Granite Countertops Price

Granite is a hard ingenious rock formed by solidified cooled down molten lava, and yet, its granular structure makes it easy to cut and slice in various shapes. Granite countertops gives a very sleek and stylish look when used as a surface on floors or as tabletops. The cost of maintenance is very low as it can be easily polished and is very easy to clean and maintain. This is why it has gained widespread use as a construction stone.

While selecting granite countertops, there are many parameters that you would need to consider. Countertops made from granite can be selected from different visually marble-like textures, colors and shades. But one peculiar feature of granite is that slabs that are only from a single granite stone found in a quarry will look similar. It is not possible to find similar looking slabs from two different quarries or even two different stones of the same quarry. Therefore, it is very important to consider this while buying granite slabs, or else you will end up with uneven textured granite countertops.

Price of Granite Countertops: A Detailed View

As are the features of the granite rock, the price of its countertops lies in a wide range. But utility-wise granite is a one time investment, which makes it worth, when it comes to long term usage. Moreover, the care required after installation is minimal too. There are many granite cleaning products in the market, but even a simple wash daily or weekly with soap water, will make them to shine.

Priced on per square feet basis, granite countertops cost lies in the range from US $70 to US $180 a square foot. This, on most occasions does not include installation charges. Some hardware stores offer granite at discounted price, mostly in non peak season, for as less as US $35 per foot, which obviously does not include installation. Most of the cost is not of the stone itself, but it includes the costs incurred due to stonework, transportation, finishing and installation.

Most granite stores offer a complete installation package, which includes transportation, cutting, polishing and cementing. You also go for a self-hired contractor for installation purpose. In that case, you will have to shed out in the range of US $10 to US $30 per square feet for installing granite countertops. For average sized countertops, the cost of installing will range from US $750 to US $1500. The more renowned and experienced contractor you appoint, higher will be the installation cost, but you can be lest assured about the workmanship. There's another option which is not very advisable. In case, you have the equipment, skill, and experience of cutting, polishing, and installing these countertops; this job can be done yourself. The only advantage in doing so is that you can easily bring down the cost of installation to a range of US $500 to US $700.

Granite is grouped into three types A, B, C. These groupings are based on the availability of the base stone from which that specific type of granite is obtained. Those which are found very rarely are placed in group A. those types which are there in group B or C are more commonly found. So, it's clear that the cost for those placed in group A is the highest, as compared to group B and C.

Going for second hand or reusable granite is another viable option. There's an option of making slabs from granite scarps that can be found in any scrap stone yard. These can prove useful, if you need to cover a small countertop in areas like the kitchen or on staircases.

These days, granite slabs are already cut into standard size tiles, reducing the installation costs drastically. Hence, many people are going for granite tiles as countertops. The granite tiles can cost about US $5 per square foot. But, the modular granite countertop prices are in a range of US $25 to US $40 per square foot. Countertops of high-end granite type are available in large slabs. These slabs are fabricated off-sites, and so, there's added transportation cost getting added to the overall price which lies in the range of US $60 and above for per square foot of installation.

This was an overview of the cost of granite countertops, and how they enhance the look and feel of a table surface. But, before going in for a deal, always discuss it with a few traders and contractors and take your decisions depending on the best deal that is offered.