First I am not a fabricator but have over 30 years experience as a home builder. A couple of comments on Granite. First in this forum like many granite is talked discussed as if it is a commodity - all granite tops are created equal. Granite is not like salt or soy beans. There are many grades of granite and the prices vary widely many with similar or even the same names. There are also many levels of fabricator from the sophisticated fabricator using computer operated cutting and polishing machines to the guy who will literally cut granite in your back yard. I was at a "shop" the other day where they were cutting granite with a hand saw on 2x4's in the parking lot. Many new fabricators were working for someone else and when the economy slowed they were laid off. These employees then went into business for themselves often without proper financing or even proper tools. The prices fell as these fabricators using lawn signs to advertise and working for wages and cutting corners: waxing edges instead of polishing, using mismatched remnants, dyeing granite to make it look more expensive, cheap uncertified give away sinks, and other tricks that do not show up until the check clears. Radon is pretty much a non issue but check it if you like. Do not buy from a fabricator unless you have seen the shop and the equipment they are using. If they have their own slab inventory it is a good sign that they are better off financially. Reverse look up the phone number. If it comes up a cell phone and they fabricator does not have an office look out. Many of these guys change numbers often to avoid warranty. Yes all granite should be sealed. Darker granite will hide the absorbed water but still needs to be sealed. Quartz, solid surface materials and even the composite sold by Granite Transformation have advantages and disadvantages. First they are more uniform because they are manufactured product. The is no such thing as a B or C grade quartz. These product do not have the veining and character as granite. Here is a link that might be useful: ANO Sales

HI Mustangs! :) I had a full-height granite backsplash in my former home. It was 3cm...only because that's what they carried. If it's the same as your counters, at least it'll come from the same slab(s) and you'll know it matches. A caution...for some reason, my builder insisted the backsplash go in before my appliance garage, because that's what he "normally" does. Due to the unplanned thickness (most people before me had 4" backsplashes and somehow the appliance garage measurements were "standard"), the sides of my garage had to be cut down to fit flush with the front of the upper cabinet. The extra thickness inside the garage reduced the amount of space I had. Of course the shortfall of space meant my perfectly planned/measured, well-thought out toaster oven purchased specifically for that space...would NOT FIT!! Grrrr....I was so mad!!! Lesson learned. Put in appliance garage before backsplash...regardless of what builder "normally" does. Haha!

Following up with jeffinmontery, there is a company where I live that has the granite tiles and accessory pieces. I have a Formica countertop and asked about using the granite tiles. The real issue is roughing up the existing surface so it will accept the mastic to hold down the tiles. It would also require removing the sink and any build in appliances such as a countertop burner unit so the tiles fit under in these areas. You will also need to be able to cut the tiles to fit properly around the sink and any built-ins. Now, we have priced having our countertops replaced with full sheets of granite. $2,500 more or less. Using the granite tiles, probably $250 plus the cost of mastic and grout so maybe $300 and the place I mentioned has a nice selection of colors. Good luck.

How many square feet? We did a condo 30 sf for a single girl $850 cash(green) out the door: she used her drop in stainless steel sink. We had a remnant that fit her kitchen perfect. verde butterfly 3cm. We even gave her full wall to cabinet splash (she didn't have a lot of wall space). She even had a tiny pass through bar above sink with granite installed. She was soooo happy, and we helped her. So, it can be done. She came in, 23 years old, first place to call home, and wanted granite tiles or ceramic tiles. I talked her into doing a slab of granite instead. We even gave her 3cm granite vs 2cm. 1. find out out the door price from 3 real fabricators with a good history of installs. 2. talk them all down! 3. don't settle: get undermount sink: find one on internet: wholesale 18 gauge $100-$150. 60/40 sink stainless steel. 4. post colors they give you: I will tell you what is low: verde ubatuba, butterfly verde, ming gold, some st cecilia gold, some venetian gold, and you can go to the stone yards (pick 3) and ask them if they have orphan slabs for sale or broken slabs for discount. Some granite vendors are running end of the year specials. 5. Ask where seams will go/if any 6. Look at slab before cut: make them show you slab before cut: or while on the cutting table 7. You could get them to buy blanks: $250 each: 106x40 or 120x40: depends (they come from China) home depot sells for $450 now. Pre-fabricated granite 2cm with bull nose edge. to me 39.99 sf means: 2cm low end granite that cost about $6.50 sf at the stone yard & probably that might be a remnant price. Cut outs for stove /if drop-in/ are extra $. Cut outs for sinks undermount or drop-in are extra $. Edging : should not pay extra for that! Get a free estimate: and post what they are "out the door" charging for kitchen. 1/2 down always only! Credit card: best way. get every thing in writing that matters to you. Formica: YUCK! Pink: YUCK!