[optv13sp]

We are thinking of putting granite counters in our Begonia kitchen. Has anyone done that? What would the ballpark cost be for doing this? I realize the type of granite one chooses would affect the price...I'm just looking for a ballpark idea. Thanks.

[Ooper]

Just go to a dealer for an estimate. Most dealers already have most of the kitchen and bathroom plans for The Villages homes and can ballpark quote you right there. That way, you can also see the difference and price in the granite.

[John_W]

Measure your countertops and arrive at a square footage. If you have a bar that is 10' long by 4' wide, that would be 40sf. We have a small CYV and our kitchen has 68sf. Do that for all the counter space you want done, then total it up.

Granite in this area is priced in 3 levels, level 1 is the cheapest and 3 the highest. I can give you some estimates from two local dealers. ARS Granite in Fruitland Park is a good contractor and has reasonable prices. For example his level 1 is $42 sf, level 2 is $52 a sf and level 3 is $62 a sf. Granite Direct in Wildwood is $45, $55 and $65, they are $3 a sf higher. That gives you a rough estimate. I've seen one place in Ocala advertise $29, I haven't seen what they are offering for that price.

Next comes the undermount sink which you probably don't have or you can buy one yourself at Home Deport or Lowes. At ARS they charge $350 for a nice undermount stainless steel sink. Granite Direct charges $550 for the same sink.

Cutting the hole for the sink in the granite, both places charge $200. There is also addition charges if desire a fancy edge cut. A regular blunt edge with rounded edges is free, other edges can raise the prices hundreds of dollars.

For demolishing your old counter top, ARS charges nothing, Granite Direct charges about $400. You will probably need to buy a new faucet, they can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, I found a really nice brush nickel pull down sprayer style on eBay for $125, in the store the same faucet sells for $700.

Most of the local granite installers buy their granite from Ultimate Granite in Wildwood. It's the outdoor granite yard on Hwy 301 on the west side between 466A and Hwy 44. You can walk through there and write down the slabs that you like, and then they call tell you the grade level of that slab. Usually the more exoctic looking slabs will be level 3 and the more neutral looking or black slabs will be level 1.

I had my kitchen in Baltimore remodeled in 2008, there were 7 levels of granite in that area. I used a goldish color granite with black and brown specs and it was called Santa Cecilia. It's somewhat exoctic looking and brightens the kitchen but is cheaper, usually a level 2 here. We are still in the planning stages with our kitchen here since we just had the cabinets refaced, we wanted white cabinets like our home up north and wood floors, which we just had done. Granite will be next, here is our kitchen in Baltimore with Santa Cecilia. That is with the free edge cut.

[gomoho]

John W - that is beautiful - I am lusting for granite in my kitchen in TV. Everytime I drive by a granite yard I start salivating! It's a sickness. Just not in the budget at this time.

[optv13sp]

Thank you everyone for your reply. John, thank you so much for taking the time for such a thoughtful and informative reply. Your kitchen looks beautiful!