Granite or Quartz worktops - Experiences? Advice?

TDA10

Hi folks,

Further to my recent Ikea worktop 'trauma'! that some of you may have read about on here, I've now decided to quit with the laminate and splash out on granite or Quartz ones:eek:!!!

That's the Abbey Zero card maxed out then! :eek: :rotfl:

Having spent ridiculous hours ont'net researching suppliers/fitters it seems there are many sellers on ebay who are selling at much cheaper prices than everywhere else.

Question of course is - anyone else bought worktops this way and if so who can you recommend? (I now expect a splurge of newbies on here magically recommending 'people' they have bought from - or am I just being cynical?!!!)

As well as eBay I have read all about many firms, but Diapol, (from reading on here) seem to be well recommended and good priced, but as this is MSE, I need to get as good a price as I can! Some of the eBay ones were coming in at over £500 cheaper than Diapol - but obviously I don't want to spend say, £2000 and be ripped off or left with a cr4p job.

I'm in Derbyshire too if anyone knows decent priced suppliers/fitters here?

Any help welcomed :beer:

lisal0u

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying granite from ebay, I've been looking at this company - they also have their own website http://www.graniteworktops.tv/index.html

I asked for some samples and they were sent straight away and seemed good quality!

I'll let you know if we go ahead with it!

Kind regards
Lisa

TDA10

Blimey - that's some price eh?!!! That's over £1,000 cheaper than I've been quoted by Diapol!

Thanks for that Lisa - keep me updated please and I'm definitely interested in opinions if anyone else has used this firm?

silvercar

I've been looking at granite transformations, but I've not made up my mind yet.

frogglet

We got ours from a local stonemason, he came out and measured himself and his lads fitted it. He was the cheapest by far than any of the kitchen shops that sold it with the kitchens and he had a huge choice.

julesangles

i got mine from universal granite. they do trade on ebay, but i went to the workshop in stockport. they came and measures up, told me what i needed to buy (like breakfast bar legs etc) they told me what the price was when they did the measurements
i paid 1650 for over 9m of granite (nearer 10 1/2) including sink holes and windowsills, and a microwave shelf.
they did have to come back no fault of theres as my plugs were to low for the upstands!
i like my granite, but i like cleaning cos i dont like to see the water marks you can get on them.
good luck whatever you decide.

1sue23

I hate my granite worktops ,the watermarks drive me mad ,I only have to make cup of tea and the whole kitchen looks a tip.

Doozergirl

I think with very cheap companies they are supplying you with pre-cut granite lengths which has to be cut on site - it's not ideal if you have an old house and wonky walls and your worktop goes round corners.

I could not fault diapol at all, they were absolutely brilliant, very professional and efficient - they come out, measure up to the exact mm and enter it all onto their computer. It gives you the exact quote there and then, the granite is cut at the quarry exactly to your sizes, it's then shipped over and fitted all within a couple of weeks of first enquiry. You don't pay a penny until it's fitted and you're happy.

For a quality outfit and product, they are cheap.

ixwood

Isn't granite another fad that'll pass and start to look dated? It's a lot of cash for the in thing IMHO.

silvercar

Doozergirl wrote: »

I think with very cheap companies they are supplying you with pre-cut granite lengths which has to be cut on site - it's not ideal if you have an old house and wonky walls and your worktop goes round corners.

I could not fault diapol at all, they were absolutely brilliant, very professional and efficient - they come out, measure up to the exact mm and enter it all onto their computer. It gives you the exact quote there and then, the granite is cut at the quarry exactly to your sizes, it's then shipped over and fitted all within a couple of weeks of first enquiry. You don't pay a penny until it's fitted and you're happy.

For a quality outfit and product, they are cheap.

Do you know if they will remove existing tops and sort the kitchen sink? I've emailed them days ago, but they haven't replied.

Their autoquote came out at the same price as granite transformations. Diapol could have the extra cost of removing existing tops and replumbing sink. Also I've heard that granite needs resealing every few months. Is this true and is it a pain?

Doozergirl

silvercar wrote: »

Do you know if they will remove existing tops and sort the kitchen sink? I've emailed them days ago, but they haven't replied.

Their autoquote came out at the same price as granite transformations. Diapol could have the extra cost of removing existing tops and replumbing sink. Also I've heard that granite needs resealing every few months. Is this true and is it a pain?

I can't answer that silvercar, as ours was essentially a new build. No old worktop and the sink was being installed by the plumbers later as it needed all the gubbins needed putting in as well.

I'd call them on the is phone. They answered straight away, got all questions answered and got us booked in for a measure up within days.

I'd only read on here that it needed sealing - I've never heard that before It won't be happening in my house!