Granite Counters
04-Aug-2009, 12:24 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 'Sauga
Posts: 630
Granite Counters
We're moving into our new place this Oct and looking to get 1 1/4" thick granite counter, Colour/Patter TBD. Most likely a lighter colour to accent the Espresso coloured Cabinets. We have approx 38 total sq feet of counter space that needs be installed. Builder is charging between $3900-$4500 depending on a type of Granite ($102-$118 per sq ft), extra for "upgraded" faucet, extra for Undermount Sink.
Obviously not going with builder, but would expect pricing to be about 50 to 75% of that with possibly a undermount sink included and or "better than standard" faucet. We're moving to Milton, so I'm not sure how big of a factor vicinity to our place would be (travel/shipping). Also will be getting a slide in range, so there may be some additional cutting needed to fit the stove in properly. Ideally, would be looking to have backsplash done at the same time. Not necessarily looking for the CHEAPEST option, but overall satisfaction and value as I would like this process to be stress free and after service needs to be just as good! anyone have good/bad experiences here? places to consider or stay away from?
Obviously not going with builder, but would expect pricing to be about 50 to 75% of that with possibly a undermount sink included and or "better than standard" faucet. We're moving to Milton, so I'm not sure how big of a factor vicinity to our place would be (travel/shipping). Also will be getting a slide in range, so there may be some additional cutting needed to fit the stove in properly. Ideally, would be looking to have backsplash done at the same time. Not necessarily looking for the CHEAPEST option, but overall satisfaction and value as I would like this process to be stress free and after service needs to be just as good! anyone have good/bad experiences here? places to consider or stay away from?
04-Aug-2009, 01:17 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Burlington
Posts: 15,101
Check out Granite Transformation in Oakville. They are do great work, we had them do are office at my shop. Tell them Spike from NRG Automotive sent you there, they mite give you a deal, as they are customers at my shop.
529 Speers Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2G4
Phone # 905-847-3554
Fax # 905-847-8594
529 Speers Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2G4
Phone # 905-847-3554
Fax # 905-847-8594
04-Aug-2009, 01:27 AM
#3
-- site donator --
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 6,647
I did mine through the builder. About 50 sq/ft not including the back splash for around $6000. Double under mount Kohler sink and Moen faucet are another $1000.
I figured doing it later on may be cheaper, but it wont be covered under the builders warranty and so far my builder has been fantastic for repairs. A joe-blow contractor may not be so reliable and will need to schedule the installaton after you move in. They wont install stuff until after you take possession and the builder wont let them in before the house is complete.
Slide in stove is custom and from what I was told, they need to know in advance exacly the dimensions of the stove bfore they cut the granite.
Find out who the builder uses for their granite and maybe try using them later on.
I did all my upgrades in my current and upcoming not built new home throught the builder. Sure it was expensive (35g's) on the new house, but the builder covers any problems and/or defects, I dont have to deal with installing stuff after I move in and the extra cost on my mortgage is literally only a few bucks a month. I dont know any contractors nor do I want to research and hire any to do work the builder can do.
My 2 cents anyway.
I figured doing it later on may be cheaper, but it wont be covered under the builders warranty and so far my builder has been fantastic for repairs. A joe-blow contractor may not be so reliable and will need to schedule the installaton after you move in. They wont install stuff until after you take possession and the builder wont let them in before the house is complete.
Slide in stove is custom and from what I was told, they need to know in advance exacly the dimensions of the stove bfore they cut the granite.
Find out who the builder uses for their granite and maybe try using them later on.
I did all my upgrades in my current and upcoming not built new home throught the builder. Sure it was expensive (35g's) on the new house, but the builder covers any problems and/or defects, I dont have to deal with installing stuff after I move in and the extra cost on my mortgage is literally only a few bucks a month. I dont know any contractors nor do I want to research and hire any to do work the builder can do.
My 2 cents anyway.
04-Aug-2009, 10:13 AM
#4
Luka
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
^^^ not completely true
If a worker is qualified, work can be done before you move in to your house.
Case in point, a buddy of mine just bought from a builder in Milton. He does taping for a living. The builder discounted the price of the house because he and his dad did the drywall and taping themselves.
If a worker is qualified, work can be done before you move in to your house.
Case in point, a buddy of mine just bought from a builder in Milton. He does taping for a living. The builder discounted the price of the house because he and his dad did the drywall and taping themselves.
04-Aug-2009, 10:38 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,570
^^^ not completely true
If a worker is qualified, work can be done before you move in to your house.
