how do you save on granite countertops

There are three main ways to save on new granite counters:

• Purchasing a thinner slab. Granite countertop slabs are typically 3 centimeters thick, but you can opt for 2 cm. instead. The finished look may not be as luxurious, though. ...
• Minimizing the customization, including edges and finishes. Some finishes cost more than others. ...
• Using a pre-fabricated granite counter. Not all granite colors are available in prefab, but there are many to choose from. ...

Full Answer

How to install granite countertops in a kitchen?

Also, follow the steps below for a seamless installation of your granite countertops. First, go under your kitchen sink and turn off the water and disconnect all tubes and hoses attached to the sink. At this point, you can remove your sink from the countertop by prying it out with a screwdriver or crowbar.

How do you cut a granite slab?

At Granite Selection, we switched from conventional diamond-tipped blades to an ultra-precise cutting laser to cut your granite slab to the exact specifications of your template. Once preparation is done, we can proceed to the actual granite slab installation. Here are some tools you’ll be needing:

How do you remove kitchen countertops that have been glued down?

To detach your countertop, begin by looking for any screws that may be fastened into your cabinetry. They may be hidden behind the cabinets or cutaways. Then pry the countertop off after scraping away glue and/or caulk that is holding it on.

How to save on granite countertops?

How much does granite cost?

What is a prefab stone?

How is granite priced?

How much did Sharon Millett save on kitchen countertops?

Do you need to buy granite countertops?

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What is the downside of granite countertops?

Cons for Granite Countertops If homeowners are lax in their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up oils, juice, and wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly. As Americans utilize their kitchens more, there are more chances for accidents to happen.

Is it cheaper to buy a slab of granite?

That said, granite slabs are less expensive than slabs of other stones and you will be getting a surface that is well worth the cost. The cost of granite slabs is determined by many different factors, including color, texture, level and type.

Are granite countertops worth the investment?

Granite is the most popular countertop material among homebuyers, and it can boost your home's value while helping you recover some of the installation cost. Installing countertops made of granite or another type of natural stone can potentially increase your home's value by up to 25 percent of its retail value.

What's better than granite countertops?

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.

Can you negotiate granite prices?

You can negotiate the price but be reasonable with it. You don't lose anything by negotiating but you may gain.

Is granite going out of style?

Granite and other natural stone countertop sales are projected to grow into 2025, according to economists. Consumers and homeowners have fallen in love with granite over the last twenty years, and that's not ending anytime soon!

Is quartz cheaper than granite?

Quartz is generally less expensive. But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.

What type of countertops add the most value?

Recently quartz or manufactured stone beat out granite as the most popular kitchen countertop material. While on the surface, natural stone may seem to offer more resale value, that might be changing! As of right now, granite, marble, travertine, soapstone, and so on will typically give you bigger resale value.

Which adds more value granite or quartz?

In general, granite has a higher resale value than quartz. Granite can increase the value of your home by as much as 25 percent of the countertop's retail value, according to Robert Measer, of Hunt Real Estate.

What looks like granite but cheaper?

Laminate countertops are an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to pricey stone and solid-surface countertops, and they are available in many styles that mimic expensive surfaces such as granite or marble. Laminate countertops are not resistant to heat and can scratch.

What is like granite but cheaper?

Cheap alternatives to granite countertops should have similar or superior durability, heat resistance, porosity, and care needs. These include sintered stone, soapstone, and quartzite.

What looks like granite but is less expensive?

Acrylic countertops are heat and scratch resistant, and offers a more affordable option when compared to granite or marble. Most are finished to look like natural stone.

What is the cheapest price for granite?

Basic granite slabs cost between $40 and $60 per square foot. The price jumps up to $75 to $100 per square foot for rare colors, stones, and patterns. Prices vary according to color, which can range from white to gray to green to blue.

Which granite is the cheapest?

Uba Tuba/Green Labrador You might be surprised to see that a greenish looking granite would be one of the cheapest around. Uba Tuba is from Brazil, and there are vast quantities of it.

Which is cheaper quartz or granite?

Quartz is generally less expensive. But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.

How much of a granite slab is wasted?

Early on we realized that the waste factors, for converting slabs into countertops, was pretty dramatic. Most good fabricators track their waste and over a period of about 3 years we realized that overall we were incurring an average of about 30% waste, which is the industry standard.

