There are so many mis-interpretations about re-doing your kitchen counter tops over. It’s looked at as an easy do-over. I guess if you don’t care about the end result being right then yes, it is a simple procedure. Let’s talk about all of the things that can go wrong.

There are three ways you can have your tops replaced with granite or quartz. One being right from the stone fabricator direct. This will ultimately be your least cost option. The second way is from a home center business. This will be your next cheapest option. Third is from a kitchen and bath dealership. This will be the most expensive. I’m sure you are wondering why the costs vary from each place. I’m here to explain that today to make your life and project a little more clear and a lot more easier.

As you lean towards a lesser cost solution, what you give up is expertise, ideas and eye catching guidance. Don’t get me wrong, you will get expertise about the granite itself from the fabricator. They work with it every day and they know how to cut and install the products. What you lose though is the little nuances that are needed to make sure the project comes together. Let me explain some of those things.

The big difference with the laminated tops you have in your kitchen now that you want to replace is the thickness of the products. Laminated tops are 1-1/2″ thick. Granite is typically around 1-1/4″ thick and quartz is 1-1/8″ thick. What does this have to do with the price of tea in China? If you have existing tile on the back splash or any cabinet that comes down to the counter, these are predicated to the thickness of your laminate top, not granite or quartz. You will have a gap between the new top and tile or cabinet. Not a pleasant site and even worse if you fill it with a molding.

Another nuance will be the help you get with colors and making the right choice to enhance your cabinets, walls and floor colors. There are some fabricators that do have sales staff that can help you here but generally, you are dealing with the people that do the fabricating with no knowledge at all in the color area. There main goal is to sell you product by the square foot and they don’t care what color you go with. It reminds me of the clothes salesperson that tells you you look good in that dress or pants and actually, they are wrong for you in every way. You might find the home centers that have personnel that will figure these things out but most likely, they are few and far between. The kitchen dealer will be more abreast of all of these things but still you could find some places that are not. Be wise and diligent with your decisions and interview the salesperson in all three types of businesses.

There are many other small areas that you will need to be think about to but all in all, when it comes to your home project, you want it done right and you want to be happy. You work hard for your money so make sure you spend it in the right places that the sales person know what they need to know and  think about from the good questions they ask you. There is always a reason why something costs more from one place or the other. It’s up to you to decide what is important to you. Choose the right business for your needs.

Bon Appetit!

Tim Holick

This entry was posted in Countertops on October 1, 2015 by THblog.