The art of working with stone dates back more than 2.6 million years ago, and of course, its artisans and stonemasons have carried on and developed the craft over the centuries. Renato Otten, the visionary founder of Select Surfaces, not only has deep knowledge of the history and evolution of stone working but also firsthand experience with the craft; his family has deep roots in the industry. Renato has always held a very specific vision for Select Surfaces: a commitment to quality and to raising up the next generation of craftspeople, and to always move toward new programs that will positively impact their clients.

 

“We're a stone fabrication and installation company. So, anything that you want clad in stone, we can do it,” states Renato. Select Surfaces’s primary focus is kitchen countertops, but they also do fireplaces, tub decks, vanities, custom furniture, and much more.

 

“We are a comprehensive solution provider with the ability to offer turnkey kitchen updates at a fraction of the cost and time compared to our competitors,” shares Renato. “We offer what most kitchen companies cannot in-house.”

 

Select Surfaces’s innovative, full-kitchen refresh package is a game-changer, encompassing countertops, tile backsplashes, sinks, faucets, drywall touch-ups, electrical services including new outlets, small carpentry services, and more. Renato asserts that having all these services under one roof allows them to deliver unmatched quality and efficiency, both in terms of cost and lead time.

 

Of interest to REALTORS®, Select Surfaces recently launched its Community Matters program for their REALTORS® partners.

 

“Our priority is always making sure that the client has a wonderful experience. We know remodeling can be a headache, not to mention expensive and time-consuming,” notes Renato. “We strive to take the headache out of the process, as well as offer discounts for clients and commission for REALTORS®.”

 

Renato created the program to be not just a win-win scenario, but a win-win-win scenario: For buyers, it offers the opportunity to move into a newly updated kitchen within a couple weeks of closing. Sellers have the opportunity to increase their home's value and sell faster—at a fraction of the cost of a typical full-kitchen remodel. REALTORS® benefit from quicker sales and higher closing prices along with discounts for clients and referral commissions. Everyone involved wins.

 

“Think of us as your partners when you need anything updated in a kitchen,” says Renato. “We called this program Community Matters because for us, community does matter. This has always been about connecting with our communities, offering new home buyers a fresh start, and offering sellers a way to maximize the value of what is, for most people, their biggest investment: their home.”

 

Renato grew up in a family deeply connected in the kitchen industry: his father and grandfather ran a kitchen remodeling company. Although he completed degrees in accounting and finance, Renato soon realized that his true passion lay in building things he could be proud of and helping others; it felt only natural for him to follow in his family’s footsteps. In fact, Renato’s twelve siblings have also all gravitated to the industry in one way or another.

  

Just as his family put their name on every product and stood firmly behind their work, Select Surfaces does the same. “We truly stand behind our work,” states Renato. That promise and their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is evident for all to see: Select Surfaces places a lifetime guarantee on everything they install. “In remodeling, there are always unforeseen challenges and things we just couldn't foresee. But we believe that our clients are like extended family, so we treat their homes like they [our clients] are family. If there's an issue or question, we'll be there for you.”

 

Family is at the heart of Renato's life. He recently married the love of his life, Kamila. Together, they love to travel, explore new restaurants, indulge in good food and wine, and spend time with their beloved two-year-old goldendoodle, Ollie. Family dinners and gatherings, filled with wine and card games, are cherished moments. Renato’s siblings are his best friends, and two of them are his business partners at Select Surfaces.

“Ben runs the manufacturing side of the business and Tim runs all the field teams. I couldn't do any of this without them. Ben is the kind of guy who can fix anything. He's relentless about precision and makes sure our shop operates at a high level and is always improving. Tim's commitment to doing the right thing for our clients bleeds through to everyone on our field teams and really has shaped us into who we are today,” says Renato.

There are two things Renato finds most fulfilling about his work: The first is witnessing the joy on clients' faces when they see their completed projects, particularly their transformed kitchens. The second is working with the fabulous team at Select Surfaces. “We have an amazing team of incredibly talented people. I feel very lucky that I get to play some small part in their success,” Renato says.

Noting the shortage of skilled workers in the trades today, Renato states, “Unfortunately, we’re seeing that as companies get stretched thin, they are willing to put less-trained people in the field. As a consumer, I wouldn't want someone practicing on my house. So we made a commitment to double down on training and offer advancement programs in each department for our team members. We have skilled craftsmen with years of experience leading each crew.”

Renato defines success as his continuous growth and improvement in his various roles in life, especially that of husband and leader. For Select Surfaces as a company, success is measured by the achievement of their mission: to create opportunities for their team to grow and thrive while providing clients with an unmatched experience.

“We know it's a tough market for REALTORS® these days,” says Renato. “We're excited that our Community Matters program not only aligns with our commitment to the community but that it also offers new revenue streams for our like-minded REALTOR® partners.”