Calculating the Cost of Granite Countertops

Many homeowners start with an expectation of the cost of granite countertops, yet become dejected or upset as they go through the shopping experience. Although granite prices have dropped significantly in the last decade, there are still expensive variations and decisions homeowners can make which will inadvertently make them even pricier. Some of the factors to consider are the quality of the slab, number of cuts required, the thickness of the slab, and installation expenses.

As you begin to look at the cost of granite counter tops, you will inevitably visit some of your local granite stores. You will notice that these shops have slab quality tiers. Some stores will have as few as two tiers of pricing versus others that may have four tiers of pricing. You may often see them shown as follows:

Tier 1 - Least expensive, entry model
Tier 2 - Moderate priced
Tier 3 - Premium priced
Tier 4 - Super-premium pricing, rare variations

The factors that establish the tier level will be the thickness of the slab, where it was originally mined, the intricate patterns involved, and color. The more rare variations will be more expensive. Keep in mind that granite is a natural material and that you will need to order all of the material at the same time to prevent variations from lot to lot.

The number of times your fabricator makes a cut will have a direct impact on the cost of granite countertops. This means that every corner, every sink opening, and every angle will result in incremental costs. The total square feet of your product will reflect these cuts. Generally, the more time a fabricator spends working on your countertop, the more expensive your final cost will be. So if it is not absolutely necessary, try to keep the cuts to a minimum. Many home owners are frustrated when they are advertised granite at an incredible price. Once they show up to the store, they often discover that the price did not reflect the cuts and end up walking out of the store with sticker shock. It is not uncommon to see some fabricators charge almost $300 for a sink cutout.

Slab thickness is the next consideration that can have an impact on the cost of granite countertops; the thicker the slab, the more expensive the price. Some stores will quote in centimeters and others in inches. Typically 2 centimeters (about 0.78 inches) is considered the lower end variation. 3 centimeters (about 1.18 inches) is considered the better option. If you choose thinner countertops, they are typically reinforced with plywood to the underside to give them more structural support. Regardless, no one should ever consider standing on even the thicker variations. Granite can and will break if you create unusual stress to it.

The final consideration is installation expenses. The cost of granite countertops can not be calculated alone by the material since it impossible to install by yourself. Hiring installers who are experts will work best. It is strongly advised that you not hire a general handyman and expect him or her to become familiar with the process. There is an element of craftsmanship when working with granite and paying the premium for a professional installer is well worth the price.

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