I thought I had corrected this...sorry

It takes training in the aesthetics of design, and basic space planning, which is offered from many design schools, yes, but it also takes a great deal of knowledge of construction, local building codes, the intimate knowledge of 5 different cabinet lines's 300 pages of specs and their individual quirks and prices. It takes the ability to learn gracefully from your mistakes, and to be willing to earn almost nothing while you are doing so--and for a good long time after you pass the beginning stage. It takes the abilty to financially be able to absorb those errors that you make, and still be able to be creative enough to show up to work making that Target outfit look like Donna Karan and that peanut butter sandwich taste like a gourmet meal, while you worry if you will have enough gas to put in the car to make it to work for the rest of the week. It takes the ability to absorb the daily slaps in the face that actual creativity in your design will get you when you realize that the client really just wants something that looks like everyone else's kitchen, but maybe with just a different colored granite. It takes the ability to be yelled at by a client, cabinet representative, and installer about different aspects of a project that each wants to blame the other for, and be able to remain calm and find a workable solution for all. It takes the ability to babysit some of the biggest and whiniest "grown" children on the planet who think that just because they want something done, there has to be a way to do it---and at the cheapest possible budget. So, yes, being a KD takes training in art or design, but it also takes abilities as a financial counselor, contractor, engineer, psychologist, marriage counselor, mind reader, and magician, to be able to put it all together and actually be successful long term without going bankrupt first. :~)

Kevin, Stop it, your making me blush... Stacys, I would recommend that you find an installer first. Also known as a fabricator. Ask friends, neighbors, relatives and even ask on GW for suggestions in your area of the country. You want a true artist to install your counters. You want the best because stone is heavy and this is not something you can fix if a bad installer damages it. Often the installer has their own slab yard and access to slabs yards or even stone mines all over the world. They can often help you find a specific color, pattern, or stone. And a reputable installer will work with you. They want you as a customer. Templating is after your space is measured and a paper cut out (template) is made of your counter shape. Maybe a sink cut out here, a tiny curve here... And a good installer will work with you so that you can have a seam at this location or this location. Keep in mind they are experts. The stone guys/gals know stone better than they know their families so this means they will recommend what will work best. And yes you can be Cleopatra Prices? The price of stones, granite, marble... is kind of like the price of a diamond. It is going to vary. Yes, there is a mark up and there really is not a standard price. For the most part Kevin and other granite experts can give advice but depending on where you are will depend on the price of your stone. If you live in Italy you could get marble cheaper than here. If you lived in Brazil you could get Blue Bahia granite far cheaper. The stones do not have to travel across the ocean to arrive to your neighborhood. A stone in Boston might be cheaper than a stone in Kansas City. But it depends on the stone and the availabilty. Rocks are unique, like a diamond. A diamond starts out as a shiny rock that has to be cut and shaped. So too does your granite counter. There will be no other exactly like it which can run the price up. Is there are price advantage to buying your stone slab separately? Not really and in fact it might be hard to find a quality installer who will work with your bought separately slab. Is this fair? Well the granite guys need to be paid for their work and it is a big process not just the sale of a diamond. It is the buying, (Often from another country) transporting, by ship or truck, the templating, (precise measurements that a surgeon would do) cutting, delivering and installing to perfection. You want beautiful edges, no seams so that when you run your hand across your counter it feels smooth. You want the gorgeous honed or polished rock to shine in your kitchen a a true piece of art. Installers need to know where the stone came from, the quality, the source or the availability. Get the stone through them it is safer and to your advantage. The check list below is a great way to start. Good luck. ~boxer Here is a link that might be useful: GW Grantie Checklist

Lala44- What you're experiencing is peoples' reaction to the MEDIA. Many are afraid to buy because of all the bad publicity about home prices "crashing." Many people who are buying anything else other than starter homes remember the 1990 recession & they don't want to buy high while the prices are coming down. I will get attacked on these boards for blaming the MEDIA, but I'm sorry, that is what everyone around here (NE) is saying....They have good jobs, the economy is fine, yet the RE is very unstable. There is no reason for it in this area, other than the media hype. Potential buyers are saying that they would gladly pay the going price to buy a house IF they could be assured that they can get top dollar for their property. RE is regional, so I'm sure that Cali, Florida & some other parts need an adjustment because their prices are outrages, where only the top 2% of America can afford them. Unfortunately, the media traveled & now even the priced right homes are suffering. People are lowballing, no matter how well you priced your house. It's not always about the price. Right now it's about "fear adjustment." Lowballing soothes some of the fear, because the buyer feels that even if the housing market crashes, if they get a good buy, they will be in line with the lower prices. Some buyers don't even want to chance lowball buying, so you have "interested lookers" who will not commit. It's frustrating. I went through the same thing. People would look at my home for hours at a time , say they love it, ask questions, say they're going to buy.....and nothing.