New Build Questions About Counter Tops

[Bernie Neyer]

I'm doing a new build in Chanute, KS. It's a 3/1 duplex, slab on grade, SIP construction, ~900 sq. ft. each side. The kitchen cabinets are going to be knotty alder. It's a darker wood and just finished, not stained. The builder absolutely refuses to get cabinets from HD or Lowe's as they have had so many issues with them. I'd prefer white cabinets, but that would cost me $1K extra.

He is talking me into granite counter tops, but I'm not sure that is a good choice for my area. Chanute is a small town, ~9K and about 40 miles from a town that is much larger. The builder likes granite, but my question is what issues have any of you had with granite tops? I've read where they stain easily and you can bet the tenants won't take care of them. I'm wondering if a Formica counter top wouldn't do as well. I can actually get a cheaper counter top that runs $5 a linear foot. 

Please tell me what issues if any you've had with granite and whether you'd use them again.

[Axel Louis Bastin]

@Bernie Neyer

I’m surprised nobody mentions quartz countertops. The feel will be similar to granite by being a hard surface but way less chances of stained. Here in Montreal most of the higher end houses have a quartz countertop. You don’t need to seal them since it’s not completely a natural material, it’s a mix of quartz stone and a binder material. And the cost between quartz and granite will be pretty similar.