Due to granite’s combination of strength, strength and durability, it is widely recognized as the ideal material for kitchen countertops. But it’s not just the practical properties that have led to its convenience. It is also because of its intense shine and feel that Granite gives everyone the instant impression of luxury and wealth. And due to its unique combination of these natural properties, the popularity of granite countertops has grown significantly in recent years. So granite countertops look great and have all the benefits of appearance, durability and low maintenance that anyone could ask for in an ideal work surface, but is it really affordable?
Most people’s first impression of granite countertops is that they are enormously expensive and only available to those for whom money is not an issue. In my work with a well-known countertop manufacturer, I get numerous calls from people looking for granite alternatives, often in the form of a faux quartz countertop, not knowing that the real thing will probably cost less!
Obviously, granite is more expensive than the usual laminate or chipboard, but it lasts a lot longer and once you start comparing it to alternatives like Timber, Quartz and Corian, it suddenly becomes a more attractive option! Granite countertops are a long-term investment that can easily increase a home’s value. Even if you are not currently looking to sell your home, you may want to at some point in the future, and granite countertops will still be there to help you do so.
The perception that granite is expensive is relatively old. The fact is that granite has always been highly desirable as the ultimate work surface and, say, 10 or 15 years ago it used to be expensive. These days it’s a different story. There are many more vendors, often two or three in every major town or city, and this change alone has made granite much more accessible to a wider range of people.
There are also ways you can help yourself gain access to this precious work surface and make it even more affordable. The easiest way to reduce the cost of your granite countertop is to simply cut out the middleman. By approaching a manufacturer directly instead of going through a cooking studio, you’ll instantly eliminate significant commission-based costs that would be added to your bill. However, having a kitchen supplier fix the countertops on your behalf can give you a certain sense of security, but it’s definitely worth considering to enjoy the benefit of making significant savings on your final ‘go direct’ bill. Until a few years ago, most manufacturers did not deal directly with private customers and chose to deal only with trade. But with more and more manufacturers agreeing to do the job directly, it’s become hard for the few remaining companies not to follow suit.
A major driving force behind this change has been the Internet. With its now massive penetration into most homes and offices, it has provided a super-fast and efficient way to find manufacturers to deal with directly, and you’re not just limited to dealing with local suppliers. You can choose to deal with any supplier from virtually anywhere in the country but, as with any ‘made to order’ item, it is essential to be careful before making a firm commitment and to talk to as many different manufacturers as possible and, if possible, even try paying them a visit.
However, when shopping online, it is not always possible to visit individual companies. So in such cases, try to get a personal recommendation if possible, as this could offer invaluable information. Try asking companies if you can contact or visit any of their past clients in your area or if they can provide written references from any of their past clients.
By contacting several suppliers, you can get an idea of who has the best reputation and offers the best value for money. As with many other situations, it’s often tempting to go with the cheapest offer. However, particularly when selecting a supplier for granite countertops, this is not always the best option. From your research of various companies, you will be able to see that most “reputable” companies tend to offer similar products within the same general price range. If a company is significantly cheaper, be careful, this is usually for a very good reason!
When you buy a granite countertop, you are not only paying for the material itself, but also for the labor required to cut, prepare and polish the stone, as well as for the care and precision of the final installation. It doesn’t matter if you have selected the most beautiful of stones; Poor manufacturing and subpar fit result in an inferior result that offers poor value. The stone is almost always beautiful; It’s the finishing touches that make all the difference, and with such a durable material, it can be something you’ll have to live with for a long time.
Once you’ve installed your new granite countertop, it will stay that way for virtually forever. Quality stone like this is extremely strong and durable, so it will last until you simply get tired of it, longer than a human life. There are several things you can do to help maintain and keep them looking like new, like using a cutting board and pan supports, but Granite is virtually maintenance free. Any good manufacturer will have used a suitable sealant during installation which will carry a guarantee of at least 10 years, so reapplying sealants will not be necessary.
So when you consider how good Granite looks, that it is the ideal kitchen work surface, that it will last maintenance-free for more than a lifetime, and that today we can get a quality Granite work surface direct from the manufacturer, then no I believe it. Think that we can consider it expensive at all!
