4 Ways Imported Cast Marble Can Cost You

Choosing a cheaper option might seem smart when looking at unit prices, but it’s important to see the whole picture. Imported cast marble can come with hidden costs that add up fast. Let's look at how these costs can affect your budget and how Mincey can help you avoid them.

1. Time Delays on the Job

Time is money in construction, and imported materials can cause big delays. When you order your showers from overseas or via an importer, you depend on global supply chains. These have become increasingly unreliable, especially since COVID-19. Extreme weather, attacks, and crowded ports have resulted in changing shipping routes and long waits.

Delivery schedules face constant disruptions, resulting in long waits for materials to arrive. For instance, you might schedule workers, but if your materials don’t arrive on time, you’re paying for idle labor - messing up your project timeline and inflating costs.

2. High Shipping Costs

The unit price of imported cast marble can be tempting, but look at the full picture. Shipping from overseas can be costly due to increasing shipping rates and hefty duty fees.  Expect to also pay port fees if you’re not ready for the delivery. These extra costs can make what seemed cheap much more expensive, often outweighing any savings from a low unit price.

We’ve recently seen the highest global freight rates on record.

3. Breakage Costs

Panels and pans from overseas often arrive in poor packaging, increasing the risk of damage during travel. They may also sit on the jobsite for a long time. When ordering imports, you have little control over delivery (unless you’re holding product at port). And while your product waits for installation, weather exposure can cause warping, cracking, and dirt buildup. Whether it’s due to poor crating or the weather, replacements mean more costs – and possibly more delays.

4. Change Orders and Quality Issues

Imported panels might be of lower quality - often featuring rough edges, inconsistent thickness, and other imperfections. These problems trigger change orders and add items to your punch list. Fixes like these not only extend the project timeline but inflate costs. Every change order bites into the budget, causing financial and scheduling headaches for everyone involved.

Choose Mincey for Smarter Solutions

Mincey offers a better option. By shipping directly to your jobsite within the U.S., Mincey eliminates the hassle and expense of overseas shipping. Our breakage rate is very low at just 0.16%, thanks to robust crating and direct domestic shipping. This means your materials arrive ready for use. Mincey products feature finished edges and consistent thickness, reducing the need for change orders and ensuring smooth installations.

Choosing Mincey helps contractors deliver quality projects on time and within budget, with fewer surprises. This means your team can focus on doing great work, knowing they've partnered with a reliable supplier.

Learn more about Mincey - made in America.