Truth Over Money: How Our Rating Was Born

Terms of Use

Last Updated: 15 May 2025

1. Definitions

  • Administration ("we", "us", "our") refers to CountertopsContractors.com, the owner and operator of the Services.
  • CountertopsContractors.com refers to the website located at https://countertopscontractors.com and any successor URL.
  • Services means all features, content, products, and services available through CountertopsContractors.com, including but not limited to listings of contractors, articles, and data resources.
  • Users ("you", "your") means any individual or entity accessing or using the Services.
  • Contractors means independent stone countertop installers, fabricators, retailers, or other professionals listed on our platform.
  • Content refers to text, graphics, images, audio, video, data, or other materials published or made available through the Services.
  • Additional Terms means any supplemental terms governing specific features, promotions, or third-party integrations, as described in Section 5.
  • Privacy Policy refers to our policy governing data collection and use, available at /privacy-policy/.

2. Our Services

CountertopsContractors.com is an independent information resource that provides Users with access to a database of stone countertop contractors, industry news, data analyses, and editorial content. The Services include:

  • Searchable listings of Contractors, including reviews and ratings.
  • Original articles and research published in The Stone Magazine.
  • Data reports and unique research on materials, market trends, and pricing.

We independently collect and process data about Contractors and compile rankings based on a proprietary evaluation methodology. Any material changes to the evaluation criteria will be published on our website at /how-we-calculate-contractor-ratings/.

CountertopsContractors.com was originally developed as a non-commercial project by industry enthusiasts. Our current commercial or non-commercial status is disclosed in Section 12 below.

3. The Stone Magazine

The Stone Magazine is the editorial arm of CountertopsContractors.com, offering articles, opinions, and news related to the stone countertop industry. Articles may be authored by staff writers, guest contributors, or Contractors.

3.1 Author Identification and Verification

We do not perform mandatory verification of authors’ identities. Therefore, Users are advised to verify information independently, especially for technical or legal topics.

3.2 Submission Guidelines

Authors must adhere to our general quality standards. Detailed submission guidelines can be found at https://countertopscontractors.com/become-an-author/.

4. Privacy Policy

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. Please review our Privacy Policy for details on how we collect, use, store, and protect your information, including:

  • Types of data collected (e.g., email addresses, IP addresses).
  • Purposes for which data is used (e.g., improving Services, sending updates).
  • How Users can access, correct, or request deletion of their data.
  • Data retention policies and security measures.

5. Additional Terms

Certain features of the Services may be governed by Additional Terms. We will post a notice on the relevant page and link to any Additional Terms before you use such features. Examples include contest rules, promotional offers, or third-party integrations.

6. Eligibility to Use

By accessing or using the Services, you represent and warrant that:

  • (a) You are at least 18 years of age or have reached the age of majority in your jurisdiction.
  • (b) You have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement.
  • (c) You have not previously been suspended or removed from the Services or engaged in any activity that could result in suspension or removal from the Services.
  • (d) You have the full right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and to comply with all terms and conditions.

Note: User registration accounts are not required to access most Services. However, certain features (e.g., leaving reviews) may require CAPTCHA or email verification to prevent spam or fraudulent submissions.

7. License to Access and Use Our Services and Content

Subject to your compliance with these Terms of Use, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Services and Content for your personal, non-commercial use. You may:

  • View, download, and print pages from the Services for personal, informational, and non-commercial purposes, provided you keep all copyright and other proprietary notices intact.
  • Use search queries and filters to navigate contractor listings and data reports.

Except as expressly permitted above, you agree not to:

  • Modify, reproduce, distribute, republish, download, display, post, transmit, or create derivative works of any Content, in whole or in part.
  • Use automated scripts or bots to collect data from the Services ("screen scraping").
  • Sell, license, or sublicense any Content or other materials obtained from the Services.
  • Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights notices contained in the Content.
  • Use the Services for any commercial purpose without our express written consent.
  • Engage in any unauthorized use of the Services or any Content, including framing or mirroring the Services on another server.

8. Repeat Infringer Policy; Copyright Complaints

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe that any Content infringes your copyright, you may submit a notice under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3), which describes the DMCA takedown notice requirements.

To submit a DMCA notice, please provide the following:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or authorized agent.
  • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed.
  • Identification of the material claimed to be infringing and its location on the Services.
  • Your contact information (address, telephone number, and email).
  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized.
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate.

Designated DMCA Agent:

Email: legal@countertopscontractors.com

(No physical address available at this time. All correspondence must be sent via email.)

9. Trademarks

All trademarks, logos, and service marks displayed on the Services (e.g., CountertopsContractors.com, the CountertopsContractors.com logo) are our property or the property of other parties. Nothing in these Terms of Use grants you any right to use any trademark, logo, or service mark displayed on the Services without the express written permission of the owner.

Reference to any third-party trademark or brand does not constitute or imply endorsement. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any third party unless explicitly stated.

