Granite Countertops - Training & Tools?

[hakrjak]

I recently got a quote for Granite Countertops for the flip I'm working, and I was astonished. Here's how it broke down:

Materials: $352.80
Installation: $1818.00
Labor to undermount sink: $200.00

So it's almost all labor... $2000 worth....

The guy said that some of his regular builder/flipper customers do buy the stuff from them and then install it themselves for big savings, but I'm wondering how to get my crew the right training / tools to be able to do this.

Anybody that has done it before please respond with your reco's, as I'm googling and haven't found much so far... I'm also asking my guy at the Granite place if he knows anyone local...

Cheers,

- Hakrjak

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

What is the square footage of the top? Should come out to $40-80 sq foot dependent on material grade.

 

[hakrjak]

I found a cool website called www.toolocity.com that has all the tools you need to do it yourself along with videos. I dunno if I would want to devote the kind of time required though, since it looks very intensive.

What I'm investigating now is -- would it be a significant savings to have the granite company fabricate it completely and have my guys just carry it in and install it... (I understand granite installation only requires the use of liquid nails to hold it into the cabinets and nothing else?

-Hakrjak

 

[mtnman]

What thickness? Any seams?

That is where you may run into problems... if you want seems blended and polished, errrr, I dunno, it's not hard, but you can understand the complications.

Mounting: yes, silicone or construction adhesive. All you're trying to accomplish is self leveling and a tiny bit of adhearing. Same for the backsplash. Be sure to caulk the joint with a small bead of clear silicone after install to prevent water damage.

Same for the sink, but dependant on counter thickness... you can use mounting hardware, but again, if it's thin, you run the risk of cracking it when drilling, ESPECIALLY, without the proper tools. Flipping the top and adhering the sink is common practice as well, but the obvious cure time is annoying.

 

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[mtnman]

Oh geez, I just realized what you really asked! lol

YES, I would have it fabricated. The cutout for the under mount sink should be done on a cnc or with a slab saw if you want it to be perfect.

 

[biophase]

I found a cool website called www.toolocity.com that has all the tools you need to do it yourself along with videos. I dunno if I would want to devote the kind of time required though, since it looks very intensive.

What I'm investigating now is -- would it be a significant savings to have the granite company fabricate it completely and have my guys just carry it in and install it... (I understand granite installation only requires the use of liquid nails to hold it into the cabinets and nothing else?

-Hakrjak

I don't think that materials $352 includes cutting to size, cutting the hole for the sink, polishing and edging the granite. Don't forget the holes for the faucet!

So the first thing I'd ask is what the cost is to deliver the slab of granite, cut, polished and edged to my door.

I think the toughest part about the installation is making the seam invisible.

How do they do granite in colorado? Do you get a 1.25" slab or a 3/4" slab? Do they stick plywood under the slab and then glue an extra piece at the lip so the granite looks thicker than it is?

Here in Phoenix they go the cheapo way with the plywood. Back in Chicago it was full 1.25" slabs.

 

[Russ H]

Most everyone these days is using pre-finished granite tops that are either 8' or 10' long, 26" deep, and have a standard bullnose on them.

We used this for our last project and-- get this-- the granite top (needed 2, before cuts) were actually CHEAPER than laminate tops at Home Depot!!!

Thing is, you either need to cut them down yourself (sinks are hard, the rest is easy), or hire someone.

And since all the granite guys are now having to use these prefinished counters, ALL of them have raised their rates. Our granite guy used to charge $500 a day to fabricate (incl install)-- NOW he charges $900 a day, to make up for the fact that he doesn't get paid for fabrication anymore!

-Russ H.

 

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[hatterasguy]

I find granite isn't that much more than corian. Unless you are doing some weird shape or something.

Sounds like they are padding the install. Tell them the economy sucks and they need to do better. Tell them no one is making any money now and you can't afford to pay them much more than what corian would cost. If they balk F them, lots of granite guys.

Keep it simple to, don't create extra work. Standard everything to minimize cutting! No extra cut outs for the sink like for soap dispensers! Simple, simple, simple.

 

[hakrjak]

Eh, I tried the "get creative" approach, but it looks like they must be getting plenty of business still because they replied that this was the lowest they could go on price.

I think I might just go with laminate tops for $900 including install. Although I'm competing with a house down the street that has granite so I'd almost like to have it, even though I've got 250 more sq ft and am going to be able to offer my house at probably $30k less than the house down the street...

- Hakrjak

- Hakrjak

 

[hatterasguy]

It depends on the house. If its a middle of the road house for your market corian counters should be fine, thats usualy not a deal breaker.


Sometimes on the new houses we will drag our feet on installing the carpets and counters, this way if someone has to have XX we can bargin it in.

 

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