Granite countertops

J

jerkbait_1075

New member
So my wife turns 40 real soon. I was thinking to typical jewerly, ect. for such a big birthday but all she talks about is wanting new kitchen countertops. So my question is Laminate and High resolution Laminate pricing per sq. foot seems pretty standard. The people working up the quote for me talked me into looking at granite as well. However the pricing was not nearly as clear cut. I dont mean that "they were on the shaddy side", the person quoting the job is actually friends with my parents but i have no idea what to expect price per sq foot for granite. Anybody out there got any experience with granite prices??? I was really thinking more along the laminate line. First I can install it myself which I did when we built the house 14 years ago. Second if she wants something different again in 14 years or so I dont feel to bad about changing it. Where as i expect the granite to be much much higher and the type of product you better love for years and years to come.

Thanks for the feedback
 
P

polarisrider1

New member
Welcome to Wayne's World! This stuff is what weather is to John and laminate tops are to Skylar is to me. The guy is not a shark. Granites are running lower in price then the "fake" stuff that replicates it as of now. Lesson 1, if momma ain't happy nobody is happy. Go granite. Stay nutral with Juperano gold.
 
W

whitedust

Well-known member
polarisrider1 said:
Welcome to Wayne's World! This stuff is what weather is to John and laminate tops are to Skylar is to me. The guy is not a shark. Granites are running lower in price then the "fake" stuff that replicates it as of now. Lesson 1, if momma ain't happy nobody is happy. Go granite. Stay nutral with Juperano gold.
Click to expand...

My wife is talking new counters too. Why is granite priced lower than the replicates?
 
garyl62

garyl62

Active member
This will vary a lot depending on 2 main things. The stone you select, and edge detail you want. If you go for something like ubatuba with full or half bull nose and you might get lucky to find it for as low as $35 per square foot. Should be able to find a lot for $55 per square foot, and after that I've seen things go for over $100 per foot.

As far as doing it yourself, if your just doing an island, no problem, just get some help to carry it and don't haul it laying down flat. Once you get into multiple pieces you should leave that to the guys that have the right kind of tools and material (glue, filler, or bonding agent) to make the seams disappear.

Just remember when you price something out your counter is 2' deep so one lineal foot equals 2 square feet. Also decide if you want a back splash then figure the square footage for that. Three feet of backsplash is 1 square foot. Sink cut outs could run $100, then add in the cost of the sink cause you'll want a new one of those with a new faucet too. Some places will charge you depending on how many edges you want polished so an island could run you more than a top against a wall.

So many different ways to charge people you can't always base it just on the square foot price so when you get a quote have them spell out all the charges.
 
Last edited:
P

polarisrider1

New member
Ubatuba also known as labrador Green is a good choice. Go with undermount sink, make sure it is chemically and mechanically bonded. The fake stuff is made from petroleum and has for whatever reason become more costly then the real McCoy.
 
garyl62

garyl62

Active member
polarisrider1 said:
Ubatuba also known as labrador Green is a good choice. Go with undermount sink, make sure it is chemically and mechanically bonded. The fake stuff is made from petroleum and has for whatever reason become more costly then the real McCoy.
Click to expand...

Wow, didn't know that name, I always thought it was more black than anything else. Have you seen them green, or is that just some random name that means nothing?
 
P

polarisrider1

New member
garyl62 said:
Wow, didn't know that name, I always thought it was more black than anything else. Have you seen them green, or is that just some random name that means nothing?
Click to expand...

Granites are regionally named to make it hard to cross shop it. One of my suppliers just gives it a part number. Actually look it the slab before fabrication.
 
T

trailshredder

Member
polarisrider1 said:
Hardly ever an issue since cabs are usually on outer walls. A fridge is your kitchen heavy item. I can post joist specs if needed. I live for this stuff!
Click to expand...

I almost said PR1 could tell him weather the floor would be an issue or not. I retired from building houses after 31 years in the business about 4 years ago. A lot of the "new" houses have kitchens more centralized in the home. So we always took into consideration what was going on the floor (tile) and what we were using for countertop. Also BIG islands were the trend as well. So with that said.....it's always something to consider (floor strength) unless of course all cabinets are located on an exterior wall. I'll go back into retirement. ;)
 
G

GTL

Member
Good for you--------new countertops can get you by on her birthday. I know where they would end up at my house !!! "It's "her" birthday so something with "some" thought should be involved" lmao !!!!!
 
