What is granite going for in your area?

15 years ago

I know that granite prices vary greatly depending on the type that you choose, but I was wondering if I can get a ball park figure on what people are paying per sq ft in different areas? I am in South Georgia and started my hunt today. The least expensive varied from $37-$47 sq ft installed plus extra for sink cut, cooktop cut, edge and I am sure lots of other little fees we didn't get to yet. Plus they all charge to come out and measure and give you an estimate (which I can understand because it is very time consuming!) but it makes it hard to shop around. I've seen some ads in the Atlanta area (250 miles from me!) for $30 sq ft. I am a fan of the absolute black but willing to be very flexible on the choice if price difference is large enough. This is not my "dream kitchen", just the kitchen I am trying to get functional and current countertops are 1962 Formica. I had thought maybe this would be a good time to get them because the new construction has slowed so much. Any tips on getting good deals? It is harder for me because I live in a very small town so someone will most likely have to come from at least an hour away.

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Comments (21)

dollfanz
15 years ago
We paid $4000.00 for 93 sf. of star galaxy which included everything. We are in the Tampa area.
glenster_jr
15 years ago
We paid $35.90/SF for 3cm Giallo Ornamental w/ 1.5" bullnose edge. For 89 SF of counters, the total was $3860. The sink and stovetop cutouts were extra as was removing and hauling away the old Corian tops. Oh, and that price included a new SS undermount sink. 2cm w/ laminated edge was only about $200 cheaper. We are in Houston, TX (NW).
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We just bought granite last week and paid approximately 50.00 p/sf from a larger company in the area. We needed 72 sf so to curb costs a bit, we went with a less pricey stone (Verde Peacock) which worked out well since it was our original preference anyways. FYI, in addition to finding a fabricator with a good reputation, you should also know where your granite originated from as that can often give you a clue about it's quality. There are a host of websites out there with good information, just do your research before deciding. Secondly, you should also keep in mind that the cost for the granite isn't the only cost involved, you will also need to know what your plans are for a backsplash i.e. tile to the counter, a 4 inch granite border or even full granite wall. What type edging you want? Top mount or undermount sinks? Undermount sinks are highly recommended, but just as with all the forementioned things, they also involve additional costs like fabrication of the edge as well as a new sink & faucet. Often times when a granite seller low balls his price, the costs may include installation but the items mentioned above are not part of that package, so it's basically just a sales tactic to get you in the door. Make sure you know what your seller is including in the costs before signing on the dotted line and Good luck!!!
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esmerelda23, your counters look great. The granite looks just like what I was looking at, although I can tell the color is not coming through true. The pattern is the same. I recieved a 10% off lowes coupon and LOST it. I am still upset about that. I don't know if I can get a coupon on Ebay and be sure it hasn't already been scanned and used at Lowes. It would be usable at HD either way, but I think Lowes would know. I guess you take your chances with those coupons. I got a price for the Costa from my kitchen installer. It is an additional 1795.00, I think he said. The price for my kitchen included granite in a choice of ten colors in the "A" group. If I go with someone else for my granite I get a credit of 2100.00 on the price of the kitchen. Add the 1795, and that means the granite will cost me 3895.00 for the Costa, I guess. I can't really be sure about that, because I don't know if that 2100.00 is the total cost of the entry level granite or if I just get a credit on what the material and fabricator cost would be and he keeps his profit either way. Anyway, there have been some problems and tugging and pulling about what goes into my kitchen. He didn't want to install any filler pullout because he didn't want to warantee the job with them, and I didn't want fillers without them. It is a family business and his mother designed my kitchen. I didn't know I had the option of a more functional cabinet over the fridge, but she put a shorter one so she could put a carved embellishment over it. There is an issue with a window molding that I was supposed to put back myself that I can't now because there isn't enough room and they tried to tell me to hire someone to it, the molding isn't their responsibility, and I disagreed since the problem was a result of the cabinet installation and plan, and I offered to pay for the new molding materials if they didn't charge me for labor. They agreed but I could tell they felt they were being made to do something they shouldn't have to. There is also a problem with the finish on the cabinets that is a manufacturer issue, and we had to wait 2 weeks while nothing was done on the cabinets for a apt. with the manufacturer rep. Then the kitchen installer forgot about the apt and missed it and we had to wait a 3rd week with no work being done until the rep could fit us in again with a new apt. At that point I lost it, it was right after going through Christmas in this mess, and I got teary and mad and even yelled at him a bit "HOW could you forget?" I regret that, but I have lived in this mess since Oct. and plead temporary insanity. Now we are waiting for several new cabinets and doors and things are strained. He made a point of telling me that the granite was his cost, it was a one time thing because he "can't seem to please me" and it would not be good if I went and priced a bunch of different granites. I am over budget and If I could get the granite somewhere else for a similar price, where I could get good financing terms, also, it would help. I have to pay by cash or check with him, he doesn't take credit cards at all, nor do most local contractors around here. The granite is 37-38 sq feet, so "His" price is about 100.00 square foot, I guess. He says he should be getting 140.00 sq foot for this. I mentioned that some people had found better deals when the fabricator called other granite yards, but he immediately said his use IGM exclusively. ( although his mother told me that the NVG that IGM was out of was available from a yard in New Haven, a month ago). I think he said that without even checking, since he doesn't want to spend any more time on this job and he is mad at me over all the other issues. I am not pushing the filler pullouts and may see if they can be installed by a different contractor at a later date. One already said he thought he could do it for me without too much difficulty. I hate this. I think he would actually be fine with my getting my granite elsewhere so he doesn't have to worry about "pleasing me" with the granite install, or deal with any more problems that might come up. I can not pay any more than this for the granite, though, and am really stretching the budget to even do this, since I bought appliances that were not in the original budget already, also. I don't know the names of the fabricators they use, but they are small local shops. I found that out at the granite place (IGM) when they mentioned that these two guys were two of their favorite fabricators. Nice people and do a lot of granite, should have a lot of experience. So I suspect they would do a good job. Sue
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nutbunch
15 years ago
If you have a to scale drawing of your kitchen(like from the cabinet people), they should be able to quote you a price without coming out to measure and charging you.

I had a rough drawing with overall dimensions only and the fabricators were able to qoute a price estimate. Out in CA we purchase our granite ourselves, then the yard delivers it to the fabricators.
joann23456
15 years ago
I just paid $40/square foot for Ubatuba, plus another $300 or so for cutouts for sink and cooktop. This is north of Boston.
User
15 years ago
We paid aproximately 51.00/sf for Verde Peacock which included the undermount sink cutout for our kitchen. We just bought a half slab of a higher end granite (Golden beach) and it was $60/sf including the cutouts for 2 undermount sinks. We can take off 200.00 for the cost of polishing the sink holes if we go with self rimming sinks intead. I did get quotes for less from other granite stores, but we fell in love with this particular slab so it was worth it to us. We're in Michigan.
granite-girl
15 years ago
It depends on the region. We're advertising @ $45-$50 /s.f, for certain colors, that includes all cut outs, but not tear-out. But here in Indiana we pay more for the stone because we're further away from an incoming port that the granite may be shipped into. So we have lots of freight charges coming from wherever the container is shipped into. Make sense? So it'll be different I'm sure in your area.
You should call a few of your nearest suppliers/fabricators & send them via e-mail or fax, a drawing w/ dimensions & they should be able to get you an exact quote back .
And I don't think anybody's going to drive 250 miles & still charge $30 that they are advertising for their area. But -hey give it a shot. Ya never know!
Good Luck

Here is a link that might be useful: granite countertops
harriethomeowner
15 years ago
About $52 psf for Giallo Ornamental once you add it all up (granite, fabrication, sink cutout, standard edge) in DC area. We bought sink and faucet separately and hired a guy to do tearout and reconnect for an additional amount.
glad
15 years ago
Paid 98/sf for yellow river. Tough to get anything under $50 in my area. $250 for a sink cut. measuring/templating included in price. Combo of different geographies and different patterns makes it very difficult to compare prices, though.
Since you are just going for functional vs dream, ask if they have any remnants or discontinued slabs that might be available cheaper.Also, some of the least expensive granites can still be beautiful, i.e. Uba Tuba. It is about availability vs. quality/beauty.
katiee511
15 years ago
As you stated, it depends on the type. I was given a low range or basic price for choosing:

1. New Venetian Gold
2.Gialo Ornamental
3.Labador Green
4.Baltic Brown
5.Brazil Black
6.Amarillo Boreal

from one kitchen designer. We ended up going with a different fabricator and our choice was what they considered mid-range. They quoted our cost as: All materials along with fabrication & installation = $ 2,759.00 (44.5sq.ft. for Oyster Pearl with Small Ogee Edge.) so that would be $62 sq ft total. I don't have it broken down any further so I am not sure what the up charge was for the edge. This is in Indianapolis.

