Factors That Affect The Price Of Granite Countertops
Granite is available in different grades or classifications. What grade the granite is classified as depends on things like the quality, color and strength of the slab. Although these grades bear heavily on the price of the granite, the actual cost of granite countertops is not just dependent on these classifications. Other expenses include things the cost of transporting the slabs, processing costs, marketing costs and installation in your kitchen or bathroom.
At present, the granite countertop industry is still unregulated. So each supplier will have their own set of prices for the granite that they sell. This can be very confusing for the buyer, because it is difficult to judge what the real cost actually is. It is therefore wise to be informed about these factors when you are building your granite countertop. Although their prices differ, most stone suppliers compute their granite costs by considering the following factors:
Classification of Granite
The base price of a granite countertop will depend on the quality and strength of the slab. The slabs that are the hardest and that have the most strength will be the most expensive ones. Some granite slabs will also have other minerals embedded in the stone, and this will make the quality lower and the price cheaper. Any imperfections will also lower the price.
The colors of the granite slabs also directly affect their prices. Granite slabs with exotic colors and dynamic vein patterns are the most sought-after and therefore the highest priced. Their colors would range from lighter shades of white, beige, cream and gold to the darker shades of brown, blue, green, red and black. Exciting vein patterns in the surface gives dynamism to the granite slab. But more plain colored slabs tend to have lower prices.
Additional Cost Factors
The cost of granite countertops are also affected by the following factors:
€ The type of granite edge installed in the countertops. Intricate and complex edges can jack up the cost because they are more expensive to make.
€ The quantity, quality and placement of the seams. This will affect the size of the original granite slab that you will require, prior to its cutting and shaping.
General Baseline Prices
To help you in your granite costing, here are some baseline figures:
€ Granite slabs - $60.00 per square foot, but can go up to $200.00
€ Granite remnants - $40.00 per square foot
€ Granite tiles - $5.00 to $30.00 per square foot.
Hopefully you now have a good idea of how to keep down the cost of granite countertops.
At present, the granite countertop industry is still unregulated. So each supplier will have their own set of prices for the granite that they sell. This can be very confusing for the buyer, because it is difficult to judge what the real cost actually is. It is therefore wise to be informed about these factors when you are building your granite countertop. Although their prices differ, most stone suppliers compute their granite costs by considering the following factors:
Classification of Granite
The base price of a granite countertop will depend on the quality and strength of the slab. The slabs that are the hardest and that have the most strength will be the most expensive ones. Some granite slabs will also have other minerals embedded in the stone, and this will make the quality lower and the price cheaper. Any imperfections will also lower the price.
The colors of the granite slabs also directly affect their prices. Granite slabs with exotic colors and dynamic vein patterns are the most sought-after and therefore the highest priced. Their colors would range from lighter shades of white, beige, cream and gold to the darker shades of brown, blue, green, red and black. Exciting vein patterns in the surface gives dynamism to the granite slab. But more plain colored slabs tend to have lower prices.
Additional Cost Factors
The cost of granite countertops are also affected by the following factors:
€ The type of granite edge installed in the countertops. Intricate and complex edges can jack up the cost because they are more expensive to make.
€ The quantity, quality and placement of the seams. This will affect the size of the original granite slab that you will require, prior to its cutting and shaping.
General Baseline Prices
To help you in your granite costing, here are some baseline figures:
€ Granite slabs - $60.00 per square foot, but can go up to $200.00
€ Granite remnants - $40.00 per square foot
€ Granite tiles - $5.00 to $30.00 per square foot.
Hopefully you now have a good idea of how to keep down the cost of granite countertops.
