MSI Quartz and Tile FAQ: 10 Ordering Mistakes I Made So You Avoid Them

I'm a project estimator at a design-build firm in Portland, Oregon. For the past eight years, I've written countertop, tile, and flooring purchase orders for MSI International Surfaces materials—about 200 orders all together. Somewhere along the way I made 14 significant mistakes, totaling roughly $23,000 in wasted budget. That's why I maintain our team's pre-order checklist. This FAQ is the cleaned-up version of that checklist.

If you're a builder, interior designer, or retail buyer, these questions may seem basic. They're meant to be. Ask them anyway.

1. Is MSI quartz really better than natural stone?

I spent my first two years in the industry sure that engineered quartz was the right answer for every kitchen. After about 150 orders, I've changed my mind. The right material depends on the project and the client. If a client wants a uniform look on a long island and won't think about sealing, MSI Quartz is usually a safe recommendation. If the client wants natural variation and doesn't mind a little maintenance, granite or slate can serve them just as well.

The client isn't hiring us to impose a favorite material. They're hiring us to solve problems. When I started framing it that way, change orders for 'wrong material' dropped dramatically.

2. Why did my tile order come from different lots?

A lot number identifies when tile was manufactured. Color can shift slightly between runs, and different lots can look noticeably different when installed side by side. I learned this in September 2022: a showroom order of porcelain tile for a living room arrived in two different lot numbers. In the box, the color looked close. Installed, one side of the room looked warmer than the other. The client rejected it, and the replacement cost us a three-day delay plus a full redo.

Now I write the lot number on the purchase order and ask the warehouse to confirm all boxes share that lot before delivery.

3. Does MSI quartz need to be sealed?

In most residential settings, no. MSI Quartz is non-porous, so it doesn't need the annual sealing routine that natural granite or marble often does. But that doesn't make it maintenance-free. A hot pan left on the surface can damage the resin, and harsh chemical cleaners can dull the finish over time. Quartz is low-maintenance—not no-maintenance.

If a salesperson or fabricator tells you quartz can survive anything, treat that as a red flag.

4. How much extra tile should I order?

My rule is 10–15% over the square footage for a straight layout and 15–20% for diagonal or patterned layouts. That overage covers cuts, cracked pieces during delivery, and future repairs. Tile is rarely available with the same lot number months later.

One of my cheapest decisions became one of my most expensive. I ordered exactly 120 square feet of slate tile to save money on a backsplash. Two pieces arrived cracked, and one chipped during cutting. The same lot was gone. A second order from another lot was visibly different. In the end, I paid $640 in extra material plus expedited shipping to redo the whole quantity. Saving $450 cost about $1,200 and a five-day delay.

5. Why did my countertop quote increase after templating?

Most countertop pricing surprises come from an incomplete first quote. A quoted 'countertop' may not include edge detail, seams, sink cutouts, backsplashes, or mitered corners. If those items aren't written down, the final invoice still arrives.

In March 2023, I gave a client an MSI Quartz price with a standard eased edge. The client approved. During templating, the client asked for a mitered island edge. I didn't update the line item until the fabricator had already scheduled production. Added cost: $1,100. Schedule slip: three days. Now my quotes must state the edge profile, seam locations, cutout list, and overhang details. No exceptions.

6. When should I place the MSI order?

For in-stock materials, two weeks is usually a safe window. For full slabs, special sizes, or large commercial quantities, ask the MSI representative for lead times. Guessing is not a scheduling strategy.

I place material orders as soon as the client approves the design, before demolition starts. That way a shipping delay doesn't shut down the job site.

7. What should I check when the material arrives?

Don't wait until installation day to open crates and boxes. Check the lot number on the delivery against the lot number on the purchase order. Open a few boxes from different parts of the delivery to confirm the product matches the approved sample.

And check color in the lighting where it will be installed. In December 2021, I approved an MSI slate tile sample under warm showroom lighting. On the job site under daylight LEDs, the tile read blue-gray. The client rejected it, and the redo cost $1,900 plus a week of labor. The tile wasn't the problem. My lighting check was.

8. Should I ask for a specific slab ID when buying quartz?

Yes. Natural stone slabs are unique, and engineered quartz can vary between production runs. A small sample doesn't represent the full slab. In an MSI showroom, ask to see the actual slab or a photo of the one reserved for your job. Write the slab ID on the invoice.

If a fabricator says that slab has a problem and wants to substitute a 'similar' one, don't approve it sight unseen. I made that mistake once, and the replacement had dramatically different veining. The client approved it after tense negotiations, but I lost credibility. Photographing the slab takes ten minutes. Debating a wrong slab takes days.

9. What should I know before ordering MSI engineered flooring?

Do not assume 'engineered' means waterproof or basement-safe. Some engineered floors are approved for below-grade installation; many are not. When a project calls for MSI Everlife flooring or another engineered product, I ask the MSI rep for the product's written installation and moisture guidelines first. If the installation site doesn't meet those requirements, fix the moisture issue or choose a different floor. That decision is much easier before the order than after the planks start to curl.

10. Can I call the finished project eco-friendly if MSI products were used?

Careful. Environmental marketing claims are a fast way for contractors and designers to get in trouble. Per the FTC Green Guides, claims like 'green' or 'recycled' must be substantiated. If the manufacturer provides recycled-content documentation, keep it in your file. If it doesn't, do not invent the claim.

I've never had a legal complaint, and I do not want one. In this industry, an unsubstantiated label is a bill waiting to happen.