i don't know the material, but it does sound high.

we got 2 quotes on our vanity one from a guy who uses prefab slabs and cuts them to fit, the other from a granite fabricator on a reminant piece of carrera marble.

both were between 400-450 for a 30 inch, with them providing and cutting for an undermount sink.

a 43 might be a little more, but probably not much more

What granite is it? Did they break down the pricing in the 1-5 levels? Many stone yards price their products in levels 1-5, 1 being least expensive. In my visits to granite yards, carrera marble was usually in a lower level. It's possible that if you selected a granite from the highest level the price could be quite high. I don't have any personal experience with pricing remnants vs slabs, but I'm sure someone here has.

Wow - that sounds high to me - I paid appx $1100 for a 22" x 84", including the cutouts for 2 undermount sinks, 3 hole widespread faucet hole drills for each sink, and the sinks themselves. This was for one of the highest p/sf granites Lowes had. That's with no installation, and a $75 fee for home delivery.

For another bathroom, I got the wooden vanity and 22" x 49" granite counter with undemount sink for appx $750, delivered. This was not one of the most expensive lines of granite, obviously, but worked fine for a guest bath that'll get used maybe 2-4 times a year. This was a HD online order, and came in perfect condition.

i paid ~ 2,600 or so for ~a level 2 or 3 granite from a large yard...included about a 9ft vanity top, 5ft shower bench, tub deck, and fireplace hearth, fab and install. i would price shop...

Dee, are you open to other suggestions? You have a 43" vanity that requires a custom-made top since that's not a standard size. Would a 36" or 48" vanity possibly work in your room? If so, you could save a bundle. There are more & more reasonably priced vanities out there with granite or marble tops included. There are also prefabricated tops with integrated sinks you can buy & place very easily on the 36" or 48" vanity of your choice. For about $600.-$800. you could have a new vanity & countertop/sink. You would need to add the faucet. Just a thought.

That seems high to me too. I have gotten several quotes for 20 square feet of granite for two 5 ft. vanities in the master bath and depending on the grade of stone the prices have been from $1400-$2200 for material, labor, tearout and haul away and 2 sinks the highest number was for quartz.

That you so much for the input. We spent the day driving around the nearby "big city", and didn't have much luck. The salesperson called back and gave us a price of $705, without installation, because DH said he would pick it up and install it himself. I guess I have the same problem as I've read others here have: I fell in love with the remnant I found. They call it Donna Sandra, and from what I've read, it's a quartzite. It looks very similar to marble, and it fits with the overall plan we have for the room. I think I'm going to bite the bullet (and my tongue as I write the check) because I get real tired of shopping.

Unfortunately, I think most of you here have convinced me I am paying too much, but I thank everyone who took the time to help me.
Dee

It's not high - you're getting bent over and raped.

$125 a ft. for that marble is ridiculous especially since its simple plain edge processing and coming from an already expensed remnant.

I would not pay more than $150 for the whole piece. Get a prefab granite top with everything already cut out etc.

You can do the installation yourself. it is a breeze.

Wow, antss! Do you really think so? This place is the largest, most reputable place around here, and that's the only reason I considered it.

I'm torn....
Dee

I did a quick search of "Donna Sandra" and it looks very similar to Super White or maybe Moon Night quartzite. In my area, that is a a mid or higher level stone (at least that I've seen in my area). I realize prices vary area to area, but your quote does seem high.

Good luck Dee. I know what you mean about the granite shopping. I feel the same way, have been at it for months and am so weary of it. They tell you to keep checking back with them to see their "new things" that "arrive daily" NOT! they do not arrive daily, you stop in and it's the same stuff, they seem irritated that you actually took them up on their advice to stop and keep checking. Most places only have the main ones or stuff no one wants and many others have sold signs on them. The owners and workers at the yards around here are a little intimidating to say the least. Maybe they are frustrated at what they have to offer, too, don't know. It's understandable though that they are keeping inventory low since the economy is so bad right now so I don't hold that against them. They just need to cut the BS. Anyway, say all that to say I totally get why you would just bite the bullet and pay it to get what you want because it's not easy/pleasant to find something that will be perfect and here you have it! Maybe if you told them about what others have said about the price and see why he is asking so much he might lower it for you. Perhaps there is a very good reason for it being so expensive?

here is a $144.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SANDY-WAVE-Bathroom-Vanity-Sink-Base-Granite-Top-49-/200544049538?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0amp;hash=item2eb15b5982

Here is a link that might be useful: counter top

I think that sounds high. I got a quote for a mid level (not sure which level) granit 22x96 with 2 undermount sinks, widespread faucets, and bull nosed edge installed with delivery for $1025.00 And I'm over 100 miles from the store.

Annz is right, they are raking you over the coals Dee, average cost for fabricated remnants of any stone type is about 20.00 psf. When looking for granite, I called a ton of yards and they all said basically the same thing.

For our bathroom we needed a 93 x 25 inches and had to get a 1/2 slab. We got an exotic granite fabricated with 2 sinks, 2 8 inch sets and a pencil edging, 1400.00.

Granite shops are not doing well with this economy and he's obviously trying to take you for every cent he can. I would offer him 20.00 psf flat (about 220.00) including fabrication, take it or leave it.

Quartzite is much more expensive than granite. Two 3'-9" vanities, a shower curb, and a shelf is costing us $5800 for White Macaubas Quartzite.

"Do you really think so?"

yep !

"I would not pay more than $150 for the whole piece"

Now, who's raping who? Plus, your link is not for a 43" wide top which is pretty hard to find. Try again.

Depends on how picky you want to be. I think these look fine for a guest bath. I agree about the remnant pricing, they are charging for minimal labor.

