We built a custom home about ten years ago. We are getting ready to build again. There were many compromises while building because of the sub screw ups. My granite turned out very nice though. My granite has a lot of movement. I think it's a level 4 granite for my kitchen. I had to get use to the movement in the beginning. But I still just love it... after ten years, I am still happy with my selection. Since we're thinking of building again, I 'tried' and am still going to 'try' to go with a custom builder instead of GC'ing it ourselves. But all this 'custom' builder wants me to choose is what's in his 'design' studio. (Barf). I'm sure you all can imagine what unimaginative, bland, boring granite he offers his clients. IF I want to go to a granite yard, which I will, he wants me to go with he "designer" so I don't make any mistakes; and this gal costs money added on to my bill. Well, I don't need any design help. I can choose granite myself, coordinate it all. I am also a Realtor and KNOW what I like. I have been in thousands of homes. I am bored easily with certain 'looks'. I don't CARE the thousands that someone pays for 'this' or that. If it is ugly or UNappealing to ME, then it has little to no value to ME. I would N-E-V-E-R buy some boring granite when my heart was on something a little bit pricier. If I had to wait six months until I saved the money, then that's what I would do. I would live with a plywood counter with a table cloth before I would pay ANY MONEY for something that will just peeve me off every time I look at it. I have been FORCED to live with a custom wood hood over my stove because of a huge measuring mistake by a cabinet maker. Instead of my arched hood with this or that and other corbels under the cabinets like I wanted, I have a rectangular hood and other slightly 'off' corbels, but better than what was there. So every single time I look at my kitchen, I see the COMPROMISES instead of what I actually have. It took two years to fix this cabinet maker's shoddy workmanship. (I griped on Garden Web so much all through the lawsuit that followed. So, I **KNOW** what it's like to live with something I hate.) I would recommend you go in and NEGOTIATE for the granite you want. Do NOT compromise. I had someone steal one of the granite slabs I had paid for in advance, and I had to wait a bit to get another slab that matched. So, patience paid off. I got an upgraded edge and a few other things because of my patience. I would also recommend that after they template, that you are PRESENT when they lay out the template on the slab. When you have a lot of movement in a piece, you want to capture the part of the slab as YOU envision it. I'll post an old link to when we built... So you can see my granite. It is worth the wait to get what you want. It's not too late until you authorize the cutting of the granite. FYI: The thing to 'cut' is the landscaping. You can always add landscaping. The trees can cost a fortune. Cut one tree and you could have the money for your granite. The right flooring and granite can make you money one day. The wrong granite or flooring can cost you thousands of dollars. Carpet is cheaper to replace than a granite island. (If you buy where I purchase!) Also, Definitely SHOP your granite! I went to about 7 or 8 different fabricators before I decided to go with the people I went with. The price varied 100%! Go to the fabricator that has an excellent reputation. The larger their yard, it would seem like they would be the busiest. Also, do not sign any of their contracts that states anything like they get to decide where they seam your granite and placement of the template. CROSS THOSE LINES OUT. IF you buy from HD or Lo's, they have those kinds of statements. You do NOT want your granite SEAMED if possible. IF there is a seam, you want control over the placement. Research 'where' it is necessary to seam. Then decide for yourself. Be blessed. I would love to hear what you decide to do. Here is a link that might be useful: Granite

On a positivie note, the fabricator did learn from my experience and said they would show the customer the layout (either by photo or in person) before cutting in the future. Lucky them! Thanks again everyone for your input. Nice to have this board for third party opinions. Friends aren't always honest. I will try come on here more often now to reciprocate. Lucky us, now we are having another issue that will make me forget about the granite issue, with our busy crown molding, it isn't working due to different ceiling heights throughout kitchen, like 3/4 to 1.5" in some areas! The worst area due to a lower board sistering joist holding toilet pipe between floors (opened the ceiling). Never noticed before because cabinets didn't go all the way up... And now will have to try a simpler crown molding that won't look like accordion in some areas due to height differences, or no crown molding on the high cabinets, ooh.... So looks like we won't be getting kitchen back for a while longer, as we have to raise the sheet rock about 3/4" (that's all we got) in that one area. Now I know more questions to ask if I do another reno job before hiring a contractor. Like, will they measure the room from floor to ceiling for oddities to plan for surprises? Shouldn't that be a norm?

So many people get stuck on the backsplash, because they pick a busy (although beautiful) countertop and all the backsplashes they like, on the second shopping trip, don't work with it. I'd do what Rhome suggested and look for them at the same time. If you find a busy, glass tile backsplash that really 'speaks' to you, then you might need a calmer granite or other countertop. If you find a busy granite that you really want, then make sure you find a backsplash that will look good with it. The biggest problem I see on the forum is when people install the countertop and then ask...what backsplash should I pick? By then, the choices are often very limited or they choose something they don't like and have to do it twice. Best of luck finding a combination you really like! :)

It definitely depends on the look you're going for. I don't think of an ogee edge as going well for modern, contemporary, or most transitional looks. Ogee can look very nice for a more traditional feel. Personally, I wouldn't really want to do it because I see it as catching more "stuff" that you don't want to have to deal with...I see it as being more difficult to clean. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I don't have it and never have, but that's my impression. Most people do stay away from a full bullnose because of the drip issues mentioned - liquids tend to run right over the edge and curl around to drip down the cabinets. I've been told that 1/2-bull doesn't do that. I'm hard pressed to think of anyone on here that has a full bullnose. My favorite (and surprisingly since everything else has been so pricey) least expensive edge really is an eased edge. We spent more on our granite than we intended, but luckily didn't have to worry about spending more for a fancy edge! But, all in all, go with what you love - don't worry if it's "in"...unless you intend to sell the house within less than 5 years since styles change all the time.