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How much should you pay for granite countertops?

This is a good question to think about when purchasing new granite or natural stone countertops.  After all, it’s a major purchase and who wants to pay too much for something? The confusing part for consumers regarding natural stone is that the price can vary quite a bit depending on many factors. The quality and type of the material, the fabrication options that are selected, the quality of the service, and the experience level of the fabricators and installers are all factors affecting the end price. Here are some important things to consider when purchasing stone countertops that will help you determine if you are getting a good value from your provider.

 

Quality of material

Stone and granite slabs (the large pieces of stone from which countertops are fabricated) are sold by international stone traders and come in 3 grades: commercial, mid level, and premium. You may hear different names to describe the different grades, but these are the commonly known categories. When purchasing countertops, you want to aim for premium grade. The best fabricators will guide you towards higher quality materials. Lower quality materials might have cracks and fissures that only professionals may be able to detect. A consumer may not be aware of the problem until a later date when their countertop cracks or starts to separate. Many bargain granite shops that are popping up lately often sell the lower quality grade materials. They may seem like a bargain because of the lower initial cost but they are not a good value if you end up with future problems. Also, be careful with some retailers and contractors who want to improve their margins at all costs. They too will purchase from the lowest cost stone provider to increase their own margins regardless of quality.

 

Type of material

This is a very broad topic, but here are a few general guidelines to follow. Granites that are consistent in color and grain tend to be less expensive and are typically the base (lower) priced stones. Granites with more texture and flowing patterns are usually more expensive. Soapstone, natural quartzite, and marbles are usually more expensive than the base granites as well.

 

Quality of fabrication

The quality of the fabrication can also affect the price. A professional and experienced company will do more to ensure a high quality product than low cost providers. For example, professional companies will pay more attention to details and do things like polish exposed areas that are not directly visible like under an overhang, reinforce (with rebar) fragile areas, and hand polish edges where appropriate. They will also take the time to layout the flow of the granite that works best in your kitchen. Quality fabrication is a good sign you purchased high quality material that you can rely on over the long term.

 

Quality of installation

The experience level of the installers is very important to the final look of the product. If stone is not handled properly it can break and damage your property. It is also important that installers know how to deal with the details of the installation. One key thing to consider when looking for a quality company is whether workers are being provided workers compensation insurance. Installing heavy granite can be dangerous. Make sure the installer has proper coverage otherwise the homeowner may be liable (see article – Homeowners could be liable for injuries suffered by uninsured independent contractor’s employee). This is a common practice used by discount granite suppliers to cut costs below their competitors. They often employ workers as sub contractors, often on a cash basis, without providing proper workers compensation coverage, paying employment taxes, or provide any other benefits such as health insurance.  

There are many factors to consider when determining a fair price. Look at a company’s reputation and history of good customer service. After all, if they do not call you back or show up for appointments, you are not getting a good value, no matter what you paid. In closing, remember to choose a professional company that you can trust to provide a quality product without cutting corners.

 

General 2009 pricing guidelines

When you finally make your decision to purchase a stone countertop, you will generally pay the following depending on the area of the country you live:

Solid patterns/Base Granites:  A typical 50 sq. ft. kitchen should run between $3500 and $4000 fabricated and installed with an under mount sink and basic options.  Equates to $64 – $74 per sq. ft. installed.

Middle range stones (popular exotic materials and base marbles): between $4500 and $5300 for a typical 50 sq. ft kitchen fully installed with a standard under mount sink and basic options. Equates to $85 – $100 per sq. ft. installed.

Higher range stones (exotic materials, natural quartz, less available marbles): between $5500 and $6300 for a typical 50 sq. ft. kitchen fully installed with a standard under mount sink and basic options. Equates to $105 – $120 per sq. ft. installed.

More expensive stones are available on the market, but generally a standard 50 square foot kitchen can be fully installed within these price ranges. Upgraded edge options can affect pricing as well. Upgraded edge options in a typical 50 square foot kitchen will range anywhere from $400 to $1800 dollars depending on the selected options and necessary work needed to fabricate. Equates to $15 – $75 per linear foot of edge fabricated.

Sarah Westall’s company, Ichor Creative Stone, is an importer, fabricator and supplier of natural stone products. Ichor Creative Stone has a large design studio within its 42,000 square foot facility located in the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. For more information visit www.ichor.net or visit the online design studio for color options and ideas at www.ichor.net/design_html.

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