Question about stainless countertop/sink quote

14 years ago

I am wondering whether the quote I got for a stainless steel countertop with integrated sink is good, and also whether the proposed finish and construction are good. I have been trying to educate myself and I asked for a good gauge (14 gauge), but the rest I'm not so sure of.

SO the quote I got was for approx. 66" long by 24" wide surface, with a 28"x 20" by 10" deep integrated sink, 14 gauge stainless steel, with a brushed #4 finish (is that good?), laminated over an MDF substrate. The total is about $1900. This sounds like a lot, BUT I looked at some of the Elkay all-in-one sink/drainboard configurations with 18-gauge ss about the same size, and they were running about $1400-$1500. The price would include delivery but not installation (I have already worked that into the deal with my GC). Can someone also explain to me what laminated means in this context? Does that basically mean that the SS is glued onto the substrate? I really want this SS area near the sink, but want to make sure I'm getting good quality and not getting ridiculously overcharged.

THANKS for any input!!

Liz

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Comments (6)

live_wire_oak
14 years ago
Be sure that your measurements include the 1 1/2" overhang that is standard with most kitchens. That would mean you have right around 13 square feet of countertop, not including the sink. $130-$150 per square foot is pretty much the going rate for custom stainless countertops. Add in the sink, and you're right in line, or een cheap for what's being charged, especially with a custom integrated sink.
wallycat
14 years ago
I had two quotes for approx. 126" x 25" with a 6" backsplash, integrated sink.
The first quote was 11K (it included 2 other 14" x 25" counters). The second quote for just the first long stretch with sink was about 2600. I think without the 6" backsplash, the quote could be under 2K, but not positive.
The counters for this quote are 14 gauge and the sink 16 gauge. I would have to pick up the cheaper quote on my own and find substrate for it.
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You will not be able to shop this quote around. Dupont only sells Zodiaq to authorized fabricators that it trains and certifies. Therefore, there will be an extremely limited pool who could even supply and fabricate your desired top. You will need to find out who those fabricators are and merely supply them with a diagram of the desired counter with the depths indicated as well as the edging, appliance locations, and the sink used with the reveal you want. Standard counter depth is 25.5 not 26.5, so if that is what you want, you need to emphasise the fact that it's NOT a mis-print. Your square footage is also drastically off if you want this as a single piece. You'll need to calculate the entire piece as a giant rectangle, which means the square footage that needs to be cut from the slab is 53 square feet, or roughly double what you are indicating. Also, to do what you want with the farm sink and corer in one piece, every fabricator that I have ever dealt with would require a signed waiver stating that they will not be responsible if the counter breaks in transport and that you will pay for an entire new slab to be fabricated should that occur. Instead, I'd opt for a seam to either side at the rear of the farm sink so that small skinny piece wouldn't break, as well as a seam at the L. Seams in quartz are extremely inconspicuous and will not pose the same "matching" issue that you can have with granite. Here's an example of a one page document that is clear about what you want and expect. No use in discussing the visibility of seams on a quote request. That's an in person judgement call for you to make after you view their work.
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lizg_inmd
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the responses! live wire oak, excellent point. The cabinet depth is 24", so that would mean I would need to adjust the dimensions to 66"x 25.5", if a 1.5" overhang is standard. I hadn't thought about that when I asked for the quote. What I want to do is match the marble countertops overhang in the rest of the kitchen. Maybe I should ask my GC if that is the amount of overhang he plans for the marble.

Also, do you know if a #4 brushed finish is good? I don't want it to look too shiny; what I have in mind is more a commercial kitchen finish. What finish are you asking for, live wire oak and wallycat? (and any others who have/are getting stainless?) Also, are you getting it the same way as I was quoted, with a MDF substrate and the SS laminated onto that, or is there a better construction?

Thanks again,

Liz
wallycat
14 years ago
I believe the #4 is brushed stainless, which is what I'd prefer. Built in patina ;-)
gizmonike
14 years ago
The amount of overhang depends on the style of your kitchen & cabinets; while 1.5" may be popular, there's no rule that says you must. Our kitchen is contemporary, and our overhang is 1/4".

Our stainless is brushed, but I don't remember the #. You definitely do not want shiny/polished. Our brushed finish shows scratches if you look closely but they're all blending nicely. We love being able to put hot pots & pans on the SS countertop without worry.
lizg_inmd
Original Author
14 years ago
Gizmonike, that is gorgeous! Whatever kind of stainless you got, that's what I want! I asked the GC and he said he would be doing a 1" overhang on the marble and I should ask for the same with this. However, when I asked him whether MDF substrate was good, he said, "I don't know. I've never installed stainless steel, only ripped it out." Yeah, ok, thanks.

Question about stainless countertop/sink quote

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