M

mtb1115

New member
Go with the granite if the budget allows, It last forever and won't go out of style. Depending on where you live you should be able to find a shop with choices starting at $29 per ft and up with the stuff in $35 to $50 dollar range being the most popular. Stay away from the big box stores or anyone else that tries to sell anything less than 1 1/4" thick. The edge profile can alter the price, but that is a matter of taste. The best way to calculate the square foot needed is to measure the square inches and then convert to Sqft (divide by 144) as your cabinets are 24 " deep and you want an over hang in the front of at least an inch usually 1 1/4" and more for islands or peninsulas (can go up to 10" unsupported) and if want a back splash. You do pay extra for cut outs and there is no deduction for the cut out waste. Granite is heavy but any properly constructed house will support the weight as it is spread out and that's also why you have them install, they break it, they replace it.... A under mount sink with a 1 hole faucet is the way to go.
 
P

polarisrider1

New member
mtb1115 said:
Go with the granite if the budget allows, It last forever and won't go out of style. Depending on where you live you should be able to find a shop with choices starting at $29 per ft and up with the stuff in $35 to $50 dollar range being the most popular. Stay away from the big box stores or anyone else that tries to sell anything less than 1 1/4" thick. The edge profile can alter the price, but that is a matter of taste. The best way to calculate the square foot needed is to measure the square inches and then convert to Sqft (divide by 144) as your cabinets are 24 " deep and you want an over hang in the front of at least an inch usually 1 1/4" and more for islands or peninsulas (can go up to 10" unsupported) and if want a back splash. You do pay extra for cut outs and there is no deduction for the cut out waste. Granite is heavy but any properly constructed house will support the weight as it is spread out and that's also why you have them install, they break it, they replace it.... A under mount sink with a 1 hole faucet is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Beutiful answer. And if you would like a nice Backsplash I suggest a stone/glass mix in a linear blend. (I travel).
 
M

meats75

New member
I think you guys are talking about my kitchen, just finished glass/stone backsplash a couple
Months ago. Tops were installed in height of building frenzy (big money time). I got Silestone
Which was half the price of granite at the time. Still very happy with it. Very durable to
Scratching, heat and dosn't stain either. I'll try to get a pic. In here. Not shure how yet on a android.
 
J

jerkbait_1075

New member
Thanks for all the great input so far. Just an update but I am still waiting for my quote. Apparently the local supplier has to send off the specifics to the actual manufactor and they are extremely backed up at this point. So that being said, with her birthday looming this weekend i plan on wrapping up a piece of laminate countertop and surprise her with the fact that i have the plan in the works..... Should be just fine since I never actually intended in replacing the countertops without her knowing... Good God could you imagine picking out a color and design without your wife knowing and having it installed..... I would have really liked to have had a quote to know what im getting into but like somebody said "if she aint happy, your not happy". I will make it work one way or the other..... Maybe a few extra hours in the fab shop after I get done at the force to make a little extra money if I have to. She's worth it.... Shes a great woman.... I bought three new sleds in the course of two months one year and she never bitched, at least to me once, so she deserves it.

Thanks again,

i will let you know when the bids come in for any of you interested
 
J

jerkbait_1075

New member
Indy, no worries... If you find the right woman you are good as gold....

I could not be happier....

She puts up with me Duck hunting October into early November 3 to 4 times a week for six weeks.....
Hunting dogs that consume my life.....
Taking 3 weeks of vacation all at once so that I can hunt all phases of the rut deer hunting wise
Me owning a polaris quad, john deere gator, flat bottom boat, and a Lund Deep V walleye boat.....
Coaching my daughters traveling soocer team in the spring and fall, but practice year round.....
Mushroom hunting in the spring, Mmmmmm Morels.....
Opening Walleye weekend in the northwoods.....
Memorial Day weekend Smallmouth trip.....
2-3 Musky trips throughout the summer......
Crappie weekends in August and September.....
1-2 Musky Sucker fishing trips...... BEFORE

Its time for me to start all over again with Duck Hunting.....

I have two whitetails at the taxidermist being mounted, one turkery, and one duck

Oh Sh#t, I forgot to mention 2-3 weekends snowmobiling at her parents place in the northwoods when it snows......

Am I bragging????? Maybe....

But shes a great woman.... dont be scared of marriage just make sure shes the right one......

Happy BDay Baby.... Love Yah
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top