Here is a link that might be useful: 43

Am I the only one who is offended by the use of the term "rape" in this context? Sometimes suppliers charge to much, but that is hardly comparable to acts of sexual violence.

remnant pricing from our fabricator is $750 for any length vanity plus $125 for the backsplash if you want it. The actual remnant is free, b/c it was already paid for from previous job.

But if you love it, the price does not matter...a couple hundred dolaars either way is going to be gforgotten soon....

UPDATE: DH and I travelled back today to the big city stoneyard and ended up paying $538, without tax, with me supplying the sink and DH installing. I invoked the power of GW and told the salesperson that people all over the country thought the price was too high. He agreed and said he was surprised at the first estimate, that he had not put it together himself. (Not sure about that)

I'm happy. I got the stone I wanted at a price I can live with. Thank you everyone! BTW, here's what it looks like, though this isn't mine since mine is whiter.
Dee

good for you!

They are asking way too much IMO. Are they sure they put the decimal in the right place? Let me give you an example, just 4 weeks ago, we opted to go with granite in the laundry room: 1 piece 72x25 and 2nd piece 50x25 with 1 sink cutout, 2 faucet cutouts (single hole faucet & 1 soap dispenser) and 4" backsplash on 4 sides. We found a remnant in the fabricator's granite yard and the cost including install was around $1000. IMO, something is not right with what they've quoted you.

Here's a thought--Maybe they sold it twice by mistake--perhaps you selected that remnant and someone else did too (either before or after you did) and the piece didn't get labelled right away as being reserved. Giving one of you an exorbitant price is one sure way to remedy the situation because then it's the customer that backed out. It would be interesting to take another stroll around the yard to see whose name is on it. If your name is on it, it might be interesting to tell them you may be rethinking that particular piece but you're not sure yet & as you go around the yard, find a few other remnants that would work size wise that are comparable in style and ask how much those would run. Then you can compare the prices and ask questions about the pricing difference from there. Just a thought...

Guys/gals - not everyone GIVES AWAY remnants for free!

And before all of you chime in about how someone else has already paid for that material - THINK AGAIN!

Suppose your job need 1.25 slabs of stone to complete. I (stone guy) has to purchase 2 slabs as the yards don't sell 1/4 slab. Lets say each slab is 50 sq. ft. and you are being charged $60 a sq. ft. for your tops. DO you want to pay me $60 a ft. for just your 62 sq. feet, or would you like to pay me for all 100 sq. ft. of the slabs I bought so that the next guy can get a "free" remnant for his sorry little bathroom with just one little ol' sink cutout?

Perhaps you'd also like to send me an check every quarter for the inventory tax I'm going to have to pay the city/state/county for just keeping that xtra 37 1/2 feet of slab that didn't go into your job? Still think you should get that little ol countertop for just labor?

Just because the economy is headed down the tubes doesn't mean that stuff in the construction industry is "on sale" or "close out" prices any more than your physician is cutting his rates because socialized medicine is on the horizon. Nor, are either trying to gouge or rip you off.

Sometimes it's an honest pricing error, and sometimes it's simple overhead. A Rolls cost more to make than a Benz and both cost more to produce than a Kia. Now a Rolls might not be for you, but it doesn't mean that it's 300k price tag is rip off or that there isn't that much value in the product.

I totally love your granite/marble you chose. You will be happy that you got what you wanted and didn't settle for something else just because it was less. Sometimes you get a deal/steal and sometimes not, it evens out in the end! P.S. I laughed when I read your post on the outcome, you told him that people across the country were in agreement it was too high! Rent too d*mn high, hee hee. Happy for you!

Thanks antss and gr8day for the support!
Dee

In my area basically the customer ends up paying for the 2 slabs. Its baked into the job cost.

I don't get a price break down, but from what every fabricator has told me the cost is in there one way or another. they may factor in some sort of recovery amount for when they sell the rest of the slab.

However, in my area, most people aren't selling by the sqft. they price a job, and thats it. the only sqft guys seem to be those that have certian stones in their yard and its one of 5 colors etc etc.

I can't imagine you buying 2 slabs for lets say 1500 and only charging the customer for 1.25 of the slabs, what if you never sell that remaining piece, what if it doesn't "work" in anyones space or is ugly?

construction may not be at super discounted prices. However, it is supply and demand, plenty of people are taking projects that are below their normal scope, and charging less than they want. Its life. It not just construction, it is happening at every level of business.

Glad you put up the good fight and got exactly what you wanted. I can see why you weren't willing to switch. That's just gorgeous.

chris- you seem to be looking for a theoretical argument on pricing or business mechanics. That's not going to do folks around here much good.

Of course you are correct in that "the customer ALWAYS pays"

If the price is presented as a total cost in your market that's fine. In my market(s) that just won't fly. People are not going to deal with outfits that control the entire process. I or customers around here are not going to wait for you to tell me whether I can afford tropical brown or blue eyes for my bath until after you see my drawings and come out to look. This market demands to know whether they are looking at (installed price) a $45 SF granite or a $115 SF one. Sure jobs and final pricing is calculated on specifics: are you getting one sink cutout or two, 6 faucet holes or 2, square edge or ogee, live in a ranch or a 3 story walk up?

"However, it is supply and demand, plenty of people are taking projects that are below their normal scope, and charging less than they want. "

Absolutely - but just because jim bob counters is taking on low end work at 72 cents on the dollar to stay afloat doesn't mean that Park Avenue Marble Guild is going to match his prices on the same product - or that you have to use either one of them.

My point is this: do not EXPECT to get a remnant for free/ labor costs, no matter who the fabricator is or how he runs his business.