Granite: Keeping the Economy Going

Did I make a mistake today?
We were fed up with our scratched up, builder grade, laminate counters, and made the decision to upgrade(?) to granite. NJ and I usually ponder decisions like this for days or months, since we are quite frugal (some call us cheap , which I take as a compliment). Uncharacteristicly, we walked into a place recommended by a neighrbor and closed the 3 slab deal in less than 45 minutes. We don't intend to stay in this house for very long, so maybe we will get a fraction back on resale...assuming the economy ...ahhh, forget it!
Bill

I don't know if you made a mistake or not....but granite will certainly add to the looks of your kitchen, not to mention the joy of having a rock to work on. It is the best thing I have done for our kitchen. Well, the total remodel was the best thing (everything had to match, you know!) and the granite has been wonderful. I cool my pancakes for the freezer on there, roll out pie crusts, etc. You really can't hurt it, unless like some stupid gal who was complaining about her granite staining, because she spilled vegetable oil on it and did not wipe it up. I've had tomatoes leak from the tomato bowl in the summer, or other things we did not catch, but after cleaning it up and waiting a few days, the stain left. It is great! My ONLY complaint is that my granite is a mix of many different muted colors. It hides crumbs, smears, water marks and a myriad of other things. The only way I can see what is left behind is to look closely at it when the light is shinning just right. A blessing in disguise!

[Jenise]

What did you pay per square foot, 'winger? Would be interested in knowing prices 'round the country. Around here, granite starts at $80/sf. I'd like to use granite, and will definitely use some, but because I have a lot of surface to consider I'm considering mixing it with some engineered stone (one that isn't made to copy granite, but which is unabashedly not ashamed to be engineered stone at almost half the cost.

What did you pay per square foot, 'winger?

Jenise-
We went with a place that came recommended by a couple of neighbors who were very satisfied with their work. The cost came out to about 61/sq.ft (3 cm. thick) which included an undermount 18 gauge stainless sink, full tear out and haul away. The plumbing hook up for the sink is not included. They had two "grades" of granite and we went with the lower price since we found two well matched slabs that were the exact color we were looking for, plus we don't intend to be in this house for very long.
Also, I got the impression that they were giving some sort of "unadvertised special" in hopes of getting business in the door what with the shitty economy. At least in this area, retailers are feeling the pinch....for example, I went into the local Lowe's yesterday afternoon and I'd bet there weren't 20 people in the whole damn store. This on a Friday afternoon when the place is usually booming.
Bill

[Jenise]

What did you pay per square foot, 'winger?

Jenise--Also, I got the impression that they were giving some sort of "unadvertised special" in hopes of getting business in the door what with the shitty economy. At least in this area, retailers are feeling the pinch....for example, I went into the local Lowe's yesterday afternoon and I'd bet there weren't 20 people in the whole damn store. This on a Friday afternoon when the place is usually booming.
Bill

Nice price on the granite! That's the price of engineered stone here. If I could get a deal like that, I'd probably go granite all the way, though I actually like the contemporary look of some of the engineered products as well as the effect of both products mixed. Stainless steel countertops are also in the plan, but if I go gray on the cabinetry I'll back out of that.

The retailing pinch has hit here, too. Severely. And I have to admit, that when I made the decision to delay construction by two months, I was not unaware of the increased possibility that some deals would be thrown my way. It's a buyers market for sure.

You won't regret the granite, though. It will be nicer for you to live with in that house, and improve your chances of a good sale when that time comes. You may not get much more for the grainite itself, but if it means your house sells while others not as nicely upgraded don't, well there's your benefit. Where will you be moving to, btw?

Just make sure that everything in the cabinets above is secured firmly. You won't believe what happens when you accidentally drop something breakable on the the granite.

Experienced.

For smaller expanses i.e. vanity tops, hearths, table top sized etc.I shopped the salvage slabs for $25./sq foot. I got a some beautiful and unusual marble for the backsplash and becuase it was so cheap ended up with granite or marble in my pantry, laundry room and even on a storage shelf in the garage.

The dealers often have remants that they are willing to sell at discount. In fact all but the Absolute Black for the kitchen counters was remnant. You may be able to coordinate some nice effects defining work areas with different, coordinating stone depending on your layout.

I also used these remnants in the outdoors - had enough 24# square slabs cut [unpolished] to make a foundation for a weathered teak garden bench. Also mixed the unpolished shards with flagstsone for a stepping path. These were rescued from the dumpster.

An interesting shard [again dumpster diving] made a great cheese board. Some small, hard rubber feet glued on the bottom so you can't see them makes it easy to pick up.

FWIW--I love the look of the Absolute Black - looks great with the walnut cabs and cork floor but Karen got it right as far as not showing the smudge/crumbs etc.

By the way - the dumpster stone was free.

[Jenise]

By the way - the dumpster stone was free.

I hadn't been considering granite for the appliance bar in the butler's pantry (I wish there were a name for this that didn't sound so darned snobby--heck, I don't even have a cleaning lady--but I don't know of one), but now that you suggest a way to do that economically--yeah, I just might! I'm going to start calling around to see what I can find. Otherwise, I've got to have two big slabs, one for the kitchen guest bar, and one to replace what is now formica on the credenza that parallels the dining room. Might even find a piece for the powder bath, where I was otherwise leaning toward a fire engine red engineered stone--I wanted to give that room a fun, modern art feel, and have already had a vessel sink made for it that is all off white with red paint splashes in the bowl.

It is worth asking. You would be amazed at what ends up in the dumpster and what large pieces end up in the remnant pile. You will pay full price for the edge and polish.