The Cost of Granite Countertops

The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a highly desirable material for countertops in home design. In addition to its natural strength, granite is a beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. Though the cost to add granite countertops to any new kitchen or remodel can be quite high, they remain the premiere choice in many new and remodeled homes.

The price of granite countertops ranges from $60 to $120 a square foot, which may or may not include the cost of installation. Discount granite can be found for as little as $30 per foot, not including installation. The premium cost is not in the stone itself, but rather in the costs related to transportation and installation.

The stone industry remains unregulated, which can make it confusing. Every entity that handles the granite, from the quarry to the supplier and fabricator, can establish their own pricing based on the demand in the local market. Dealers who provide full service, so that a homeowner doesn't have to do the shopping or planning, will add a markup of up to 50%.

Granite suppliers will typically have three or four groupings (or "tiers") of granite to choose from. The first tier will consist of the premium products that sell for the highest price. Stones are grouped based on several criteria including the country of origin, color, veins or patterns, thickness of the slab, amount of soft minerals in the stone, and current fashion trends. Some granite colors exhibit ""movement"", or a distinctive pattern within the color. The combination of color and movement also affect the final price of granite countertops.

Granite from lower tiers has the same beauty and utility as the slabs in the upper groupings. Additionally, stones in a lower tier could be harder than stones in a first tier, so it pays to get out and look around. A lower tier could also be referred to as "commercial grade." Typically the commercial grades have a large number of "pits" that have been filled in. The presence of softer minerals may require additional cabinet supports or penetrating sealant, which adds to the final price of granite countertops.

Cheaper, thinner cut stone may be a little less than two centimeters instead of a recommended three, in which case the installer would laminate it to plywood backing for additional stability. Discount granite suppliers will typically deal with a thinner cut stone; many suppliers now carry stones that are intentionally cut thin and laminated at the quarry. It is now common for stone that originates in Asia or India to be cut thin and fabricated prior to shipping. Pre-fabrication does create a lower cost product with less waste being shipped to the supplier. In addition, the fabrication is done in countries with much lower wages, saving on the labor costs at the final destination.

The price of granite countertops is greatly affected by the number of seams and cuts that will have to be made in the stone slabs. Discuss how the cuts will be made when the installer or fabricator makes their preliminary measurements for the template. Another thing to question are the hidden costs of wasted material. Depending on the length of countertops being installed, there will be at least three square feet of waste by the time the fabricator is finished. The cost of wasted material is paid by the homeowner.

Shopping for granite countertops doesn't have to be frustrating. Focus on finding a reputable supplier and installer who are willing to answer all your questions. Despite the fact that labor expenses are the largest price of granite countertops, this is one project that needs to be left to the professionals. The oversized sheets are extremely delicate and must be precisely cut. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could create an expensive mistake for a do-it-yourself homeowner.

Granite Countertops provides detailed information on granite kitchen and tile countertops, advice on installing and cleaning granite countertops, information on price and locations to purchase discount granite counter tops, and more. Granite Countertops is the sister site of Kitchen Sinks Web.

---

Creating A Cozy Spot

Having a warm & cozy spot to snuggle up is... Read More

An Informative Review of Popular Adjustable Beds

This article provides a detailed review of popular adjustable beds... Read More

A Look at Water Softener Systems

Do you ever feel like nothing you do when you... Read More

Home Décor for First Timers (no matter what your age)

If you're like most people home décor is a puzzling... Read More

Beautiful Lighting Tips 101 - A Crash Course in Lighting Design

Many people cannot immediately identify why they may like or... Read More

Granite Tile Countertops

The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More

Looking for a Butcher Block Table?

Butcher Block Table - A Working Piece Of FurnitureA butcher... Read More

Practical Feng Shui ? Debunking the Myths

Most of the information that is available concerning Feng Shui... Read More

The Benefits of Wood-Pellet Stoves

Wood-pellet stoves were invented in the 1980's and have gained... Read More

Tabriz Persian Rugs

Tabriz are one of the most popular Persian rugs. Tabriz... Read More

Candle Making Supplies

Candle making can be a fun creative hobby. It can... Read More

A Guide to Duvet Covers

A duvet is a type of bedding, similar to a... Read More

A Look at Fruit Gift Baskets

The original, the granddaddy of all of today's items bought... Read More

How To Make A Room Divider

A room divider in a theme that compliments your décor... Read More

15 Summer Decorating Ideas

Summer decorating is a wonderful time to lighten up the... Read More

Mini Blinds: An Introduction

Mini-blinds have replaced the old-fashioned Venetian blinds as more convenient... Read More

An Upholstered Bench To Incorporate Style and Function

How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More

Bar and Wine Cabinets: Entertain in Style

Do you love to entertain in your home? Do you... Read More

Finding a Cuckoo Clock Repair Service

Weights hanging from the bottom of your cuckoo clock keep... Read More

Long-Strip and Engineered Hardwood Floors

Longstrip hardwood floors are wide and long, and each plank... Read More

Wood Baker?s Rack - Add Style to Your Kitchen

Is your kitchen or dining area missing that little bit... Read More

The Importance of Bunk Bed Mattresses

Bunk bed mattresses are perhaps the most important kind of... Read More

The Benefits of Wood Blinds

In interior design, the blinds found on windows and doors... Read More

Ceiling Fan Blades

The blades of a ceiling fan make all the difference.... Read More

How to Properly Clean Hardwood Floors

Good care and maintenance of a hardwood floor enhances its... Read More

Building Your Own Grandfather Clock

Timeless and elegant, classic and stately-grandfather clocks are all of... Read More

Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates

Antique plates can add whimsy and interest to your décor.... Read More

How to Buy Discount Roman Shades

Roman shades adorn windows to block the sun or to... Read More

Make The Right Choice When It Comes To Futon Frames

As you begin your search for a futon you should... Read More

You Know Your Home Décor is Frumpy and Stale when?.

As a decorator, I have gone into many different homes... Read More

A Look at Outdoor Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan used outdoors, such as on a covered... Read More

The Allure of Exotic Hardwood Floors

Exotic hardwood floors are made up of solid exotic wood... Read More

How to Decorate Ethnic

FIVE EASY STEPS TO DECORATING ETHNICNEW YORK, NY - With... Read More