Premier Countertops

Quality and Service for 30 years

By Deborah Daley​

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​​Spring has sprung! The feeling of refreshment and renewal that it brings leads homeowners to take a good look at their homes and decide what improvements or renovations are needed. One area that tends to get a lot of attention is an area that we use multiple times every day—the kitchen countertop. That’s no problem for Lori Ludwick, the president and owner of Premier Countertops. “Busy is good!” she says. They specialize in countertops and backsplashes, and they’re ready to customize yours. 

Premier Countertops is a family-owned, family-operated business that has been around for 30 years. Lori manages the entire operation, including bids, human resources, advertising, ordering, and more. She has 12 employees (including her son, Adam), and her business location features a large showroom with hundreds of samples of quartz and stone countertops.

This Omaha native went to Westside High School and earned a degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her late husband, Mory, was a contractor who “could do just about anything,” Lori says. “We really stumbled into this business. My husband had done an estimate on a quote for a remodel that involved some countertop work. He underestimated that part of the project, and a colleague helped him navigate through the process. It sparked his interest in countertops, and our company was born.” The firm was founded in the late 1990s and received its name because Mory thought “premier” was a great adjective.

Premier Countertops offers natural stone, including marble, granite, soapstone, and other stone items. Engineered stone products include quartz and porcelain. Porcelain, which is a thinner product, is primarily used on showers and fireplaces.

A project with Premier Countertops begins with field measurements, taken when staff members visit the home to size up the project. (They also accept measurements and drawings directly from homeowners.) Materials are selected, and the quote is created. Should the customer decide to move forward, a staff member goes out to the customer’s home and creates a digital template.

From there, the project is drawn in AutoCAD, complete with colors, dimensions, and placements for holes for sinks or faucets, if needed. This template is sent to the customer for review. Once approved, the countertop is fabricated at the firm’s facility, and the final step is installation. A typical job, from template to installation, takes two to three weeks, depending on the time of year. The craftsmanship is guaranteed for a full year. The guarantee on the materials depends on which surface the client chooses.

A fun part of Lori’s job is educating customers, most of whom don’t have any expertise in countertop fabrication. “We encourage them to see how it works,” she says. “When they come to the office, we often take them on a quick tour of the shop and educate them on the process. We design, template, cut, and fabricate your custom countertop on site, with our own state-of-the-art machines and technology. From start to finish, we will guide you through the steps.”

“I want to hear my customers say, ‘I just love it,’” Lori continues. “If I wouldn’t accept the work in my own home, then it’s not right. Excellence is our goal, and we stand by it.” 

Her customers are quick to share their positive experiences with Premier Countertops. Amber, of Omaha, particularly appreciated the time that they take to ensure customer satisfaction. “I enjoyed working with Premier Countertops. Before purchasing a granite slab, they let you view the full slab. Granite is a natural product of the earth, and you may not know what you may get unless you see the whole piece. They make the viewing process easy, and after that the install goes smoothly. Lori does a great job of communication. I recommend Premier Countertops for granite and quartz countertops.”

Rhonda shares, “Don’t go anywhere else! We dreamed and planned for a total kitchen remodel for years. The countertops are an important part of the remodel, and they are amazing! Everyone at Premier Countertops was kind and knowledgeable.”

In a competitive field, Lori counts herself fortunate that many of her staff members have chosen to stay with Premier Countertops for many years. When you own your own business, she says, “your company becomes like your second home. In fact, you often spend more time in the office than you do at home. You must love it! I am often the first one here and the last to leave.” 

Premier Countertops is not just countertops. They also provide, sinks, and tile backsplashes—just the finishing touches needed to complete your kitchen or bathroom. For more information about their services, as well as idea galleries and design tools, visit premiercountertops.com. The showroom is located at 8720 L Street and is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach them by phone at 402-991-7258. 

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