Stone Factory Audits in the UAE: AQL Sampling, Dry-Lay, and Release Criteria

Stone Factory Audits in the UAE: AQL Sampling, Dry-Lay, and Release Criteria

Introduction

Every natural stone project in the UAE, from private villas to hospitality landmarks, relies on precision. The beauty of marble or granite means little if it arrives with inconsistencies, technical flaws, or mismatched tones. That’s why stone factory audits are a critical part of project success.

At Plus One Stone Consultancy, we provide independent, expert oversight across the entire stone journey, from supplier assessment and technical review to on-site quality control. Our role is to safeguard your design integrity, schedule, and investment by ensuring every slab and tile meets the required performance and aesthetic benchmarks.

Why Audit Stone Factories?

Many project challenges begin long before installation. Issues such as wrong slab selection, inaccurate fabrication, or unverified finishes often stem from a lack of proper inspection at the source.

A professional factory audit identifies these risks early, verifying that the selected material, thickness, polish, and edge treatment align with project specifications. For clients, this means fewer surprises on site and fewer costly replacements later.

Plus One’s audits are not vendor-driven. They are independent evaluations carried out solely to protect the client’s interests and maintain project consistency across residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors.

Plus One’s Approach to Supplier & Manufacturer Assessment

Our consultancy begins with Supplier/Manufacturer Assessment, a structured vetting process that checks every production facility for quality capability, reliability, and compliance with project standards.

This includes reviewing:

• Source and grading of raw blocks

• Machinery precision and cutting calibration

• Finishing consistency (polish, honed, leathered, etc.)

• Packaging and handling practices

By assessing these parameters early, Plus One ensures that only qualified suppliers proceed to the fabrication and delivery stages, forming the foundation for a successful project outcome.

AQL Sampling for Stone Quality

In large-scale projects, it’s impossible to inspect every slab. That’s where AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) sampling comes in, a statistically defined inspection method that determines the number of units to be checked from a batch.

At Plus One, AQL sampling forms part of our Quality Assurance and Technical Review process. We randomly select representative pieces from each batch to evaluate:

• Dimensional accuracy

• Surface finish uniformity

• Natural variation tolerance

• Edge integrity and back reinforcement

This controlled sampling ensures the supplied material meets agreed-upon standards before approval, balancing practicality with precision.

The Importance of Dry-Lay Checks

Before full-scale installation, a dry-lay (mock installation) allows every stone piece to be visually and technically reviewed in its intended layout.

For natural marble and limestone, variations in veining and tone are expected, but when unplanned, they can disrupt the overall design flow.

Plus One’s Quality Control service includes on-site dry-lay inspections, where we evaluate:

• Pattern continuity and book-matching accuracy

• Joint alignment and edge matching

• Finish consistency under lighting conditions

Our consultants work directly with the fabrication and design teams to approve or adjust before final release, saving both time and material.

Release Criteria for Stone Materials

Stone should only leave the factory when it meets all project and quality benchmarks. Plus One’s release criteria are defined through three layers of assurance:

1. Technical Review – Checking compliance with shop drawings, specifications, and tolerances.

2. Quality Assurance – Confirming that slabs or cut pieces meet visual and performance expectations.

3. Supplier Coordination – Verifying that packing, labeling, and logistics align with project sequencing.

Only after these steps are signed off do we authorize shipment for site delivery, minimizing on-site corrections and waste.

How Plus One Adds Value

Through systematic factory audits, AQL sampling, and dry-lay validation, Plus One ensures every stone delivered is ready for installation with no ambiguity, rework, or quality compromise.

For developers, architects, and contractors across the UAE, our role is to act as a neutral stone partner, ensuring:

• Consistent quality control from quarry to site

• Timely issue detection to protect schedules

• Transparency in supplier performance

• Sustainability compliance through long-term material evaluation

Every audit adds measurable value, strengthening trust between design teams, suppliers, and project stakeholders.

Conclusion

In Dubai’s fast-moving construction environment, stone factory audits are not an option; they’re a safeguard. From AQL sampling and dry-lay inspections to release approvals, every step ensures your stone performs as beautifully as it looks.

Plus One Stone Consultancy stands apart as a project partner, not a vendor, guiding clients with clarity, precision, and assurance across every stage of the stone lifecycle.

Before your next project begins, speak to Plus One.

We’ll help you turn uncertainty into confidence one slab at a time.