Granite Shopping 101

I have been looking to get granite countertops for our kitchen since we moved in.  Our current countertops, although look nice, are laminate, and up until this past week, never really bothered me, but all of a sudden, I have noticed that they have a gray tone to them, and really don't match the cabinets at all.  I have no idea how I was able to look past this for almost two years, because when things don't match, I get a nervous tick if you know what I mean.

I made a call to the wife of one of my husband's coworker, who happens to be a contractor.  Lady can do it all, and has contacts all thru out the DFW area.  She got me in contact with a granite fabricator, who can get the granite I want, for a lot less, than going to a showroom or home improvement store.  

First thing, he measured my current counter space, and measured for where the sink and cook top goes. We spoke about the edging I want, and if I had already a color in mind.  Of course I do!  You can't look at blogs and magazines, and not spot a kitchen that you would like to have.  

Up until recently, I did not know what goes into making and getting granite (or another stone) countertops.  It's a little more complicated than I imagined, and I wish there was more info out there for us clueless girls.

Here are some things I have learned thus far, in my search for  new countertops:

1. Granites come in grade levels: low grade, mid grade, high grade, and exotic.  Do your research,     because the price of granites go up with each level due to demand, availability, coloring, and movement.

2.  There are MANY shades and characteristics to a specific granite name.  I have been looking at the Santa Cecilia, and this granite comes in different names, and in different shades, as well as movements.  Don't just go based on what sample they give you at your local store, because the actual slab you might get, will most likely look a little different.

3.  Try your hardest to go with someone who will take you to a granite yard, not only is it a neat experience (except for my kids) but you will be picking out the exact granite that will be installed.

4.  Depending on the size of your kitchen, you might need to buy TWO slabs.  This one took me by surprise, I mean, really, my kitchen counter space is small, about 72 sq. ft. and I might need two slabs.  Of course, slabs come in many sizes, so try to pick one that is big, and hope for the best.  I read somewhere that the average slab can cover about 50 sq. ft.

5.  Not only do you pay to get the granite cut to fit your counter space, but wait for it, you have to pay an additional fee to cut out the holes for your sink, faucet and cooktop.  I looked around, and the average price for each cut is about $350.  Oh yeah, don't forget the installation cost as well ;)  And a plumber for your faucet installation, because the granite installers will put your sink in, but won't be doing your faucet.

6. Add the cost of a new sink as well, because you want your "new" kitchen to look extra pretty, and a new, deeper, bigger sink will do just that.

7.  Some fabricators will actually cut the space for your faucet and cooktop on site, meaning, inside your home, where you will have dust everywhere, if that's not scary enough, just read this post by Julie. My contractor was able to get the fabricator to come and pick up my cooktop, and get the space cut out at their facility.  Good excuse for me not to cook as well.

8.  Granite needs to be refinished every 6 months to a year.  No biggie, you can buy the products online, and do it your self.  But if you want that nice, shiny gloss look to it, it must be done.

9.  Depending on where your backsplash sits, it might get damaged when the installers are removing your old countertop and putting in your new granite.  I was told mine would definitely be damaged.  I told them they better do a pretty good job of not, because we cannot afford a new backsplash just yet, and if anything, I will simply just remove it, and paint the walls until we do.

I learned all this just this past week.  We still have not decided if we want to take the plunge, and get the granite yet, because I was really hoping for it to cost less than what we have gotten quoted on so far.  For all of you who have gotten granite, please share anything I may have missed.  I hope everyone else who is contemplating getting granite found this helpful. 

Here are some pictures from our trip to the granite yard:

Santa Cecilia

Both are Santa Cecilia, the one in the front is lighter, the one in the back more yellow.

Another Santa Cecilia

Many slabs to look at

How cool is this exotic slab?

Another exotic slab

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Kristel

Linking To: Five Days Five Ways, Redoux, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Tatertots and Jello, Too much time on my Hands, Finding Fabulous, Funky Junk Interiors, It's Overflowing, Skip to my Lou, DIY Showoff, Between Naps on the Porch, Sweet Little Gals, Home Stories A to Z, Today's Creative Blog, The Winthrop Chronicles, The Farmhouse Porch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Hope Studios, Tip Junkie, Gingersnap Crafts, We are That Family, Restore Interiors, Savvy Southern Style, Fireflies and Jellybeans, No Minimalist Here, The Shabby Creek Cottage, At the Picket Fence,