any experience with Granite Transformations or Empire (flooring)? (Raleigh, Cary: countertops, townhouse) - The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

ausmerika · 03-31-2008, 03:23 PM

We are looking at having to replace carpeting and/or wood flooring in a mid-priced 2500 sq ft home, and also re-do countertops in kitchen. There were threads about granite vs quartz vs corian, etc, but I haven't heard any specifics about these two companies. I'd be interested in hearing anyone's experiences, good or bad. Thanks!

sls76 · 03-31-2008, 04:12 PM

One of my neighbors in FL used Granite Transformations. I personally prefer the look of granite slab. If you shop around you probably can get a comparable price on slab and IMO it's better for resale.

Janecj · 04-01-2008, 07:02 AM

I just replaced my bathroom countertops to granite. I needed two. One about 50 inches and the other about 42 inches. Home Depot wanted close to $2,000K. (I already did my kitchen and master with another company, but was pricey). Anyway I went to AB Stone - off of Hillsborough St. Raleigh/Cary line. They were amazing. I was able to get an better looking stone (their remnents) for the same price as a very high end custom order stone. The entire cost was $900.00 installed including backsplash and hole cutouts. I don't know how it is if you have a huge piece of stone needed as I could use the left-overs, but I think I would check there. They also have quartz.

underPSI · 04-01-2008, 07:44 AM

I had Empire give me an estimate when I lived in my last house for carpet replacement just in the bedrooms and installation of laminate flooring throughout the rest of the house. Empire quoted me $9600!! There catch phrase for the high price was "Well, it'll be done tomorrow.". My last house was a little over 1300 sq. ft. I ended up doing the laminate flooring myself which took 2 days with help from a friend and cost $700 in material. I had Sherwin-Williams, who uses sub-contractors who did an excellent job, do the carpet replacement in the 3 bedrooms including closets for $1300. I did get 3 other estimates for the carpet and laminate flooring installation and all 3 were within $400 of each other and the average was $4600.

Quote:

Anyway I went to AB Stone - off of Hillsborough St. Raleigh/Cary line. They were amazing. I was able to get an better looking stone (their remnents) for the same price as a very high end custom order stone. The entire cost was $900.00 installed including backsplash and hole cutouts. I don't know how it is if you have a huge piece of stone needed as I could use the left-overs, but I think I would check there. They also have quartz.

That's excellent! Way to go with the bargain shopping. I will definitely have to check them out. Deals can be had with remnents. Thanks for the heads-up!

virgo · 04-01-2008, 10:39 AM

Not sure if you saw this post on the "House Board," so I thought I would post it here:

Empire Today-EXPENSIVE!

Hope this helps!

MAtoNC! · 04-01-2008, 10:50 AM

Personally, I would avoid Empire Today and their pushy salesmen like the plague.

I also wouldn't use Granite Transformations. And my reason has nothing to do with pushy sales. I just think the countertops look like overlays. There are plenty of solid surface options out there, not just granite! I would price out a few options. And I wouldn't let the mes of removing countertops deter you. In the end I think it would be a better investment than an overlay.

carysoccermom · 04-09-2008, 02:43 AM

From start to finish Granite Transformations has been the best company to work with, we could not have been more pleased with the process from start to finish. Our kitchen was dated with old yellow counters that were ugly! In one day we got an all new kitchen and it has a lifetime warranty! We could not be more pleased with our new kitchen

underPSI · 04-09-2008, 04:27 PM

Care to share the price?

dst · 06-25-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carysoccermom

From start to finish Granite Transformations has been the best company to work with, we could not have been more pleased with the process from start to finish. Our kitchen was dated with old yellow counters that were ugly! In one day we got an all new kitchen and it has a lifetime warranty! We could not be more pleased with our new kitchen

I just read your review of Granite Transformations and interested in finding a reasonable replacement for the kitchen countertops in the home we plan to purchase.
I thought about using this company because of the quick installation,etc.(have a 9 month old and the kitchen is a great daily need

---do you mind sharing the price of your countertops/installation expense and the sq. footage you had replaced in your kitchen?
Thanks in advance-we are also on a budget and trying to find the best solution

Waterboy526 · 06-25-2008, 03:31 PM

I would not touch Empire with a 10' pole. I had them come out to give me a quote on the first house I bought in Northern VA in 2004. They quoted me $4500 for substandard carpet to carpet 1000 sq. ft. of my 1200 sq. ft. townhouse. You should have seen the look on my face when the saleswoman who barely spoke english gave me this figure. I told her that "company A quoted me $2,000 for better quality carpet". Her response, "We'll we can have it done by tomorrow night" and then she said, "I'll cut it to $3,500". So basically they wanted me to pay $2,500 more for the conveinence of not having to wait 5 extra days. Then when I mention the other guys price, she is willing right away to slash the price by $1,000 even though it's still $1,500 more for substandard quality carpet.

I showed her the door pretty quickly after that.