Frequently Asked Questions

No appointments are necessary. Our showroom is open Monday 9:00am-3:00pm, Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. If these hours do not work for you, give us a call and someone may be able to make an appointment with you! Our slab yard is open 24/7.

For an accurate estimate, we would need your personal information, including name, address, phone number, and email address. We would also need specific dimensions of the areas you want quoted, along with edge type (if known), slab backsplash height (if any), sink type (top mount versus undermount), and name and thickness of material (if decided). If you don’t know the specifics, we typically quote 2cm Tier 1 granite or our most cost effective 2cm quartz with a standard Grade A edge. You can email, text, or bring in the information to our showroom.

Estimates typically take up to a week, assuming all accurate information has been provided to work up and return the estimate. We pride ourselves on providing detailed estimates to give you the best possible price, taking all job aspects into consideration, such as seam placements (if any), veining issues, and more cost effective options. 

Granite is priced in tiers. Within each tier, there will be some fluctuation as well. Our tier 1 granites are the least expensive. You can expect a price increase between price categories. Tier 3 granite colors also have some fluctuation in price and some tier 3 colors can jump up considerably in price. Tier 1 granites generally have more consistency in their patterning, while tier 3 colors have patterns that vary and more movements and veining. Granite pricing is based on its availability rather than quality. Because we buy from only the most reputable suppliers, all the slabs we receive are quality product. Availability is based on how large the quarry is, what part of the world the material comes from, labor costs, shipping, and transportation, and supply and demand. The same material from different suppliers or bundles can even vary in price.

Marble, dolomite, granite, and quartzite are all natural stones cut from the earth. Quartz is a manmade surface composed of natural stone pieces, resins, and other materials. Natural stone slabs are going to give you the most natural look with some variation, while quartz will give you the most consistency. Natural stone slabs can generally take heat to some degree, whereas quartz, due to its composition, can not. Quartz, however, is stain resistant, while natural stone we recommend sealing, due to its porosity.

Installation is always included in our pricing. We provide all the templating, fabrication, delivery, and installation for our countertops. If it is a small project and you want to attempt the templating and installation yourself, please specify, and we will price accordingly.

We have many remnant pieces that we offer at a discounted price, depending on the size of your project. The inventory of remnant pieces vary from day to day depending on what we sale. Remnants usually work well for smaller vanity tops and furniture pieces. We discount our remnant material if we can template and install those areas at the same time as we do your other countertops. Remnant pieces must be paid in full upfront. There is a minimum charge of $600.00 for our installers to come out and install a remnant, if we are not installing the other areas at the same time. If you are not paying the $600.00 minimum and would like to buy a remnant, you can supply us with dimensions needed and then pick up and install the piece if you choose.

Yes, we have a minimum charge of $600.00 to have our installers come out and install a small job.

The original estimate is based on the measurements you provided to us. The more accurate the drawings you provide, the more accurate the price. We determine a general square footage for your project, and at templating or final measure, our template determines if that number is accurate. If there is a discrepancy, we will contact you before we begin fabricating the countertops. Granite Etc. determines the square footage and what they decide is final.

We require a 70%-80% deposit at the time of ordering. We also require each customer to sign a contract that outlines all details of the job they have decided upon. We will not hold material, order material, hold scheduled dates, or template without the deposit. Final payment is required the day the countertops are installed. A $50.00 late fee will be applied to all balances every 10 days past due. Terms can be established for contractors and cabinet companies that will incur repeat business but MUST be set up, discussed, and approved ahead of time with Granite Etc.

Because they are natural, marble, dolomite, granite, and quartzite have been blessed with a remarkable beauty that has captivated humans throughout the ages. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the color and texture, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color variation from one end to the other, and slabs ordered may not be identical to the sample or picture you’ve previously seen. Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces. All natural stone will have variation in color, shading, and texture.

Once you have received an estimate, we encourage you to make your final selection, sign our contract, and put down a deposit. Once your cabinets are ready, we can schedule your final measure. It typically takes at least one to two weeks to fabricate your job before installation. Once the pieces are ready, we can set up the installation. Please contact office for complete turnaround time from signed contract.

To ensure an accurate fit and quality installation, we do require the existing countertops to be removed prior to templating. You may do this yourself or contact us for the removal. We will schedule both templating and installation ahead of time, so you know exactly when to expect us, and you won’t be without a functional kitchen for an extended period of time.

Although granite is heavy, typically between 15-20 pounds per square foot, any level base cabinet will support the top. Cabinets must be level, as well as any brickwork, such as in outdoor kitchens. Granite needs to be consistently supported rather than having reinforced supports. Cabinets need standard cross supports and brackets for any overhang greater than 6”. The weight of the countertops is distributed equally over the kitchen, so your existing floor supports will suffice.

