This is what the "White Sand" sample from Home Depot looks like. I feel like there is a lot of variation in what gets called White Sand.

Granite is unique for every slab as its a natural product. Why didnt he have you go pick your slab?

(not a pro) Did you visit the stone yard in person to pick slabs?

I had a similar experience because I had picked counters from a sample. Our builders said they found the same stone somewhere else for less. I didn't realize at the time (hadn't found the forums yet) that stone yards can call things whatever they want, and that to be sure you know what you're getting, you have to pick out your slabs in person (not from a sample.) It's a big disappointment; I had to learn to live with it. Sorry this happened to you.

This is the White Sand from Daltile both the HD and the Daltile say "Stonemark"

I'm think that the labeling may be wrong on the sample they showed us. We weren't asked did we want to pick out our slab in person. We were only able to pick out from samples. They also showed us a sample similar to what we were given and told them we didn't want that because it was too dark.

This depends upon the builder and the contract regarding the build. My niece was able to pick her type of granite, but Not the individual slab.

Oh ok got it. I wonder what th sample they showed us is truly called because none of these looked similar. We were going with quartz but they took so long for pricing we decided to stick with granite.

I don't really understand some of the names because I think there is some inconsistency with them, and I agree, your sample does look a lot different from what got installed.

I googled "White Sand granite" and then clicked on the Images tab. The photos there of this granite show a great deal of variation, including some that look like your first photo and some that look like your second photo. Consequently I don't think you will be able to get the builder to change it without paying an upcharge. Perhaps appeal to the builder to cut you a break and see if he could just charge as low an upcharge as possible to change it. Also decide how important it is to you or not to change the granite given that upcharge.

It is best to insist on picking out the counter slabs in person, but you can't know that if you've had no experience with building a home before.

White Sand granite on Google Images

The builder would prefer you pick granite from a sample. He knows there are big variations and wants to go with whatever comes. So you don't wait to be offered the opportunity to pick your slab. You don't wait to be offered the opportunity to approve the cut layout and seam placement. You don't wait for the counters to get to your house before you inspect and approve the finished product. Go to the shop. Make every step contiguent on your timely approval. And don't hold up the work. Be available.

Your strongest arguement for replacement. You were shown the sample that looks like the counters. Hold up the sample. You specifically rejected that choice.

Glad this can get resolved. Even if it WAS still white sands, that sample is materially different from the others and would have been, IMO, misleading.

Well now they are trying to tell the design center they are wrong when she does this for living. So I'm sure it's not settled yet. But yes very misleading.

Glad they admitted their mistake. I looked up White Sands granite, and and as mentioned in earlier comments, its appearance varies a lot. However, I could not find any White Sands that look like your first pic. That is odd. So, if the builder agrees to change your counters, and you want them to look like your first pic, you must first go see the slab they are going to use.

I also cannot recommend enough that you be present when they install the counters - on rare occasions on this forum we’ve seen switcheroos delivered to the home after the homeowner has approved a slab.

If you resolve this with replacement please follow the step by step verification recommendations I listed above. These are the results from many problems reported by other posters over time. You have to be the one taking responsibility for the final product.

I wanted to update everyone that they showed us the WRONG side of the granite when we were at the show room. So we will have to live with it.

I know you posted a photo of the backside of the sample, but I wasn't sure if it was to show the label? Did you physically see the actual sample or did they just send you a photo? If you saw it physically, did you never turn it over to see the polished side?

they showed us the WRONG side of the granite when we were at the show room. So we will have to live with it.

That does not make sense; the granite will look have the same pattern on both sides. One side might be polished, and not the other, but the pattern and colors will be the same. What you discussed in your post was two different granites.

Can you post a picture of the installed granite?

You have to pick your battles and if your builder is forcing that on you then you likely have bigger battles but that's one that I would push on unless it actually looks pretty good. You don't want to get bummed/depressed/angry every time you go in your kitchen for the next xx years.

Make sure you've an email trail w/ your builder including those photos so that you've a good record that you've registered a complaint. Know what it will cost to fix (new stone + removal and reinstall of plumbing/electrical/stone/woodwork/other along with paint touchups.)

A photo of the sample sitting on top of the installed would be good/powerful. If you don't have the sample then you might need to get a friend to obtain it for you.

Mark here is a picture of the installed granite. We originally wanted quartz but they took so long to give us the price we moved forward with granite. We had to communicate via email since we were out of town to attend a funeral. It's all been a learning lesson for sure!

