Granite countertops cost

Most people have countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms. One of the primary features that countertop buyers look for is the hardness, utility and elegance of the product. This is precisely the reason why granite countertops are the most popular. Besides its functional uses, it is also a beautiful material that adds colors and also keeps the ambience warm in the room. It is a fact that normal granite countertops, if applied on a kitchen or used during remodeling can be a bit expensive than other countertop manufacturers, but is still the first choice for many people.

Without considering the installation cost, a granite countertop might cost you around 50 to 100 US dollars per square foot. Some discount granite can also be purchased at even 30 US dollars per square foot. However, the main cost lies not in the granite, but in the installation and transportation of the substance.

The biggest drawback for the stone industry is that the pricing is not regular. People dealing with stones, in different tiers, can decide on their own price according to the market demands. Some dealers who provide complete service can charge up to 40 percent extra above the normal price. Similarly, the suppliers of granites also have multi-levels. The top tier suppliers charge the most and establish the final price based on certain features like origin, color, thickness, percentage of soft materials present, and also the movement of color pattern in the stone. However, the lower tiers also provide stones with same features like the top-level suppliers. Lower level suppliers, who are also known as commercial grade stone supplier, provides stones that are harder than the others, hence it is a good idea to survey the market before purchasing. These granites also have a large number of pits, which must be filled in. The soft minerals present in the stone also affect the final price.

The recommended thickness for a granite slab is three centimeters, but in most cheap stones, you would find it to be just two centimeters. This is accounted for by laminating the stone with plywood for extra support during the installation. Mostly, the discount granites deal with this type of thin and cheap granite slabs and are now followed by most suppliers. The Asian and Indian granites are deliberately cut down to thin slabs, laminated and then fabricated before it is shipped. This pre-fabrication reduces the price as the lighter material is being shipped, thus reducing the cost. Another factor that makes a major change to the price is the fact that the fabrication is done in countries where the worker wage is low, saving a lot of money.

During fabrication and installation, the price of the countertop is affected by the number of cuts the stone has to go through. Thus, one must make it a point to discuss the plans of the countertop setup before the installation or fabrication begins. Moreover, there is a lot of waste involved in this process. About three square feet of waste is accumulated during the complete process. However, the exact quantity varies according to the length of the countertop. One must plan beforehand so as to reduce the waste to a minimum extent, as the owner of the countertop pays for the waste.

It is quite an easy task to purchase a granite countertop at a reasonable price. One should make sure that the supplier is reliable and the total installation is properly handled by the professionals. Choosing the best granite that is cost effective is one of the biggest steps, but proper installation is a must, otherwise the whole setup would become very inefficient and at the same time extremely costly.