IF YOU’VE EVER WALKED THE AISLES OF A STONE WAREHOUSE, YOU HAVE AN INKLING OF THE many varieties of colors, patterns and textures that exist within the world of natural and engineered stone. That remarkable versatility complements virtually any aesthetic, from traditional to contemporary, making stone a staple of luxury home design worldwide.
When Greg Hoffman bought Universal Marble & Granite in 2017, the company had already been in business for 16 years, serving the needs of local homeowners, designers and contractors throughout Charleston. For Hoffman, it was a strong business with room to grow.
With his background in sales and marketing, Hoffman saw opportunities to better realize the company’s full potential. Over time, he expanded the inventory threefold to offer Charleston’s largest selection of in-stock quartz, along with dozens of marble, quartzite, granite and even porcelain slabs. “We’ve done incredibly well,” says Hoffman. “We are very proud to have won a Charleston Choice Award for the last 10 years, and we’ve been awarded Best Stone/Marble Company, Best Bath/Kitchen Remodeling Company, as well as Best Home Improvement Company in 2025 and 2026.”
Hundreds of five-star reviews on Google would agree with the company’s many industry awards—accolades that have been earned not only for its products but for the quality of its work and service standards. “Our team is not limited by their job description or the time clock—they see what needs to be done, and they do it,” Hoffman says. “We operate at all times with integrity, and we look for people who uphold that standard in their work. It’s part of what we’ve become known for.”
That reputation is reflected in the breadth of projects the company takes on. Universal’s scope of work includes everything from curbs, thresholds and niches to massive countertop and whole-home projects. “We are known for our phenomenal seam work, miters and waterfalls and have been supplying large-format porcelain products for the last eight years,” Hoffman notes.
Each project, of course, begins with a consult. “The homeowner’s objective, general style and color scheme, along with budget, are foundational,” says Hoffman. “Once we understand the big picture, we like to use either hand drawings with photos or CAD drawings with renderings to illustrate the full scope of work. A visual really is worth a thousand words, and they are instrumental in conveying the level of detail in our work.”
Of course, selecting stone is about far more than choosing a color or veining pattern. Homeowners often arrive at a consult with inspiration pulled from magazines, Pinterest boards and social media, but translating those ideas into a finished space requires balancing aesthetics with durability, maintenance and the way a family actually lives. That’s where Universal’s experience truly becomes invaluable.
“We take the client’s lead, but regardless of what they initially envision, we advise approaching the selection of stone as a long-term decision. As much as they may love it now, how might they perceive it in five years? If they are considering selling the home in three to five years, the countertops may not be the best place to express personality or embrace boldness. Part of achieving a successful project is listening to a client’s wants, expectations and budget, and then providing them with the education to guide them in their decision,” Hoffman explains. “For example, marble is not for most people. It’s the most delicate and high-maintenance stone of them all. It’s great for a fireplace or built-in bookshelf but not so much for a busy kitchen. Similarly, granite is often on a client’s wish list because they want the ease of putting a hot pot directly onto a countertop without worry. It’s true that granite—or any natural stone, for that matter—won’t get burned, but the heat invites issues like cracks to form.”
Quartz, he explains, is Universal’s best-selling material, not only because of its durability or its need for zero maintenance but also for the way it increases aesthetic value. For clients who don’t want an engineered stone but also don’t want to worry about the delicate nature of marble or granite, they recommend quartzite for its durability and natural beauty.
Product knowledge is clearly crucial, and Universal’s team of fabricators and installers understands the unique intricacies and challenges of their materials. “Our expertise helps streamline the selection process, and we are happy to advise the client on any project ideas that might not be typical,” Hoffman says. “Our in-house team gives us the advantage of offering fast and personal service. After we template, we have a coordination meeting with the entire team that cuts the stone, fabricates and installs the final projects. This allows us to address potential issues before fabrication begins while shortening our lead time from template to install to about one week. Our talented craftsmen produce specialty cuts by hand that a machine cannot achieve—and that capability is something that really sets us apart.”
Just as homeowners’ needs evolve so do the materials themselves. Trends, as Hoffman has seen countless times over the years, come and go, evolving alongside changing lifestyles, design preferences and innovations in materials. Naturally, those trends affect the stone industry, as well. “Porcelain has really seen more use in the last few years, and we’ve been on the forefront of that trend as a local porcelain fabricator. Kitchens, baths, full backsplashes, floors and counters—it really offers a great deal of versatility and durability, plus it offers the advantage of requiring no grout lines,” he says. “We’ve also seen a rise in the use of quartz in the last year. People love the beauty as well as the unique finishes—honed and leathered especially—and the fact that many quartz products now offer a more authentic, natural marble or quartzite look.”
Technology has reshaped the way homeowners think about their kitchens, as well. Increasingly viewed as the comfort and function hub of the home, today’s kitchens incorporate everything from backlit slabs and concealed power strips to wireless charging stations, smart surface controls and invisible induction cooktops—all of which require thoughtful planning from the earliest stages of design and an especially skilled team in fabrication.
Regardless of size and scope of a project, client relationships and personal service are a priority for Hoffman and his team at Universal. “We can spend as much time one-on-one with a client for a simple, small kitchen project as we would on a large custom build on Kiawah,” Hoffman says. “A homeowner often needs more nurturing than a well-seasoned build/design team, and we understand that. Because we are a service-driven company that believes in close communication with the client, we take the time to reassure any concerns, address any issues, educate and collaborate. All of that, together, is paramount to the client experience as well as the final outcome of the project.”
One newly built home on Seabrook Island’s Clear Marsh Road showcases that attention to detail in every room. Built by luxury homebuilder Anthony Wiedemuth of Cornerstone Estates, the residence highlights Universal’s craftsmanship through the intentional use of quartz throughout the home. Calacatta Parea quartz creates a sense of cohesion in the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and covered outdoor kitchen, while a curated selection of premium quartz—including Outer Banks, Bulgari Honed, Cloud Cover, Carrara Delphi and Azulean—adds beauty and distinction to each of the home’s five bathrooms.
Stone may be one of the last materials installed in a home, but its impact is often one of the first things people notice. At Universal Marble & Granite, every slab, seam and finish is approached with the understanding that exceptional craftsmanship isn’t simply about creating something beautiful—it’s about creating something that will be lived with, loved and admired for years to come. *
Liesel Schmidt is a freelance writer and book editor based in Navarre, Florida. She is the author of three novels.
