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Kitchens Other Remodeling

How do you get rid of dated granite counters?

6 years ago

We are getting rid of about 7 feet of ugly old granite counters, plus several other pieces. The bigger slabs will be heavy for sure. What and how do we get rid of it? Our local Restore does not pick up. It is really ugly, Baltic Brown, I think, so I doubt anyone would want it. We can't just throw it away so what do we do?

Featured Answer

Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)

6 years ago

Put it on Craigslist. Someone might like it.

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Comments (19)

User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you. seems like an obvious answer. I just haven't seen anything on CL so I wasn't sure there was any type of market for old ugly granite. Will try it out!
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millworkman
6 years ago
You would be surprised what people may take for free.......................
karin_mt
6 years ago
Agree! The free section of craigslist is a bustling place, and I've had excellent luck in passing things along there.
Boxerpal
6 years ago
A great idea Craig's list..

What are you getting for new counters? Will the installers of your new counter take the old one? Maybe they could resell it or help someone in need.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
We are going to be DIYing this because it's just a fix to make our kitchen more functional while we save up for a more major reno. Great suggestion though, thank you!
lhutch13
6 years ago
If you are diy, you may not get those counters out in one piece without breaking. Just saying
tphilly
6 years ago
I got my absolute black out in one piece, but couldn't *give* them away! Had to break them into pieces and throw them out.
nicole___
6 years ago
Put it on CL and ask THEM to remove it ....they get it for free. YOU will have takers!

Note: Baltic brown is a rustic look. People still LOVE rustic!
User
6 years ago
Ditto to Craigslist. You could probably get money for it. People buy older items for rental renovations. We sold a dented (still working) frig, a cooktop, glass fireplace doors, a chandelier.

If it won't sell, put it in the free section. I have yet to list anything that someone didn't take. Ex.- a satellite dish still attached to the house that someone had to remove themselves, a fig tree that someone had to dig up themselves, outdated upholstered furniture.
millworkman
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
"Put it on CL and ask THEM to remove it ....they get it for free. YOU will have takers!"

They want to reuse the cabinets. I would not have a CL stanger removing anything in my house that I even remotely wanted to reuse.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, everyone! I guess we just have to see how it goes. We will need a friend to help us try to get it out of the house in one piece first. I hesitate to ask a random person to uninstall it because if they break it I'm sure they won't take it and then we will be stuck with broken granite (which might happen anyway!) I will certainly market it as "rustic" rather than "looks like cat barf" so thank you for that idea!
honibaker
6 years ago
Have you called Restore (the Habitat for Humanity re-sale store)? In our area they take kitchens and countertops....sometimes they charge for "deconstruction".

Good Luck.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes, thank you. Our nearest Restore serves the town just to the north of us but does not come to our town. I would much prefer to donate it so that was our first thought too. I have a call into the next closest one but I haven't heard back.
PRO
The Kitchen Place
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Can you use in your garage, basement or somewhere outdoors? Grill area? Potting table? basement bar?
PRO
Granite City Services
6 years ago
I am a fabricator. Be careful about removing the old tops. A dropped piece can leave a huge dent in the floor and even when handled properly the stone can break unpredictably while being carried. (Good news: Baltic Brown is not likely to break that way.) You might try via craigslist to get a couple of granite installers to do it on a weekend for cash. They'll also know how to dispose of it.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Yes-be super careful. My husband helped his buddy go pick up free granite from Craig’s list. . Even with 3 huge guys, my husbands bicep partially tore. And he is really strong and works out hours a day.

Editing to add that I would not let perfect strangers come in your house and risk an injury without a signed waiver. If they drop it, damaging themselves or your home, it could be a pain to deal with it. Even if they are picking up from your driveway, have them sign the receipt that excerpts you from injury or damage.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you, these are excellent points. We have a bunch of granite places so I will call around. I did hear from the other Restore and it sounds like they may come pick it up which might be a good option too. Having a granite company does sound much safer though.
Thanks everyone. this has been very helpful!
palimpsest
6 years ago
Not directly related to the problem at hand, but Baltic Brown is still commonly offered as one of the builder granites in my area and my sister's area. In my area it is not particularly in favor, people have shifted to Greys and Whites but in her area, it's not Unpopular. For a lot of people granite is granite and they will work with it if it's what's there or meets a price point. (

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