Granite or Quartz worktops - Experiences? Advice?

Scottie_dog_2

ixwood wrote: »

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

I don't think so - and I'll tell you why - I just had new granite fitted by Universal in Stockport and it looks amazing that's a fact - it's an aesthetic thing. Quality never goes out of fashion.
A lot of the fads that people mention are often cheap and nasty. Like if you had a beautiful wooden floor put in 20 years ago, apart from wear and tear - it's still beautiful now. Granite is simply a beautiful product albeit a costly one.

TDA10

A different question now - can anyone advise on whether it's good or bad practice to choose fitters who just come out measure up and install on the same day, or choose those who come out and template and then return a few days/weeks later?

Some sellers say that the same day service is poor because of the dust and mess, and the others say that the 2-3 visit service is poor because it's slow!

HELP!!! I'm going mad here!

silvercar

If they template and fit the same day, it will be on site. Where will they do this? Not the weather for doing it outdoors, very messy if its in your home. Personally I would rather wait a few days than have the mess in my home.

bunchyno2_2

to all of the people having trouble with smeary tops, buy yourself an E cloth wipe your tops over with it rinse and ring it out as much as you can then re wipe it will work a treat.
The trouble is the water molecules stay as droplets thats what makes it look stained.
i am a granite fitter and i always recommend these

bunchyno2_2

Depends on the fitters if they are clean and tidy they will cut outside and clean up after themselves.
i do custom fits in peoples houses but use a tarpaulin to save on mess then wash it down from my point of view it is better to have it made in the factory but its ok to have it done at the property.
and its les work and worry for me
ian

bunchyno2_2

TDA10 wrote: »

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 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:

let me quote ian bunchyno2@tiscali.co.uk

frogglet

After I have cooked I wipe the granite with my dishcloth, then go over it with a clean dishcloth dipped in very hot soapy water and rung out till nearly dry. I find the microfibre ones give a good smear free finish, that J cloths never give.I just stick my dishcloths in the washing machine with the towels to keep them grease free.

frogglet

TDA10 wrote: »

A different question now - can anyone advise on whether it's good or bad practice to choose fitters who just come out measure up and install on the same day, or choose those who come out and template and then return a few days/weeks later?

Some sellers say that the same day service is poor because of the dust and mess, and the others say that the 2-3 visit service is poor because it's slow!

HELP!!! I'm going mad here!

We had ours templated and fitted a week later, it only required a minimum bit of cutting around the sink and they did it in the back of their van, I would never have let them do it inside because of the dust.

roddydogs

There is a firm that puts a thin veneer of granite over your existing worktop..and of course a lot cheaper....dont know what its called, just google it.

TDA10

Yeah, thanks roddydogs - I found that firm a couple of weeks ago too.

i.e. - a couple of weeks AFTER I'd thrown my old tops away! :rotfl:

Bugg3r!!!