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We looked at granite at home depot and got a high price. The designer finally quitely gave me a card from a granite company and suggested I call them and deal directly with the granite yard. So as we started talking she told me she just had her own kitchen and 4 bathrooms done and did not use home depot or lowes but found better prices and products by going directly to the yard and picking out the exact remnants she wanted. That says alot.
Mind sending me a dm with the contact info for this company? I'd appreciate it.
I've visited Natural Galleries on Brentwood in Raleigh, and have quotes from Lowe's and Home Depot. I'm planning to visit Design Surfaces on Front St. in Raleigh, Kitchen and Bath on Glenwood, and one other in that area, behind Carmax. I don't have my notes handy right now.
HD transposed the numbers and gave us a wrong quote, based on 26.7 sq ft instead of 62.7. Big difference! They are running a special with undermount sink included (said installation was included but turns out it isn't). Their Corian price was 3x the price of granite, installed. The granite I wanted is $39/sq. ft. during the promotion.
Lowe's installed price of same priced granite came out to be $400 higher. They charge more for old countertop tearout, and sink install.
I'm not comfortable with paying 100% up front. Natural galleries only wants 50% as a deposit. They're BBB members, and have an A+ rating.
Both big stores say their granite is permanently sealed, so no maintenance required. I don't know how true that is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cry884
I can't help with any questions about avantstone. I found a discount granite installer and couldn't be happier with the results!
Mind sharing the name of your company?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cry884
I paid $1500 for 30 Sq. ft. of uba tuba granite and a new undermount SS sink.
Uba tuba is on sale at $39/sq ft right now. I love the look of it. Have always been drawn to it, but I think it would be too dark for my small kitchen now.
A decorator question: Do you try to match your countertop to your cabinets, or contrast? I'm being told that high contrast is desirable, rather than a match.
we JUST (as in 4 days ago) had World Granite on St. Albans Drive in Raleigh install fabulous granite countertops for $42.50 sq ft. plus sink and demo of existing and of course tax. They did a fabulous job and I would highly recommend them. They also have lots of scrap pieces that you can select for smaller jobs (bathrooms, etc). great install. great people. very happy.
we JUST (as in 4 days ago) had World Granite on St. Albans Drive in Raleigh install fabulous granite countertops for $42.50 sq ft. plus sink and demo of existing and of course tax. They did a fabulous job and I would highly recommend them. They also have lots of scrap pieces that you can select for smaller jobs (bathrooms, etc). great install. great people. very happy.
Thank you. I wonder how that tax stuff works. Home Depot doesn't charge sales tax, they said, because they do the "the whole job", not just sell the material. I'm finding that some charge sales tax and some don't.
Wow! I'm now glad I don't care for rock as a counter top! I had no idea those countertops were that expensive. I guess to each his own but the number of houses I've seen with those countertops installed these days also explains a lot of the mortgage problems.
Counter top selection should be based on budget (1st), desired look (2nd), and resale value (3rd).
Granite can be a best choice in each of these areas.
There is no maintenance for granite beyond normal cleaning/wiping. Exception: If You Use a strong chemical (bleach, ammonia) to clean granite, you wash off the sealer. So you simply spray sealer on and wipe it off with toweling - easier than washing a window for sure.
Some stone people recommend applying sealer yearly just to ensure that you don't get any coffee or spice stains on the granite - but if you do, they are easily removed with "strong cleaning solutions".
Most sealers also add that Like New shine to a granite surface.
If wiping your countertop is considered to be "maintenance", then KITCHENS are not for you. Convert the space and eat in restaurants.
If wiping your countertop is considered to be "maintenance", then KITCHENS are not for you. Convert the space and eat in restaurants.
Or you could choose to install a more appropriate material for food preparation than granite and have a solid surface countertop installed that is not permeable. Granite countertops are havens for bacteria and stain easily. How many restaurant kitchens has anyone seen with granite? Zero because local health departments do not allow them.
Or you could choose to install a more appropriate material for food preparation than granite and have a solid surface countertop installed that is not permeable. Granite countertops are havens for bacteria and stain easily. How many restaurant kitchens has anyone seen with granite? Zero because local health departments do not allow them.
Mike
Hey Mike,
I have no argument with restaurants NOT using granite - because Stainless Steel is easier to keep clean - but it dents and is MUCH more expensive. Some folks prefer the earthy image that granite provides versus the cold image of SS. Also, sealed granite is as sanitary and any kitchen surface normally found in the home - it is just classey, sexy and earthy. PS. I am NOT in the granite business.
I have found that Lowes price on granite SEEMS cheap until you find out that they charge extra for any edge and extra to cut out for the sink, etc., etc.
You are much better off going with a granite company. I've used Jason at The Polished Edge for years and have sent many clients to him that are always happy. 919-794-0093.
Vicki
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Expensive(?) - Maintenance (?) I don't think so
I had no idea those countertops were that expensive. I guess to each his own but the number of houses I've seen with those countertops installed these days also explains a lot of the mortgage problems.
