average for updating/rehabbing estimates

[BobbiOh]

Most granite suppliers will do the install as part of the package. By BobbiOh's price's, they've got a granite quarry in their backyard they just pluck from and use slave labor  .

We have a small slave labor force. We keep them locked in the garage. And I'll never get a swimming pool unless I get rid of all that rock out of back there.

Actually, we use the pre-fab granite slabs, referred to as China Granite by some people. A friend of ours is a tile and stone wholesaler, so we get them at wholesale rate. They come pre-cut to a standard width and a length of 8 feet with the bullnose already done. Unless it needs something fancy done, my husband does the cuts for the sink (above counter) and the length. Diamond saw blade.

I also keep an eye on Craigslist and at local stores for deals. Just bought a bunch of Travertine tiles for $2.99sf. I don't have the house for it to go in yet, but I'll stock pile anything I find. In the past I've also found some great deals at Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store.

I'm constantly on the hunt for materials and bargain prices, so I guess I'm actually the slave labor.

[Rich_in_CT]

Damn, I'm guessing buying prefab is surely cheaper than paying the extremely high paid granite installers to do it.

[BobbiOh]

Yep! Just like the regular stuff, the prices vary for color and rarity. The least expensive runs us about $200 per slab. It typically takes 2 or 3 to do a kitchen. Plus they sell pre-fabbed backsplashes too.

There's even a place near us that sells them installed starting around $25/sf. They do charge for additional cuts, though.

[kdhastedt]

Happy B-day, BobbiOh!

Keith

[BobbiOh]

Thank you Keith. 

[Rich_in_CT]

Happy B-day, BobbiOh!

Keith

What is it, 23 this year?

The least expensive runs us about $200 per slab.

That's cheap, I know its probably at least that unfinished.

[BobbiOh]

Rich, I'm celebrating the anniversary of my 21st Bday.

There are benefits and downfalls to Southern California. Everything has to be shipped here because there aren't a lot of available natural resources. So, we tend to pay more for things like lumber. However, in the case of imports, we're close to the ports so we get good deals. There's an area here in San Diego that is just an entire stretch of home improvements and furniture stores. There's probably 10 granite suppliers and the competition makes for great deals. An entire uncut slab starts at $225. Then you have pay for finishing.

[Rich_in_CT]

Uncut $225
Finished $200

Yeah, that's a no brainer.

[BobbiOh]

An uncut slab will usually yield 2 countertops and backsplashes. Plus if the stone has a definate pattern it's better to do that. I use the light color with speckles, so I don't really have an issue with pattern match.