Contracting Installer Membership

In 1944 contracting installers were the primary industry group involved in the formation of our association. Today, the contracting installers continue to benefit from the many services provided by the Natural Stone Institute. The Natural Stone Institute sets the stone industry standards for fabrication/installation and provides many services to assist you! Whether it is offering support with a technical question, providing you with sales & showroom videos or brochures, or offering training resources to help run an installation company, the Natural Stone Institute can make a difference in your success. Don't forget that the Natural Stone Institute represents the entire natural stone supply chain (from the quarries to maintenance) — which means it is highly likely that many of your suppliers are Natural Stone Institute members too.

As a member, we thank you for your support! The Natural Stone Institute is the largest trade association in the world representing the dimension stone industry, and for over 65 years, it has been a leader in providing advocacy, networking, marketing/publicity, information/education, professionalism, and stone promotion.

Top Contracting Installer Benefits...

Access to industry peers, networking, technical support, education, promotion, discounts, referrals, money savings business services, and supporting the industry are among the top benefits enjoyed by contracting installer members.

If you have any questions about Natural Stone Institute member benefits, feel free to contact our member services team at @naturalstoneinstitute.org or 440-250-9222.

Natural Stone Institute membership is powerful. It affords the industry the power to collectively address issues that no one company can tackle on their own. Members subscribe to a code of ethics, proudly display the member logo as the symbol of trust and authority in the natural stone industry, and look to Natural Stone Institute membership as a way to give back to the industry. The natural stone industry needs a strong association to help it to fully succeed and grow. Member firms build a better industry through the Natural Stone Institute.

The Dimension Stone Design Manual is the U.S. stone industry's single-source reference for dimension stone design and construction specs and details. The Natural Stone Institute's technical department responds to thousands of inquiries annually from stone installers and others. Access to the Natural Stone Institute's technical staff, standards, and technical bulletins is annually ranked the #1 member benefit.

Many installers lend their technical expertise on Natural Stone Institute technical committees and assist with writing Natural Stone Institute Technical Bulletins. These bulletins provide an ongoing educational resource to Natural Stone Institute members and the design community at large. Upcoming topics cover such subjects as joint sealant design use, air barriers, insulation, crack isolation products, portland cement, flashing designs, and more.

Dimension Stone Anchorage

Joint Sealants

Cement-Usage with Natural Stone

To compliment open access to other Natural Stone Institute members, the Institute provides installers with a number of networking opportunities to connect with other fabricators, suppliers, and industry leaders. The Natural Stone Institute holds many face-to-face events at several industry trade shows and regional educational seminars around the country.

The online membership directory, social media sites, and other electronic communication tools also can connect consumers with fabricator members.

As part of the Natural Stone Institute "community," members stay informed, explore new markets, and showcase their business to fellow Natural Stone Institute members worldwide. Installers utilize the Institute's newsletter, technical publications, and industry reports to stay informed. Learn more.

At the Natural Stone Institute's regional seminars, installers are given the opportunity to focus on their business operations. Many installers also participate in the annual performance analysis report to obtain financial benchmarks to compare their company against other installers.

Members can also take advantage of items available from the Natural Stone Institute bookstore. Products include technical standards, stone source references, health & safety materials, sales & marketing (includes consumer brochures and showroom posters) resources, reference materials, training & education, design, and business management publications & videos. Natural Stone Institute Members generally save up to 50% off the non-member price.

Facility Tours	Quarry Tours
Financial Surveys	Safety Training

Many installers utilize the Natural Stone Institute's consumer-oriented materials from the Institue to help educate their customers. Several consumer brochures, videos, and showroom posters are available from the Natural Stone Institute bookstore.

Members who also connect with members of the architectural and design communities, find value in the Natural Stone Institute's CEU (continuing education units) program for architects, designers, and kitchen & bath dealers. Learn more.

Natural Stone Institute Accreditation for natural stone fabricators and commercial contractors recognizes those companies that meet the industry's highest standards for business activities, product knowledge, fabrication and installation. The Natural Stone Institute accredits companies, not individuals. Natural Stone Institute membership is not required for this program, however, most accredited fabricators are also Natural Stone Institute members.

Commercial Contractors that achieve Natural Stone Institute accreditation (2 classifications available) exemplify best practices in these areas: physical facilities and equipment; business and trade practices; technical knowledge and expertise; quality control; safety; finance; ethics; customer service and education; advertising and promotion; and employee training policies.

Installers have the opportunity to receive worldwide exposure when named a winner of any of the different awards that are available to members. Natural Stone Institute's coveted Awards programs honor and recognize natural stone companies, natural stone professionals, and architects from around the globe. The Natural Stone Institute Natural Stone Scholarship program also recognizes a young professional in the industry with an all-expense paid trip to StonExpo. Learn more.

Shipping
Save money on shipping costs by using the services of FedEx®, Yellow Transportation, and UPS Freight. Even if you ship only occasionally, the Natural Stone Institute Discount Shipping Program is free to Natural Stone Institute members. When signing up you may also want to inquire about the standard, select, and special trade show shipping program. Learn more.

Other Business Programs
The Natural Stone Institute also offers discounts on collections, credit card processing fees, employment practice liability insurance, office supplies and print services, utility audit, and website optimization. Learn more.