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Updated almost 12 years ago, 02/28/2013
Granite Questions. (Price, and stuff...)
I went around town trying to get good deals on granite and this is the best I got:
I can get 2cm, nice looking granite, which I plan using for the bathrooms, for $8.95/sqft (that's not a mistake!) which includes cuts and edging. No installation.
I can get 3cm, nice looking granite, which I plan using for the kitchen, for $36/sqft with cuts and edging. No installation.
I plan installing with the use of my contractors.
I have three questions:
1. Am I getting good prices?
2. Do you usually install with your contractors?
3. What price do you get, and what does it include?
Thanks,
-Manuel
Just a quick correction, it's more like $38/sqft. my mistake. But the other one is correct at $8.95/sqft.
And if it matters, I want to emphasize that this is for good, nice looking, granite. For cheaper granite it gets down to $24/sqft. But I don't really like how it looks.
The 2cm is the cheapest I've heard of, hmmm. I've paid $28 for 3cm that was nice.
$8.95 is a super cheap price, but I'm not sure how durable that would be. Granite is flimsy when it's laid flat. That's why it's always carried on side like drywall. 2cm might be thin like the bathroom granite that HD and Costco sell for their vanities.
I pay about $30 per square foot plus another $200 for 60/40 sink and installation. How would you install it if it's not included? My guy brings it in a truck with a special A frame that it's fastened to. He also has a metal brace clamped to the thin part by the sink cut out to reinforce that while it's being moved. I would be nervous to transport it and risk a crack.
It's also extremely heavy. When I had granite installed in the house I live in, one piece weighed 600 pounds. The one guy is a giant and looks like he can change tires without a jack. The other guy was average size. The big guy got one side and I had to help the other guy with his side. It was a nightmare. You would also have to mix up epoxy for the seams and get the color to match. The rest of the install is pretty easy. Silicone holds the counter and sink in place. The sink will need to be propped up for a day with wooden stilts before you can hook up the plumbing.
The $8.95 is REALLY cheap and the $38 is likely pretty expensive just for materials (under it's REALLY nice granite). Is this the same supplier?
Rob K Thanks a ton for that response, it really has me thinking about getting them to install instead. I'd dread breaking it, I also did notice how you said they do carry the granite like drywall. With installation, it's quite a bit more... Around $46-ish/sqft. Just for the material it'd be $32/sqft, then $100 for a sink cut, then some more markup for install. I'm not sure how much the install is as I figured I'd do it myself but like I said, your comment has me worried now haha. Thanks.
J Scott Yes, this is the same supplier. Let me explain the $38/sqft though...
It's $32/sqft, plus $100 for a sink cut. This would be on a 19.17sqft granite piece. 19.17 * 32 = $613.44 + $100 = $713.44 divide that by 19.17sqft and you get $37.22/sqft. I rounded up to $38/sqft. to be safe.
So the raw material with edge is just $32/sqft. I just did my own math to calculate the real cost per sqft after the sink cut was made, along with edging ($38/sqft)... I am not sure how much install would be. But Like I told Rob K, I think the total cost of the granite is around $46/sqft with edging, sink cut, and install. Raw material with edge is just $32/sqft. And by "raw" I do mean polished as well, cause they do have the actual raw slabs that aren't polished. So let me lay it out clear:
1. $32/sqft edged and polished.
2. ~$38/sqft edged, polished, with sink cut.
3. ~$46/sqft edged, polished, sink cut, and install.
And the 2cm granite is:
1. $8.95/sqft edged, polished, with sink cut.
2. Probably around $17/sqft with installation...
Thanks,
-Manuel
IMO the sink cut should be a fixed price, and shouldn't affect the sq.ft cost of the granite + installation. It makes no sense for it to affect the price you pay for all the other sq.ft of non sink counter space.
Originally posted by Dylan Long:
I agree. I pay $30 per sq ft plus $200 for the sink. The last granite I had installed was a small kitchen and was $600 for 20 sq ft of granite plus $200 for the sink. The one before was $1,140 for 38 sq ft of granite plus $200 for the sink.
If I included the sink in the per sq ft price, I would've been at $40 per sq ft on the smaller job and $35.26 per sq ft on the larger job.
Dylan Long and Rob K
Okay, I think I get it then. I was thinking that when you all say you get your granite at $32/sqft or $30/sqft, that was with cuts and install built into the price. That's what I went into the granite companies trying to get haha. I could imagine how big of a low ball that is now.
So... then my price is okay at $32/sqft for the granite itself and the sink cut is also okay at just $100? Then install of course being whatever it is?
Thanks a ton, I'm definitely learning something! :)
-Manuel
Manuel Acuna The price that I pay is $30 per square foot for granite, cutting, polishing, and install. It covers everything, except the sink. The sink is $200. He told me that he buys the sinks for $100 and the other $100 is his fee to cut the sink hole, polish the edges, drill the hole(s) for a faucet, and install the sink. I feel it's a fair price.
For that $30, I have a choice of about 8-10 different colors of granite and four different edges. Other options are available for a higher price.
Another thing that my guy did was take the sink cut out and make a cutting board out of it. I've never used it, but it's a cool idea. I also had him put granite in a house where there was a window above the sink. He made a window sill from a scrap piece of granite and it looked really sharp having the sill match the counter.
Originally posted by Rob K:
It's also extremely heavy. ...
Good points in that post from Rob K; just wanted to add a few comments.
Some installers will leave the sink cut-out piece attached with a small section at all four sides of the sink; those small cuts then get made in the field.
It's so heavy that if you are considering a breakfast bar where there is more than a few inches of overhang (the value for "few" will depend on the granite specifics, but I would say 8 to 12 inches max), then you should consider adding supports below the overhang; granite isn't meant to be cantilevered too much.
we approach fabricators for their remnants.
We recently did an entire 8 ft kitchen counter in granite remnants (admittedly with a couple of joints) dirt cheap.
I just picked up a nice 6ft x 26in piece of granite for $30 sq ft with the edges etc done. It already had a single sink hole so we just had to find a sink to fit. Its for a laundry setup.
As far as supports we found the thicker slabs can cantilever 12in max. But for larger overhangs (islands etc) & to avoid having to put in supports that you hit your knees on etc I lay in a piece of 18 gauge steel & epoxy the slab to it.
They do offer a metal support that cost around $75 a piece plus install but I can do the steel plate cheaper & cover a greater area.
We regret doing one kitchen with the thin 'Chinese' granite.
It cracked around the sink & the surface scratched easily.
Originally posted by Rob K:
For that $30, I have a choice of about 8-10 different colors of granite and four different edges. Other options are available for a higher price.
I guess I need to try harder then! I found businesses who import and fabricate at their local business who claim the title of "wholesalers", but their prices for their nice looking granite aren't much cheaper than $46/sqft installed, cut (as much cuts as needed, like perhaps a range and sink. It'd be the same price.), and edged for 3cm granite.
What's the highest any of you would pay per sqft for nice looking 3cm granite installed, cut, and edged? Maybe prices are just generally higher in my city?
-Manuel
Originally posted by Rob K:
Wow! I clearly need to find a new granite contact. Your prices are great compared to what I've been using. I'm not far from the prices you are finding Manuel Acuna. I am very happy with the level of quality, and the price is very competitive to other bids that I have received. The latest job they did was a 10' slab with no seams, but I guess I really need to look a bit more to see if I can find some savings.