10. Photographs and Their Use

Contractors may submit photographs or images ("Photographs") for use on the Services. By submitting Photographs, you represent that you own or have the right to use the images and grant us a royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to display, distribute, and modify such Photographs.

We are not responsible for verifying the copyright status of Photographs posted by Contractors. If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please follow the procedure in Section 8 to request removal. Upon receipt of valid evidence of ownership, we will promptly remove the Photographs.

11. Hyperlinks

We may provide links to third-party websites as a convenience. These links do not imply endorsement, and we have no control over, and are not responsible for, the content, policies, or practices of any third-party sites. Users should review the terms and privacy policies of any linked websites before using them.

Framing or mirroring the Services on another site is strictly prohibited.

12. Advertiser and Sponsor Disclosure

While CountertopsContractors.com was originally non-commercial, we may accept sponsorship support, advertising, or paid services in the future. Any sponsored content will be clearly labeled as "Sponsored Content", and any paid listings or endorsements will be disclosed to Users.

13. Third-Party Content

The Services may include content, products, or services provided by third parties, including but not limited to advertisements, affiliate links, or embedded content. We do not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of any Third-Party Content, and we disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from your use of such content.

14. Use and Distribution of Unique Data and Research

All data, research, charts, and analyses published by CountertopsContractors.com ("Unique Data") are proprietary. You may use Unique Data for personal, informational, and non-commercial purposes, provided you attribute the source as follows:

Data: CountertopsContractors.com (source link)

Any redistribution, publication, or derivative use of Unique Data that alters or distorts the original meaning is prohibited unless you obtain our prior written consent. To request permission for derivative uses, contact us at legal@countertopscontractors.com.

15. Reviews and Feedback

15.1 User-Submitted Reviews

When you submit a review of a Contractor directly to CountertopsContractors.com, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable right to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and distribute your review in any form or media. You may request deletion of your review by emailing legal@countertopscontractors.com, but we reserve the right to retain archived copies for legal or archival purposes.

15.2 Aggregated Reviews

We may display aggregated reviews from third parties under license or with permission. If you believe an aggregated review is inaccurate or defamatory, please submit a complaint via /report-review/. We will investigate and respond within a reasonable time.

16. User Conduct

When using the Services, you agree not to:

  • Post, upload, or transmit any content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or infringing on any third party’s rights;
  • Use the Services to harass, abuse, or harm another individual;
  • Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity;
  • Engage in any activity that could damage, disable, or impair the Services;
  • Use the Services to send unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, spam, or any other form of solicitation;
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Services or any other accounts, computer systems, or networks connected to the Services;
  • Violate any applicable law or regulation while using the Services.

Permitted activities include submitting legitimate reviews, asking industry-related questions, and engaging with content in accordance with these Terms of Use.

17. Additional Provisions Applicable to Contractors

17.1 Inclusion of Contractors

Contractors may request to be listed on CountertopsContractors.com by submitting documentation such as business licenses, insurance certificates, and references. The Administration reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to approve or reject any request based on the submitted materials.

17.2 Contractor Data Updates

Currently, Contractors do not have direct self-service access to edit their profiles on the platform. If you wish to update your information, please send an email to support@countertopscontractors.com with the changes. We may introduce a self-service portal in the future.

18. Maintaining User Interaction

By providing your contact information (e.g., email address) when interacting with Contractors through the Services, you consent to receive communications related to your request. All personal data processing is governed by our Privacy Policy. We encourage you to verify any Contractor before entering into a binding agreement; we are not responsible for disputes between Users and Contractors.

19. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES AND CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE, OR THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

20. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL WE, OUR AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, OR INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR DIRECT DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS SHALL NOT EXCEED $100.00 OR THE MINIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

21. Modification of Services

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Services or any portion thereof at any time, with or without notice. For material changes to the Services, we will provide notice at least seven (7) days prior to implementation when feasible. Temporary interruptions due to maintenance or technical issues may occur without notice.

22. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by JAMS under its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules & Procedures. You agree that you and we are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action.

  • Location: Arbitration will be conducted in Tallinn, Estonia, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • Time Limit: Any dispute must be initiated within one (1) year from the date the claim arose, unless a longer statutory period applies under applicable law.
  • Arbitration Fees: Each party shall bear its own costs and attorney fees, and shall share equally the JAMS filing fee and administrative costs unless otherwise required by JAMS rules or applicable law.
  • Exceptions: Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek relief in small claims court for claims within the court’s jurisdictional limits.

23. Governing Law and Venue

Except where prohibited by applicable law, these Terms of Use and any claim or dispute shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles. If you are a consumer residing in a jurisdiction that prohibits application of another state’s law, local law shall apply. Venue for any court action not subject to arbitration shall be in Charleston County, South Carolina, USA.

24. Termination of Access

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease, and you must stop all use of the Services.

25. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely matches the intent of the original.

26. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Use, together with the Privacy Policy and any Additional Terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Administration regarding your use of the Services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether electronic, oral, or written, between you and the Administration.