I think your installed counter looks nicer with your cabinets than what you wanted.

I have to agree with Karen. This may be a blessing in disguise.

The OP made these three comments:

"The design center we worked with confirmed the builder put in meteorite granite and not white sands like we ordered." "Well now they are trying to tell the design center they are wrong when she does this for living." And "I wanted to update everyone that they showed us the WRONG side of the granite when we were at the show room."

The terms "design center" and "show room" tell me that the OP is buying a production home, so they wouldn't ever be given the opportunity to pick out a slab or be on site when the countertops were installed. And the "Level 1" written on the sample of the "White Sand" granite further confirms that belief -- production homes allow buyers to make choices/upgrades for certain items, and there are different price ranges for different levels of upgrades.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not knocking production homes. Every home I've ever purchased (and they've all been purchased brand new) has been a production home. I'm just trying to make the point that the OP doesn't have as much control over the situation as some responders here seem to think, based upon their answers/recommendations.

The statement about thinking the unfinished label side of the stone was what she was getting, instead of the polished front side, is just about the biggest boggle ever written on the forum. The builder showroom salesperson “designer(not)” must be about the biggest incompetent in the history of sales people, if she didn’t flip over the samples. And the statement just hangs there, in the air, for the OP.

“The builder showroom salesperson “designer(not)” must be about the biggest incompetent in the history of sales people, if she didn’t flip over the samples.”

@User - as I mentioned a couple posts up, it doesn’t matter which side the OP saw of the sample - both sides will have the same pattern and colors. One side may have been polished, and the other side not, but the OP has been saying that the sample and the installed granite are two different stones. That is borne out by her photos. It doesn’t matter which side of the sample she was shown; the colors and patterns of the two sample sides would not be different. But the sample and the installed granite are different.

You would be surprised at how different an unfinished side of a granite sample looks compared to the polished. On some granites, the difference is night and day.

@Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. - to re-post the OP pics of the sample vs what was installed. I do not agree that what was installed was simply the polished side of the sample.

Just as one example, here is a granite sample front and back. The back looks virtually solid white. There can be a HUGE difference between the look of unfinished and finished granite.

I like the final product better! Please post pictures once your floors are installed =)

Same thought as Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. The sample you showed looks like the backside of the actual sample. Can you post a photo of the other side of the labeled sample?

Even if that is the backside, it still does not look like White sand. Even with variations there is too much black in the installed one. white sand tend to have more grayish and tan then the actaul black spots. i happen to have a sample sitting here so took pictures.

i took one of the edge since it is unfinished and you can’t see the backside due to the label. i would ask to take the sample and lay it on your counters right side up and compare. What you got looks more like meteroite.

I know that the granite that was installed is not what you wanted or asked for. As a complete outsider on this…I think that your kitchen looks fabulous with this granite installed. I would, however, be very vigilant as your finishing goes forward. Do double check tiles, granite, flooring, etc. as it installed to make sure it is what you have asked for. In time, you will embrace this granite. It is a good neutral. With lighting, etc. it will not seem too dark. Good luck with your new home!

I think the main takeaway here is that there is way to much variation in natural stone to ever make a selection from a sample. Whenever possible, you should select the actual slab and/or have a representative send you a photo of your actual slab before approving it.

For what it's worth, I agree with the previous posters who like the granite that was installed. The contrast looks very good. I hope you'll grow to like it as the rest of your new home is completed.

We bought a production builder house as a temporary home in the area where we're building our retirement home. So many things were screwed up inside and outside. The majority were corrected, even some that I didn't truly expect such as ripping out the backsplash tile and repairing the drywall in order to install the correct tile. I emailed photos to the office each time I became aware of an error and maintained a cordial relationship with the staff. We were only able to visit the area infrequently and had to rely on the on-site sales agent who was very nice about sending weekly updates with photos.

We make compromises when we choose to build with a production, or tract, builder. Generally, they are faster and cheaper than a custom builder for a house of similar size (and often of similar quality as well) which may make up for those compromises. There are times when we have to no other choice, due to budget or time constraints or availability of custom builders.

You said this is your first home, and I hope the unexpected granite counters won't cause you to lose your joy and excitement about it. No house is perfect, even a custom home costing millions. I hope you can enjoy making this house your home.

There is good, bad and just different. Your new countertops are good, but different than what you expected. Great design is a sum of its parts. So make sure the rest of your finishes complement both the countertops and cabinets and you'll have a beautiful kitchen.