I did a lot of shopping around for granite to find the right color and the right price. Granite prices vary significantly and it’s safe to say your local big box retailer is not the best choice. Find a granite-specific place and negotiate. Pay attention to the add-ons such as a nice granite edge and under-mount sink if applicable. Edging prices vary dramatically also. Pay attention to linear feet or linear inches and do the math.
I chose the Delicato family and when looking at the actual slab I asked to avoid a specific section of orange. This type of service is easily achievable with a local fabricator of granite. The color went well with the kitchen cabinets, wolf range, range hood, etc..You need to consider all of this and visualize while shopping. Sometimes its difficult!
They took the time to match counter and island locations with ‘cool looking’ parts of the slab.
Granite Island in Delicato
Granite section under microwave shelf
While in the market, I saw prices for the same granite (“black galaxy”) vary from mid $40s to mid $70s. Shop around for granite!
Some people mistakenly think that corian is as expensive or more expensive than granite. The truth is, the highest price corian can be more expensive than the cheapest granite. But lets face it, there is no comparison – granite is the real deal and corian will never be.
If you're going to pay the money for granite, pay the extra and get a nice granite edge! By skimping on the edge and getting a half bullnose your granite counter tops look just like everyone elses…and just like all those cookie cutter new developments that demand a “granite and stainless kitchen”. You know the ones where they pop in all the low-level appliances that have stainless panels stuck on them to pass the “stainless” test and make Joe and Martha Suburbia proud. I chose an Ogee edge which give the granite a unique classy look. ogee edge on granite granite with ogee edging