Take your time

What do most homeowners do when they are looking to install countertops in their homes? They rush to the nearest store and pick the slab that is pleasing to their eyes. You shouldn’t do this if you are looking to save money.

Settle for a simple color

If you have been shopping for the countertops for a while, you must have realized that certain countertops are more expensive than others solely due to their colors.

Keep an eye on the hidden costs

When installing countertops, the price of the countertops is just one of the costs. There are plenty of other costs that come with it, such as the cost of installation, seaming, transportation, edging, backsplash finish, and many others.

Is it really worth it to try and save on granite countertops

Many people choose granite for the look it creates in any kitchen or bathroom. It’s simply stunning, and due to the nature of this natural stone, no two slabs are exactly alike. This means your countertop will look truly unique, no matter what name you choose.

To save on granite countertops, watch out for upcharges

Even when you are hoping to save on granite countertops, don’t be fooled by a low square foot cost. Some countertop fabricators will advertise cheap granite countertops based on a low price per square foot. Still, then they will upcharge you for sink and cooktop cutouts, edge profiles, template, installation, and granite sealer.

Get the right granite grade for better chances to save on granite countertops

Level 1 granite comes in three different grade levels: commercial or builder grade, standard grade, and premium grade. Advertised cheap granite countertops with a low cost per square foot could mean the installer will use a lower grade material, which may have unsightly pitting, veins, or blemishes in the granite slabs.

It is possible to save on granite countertops

Since the 2000s, granite has evolved. Now it comes in many different colors and patterns, and because it’s a natural stone, no two pieces look identical, a feature that many people find appealing. When an Atlanta Granite Countertop Fabricator installs it, there are few seams, and sometimes none.

How much does it cost to reface granite countertops?

Refacing granite countertops is much cheaper than replacing them. The average cost for refacing granite is between $200 and around $1,200. This price can increase if you hire a contractor to do it for you.

How to remove oil stains from granite?

These can occur over time and will appear as dark spots. If you see these, you can easily remove them with acetone and baking soda.

How long does granite last?

Granite countertops usually last between 10 and 15 years. If you want to have your granite countertops last this long, refacing will help. Refacing can last several years and help extend the lifespan of your granite.

Do you have to remove countertops?

However, there are instances where removing the countertops may be necessary. For example, if the cabinets beneath the countertops have to be removed, the countertop s may need to be removed, too.

Can granite countertops cause damage?

The weight of the granite countertop can be immense. This weight is resting upon the cabinets beneath it. Sometimes this can cause damage (over time) to the cabinets.

Is granite countertop resilient?

The cabinets may look old and faded, but what about the granite countertop? Granite is rather resilient, and with proper care can last a long while. However, that does not mean they are not immune to time-related blemishes.

Can you save granite countertops when getting new cabinets?

You may save the granite countertops in your kitchen when getting new cabinets. However, you should pay attention to the new cabinets, too .

Buy the countertops in wholesale

As you are doing your research, keep a close eye on the companies that allow you to buy the countertops in wholesale. Just like any other item, when you buy in wholesale, you end up saving a lot of money.

Scour the boneyard

If you have a small kitchen and color consistency isn’t an essential factor for you, you don’t have to buy premium countertop materials from a countertop store. You can visit the local boneyard and get the countertops at a fraction of the cost.

Buy a more common color

Granite countertops and other stone countertop materials have tremendously lowered their costs, mainly due to improvement in manufacturing technology. While this is the case, you should note that countertops of a rare color are still expensive.

Go for a prefabricated material

A prefabricated stone is one that is already cut and polished. This stone is perfect for simple counters requiring few cuts. Highly consider going for prefabricated materials if your countertop cabinets are standard.

How to save on countertops?

Before we go into how to save on your countertops we need to examine what not to do from a buyer’s standpoint. The biggest issue is the way many homeowners shop for their countertops, and it’s costing them considerably. The majority of us: 1 find a local fabricator 2 pick a slab 3 get an estimate

Why install new countertops?

Installing new countertops can effectively transform your space and add value to your home. From adding visual appeal to increasing the functionality , new countertops have a significant impact. This is why you should research all your options thoroughly before making a decision on which material to choose. One of the key aspects of this process is ...

