Granite Worktop companies

claire-f_3

Hi all, new here :j

We've recently completed on our new bungalow, have bought a new kitchen (Wickes) and want granite worktops.

We were quoted from Wickes (looking at around 4.5 metres of worktop, not much) £4,000 for the granite and install, so definately said no to that!

We're a bit indecisive as to what to do now.

We have a quote from granitefitters.co.uk of approx. £1,500 (for the worktop, polished edges, polished sink cut-out, unpolished hob cut-out). Has anyone used them before? They have come in cheapest, and since we are completely renovating the bungalow due to its age, we want to save what we can, but not if we're going for poor quality/workmanship and a worktop that will need replacing in the near future.

The alternative is a local company, eastbournemarbleandgranite.com. It looks as though they will come in at around £2,200, so quite a bit more than the above, but they are local.

Thanks for your advice and help :T

Alan_M_2

I'm involved in the industry and due to the unique way MSE works they frown upon me actually commenting on businesses (it may be construed as subliminal advertising).

So your best bet is to type the company name into Google followed by the word Reviews - i.e <company name> reviews - if people are not happy the internet is a wonderful place to vent that unhappiness.

What colour are you after?

Innys

Alan_M wrote: »

I'm involved in the industry and due to the unique way MSE works they frown upon me actually commenting on businesses (it may be construed as subliminal advertising).

So your best bet is to type the company name into Google followed by the word Reviews - i.e <company name> reviews - if people are not happy the internet is a wonderful place to vent that unhappiness.

What colour are you after?

At the risk of a hijack, I'm interested in a black to go with a maple kitchen. I'm considering star glaxy or an angolan blue/blue in the night. Would you suggest something different with Maple?

Alan_M_2

Innys wrote: »

At the risk of a hijack, I'm interested in a black to go with a maple kitchen. I'm considering star glaxy or an angolan blue/blue in the night. Would you suggest something different with Maple?

Maple is actually pretty neutral.

Both the choices above would be fine also consider:-

Black Pearl
Impala (also known as Bon accord)
Steel Grey
Kashmir white (if you want a more traditional look)
and there's always Absolute Black if you love cleaning and polishing things!
Blue Pearl and Emerald Pearl are starting to get pricey - but can look particualrly nice - bit of a marmite product though - love it or hate it.

Steer clear of golds/yellows

These will be available in volume from lots of suppliers. There are of course literally thousands of colours available some of which are absolutely stunning. But once you step away from the volume products the prices can run away with you as the entire way the kitchens are fabricated fundamentally changes.

WOS11

Have you tried Whitehall Fabrications? Im pretty sure they sell direct to customers now and they have fitter all over the country. They used to be very good price wise when I used them (about 2years ago) If they wont deal direct you can get a price through Kitchen Finesse as they use them.

Karins

I used a local firm Shaw Stone in Hampshire and bill came in at just under £2000.
I had 3.76m2 worktop,
0.76m2 splashback and window cill,
5 linear metres of upstands.
Had all the usual sink and hob cut outs drainers etc and the granite was Labrador Black which I think is the same as Pearl Black.
Anyway I received excellent service and very pleased with the end result so if its possible I would always recommend going with a local supplier - the small piece with my hob cut out broke before they could fit it so they rang through and another piece was ready before they had finished fitting the rest of the tops so whole job done in one go.

claire-f_3

Alan_M wrote: »

I'm involved in the industry and due to the unique way MSE works they frown upon me actually commenting on businesses (it may be construed as subliminal advertising).

So your best bet is to type the company name into Google followed by the word Reviews - i.e <company name> reviews - if people are not happy the internet is a wonderful place to vent that unhappiness.

What colour are you after?

Yeah I'd already tried that and couldn't find anything. The only place I can find reviews on them is on their ebay account, but then they only have one review over the last 12 months (although several from 2008/2009). People seem happy but would be interested to see opinions from people on here who have used them (rather than just going with ebay reviews).

Alan_M_2

Deal with a company that are happy for you to visit their premises and view product, or alternatively visit their wholesaler (the people who they actually buy the stone from) and pick the actual stone you want.

Scroll up to the top of this page and type the company names in the search box and search the forum, there have been threads on MSE discussing one of these companies you listed.

Innys

Alan_M wrote: »

Maple is actually pretty neutral.

Both the choices above would be fine also consider:-

Black Pearl
Impala (also known as Bon accord)
Steel Grey
Kashmir white (if you want a more traditional look)
and there's always Absolute Black if you love cleaning and polishing things!
Blue Pearl and Emerald Pearl are starting to get pricey - but can look particualrly nice - bit of a marmite product though - love it or hate it.

Steer clear of golds/yellows

These will be available in volume from lots of suppliers. There are of course literally thousands of colours available some of which are absolutely stunning. But once you step away from the volume products the prices can run away with you as the entire way the kitchens are fabricated fundamentally changes.

I am now in two minds about the colour of my kitchen units. I still like maple but am now also considering oak units painted light blue, perhaps duckegg blue. I will still probably go for a black, perhaps Angolan Blue/Blue in the Night. My only concern is my kitchen may now contain too much blue.

Alan M - what colour of granite would you suggest goes best with a light blue painted kitchen unit?

McKneff

Alan_M wrote: »

I'm involved in the industry and due to the unique way MSE works they frown upon me actually commenting on businesses (it may be construed as subliminal advertising).

So your best bet is to type the company name into Google followed by the word Reviews - i.e <company name> reviews - if people are not happy the internet is a wonderful place to vent that unhappiness.

What colour are you after?

respect - :T

McKneff

Innys wrote: »

I am now in two minds about the colour of my kitchen units. I still like maple but am now also considering oak units painted light blue, perhaps duckegg blue. I will still probably go for a black, perhaps Angolan Blue/Blue in the Night. My only concern is my kitchen may now contain too much blue.

Alan M - what colour of granite would you suggest goes best with a light blue painted kitchen unit?

I always think its an absolute sacrilege to cover lovely wood, with paint, why not just buy blue cupboards. maple/oak or any wood gives a lovely glow and doesnt need the insult of covering it:eek: