I'm not sure that Bill V. frequents this particular forum. I would try him over on the Bathrooms forum.

Have the stone honed (or rehoned as the case may be).

I agree, I'd even make an attempt myself with an orbital sander.

If I saw granite tiles, I would run.

Spend the extra and put in solid granite tops.

Any time I see granite tiles I just tick that off as another thing I'll have to rip out. I'd rather have laminate counters because they'd be easier to remove to put in what I want or at least they'd be bullet proof and easy to keep clean if I wanted to stick with laminate.

I'd prefer any solid surface, even laminate over tiles of any kind, even granite tiles. I'd go with the advice given above and try to have the stone repaired by honing etc.

perfectly flat, not necessarily level. Level means no one side higher than the other.

Tiles need to be on a flat surface, w/ no bumps, lumps, or dips. If one side is a bit higher or lower than the other, it won't make a difference to the tile (just to the flow of water puddling on the surface), as long as there are no bumps or dips that will raise part of the tile above another part of the tile (or leave it unsupported)

I don't believe that granite tiles are any less expensive than slab granite when you count up the additional labor. Tiles can be fine if you can do them yourself, otherwise I don't think you gain much.

I don't like tiles either. After investigating the choices we did Richlite, but only because my husband could do it himself for the same price as having someone else install laminate

Are you current countertops real or "cultured" marble? If they are real, I would definitely keep them and have them honed. If they are cultured, you may want to call a cultured marble shop and see if they can put a new gel coat on them.

devorah~~ What is Richlite?....and how expensive is it?
You said that you did it yourself...was it difficult?

My DH can lay the tiles...so thought it would be less costly. Bill V. said to use the granite tiles...he has used it in a lot of upscale homes...but to leave 1/32" apart and put in some grout...didn't think it would make as much difference if it was completely level.

I don't know what to do....but I know we don't want to put much $$$ into this dying house market that we have going on here....just trying to hold our money together. We don't "have" to sell....but want to relocate from here.

Anxious to hear back....Thanks

Richlite is a paper/resin product. It is considered green since it uses recycled paper. It is no longer sold to the DIY market, but another product, paperstone, is still available and I have been told it is very similar. My husband didn't have any particular problems with it but he is a pretty good at DIY carpentry etc.

My daughter did her own granite tiles and found that to be pretty economical. She used black granite with a black grout

If your counters are real marble can you post a picture.
To some the etching may be patina. If they are really bad I would do everything you could to save them.

I would love to have the marble even if it has some etching, at least with marble I wouldn't have to rip it out. Anything with grout lines however small is just a pain to me on a countertop. I'd be happier with laminate over that.

Why can't you have the marble honed?

You should be able to repair the marble-that's half the point of putting it in. Call a stone fabrication company and ask them about repairing it. It will cost you a LOT less than tearing it out.

They should be able to grind off the etching and reseal it with little to no problem.

Don't do the granite tiles-everyone knows it screams "I cheaped out".

I still want to know if the marble is real or cultured.

I don't think I've ever seen a kitchen countertop that was cultured marble. Bathrooms, yeah, a lot, but not kitchens.

I don't think that phoggie mentioned whether the countertop in question is in the kitchen or the bath.

terriks, I don't think cultured marble would etch. Isn't it plastic?