What color countertops are more expensive?

When you see the price differences you may decide a more common, less expensive color such as white, black or gray might work just as well.

How does the quality of stone affect the cost of a stone slab?

The quality of the stone slab you choose will directly influence the cost. Slabs that are lesser quality or of lower grade will cost less. However, you must consider the potential cost of replacement versus investing a little more money on a higher grade of material.

What is remnants in kitchen?

Remnants are a great affordable option if you have smaller projects like a bathroom vanity, laundry room countertop, or fireplace mantel. They also work well in smaller kitchens that have countertops sectioned into small pieces or as a kitchen island. While they are not suitable for large countertops, remnants offer a more cost-effective option for many homeowners.

Can you ship stone countertops from other countries?

However, buying a countertop thats locally sourced in the USA will eliminate import taxes and reduce shipping costs.

Does a backsplash affect the cost of a countertop?

Special Cutouts/Backsplashes. Cutouts for sinks and fixtures will typically affect the cost of your countertop. The less cutouts you need, the lower the cost. If you choose a matching backsplash, that will also influence the final cost.

How to clean a countertop before sealing?

Make sure not to use any acidic substances on the surface. Leave the countertop surface to air dry for 24 hours before applying a sealer.

Who is the owner of Granite Selection?

To learn more about how we can get you started on your dream kitchen countertop, give us a call at 888-906-3317 and schedule a consultation today! Paul Batashev is the owner and CEO of Granite Selection.

Can you put granite countertops on top of cabinets?

Now that your countertop and appliances have been removed, you can finally install your beautiful new granite countertop! Position the granite pieces on top of your cabinetry and affix them to your sink and appliances with the holes your granite vendor or designer has fabricated for you. Enjoy your new granite countertop for years to come!

Is granite a small project?

Installing granite countertops isn’t just a small-time project. It requires a significant investment – and commitment – from you. That is why you need to take time and plan your project. Here are some considerations you have to make while planning for your kitchen countertop:

Do kitchen renovations bring a sense of wonder?

Kitchen renovation projects really do bring a sense of wonder – such a wonder that most homeowners would want to do it themselves, even if they really don’t know how to do kitchen countertop installations.

Is it worth installing granite countertops?

It requires investing time and money to ensure everything goes perfectly. That is why it is important to plan ahead and prepare things beforehand so you know the cost to install granite countertops.

Do you feel wonder when you renovate your kitchen?

As a homeowner, I know you often feel a sense of wonder during home renovations, especially when it involves the kitchen. After all, you’re ridding your house of the old so you can ring in the new. Seeing that new granite kitchen countertop will often give you that magical feeling – and that’s lovely.

How to save on granite countertops?

Save on granite countertops by choosing a standard edge treatment and midpriced stone. Also consider using a prefab counter or granite remnant.

How much does granite cost?

Granite countertops generally range from $2,000 to $4,500 including materials and installation, a survey by HomeAdvisor has found. In terms of the overall cost for your project, countertops of any material eat up around 7% of the budget for a bathroom remodel and about 10% for a kitchen remodel.

What is a prefab stone?

A prefabricated piece of stone is one that is already cut and polished. Prefab is best for simple counters requiring few cuts. It's perfect, for instance, if your cabinets are a standard, off-the-shelf size, says Jarren Cheha, owner of Seattle Granite Countertops, a granite fabricator.

How is granite priced?

Granite is priced according to its grade (also referred to as tiers or levels). Different grades have different price structures. The grade reflects a stone’s availability, color, shipping cost and its distinctiveness, but not necessarily the overall quality.

How much did Sharon Millett save on kitchen countertops?

Sharon Millett, a real estate agent in Auburn, Maine, says she saved nearly $1,000 recently on kitchen and bath countertops for her home by shopping around. One company charged extra for the edge treatment she wanted, so she found another that included it at no charge. 2. Buy the sink and faucet separately.

Do you need to buy granite countertops?

Granite countertops, durable, high-fashion and low-maintenance, are stars in kitchen and bathroom remodels nationwide. And you don’t need to buy the most expensive granite to get stunning results in your home. Here’s what to know about granite counters, how much they will set you back, and tips for cutting costs.