Granite Worktop Discussion

WillCalderwood

Hi All,

I know there are a few of these threads around already, but I thought I'd ask again in the hope of some extra feedback.

I've received the quotes below, and was wondering if anyone had experience with any of the companies. All quotes are for supply and installation of the stone (I think) for 3 worktops and an island. Total of 6.2m2 of surface. And include VAT. Not a totally fair comparison as it's slightly different stone across the companies due to availability.

Anyone got any experiences or thoughts they'd like to share. Any other companies I should be looking at? We're in the Oxford area.

Thanks.

Granite Fitters - Black Pearl - £1,694.40
Granite Zone - APP Black - £1,836.00
Mister Marble - Black Pearl - £2,083.20
Universal Granite - Black Pearl - £2,136.00
Universal Granite - Verge Bahia - £2,192.40
Affordable Granite - Black Pearl - £2,596.00
The Granite House - Black Pearl - £2,720.47
Affordable Granite & Marble - Black Pearl - £2,743.70
Granite & Marble Shop Ltd - Uba Tuba - £2,792.23
Oxford Stone & Marble - Uba Tuba - £3,030.06

Furts

Hi Will
Not a direct answer to your post, but I suggest you establish are these companies using their own fabrication, template and fitting, or are they contracting the work to others.

If contracting out you would end up dealing with an unknown. This introduces an element of risk. The positive is you could go direct to these people, if you are happy, and cut out a middle man.

I am aware of two fabrication companies covering your area - neither of which would receive any recommendation from me, or my colleagues. Rest assured these names are not in your list...but if the work is contracted out, who knows?

ryder72

I know 3 of these companies and I wouldn't touch them with anyone's bargepole

WillCalderwood

ryper72 - Please could you let me know which ones you wouldn't recommend and why.

ryder72

I wont name anyone publicly. PM me if you like. The ones I wont recommend are based on having seen their work and/or having had some contact/inside knowledge of their workings.

CKdesigner

Hi Will

Are you just doing a worktop change or are you having a new kitchen?

If new kitchen then you would be far safer using your kitchen company for the granite as they will or should have a good relationship with their fabricator and your contract will be with your kitchen company which should ensure you get a good job.

Good luck

CK

WillCalderwood

CKdesigner, it's an Ikea kitchen, and as they don't do granite worktops we're going to have to shop elsewhere for those. Thanks for the input though.

CKdesigner

Hi Will

I see. My advice then would have to be - be very careful and go local. Visit the fabricator ask to see 3 or 4 local jobs they have done recently, speak to the home owners about the service they received etc. Look at the joints, check the consistency of the edges, make sure there are no sharp edges left especially on the drainer grooves, make sure the drainer grooves are polished. The list kind of goes on forever!

The thing is with granite worktops generally 1/3 of the cost is material the rest is labour, so the less you pay the less time is spent by the stone masons on the preparation and fitting of the stone, so the worse job you get.

The other thing worth mentioning, not that it helps you Will but might assist others, is that generally the best granite / quartz fabricators, the ones that do the best work and offer the best service are trade only. They work closely with their kitchen specialist / retailers and are not interested in retail business. Likewise as a kitchen specialist, I like most other sensible kitchen companies wouldn't use a fabricator that did retail business.

Good luck

CK

WillCalderwood

Thanks for useful feedback. As no one seems willing to share views on the companies, is anyone willing to share views on the stone? Does anyone have Black Pearl? Does it show streaks easily after cleaning? Pros? Cons? Anyone got any other stone recommendations they think we should look at?

We're going to have a pale travertine floor, with oak cupboards. Paint / splashbacks have yet to be decided upon.

Anyone with the Ikea kitchen planner installed can take a look at this:
http://kitchenplanner.ikea.com/GB/UI/Pages/VPUI.htm?LoadDesign=78c6c9794bb84c049e35561033bcd351&UIContext=Kitchen&IsSharedDesign=1

Furts

CKdesigner wrote: »

Hi Will

The other thing worth mentioning, not that it helps you Will but might assist others, is that generally the best granite / quartz fabricators, the ones that do the best work and offer the best service are trade only. They work closely with their kitchen specialist / retailers and are not interested in retail business. Likewise as a kitchen specialist, I like most other sensible kitchen companies wouldn't use a fabricator that did retail business.

Good luck

CK

Whilst I know this is the case, it is operating like a cartel. I often wonder about the morality and ethics. Particularly relevant as this is a money saving and consumer orientated forum.

The reality can be worded in less tactful language as:

The kitchen companies in collusion with the fabricators, template service and fitters ensure the cr-p goes to the private punter to teach them a lesson for not paying the profits of the middle men.

ryder72

Furts - To extend you argument

Appliance manufacturers should sell directly to the public cutting out retailers
Drug manufacturers should sell directly to the public cutting out doctors and pharmacists
Car manufacturers should sell directly to customers cutting out dealerships
Arguably every such scenario could be applied.

Let me put it another way, when a kitchen studio does perhaps £100k worth of business with a granite fabricator they get loyalty from the fabricator. When the kitchen studio isnt 100% satisfied with the work done for a client by their fabricator, they will require the fabricator to visit the site and rectify. A private punter will do 1 job in a lifetime worth a couple of grand. What loyalty and customer service are you going to get? The punter pays the kitchen company for specialist knowledge, service and quality and it follows that the should receive what they paid for.

I have pointed out above that I know atleast 3 of the companies OP pointed out above and quite frankly the work I have seen was poor. I personally know the owner of one of these companies and he privately admits that he can get away with a lot more with private clients than with kitchen studio's. They template and fit 3 jobs a day causing quality to suffer but in turn offering cheaper prices. Its a business model he chooses to follow, the ethics of which are relative.

I understand the source of your bitterness but I also seem to recall that you built your kitchen by buying individual components. I reiterate, most people dont have the inclination or time for doing what you did and some people are willing to pay the guarantee for advice, service and quality.

Regards OP's question on Black Pearl - All black granite is prone to showing streaks. Its the nature of black granite. If Nero Impala works for you try that. Being slightly speckled its a little bit better in hiding streaks.