Case in point, a buddy of mine just bought from a builder in Milton. He does taping for a living. The builder discounted the price of the house because he and his dad did the drywall and taping themselves.
If a worker is qualified, work can be done before you move in to your house.
Case in point, a buddy of mine just bought from a builder in Milton. He does taping for a living. The builder discounted the price of the house because he and his dad did the drywall and taping themselves.
nice
04-Aug-2009, 10:52 AM
#6
Luka
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
I think they'd be a little more paranoid about something like electrical work
but **** like drywall and counters...I guess depends on the builder.
They will get pissed off if you do something without them knowing though. My best friend bought a house on the next street over from me. Him and his dad went into it and put extra screws in the floor to keep it from creaking later and the builder was threatening to not cover the warranty on the floor because of it.
but **** like drywall and counters...I guess depends on the builder.
They will get pissed off if you do something without them knowing though. My best friend bought a house on the next street over from me. Him and his dad went into it and put extra screws in the floor to keep it from creaking later and the builder was threatening to not cover the warranty on the floor because of it.
04-Aug-2009, 11:29 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,570
I think they'd be a little more paranoid about something like electrical work
but **** like drywall and counters...I guess depends on the builder.
They will get pissed off if you do something without them knowing though. My best friend bought a house on the next street over from me. Him and his dad went into it and put extra screws in the floor to keep it from creaking later and the builder was threatening to not cover the warranty on the floor because of it.
but **** like drywall and counters...I guess depends on the builder.
They will get pissed off if you do something without them knowing though. My best friend bought a house on the next street over from me. Him and his dad went into it and put extra screws in the floor to keep it from creaking later and the builder was threatening to not cover the warranty on the floor because of it.
what if I hang up a nice picture in the living room before they drywall it...would they not complete the drywall?
04-Aug-2009, 11:57 AM
#8
-- site donator --
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 6,647
With my builder, nothing can be added to the home until its completed. I asked about supplying my own potlights and faucets for them to install and I was told no. Great builder, just very strict. Technically, they still own it until the closing date anyway. Im only allowed 2 supervised visits while the house is under construction. I will be there much more, but they dont need to know. Its also a safety issues. If anything ever happened to you while visiting the construction site, the ministry of labour would be all over them.
One thing I did find slightly usefull was to be nice to the crews working on my place. During my weekly visits, I would bring them coffee and donuts or pizza for lunch. Maybe I just got lucky, but my current home has been problem free compared to some of my neighbours. I was here one day when there were 2 apprentices running the cable and phone lines. I was supposed to get 5 cable and 5 phone lines total in the entire house. I took the 2 guys out to lunch and in return I have about 10 cable and 5 phone lines.
Ed maybe try looking on redflagdeals or local home renovation forums.
One thing I did find slightly usefull was to be nice to the crews working on my place. During my weekly visits, I would bring them coffee and donuts or pizza for lunch. Maybe I just got lucky, but my current home has been problem free compared to some of my neighbours. I was here one day when there were 2 apprentices running the cable and phone lines. I was supposed to get 5 cable and 5 phone lines total in the entire house. I took the 2 guys out to lunch and in return I have about 10 cable and 5 phone lines.
Ed maybe try looking on redflagdeals or local home renovation forums.
04-Aug-2009, 12:39 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 'Sauga
Posts: 630
I did mine through the builder. About 50 sq/ft not including the back splash for around $6000. Double under mount Kohler sink and Moen faucet are another $1000.
I figured doing it later on may be cheaper, but it wont be covered under the builders warranty and so far my builder has been fantastic for repairs. A joe-blow contractor may not be so reliable and will need to schedule the installaton after you move in. They wont install stuff until after you take possession and the builder wont let them in before the house is complete.
Slide in stove is custom and from what I was told, they need to know in advance exacly the dimensions of the stove bfore they cut the granite.
Find out who the builder uses for their granite and maybe try using them later on.
I did all my upgrades in my current and upcoming not built new home throught the builder. Sure it was expensive (35g's) on the new house, but the builder covers any problems and/or defects, I dont have to deal with installing stuff after I move in and the extra cost on my mortgage is literally only a few bucks a month. I dont know any contractors nor do I want to research and hire any to do work the builder can do.
My 2 cents anyway.
I figured doing it later on may be cheaper, but it wont be covered under the builders warranty and so far my builder has been fantastic for repairs. A joe-blow contractor may not be so reliable and will need to schedule the installaton after you move in. They wont install stuff until after you take possession and the builder wont let them in before the house is complete.
Slide in stove is custom and from what I was told, they need to know in advance exacly the dimensions of the stove bfore they cut the granite.
Find out who the builder uses for their granite and maybe try using them later on.
I did all my upgrades in my current and upcoming not built new home throught the builder. Sure it was expensive (35g's) on the new house, but the builder covers any problems and/or defects, I dont have to deal with installing stuff after I move in and the extra cost on my mortgage is literally only a few bucks a month. I dont know any contractors nor do I want to research and hire any to do work the builder can do.
My 2 cents anyway.
I hear what you're saying with the problems etc.. but 1) we won't be hiring any "joe blow" contractor, any company that I'm considering would have to be reputable, offer the service before and after sale and "warranty" their work. 2) we're on a "budget" considering what the builder was charging it would've put us way over our budget. Budget in terms of the 20% down payment we wanted to make.
so on one hand, the money we're saving by doing the 20% (we're barely making it since the anticipated closing date was a bit sooner than we thought) AND the Home renovations tax credit this year it was like we're getting it for "free". We'll see how much trouble it is after it's done and if it's worth it :P
04-Aug-2009, 12:43 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 'Sauga
Posts: 630
Check out Granite Transformation in Oakville. They are do great work, we had them do are office at my shop. Tell them Spike from NRG Automotive sent you there, they mite give you a deal, as they are customers at my shop.
529 Speers Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2G4
Phone # 905-847-3554
Fax # 905-847-8594
529 Speers Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2G4
Phone # 905-847-3554
Fax # 905-847-8594
Is there someone specific I should ask for?
04-Aug-2009, 01:33 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 'Sauga
Posts: 630
DumbasSi, I've posted this message to a couple of forums already including RFD ... again, I'm not necessarily looking for the absolute cheapest... I would rather pay more for the service and customer service. Just not "builder" price
04-Aug-2009, 01:41 PM
#13
Luka
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
They found out because it was a bare floor, ie subfloor and the builder knows they didn't put those screws or even as many screws into the floor that were there after the weekend.
04-Aug-2009, 01:42 PM
#14
Luka
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
With my builder, nothing can be added to the home until its completed. I asked about supplying my own potlights and faucets for them to install and I was told no. Great builder, just very strict. Technically, they still own it until the closing date anyway. Im only allowed 2 supervised visits while the house is under construction. I will be there much more, but they dont need to know. Its also a safety issues. If anything ever happened to you while visiting the construction site, the ministry of labour would be all over them.
One thing I did find slightly usefull was to be nice to the crews working on my place. During my weekly visits, I would bring them coffee and donuts or pizza for lunch. Maybe I just got lucky, but my current home has been problem free compared to some of my neighbours. I was here one day when there were 2 apprentices running the cable and phone lines. I was supposed to get 5 cable and 5 phone lines total in the entire house. I took the 2 guys out to lunch and in return I have about 10 cable and 5 phone lines.
Ed maybe try looking on redflagdeals or local home renovation forums.
One thing I did find slightly usefull was to be nice to the crews working on my place. During my weekly visits, I would bring them coffee and donuts or pizza for lunch. Maybe I just got lucky, but my current home has been problem free compared to some of my neighbours. I was here one day when there were 2 apprentices running the cable and phone lines. I was supposed to get 5 cable and 5 phone lines total in the entire house. I took the 2 guys out to lunch and in return I have about 10 cable and 5 phone lines.
Ed maybe try looking on redflagdeals or local home renovation forums.
you mean noone took a crap in one of your vents?
heheheheeheh
04-Aug-2009, 01:49 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mississauga
Posts: 410
^^^ not completely true
If a worker is qualified, work can be done before you move in to your house.
Case in point, a buddy of mine just bought from a builder in Milton. He does taping for a living. The builder discounted the price of the house because he and his dad did the drywall and taping themselves.
If a worker is qualified, work can be done before you move in to your house.
Case in point, a buddy of mine just bought from a builder in Milton. He does taping for a living. The builder discounted the price of the house because he and his dad did the drywall and taping themselves.
05-Aug-2009, 10:00 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Your sisters bedroom
Posts: 30,142
link - http://www.torontocivics.com/tccv5forums/t158677/
and i think its part of the croatian blood.......there are freaking tapers/drywall guys LOL
and i think its part of the croatian blood.......there are freaking tapers/drywall guys LOL
