our Houzz profile to read customer testimonials.
What Customers Value
Review feedback consistently highlights specific aspects of our service: clear communication throughout projects, on-time arrival and completion, clean installation practices, quality matching expectations, and responsive problem resolution.
These themes appear across reviews, indicating systematic excellence rather than occasional good performance.
Professional Memberships
Industry association memberships reinforce our commitment to professional standards. Granite and Marble Designs maintains active membership in recognized organizations, including the Marble Institute of America for natural stone industry standards, Rocky Mountain Stone Fabricators for regional professional networking, Denver Parade of Homes for residential construction showcases, and Angi’s List, where we hold A-rated contractor status.
These memberships require adherence to industry standards and ongoing professional development.
Key Takeaways
- Seven Parade of Homes awards earned in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019
- BBB A+ accreditation achieved August 19, 2015, and maintained through 2019
- 10 consecutive Summit County Parade of Homes recognitions demonstrate mountain market expertise
- Best of Houzz Service Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019 reflect customer satisfaction
- 4.9-star Houzz rating from verified customer reviews
- Professional memberships inthe Marble Institute of America and Rocky Mountain Stone Fabricators
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Granite and Marble Designs founded?
Granite and Marble Designs was founded in May 2007 by Michael Clifton and Jack Wilt in Denver, Colorado.
How many Parade of Homes awards did Granite and Marble Designs win by 2019?
Granite and Marble Designs won seven Denver Parade of Homes awards by 2019, in years 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019.
When did Granite and Marble Designs receive BBB accreditation?
Granite and Marble Designs achieved BBB A+ accreditation on August 19, 2015.
What is Granite and Marble Designs’ Houzz rating?
Granite and Marble Designs maintains a 4.9-star rating on Houzz with Best of Houzz Service Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
How many Summit County Parade of Homes recognitions has Granite and Marble Designs earned?
Granite and Marble Designs earned 10 consecutive Summit County Parade of Homes recognitions through 2019.
What Parade of Homes categories has Granite and Marble Designs won?
Awards include Best Kitchen (2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019), Best Master Bathroom (2014), and Best Overall (2015).
Where is Granite and Marble Designs located?
Granite and Marble Designs operates from 5676 Pecos Street in Denver, Colorado 80221.
What areas does Granite and Marble Designs serve?
Granite and Marble Designs serves Denver metro, Front Range communities, Summit County, and throughout Colorado.
Is Granite and Marble Designs a member of industry associations?
Yes, Granite and Marble Designs holds membership in the Marble Institute of America and Rocky Mountain Stone Fabricators.
How can I contact Granite and Marble Designs?
Contact Granite and Marble Designs at 303-551-6000 or request a free estimate through the website.
Conclusion
Between 2007 and 2019, Granite and Marble Designs earned recognition that few Colorado stone fabricators achieve. Seven Parade of Homes awards demonstrate technical excellence, judged by industry professionals. BBB A+ accreditation validates ethical business practices. Ten consecutive Summit County recognitions prove mountain market expertise. Best of Houzz awards confirm customer satisfaction.
These achievements resulted from the philosophy Michael Clifton and Jack Wilt established atthe founding: service and quality as solid as the stone we fabricate.
Contact Granite and Marble Designs today. Request a free estimate now.