Do you want to save on granite countertops? The question is not “can you save on granite countertops” it is “how do you save on granite countertops”. Without a doubt, simply by following some good advice you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars buying granite countertops in Atlanta. Find out how you can save on granite countertops with the following tips.
Cost factors in determining how much you can save on granite countertops
The cost of granite material and installation can range from about $30 per square foot up to $250. That’s a broad spectrum! Here are the factors that affect the price you’ll pay for granite counters and how you can save on granite countertops.
The grade of the material: There are typically three grades of material: builder’s grade, average, and premium. Each vendor uses their specific labels, but those terms give you an idea of what you’ll find and the cheapest option available. The grade is basically the “quality of the material” lower the grade the more imperfections in the stone. Don’t think just because a price is low or high that is a reflection of the material grade. How can you tell yourself? Pretty easy actually. You have to LOOK at the actual slab your buying and see how many cracks, fissures, or chips are on the surface. If you see a lot then it is low grade. TIP: Buy with a factory-direct company to get the best quality and price. Art Stone directly imports premium materials at discounted rates due to our connections with granite quarries.
save on granite countertops
The complexity of the installation job: The number of seams, corners, and the type of edge is the factors that determine the degree of installation difficulty and the overall cost of the job. The fewer of these there are, the less the labor part of the job will cost. U-shaped counters with multiple seams and an edge that’s difficult to cut are the costliest. TIP: Talk to the kitchen designer and find out if there are changes in layout or materials that could help keep the cost down. Sometimes, even 1 inch of overhang on one countertop edge could save hundreds.
Your countertops installer: Obviously, the cheapest option is to do it yourself. Of course, you’ll only save money if you do the job properly without damaging the material in the process. However, granite countertops are not really a DIY project due to the extensive weight and needed tools to install. Depending on the grade of the material and complexity of the work, labor can account for up to 50% of the total cost, though 20% to 25% is more the average. TIP: You will save money on granite countertops by buying from a factory direct installer like Art Stone. Most other companies hire outside installers and the more middlemen the less savings you will get.
Who you work with: Working directly with the supplier of the material costs less than getting your countertops through a custom builder or interior designer. This way, you can save on granite countertops with as much as 25% or even more. Remember ever middle-man adds to the overall cost.
Is it really worth it to try and save on granite countertops
Many people choose granite for the look it creates in any kitchen or bathroom. It’s simply stunning, and due to the nature of this natural stone, no two slabs are exactly alike. This means your countertop will look truly unique, no matter what name you choose.
It’s also hard as, well, a rock. It’s durable and can take years of daily use without losing its good looks. It is also heat and scratch-resistant, as well as chemical and dent resistant. You can save on granite countertops and not have to worry about damaging the look of the countertops.
To save on granite countertops, watch out for upcharges
Even when you are hoping to save on granite countertops, don’t be fooled by a low square foot cost. Some countertop fabricators will advertise cheap granite countertops based on a low price per square foot. Still, then they will upcharge you for sink and cooktop cutouts, edge profiles, template, installation, and granite sealer. If you can compare the bottom line price when shopping for a granite countertop installation company instead of the square foot price, this will be a more accurate number.
Get the right granite grade for better chances to save on granite countertops
Level 1 granite comes in three different grade levels: commercial or builder grade, standard grade, and premium grade. Advertised cheap granite countertops with a low cost per square foot could mean the installer will use a lower grade material, which may have unsightly pitting, veins, or blemishes in the granite slabs. This means that your counters will need replacement sooner or later, not a very good idea to save on granite countertops.
save on granite countertops
It is possible to save on granite countertops
Since the 2000s, granite has evolved. Now it comes in many different colors and patterns, and because it’s a natural stone, no two pieces look identical, a feature that many people find appealing. When an Atlanta Granite Countertop Fabricator installs it, there are few seams, and sometimes none. Perhaps best of all, the once-pricey countertops are now very affordable, with prices starting at about $20 to $35 per square foot, although you can still pay up to $80 or $100 per square foot, too, depending on the granite’s color and complexity of fabrication. The only downside of using granite is that you do have to seal the porous stone annually, with a targeted granite stone-sealer product, to prevent stains from seeping in. All in all, it is quite possible to have the look and durable functionality of Atlanta countertops and still save on granite countertops.
