tell him you want super white. Its very specific request. maybe his foreman or project leader can ask for your vendor and work with them. The more "footwork " you do they can be receptive. You know what you want ..you have to try to get it...it should not be difficult. I think they dont like it when people just want credit or want to browse "for something else" . Your bargaining position is you know what you want...and get cracking with where it is how much and who is doing it on your side...then see if they will fly with this.

Unfortunately, this builder is a big community builder and when you sign a contract, you are stuck with their choices. These are not custom homes, just really really expensive 'track housing' in a sense. I know, I know...who wants that, right? Well, it's a unique community with a lot of amenities and nothing around here competes.

So no bargaining power. I either take what they offer, or wait.

@loobab Super white is a gorgeous, smokey, swirley, gray and white stone that when first created, I'm pretty sure God gathered all the angels together to show it off. Prettiest natural stone I've seen. Ever.

I was perusing the samples at MC granite and stopped in my tracks. WHAT is that stone, ohmylord! It was Super White, and the love affair began.

It's hard to find, expensive, has a reputation, is controversial, but I don't care.

It's not a marble, just looks like one, is not a granite but it harder (granite, a 6 on 1-10 and Super white, a 8-10 depending on the slab), it's more of a dolomite. I know dropping those words might cause a lot of response, but there's someone on here who spoke on Super White's behalf and pretty much said it was all that, and a bag of chips.

Here's some pics:

I can see why you like it. Please pursue making an arrangement with the builder for him to at least leave off his counter and do your own from the beginning. If you let him install it and then replace it right away you will be landfilling a piece of granite that took millions of years to form. But you should certainly get what you want since it's your forever home. :-)

I will definitely discuss this with them. I completely agree with you!! @kandrewspa

That is a beautiful stone. It does seem very wasteful to put in a granite and sink that you intend to rip out in the seemingly near future. And, as someone said, it ends up in the landfill? I'd definitely talk to the builder. If he isn't interested in making the change for you, find out what suggestions he may have for getting what YOU want for your beautiful new home.

I feel the same way Amy. When I spoke to the stone company locally (he has done a lot of work there) he did mention coming in once they do the cabinets and installing the stone, as if he has done it that way before. I intend to push hard for this for the very reason you state. I can actually get a cheapy 'georgian venetian marble' plastic counter that possibly could be donated to a reno place.

That sounds like may be an option. I know Restore takes donations like that. At least Formica or something similar would be lighter and easier to dismantle in one piece. I do believe you can get a Certificate of Occupancy without a counter, sink, and running water. So that will be a problem if the builder won't work with you. It would be such a shame if it comes to that ☹️

Sorry, I meant can't get a CO without those things.

Similar situation with Del Webb in Arizona. You have different options dependent on finances. If paying cash, just tell them, "No countertop", I will install my own." If needing a mortgage, select the "no upcharge" material and be very firm that the top be set "loose" on the cabs. Just like owning a movie theater (profit is made on the concession stand sales), most of the gravy in new home sales is on the ridiculous upcharges on the finish materials.

Ask him if you can just delete the counters and sink with no financial adjustments? Get your own fabricator, installer. If it's the same guys they normally use, they could co-ordinate having your guys come in when it was time to do the installation.

A lot of counters are glued down or use silicon caulk to adhere the counter directly to the cabinets. No one will promise that you can remove the counter without damaging the cabinets. If the kitchen comes with a backsplash, that counter isn't coming up again without causing damage to the tile and possibly the wall behind it.

Often the financial adjustment would be pretty minimal. I know someone who wanted to buy 2 adjacent units and leave the kitchen out of one, I think the adjustment they offered was $15,000 or some low number like that.

When buying homes from large production builder it is very common for people to take the cheapest option of certain elements and then replace as soon as they move in. Upgrades are marked up quite a bit and something they just don't offer the product and/or color someone might want. A friend was happy enough with the choices for perimeter cabinets and counters. For her island she installed the cheapest option and after she moved in had the whole island ripped out and replaced. Got new cabinets, counters and sink.

You won't be the first, or last, to rip something out right after taking possession!

We had $50k in upgrades in a tract home we bought. My brother has honed black pearl in a $65k kitchen. It’s gorgeous!!! The builder will not allow anything and you cannot buy the house unfinished. So we had cheap tile installed, bought the house and had it all removed. Total PITA, but it was our only choice. Then used their upgrades for kitchen, blue pearl and backsplash was carrerra marble. It was really pretty. Sold the house 7 months later! LOL

In most areas, you can get a certificate of occupancy with loose plywood counters and a $60 sink, so long is hooked up and you can run water. Of course plywood isn’t cheap these days, but it would be better than cutting and hauling a stone that will be disposed of, even at a ReStore.

So far as the Kohler Whitehaven sink, just be aware that you will have to go back with the short apron retrofit version unless the cabinet your builder is installing is a farmhouse sink base.

Sorry you’re dealing this. It is BS.

@MizLizzie It is BS and I have 100% regret signing the contract but I'm stuck. We have $86K downpayment, too much to lose.

Hi Dana- please excuse my being obtuse, I am confused as whether your Super White is real stone or engineered stone, but no matter , it is very pretty, and if you love it and can afford it, then you should have it!

It is a natural stone, a dolomite with marble properties and quartzite properties and can vary from bundle to bundle.

Thank you!

No such thing in California MissLizzie

So I"m still wondering if I pay to get the farmhouse sink from the builder, but want to rip out the freebie granite (and donate to restore habitat...they'll even come pull it out) can the sink stay intact and safe or does it have to come out too? I want a one bowl sink like the Kohler Whitehaven. Not sure if I should get it and hope it stays safe (risking money in the upgrade) OR take the free steel one, donate it, and put in supports for the farmhouse sink and install before the counters?

A bit late to this convo, but we were in a similar situation... my SO was visiting our build all the time, checking in, chatting with the GC and casually lamenting that we would be renovating some stuff since they had limited options. When it came time for finishes the GC actually had his guys cut some corners for us because in his words ”thanks for not being a pain in the you know wha.” ok, lets be real- thats the pg version of his words, but still. Build a relationship if you can. it might help. it won’t hurt. might get some of your reno questions answered along the way too. might even get a crew lined up for your reno.

This is the price of tract build. Take the ugly, rip it out later. Personally, I would forgo the farm sink. It is asking for trouble in this case, The stone is more important, why risk cabinet cuts . It's a look better reserved for a custom kitchen, higher end. Don't tile at all, and have your new selection saved and ready to go. Make certain you have PLENTY of material. Make certain you have shown your kitchen layout with dimensions to the stone shop. Move on .....and don't think for a second you will change the builders mind, the foreman's mind. You won't.

Do they have any lower end options, like formica, that won't be quite as onerous to remove or as wasteful to tear out?

Get the stone you can live with and the smallest possible sink mounted as far forward in a 36" sink base cabinet as possible. Retrofitting a short apron Whitehaven into a stock cabinet without pulling the top is doable and will look like it was always meant to be. I've got one going in soon and sold another this week.

There are only 2 or 3 cuts to the cabinet and all are covered by the self-facing Whitehaven so they don't have to be pretty at all.

And use a Pete's Sink Mount Kit for a sink that heavy please.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC I was hoping you would chime in. There really isn't a stone I can live with and even if there were, the prices are double what they are at the local stone yard. The upgrades are off the chart. In looking at the sink, it appears to be more of a 30" cabinet. Are there sink installers I could bring in to help manage the sink install? Basically somebody like you, but near Atlanta.

Contact Simply Sinks out of Ackworth, GA. I gave them life.

Exactly what I needed!!!! Thank you!