cost of granite
 

was part of a whole kitchen remodel 3-1/2 yrs ago - small kitchen - took only 1 slab of granite - I am recalling $2600 installed. This is for an L-shaped counter with a sink cutout and a small (maybe 5 feet) breakfast bar. About 3 feet of counter on each side of the small sink and an 18 inch piece on the other side of the stove. Also 2 window sills to make it match, but I don't think that was extra.

One of my neighbors in TV got granite almost 1 yr ago - bigger kitchen, both bathrooms, included 3 bathroom sinks and kitchen sink and window sill and I'm thinking she said it was $3400 - but I think business was slow then, sales were down. Am sure they needed more than 1 slab, which I think is what makes most of the price difference, plus the grade/color of granite. We picked one of the reasonable priced ones. A friend of mine who did a similar size kitchen (1 slab) paid more than twice as much to get an unusual color with blue in it.

Stainless Steel Sink...get some steel wool from HD or Lowes...that will do the trick. Not Brillo, steel wool, the finest guage.

I have to put my 2 cents in about granite. We made a complete new kitchen in our home in NY including the most beautiful Brazilian granite - it was black with green and cream swirls, cost a fortune.
To keep it shining, not just clean, it had to be vigorously polished every day, and not just the the part that had been used for food prep. All of it. It became my obsession. Never had a problem with stains, and it's lovely to be able to set hot pots on it, but otherwise, no thanks. I would polish it all before I went to bed and the next day have to do it all over again.
There are so many new products now, and also different kinds of natural stone (hint: don't even consider marble. Everything stains marble, even water). Another problem is that granite is so hard that it breaks things. If you tip over, not drop, just knock over a glass, it will shatter. Taking things out of the dishwasher, if it hits the edge of the granite, goodbye.
Shop around before you decide.

OH I do so understand. I had the same experience. I thought that it was just because it was black galaxy. If I wiped it off once a day, I wiped it off four times, all of it not just the food prep. It seemed like acres. And the breaking part...you are right on, I had chips in everything. It was beautiful, gorgeous, but not if it was smudged. No stains, and sitting hot pots was great and just looking at it knowing it was eons old was something. I love to come here to my formica. It is a vacation from the granite.

how do you like it now?
 

Mintjulep - your granite - Typhoon - is absolutely gorgeous.

Boomer - now that yours is installed, what do you think?

and about sinks - I have an undermount stainless steel that I discussed before - by the way, Barkeepers Friend worked well, thanks for that tip. Does anyone have the manufactured granite type (solid color)? A friend of mine here in Columbus just got one with her kitchen remodel and says it looks clean all the time - she got a dark brown color, loves it. Anyone else try this? Not sure of price compared to stainless steel.

I have seen undermount Corian sinks with granite countertops, but I had some staining issues with my bisque (light-colored) Corian sink in previous home.

Good morning fellow Ohiogirl,

I am completely inept with posting pictures here. I have done it a couple of times -- of my dog Annie and once a really long time ago a picture that showed Boomer at her desk. It drives me crazy to try to get pictures on. I spent a lot less time in labor when Boomette was born than it takes me to get a picture on here. But I will try again sometime. I really do feel like I should post a picture of the granite. Everybody helped me so much in this thread. I will get to it in the next couple of days. I hope.

I really like to look at the granite. Kind of like a little piece of art. I also know that today's granite is tomorrow's harvest gold appliances and orange shag carpet. But that's OK. I am choosing to embrace the trend because I like to look at this stuff, and I think it will be around for quite a while. Besides, I am already hopelessly out of style and some people still like me.

My granite is relatively light in color - kind of butterscotchy with some chocolate thrown in. But the pictures make it look a little darker than it really is.

At certain angles, if I look too closely, the spots and smears can be seen. But if I pile up the mail on the counter top, I can't see that part so much.

A home in TV would be a second home for us. We are keeping this one. And that is what helped with the granite decision. I really do like looking at it. It's kind of artsy or something. I like how the pattern is so varied. Some advice though for anybody who does not already know this -- always go to see the actual slab and show them where you want them to make the cuts. -- There is a story behind that one. --But not for here. (And it was NOT my imagination! Everybody sees it right away when I show them the picture of that slab.)

But I gotta tellya, for all around easy care, Formica does it best. And also, Formica is the stuff that has been around forever and it looks like it always will be. Our very first house had that old Formica pattern with the boomerangs on it, and I think that pattern has even returned.

Anyway, someday a picture may appear in this thread -- but not today.

Boomerang Boomer

Be very careful taking dishes and glasses out of your upper cabinets...if they fall on the granite, they will NOT bounce!

We have lived in our Amarillo for 6 years and I was so sick of the beige/brown formica, it looked and was cheap. I would have loved to replace our cabinets also but that just wasn't in our budget. I did lots of research on different solid surface countertops and decided on granite because the price has come down a lot in recent years and for its durability. Use a company that can show you lots of slabs to choose from (a warning this will make your choice harder) LOL we chose Madera Gold we were looking for a "Tuscan" feel to our decor.
It was an upgraded color and that is where prices will vary. The more movement to the pattern the more expensive. I figured this was a once in a lifetime upgrade for me and went with what I fell in love with and have no regrets. Yes I can see a fingerprint now and then but I always wipe down my countertops anyway. I used Wildwood Kitchen and Baths and they were great. My cabinets even look richer with the granite and the new pulls we put on them! I went with a black granite composite sink under the counter mount and love it and a Huge Kohler faucet with sprayer all in one (that was a huge splurge) but worth it! I extended the granite behind the sink up to the window and they also replaced that ugly marble window sill with the granite. I smile now every time I enter the kitchen. The granite is easy to take care of which was paramount to me as I hate house cleaning since I still work part time. Someone mentioned granite is heavy and wow yes it is, I asked how much the piece for our island weighed and was told 600 lbs that thing will never move LOL So yes I love my granite I have had no worries about stains or anything. One thing you cannot use anything with ammonia to clean it. Hence none of the wipes they sell. I use soap and water polish maybe once a month is that. Sealing is a breeze but it came sealed I will repeat it in a year. Hope this helps. It's a piece of natural art and I love it!

I have granite in my present home in Michigan. I had it installed shortly after I moved into my ,then,new home. I LOVE it now as much as I did 14 years ago.
I am careful not to put lemon-oil on it as it stains.
I have never taken any other precaution to care for it. I too, never have had it sealed. It's looks as good as it did the day I put it in.
I want granite in my home when we build in TV (see, I'm using the right wording)....I'm new at this. I also assume for resale that it is best to have granite (your opinions welcomed).

Question, is it best to have them put it in or have it installed after I move in? I'm referring to the quality and price. We will probably go with the Lily or Lantana. If anyone has the square feet needed for these two models I'd appreciate the info.