Cost of Granite Countertops

Basically, granite has been the preferred choice of homeowners not only because of its beauty and good qualities, but also because it is a budget-friendly choice. The cost of granite countertops actually vary depending on its thickness, design and color. Of course, the thicker the granite, the higher is the cost, and the more it is exquisitely designed, the higher it is priced.

One great advantage of granite countertop is its low maintenance quality and great affordability. With prices ranging from $60 to $120 per square foot, it is a sure shot among budget-wise homeowners. The installation and fabrication of granite countertops is usually done by a professional fabricator. Most of the people in this business are doing freelance, hence fabrication of your countertop may also mean additional cost for the fabricator. Countertop material stores also offer fabrication as additional service for the granite purchased. The cost of granite countertop, then, will be added with the service charge. The more complicated the design you want to achieve, the higher the charge for the installation. The kind of material used for the finished surface, the edging or the surface also affects the over-all cost of the countertop.

Most stores don’t offer a warranty for granite countertops, however. The reason for this is that granite is considered to be a natural stone. The fabricator, on the other hand, might put warranty for your countertop. So, if the problem is with the installation, there is no more additional cost, but if it is with the material, then the decision to re-install or change now lies on your hands. You can actually get back the investment you made for the cost of granite countertop. Just take good care of your investment, your granite countertop, and you will surely get back three-folds of the amount you spent through the durability and longevity of your counter.

If your computation of the cost for your countertop is not only for the purchase and installation, but for the entire first year of its operation, then you may also need to consider the cleaners and the sealant that you will need. Because of the granite countertop’s porous quality, liquids can be readily absorbed, hence contributing a lot to the damage of the countertop. However, if you are one meticulous and truly budget-wise homeowner, you will always remember that regular cleaning and proper maintenance will always do the trick. Should you want your granite countertop to last longer, then you will have to consider wiping and cleaning the countertop always.

Granites come from different countries. The cost of the granite is also affected by its origin. Some imported granites also contain fossils, which are embedded on the material. This, however, means additional cost. If you also want your countertop to come with a backsplash, you will also have to pay for additional cost. Usually, the kind of material used for the backsplash is also a great factor in the total cost of your granite countertop.

Installing and fabricating your granite countertop you can also save you a lot of money. If you have a little knowledge in construction, then installing your countertop should never be a problem. Several guides are available on the internet for your convenience.