Thanks, all, for these messages. I think the grout is epoxy, as stoneonecorp guessed, because he mixed multiple small batches and worked very quickly, and I didn't see anything sand/cement-y involved. And I'm glad to hear that non-experts can redo that caulk sink seal with no apparent trauma. I was surprised when he told me that *I* should caulk over his grout seal. This is a guy who was recommended *very* highly by a lot of people: I called every single person on his references list and asked a lot of very critical questions. No one, not a single person, said, "he expected us to finish up the job; he told us to caulk our own counters." ISn't that part of the installation? Anyway, I think I know the answer to that. And given that he whined when we asked him to come back and re-seal the sink (which he messed up the second time as well as the first time -- all the while complaining that no other homeowner had ever asked him to do this, and that the sink is not his responsibility), I don't want him back in my house, because I think he's a jerk. So: sounds like I should recaulk the sink seal and caulk over the grout he laid. Yes? I'm going to use clear silicone and masking tape, so it looks nice. Any other tips, advice, cautions? Pamkcs, did you just rip the old sealant out with a screwdriver and clean what was behind it? As before, thanks in advance!

Yes, I understand that the edges of the granite would need to be done. But I think that is a relatively minor issue. From what I've googled, it seems that the cutout for a drop-in sink is usually larger than for an undermount sink, so it is/may not be possible to put in an undermount sink if you already have a drop-in sink. I'm trying to figure out if/how I can figure out how big my cutout is in the granite for the drop-in sink without removing the sink. Then I might be able to figure out whether the cutout is too big for my new sink. The other thought I had was if the counter is already in place, how do you get the undermount sink in place? It would have to go through the cabinet, right? My cabinets have a wood piece (?frame) running between the double doors, so I'm pretty sure the sink wouldn't fit in that way. I think I'm answering my own question, but I'm hoping that there is a way that's not too complicated to accomplish this.

Okay, I am on a roll with the questions these past few days. SORRY! So my latest q: I had been planning on undermounting my Shaw sink and having a 1/4" reveal. All the pictures of such sinks really sold me on it. HOWEVER, I hadn't focused on that damn laminate edge that is now torturing me. So now I'm thinking that perhaps I should be doing an upmount? Otherwise will there be an odd location where the lam edge ends but the top layer continues over the sink? Any pictures would be welcome.

I disagree with Joseph. A 30" cabinet is not 30" inside. A so-called 30" sink indeed need close to 30" to mount. It may not fit. Fortunately, Melody has a 27" sink, not a 30" one. It should fit no problem in her cabinet. If by "dishwasher outlet" you're talking about the receptacle for the dishwasher, as long as the plug will fit into it and you can reach it, it should be OK. If the plug itself is the disconnect, it's required to be visible to the guy working on the dishwasher, but a unplugged-plug is going to be pretty easy to see even if the receptacle itself isn't. The other thing to consider (since this was in the plumbing in addition to the electrical forum) is to make sure whatever disposal/tailpiece you're using will meet up with the drain line from the dishwasher.