p.s. Hi to granite-girl. I stopped in your Smith Valley Showroom last week and will be requesting a quote when we are ready to do our bathroom :) I mentioned I had come across your postings here even though I knew of your company from Google searches prior to GW. Small world!
wickedgrace
Original Author
15 years ago
More sticker shock!!!! I went to two granite suppliers an hour away and got rough estimates. Venetian Gold was $39 sq ft. The sink cut out varied from $250-375 at the two different dealers and $75-150 for the cooktop cutout. The $39 sq ft doesn't include removal of old tops. I want Absolute Black but at $65 it is not going to happen. DH and I went to Lowes tonight and talked to the kitchen guy and he came up with roughly $4000 for quartz. And $2000 for laminate with an ogee edge (something new?) I think I was completely unprepared for how fast everything adds up (cut-outs, edge, sink, faucet, cooktop, plumber, electrician). This may be my project for next year! Has anyone priced stainless steel counters?
datura-07
15 years ago
We paid $65 sq ft for our son's. I think we will be going with the same one but I did fall in love with November Sky - it was $120 sq ft. Lots of crystals in it. They said if I dropped something on it, there would be a good chance I'd crack it. And I have three numb fingers so I drop lots.
boxerpups
15 years ago
I am shocked how the prices have fallen. 3 years ago we were going to change out counters and the prices were just too high.

Ubatuba which was $90 per sq. NOW is $51.

I have seen other places dropping down to $37, Lowes 51, Home Depot 45,... I am in complete awe. The fact the prices are dropping makes me wonder if I should hold off for a few more months. I have waited this long. I can wait for the prices to fall futher.

Last week I swung by a granite/counter store and it was closed. Everything was gone. I think the economy is really
hitting everyone in the industry. Well, to be honest it is effecting the world, I am just caught up in my kitchen reno.

I have seen on Craig's list which could be a scam as low as $37 per sq foot.I am in the Boston Area.

I am still shopping. I think it is important to find a good installer and cutter rather than just the best peice of granite. I worry that if I find a good deal will it haunt me later with cracks, poor installation or worse not really granite.

Thanks for this topic. It is nice to see what others are seeing too.
dollfanz
15 years ago
Boxerpups, don't be afraid of the guys on craigslist. That's where I found my fabricator. He had lots of refrences and he did a great job. YMMV.
julie92
15 years ago
There are multiple granite fabricators here in my area-Upstate SC. I got 66 sq ft of Tropic Brown(3cm slabs) for $50 a sq foot with all cut outs and 1/4 beveled edge. Small fabricators will also cut the price for cash. Elberton, GA just down the road from me, is "The granite capital" of the US! I also got to pick out my own slabs.
julie92
15 years ago
I am sorry, my DH just corrected me and said we talked the guy down to $48 a sq foot for 67 sq feet for cash. That did include all the add ons listed above.
carolinek22
15 years ago
In metro NY area I got estimates from two granite places in the last week, both for 3 cm with standard edges.

One was $70/sf for 70 sf of typhoon bordeaux, plus $250. for sink cut-out.

Second was $79/sf for golden beach with $200.00 for sink cut-out.

Obviously tear-out of existing formica is additional.

BTW, I just discovered this board and am spending way too much time here!
kompy
15 years ago
wow, granite really is cheaper in the coastal areas.

Here in the midwest, it starts at $50 sq. ft. Mid-level granite runs between $52-$65. Higher end granite is $65 to $92.

Acrylic (ie. Hi-Macs) $40-$60
Quartz $54 to $67; Cambria is the highest at $84

Above prices is for installed material, not the extra cutout/labor charges.
melanie1422
15 years ago
I'm in SE TN, and I was quoted $36/sf for Ubatuba. Which included fabrication and a free sink.
jackson2009
15 years ago
@melanie1422 - Wow! That sounds like a great deal.
boxerpups
15 years ago
Thanks for the advice Dollfanz
I will look into Craig's list.
dsyed
15 years ago
Removal 100
Sink 70
Granite $25 per sq ft
Labor $10 per sq ft

Add extra for premium edges

What is granite going for in your area?

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dollfanz

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