With regular use, granite will not crack. Granite is most susceptible to crack during transportation and installation. Level cabinets are extremely important to ensure your countertops will not crack. Extreme stress from unlevel cabinetry can cause problems. We also recommend never standing on your countertops, especially over an unsupported area or near a seam. Too much pressure in the wrong place can cause the granite to crack.

Granite, which is crystalline in its structure, always has tiny pits or spaces between the various mineral crystals. Most aren’t as noticeable on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Some colors are more prone to pits than others. We always recommend viewing your slabs prior to fabrication. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure that originally formed the granite. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function, durability, or integrity of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look man-made. Pits and fissures can be minimized and strengthened respectively with an epoxy fill.

It is quite difficult to damage granite, but if damage occurs, it can likely be repaired. If a seam separates, we simply dig out the old epoxy and re-seam the top. If you chip the edge or top of the stone, we simply fill the stone with a clear color matched epoxy.

If you have a physical sample from a slab, it will be generally similar in color and pattern to the large slab. Keep in mind you are looking at a very small representation of a large piece, which may have much more veining and color variation than the sample. Also, colors and patterns vary as slabs are taken from deeper within the quarry. Variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty. The pictures and samples you see on the internet have been scanned and saved as digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems, monitors and compression algorithms. Do not expect to select your color from an online picture.

Granite is available in several finishes, although the high polished is the most popular. It is also available in honed or brushed. Honed or brushed granite does require more maintenance than polished granite, so please discuss thoroughly with your salesperson before ordering.

A top mount sink is a traditional sink where it drops in and the rim of the sink sits directly on the top of the granite. An under-mount or under-counter sink is mounted from underneath the countertop so you don’t see the sink rim. You may use either type of sink, but many people opt for the under-mount with natural stone for ease of cleaning. If you have an existing sink you would like to use, you may do so, however it has to be used as a top mount. We cannot convert a top mount to be used as an under-mount. If you are purchasing a new sink, be sure to buy an under-mount if that is how you want the sink mounted. If you chose a top mount sink, you may not convert to an under-mount at a later date, so give it some serious thought before choosing your sink. We carry a full line of stainless steel sinks at very competitive prices. We also carry porcelain bath sinks and farmhouse sinks. All of the sinks we carry are under-mount.

Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no larger than 9’ to 10’ long by 5’ to 6’ tall, many kitchens do end up with a seam or seams. We take great pride in our craftsmanship, therefore do not place seams unnecessarily. Once we have seen your cabinet layout and you have selected material, we can determine where, if any, seams would have to be placed. Of course, seam placement and necessity is ultimately at our discretion based on slab size and veining. You can make requests to your salesperson prior to templating. The visibility of the seams will somewhat depend on the graining, color and pattern of the slabs. We take great care in matching patterns, especially in slabs with a dramatic pattern. All of our countertops are “seam cut” in our shop prior to installation. On-site, we use state-of-the-art suction machinery and color matched epoxy to ensure your seam is as tight as possible. Although seams are somewhat visible and can be felt, we take great care in seam placement and great pride in the final outcome. Granite seams will not be invisible because it is two pieces of rock being joined together. Most customers have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern of seams.

You can have an overhang on granite up to 6” unsupported, as long as the top is all one level. If it is an especially long countertop, we still recommend brackets or corbels; always better to be safe than sorry. With raised countertops for seating, there must always be some type of support underneath. Never allow someone to sit or stand on an unsupported area.

Yes, the sink cutout does belong to you. As a cleanup measure, our installers may take it with them to throw away at our shop. If you would like to keep your cutout(s), please mention it to our installers and they will make sure and leave cutout(s) for you. If you want us to cut your sink cutout to a specific size and polish the edges of this cutout, there is an additional labor charge to do this. This particular work will not be done on-site. It will be brought back to our fabrication shop and polished there for you to pick up within a few days of your request.

Granite is approximately 95-98% stain-resistant, however, we still recommend sealing it annually to insure lasting life and beauty. All stone, except soapstone, is porous to some extent, but granite has very little porosity. With yearly sealing, you should never have an issue with your granite staining. The sealer fully protects the stone from absorbing a stain. In general, most colors will never show moisture, but a few colors may show some moisture if exposed for a period of time and not kept sealed. For best results, keep all stone sealed on an annual basis. To avoid the annual application of the sealer, ask a Granite Etc representative about new long-term sealer that we offer to alleviate this repetitive yearly sealer application.