I'm not an expert in the field, but I'll share the experience I have from calling around here in Alaska (Anchorage...the largest city in the state). Winter is the big time for interior work, which does effect the answer here, but after calling the top three installers/fabricators here, the wait is three to four weeks out at this time. Even the crappy guys are booked solid (I know because I'm dealing with them as well). I think our economy is a bit stronger than California right now, which could be a big part of the continued work load here.

I am not in the construction business but as a consumer and a manager of a retail sporting goods store on Long Island I can share with you my observations and experience. Although unemployment is not an issue yet. the price of oil, milk, and wheat products has jumped so much over the past 2 yrs that the average middle income family is forced to tighten their belts. Now, add to the mix a jump in interest rates on mortages, home equity loans and propery tax and there is no wonder why there is a halt in the home improvement business. I for one am feeling the pinch both personaly and in business. I have noticed that this past holiday season more consumers paid with cash and only pruchased what they needed instead of the credit card impluse purchase. We are in our busy season now with all of the schools and local leagues starting and business is down from last year. People are shopping with more and more coupons and buying basic equiptment. High end name brand items are slow selling. Homes that would have sold in a day 5yrs ago are sitting for months including brand new contruction. I for one had to give up my landscapper this year. And to tell you the truth I think my neighbors have done the same because I have not seen him around this year and we all had a full service contract with him. I know that Washington D.C. thinks that the tax rebate will stimulate the economy but it won't even make a dent in my Exxon Mobil bill.

I am in the auto business in the north east and I can tell you the economy has taken its toll on our industry. It is the worst I have seen it in the 15yrs I have been in business. How can you expect people to pay for luxury items when they have to pay over five dollars for gas and heating oil,and some are unsure of employment. But it goes in cycles and we can only hope it turns around soon.

I am still waiting for my granite to be installed. My fabricator is scheduling three to four weeks out. He's waiting for me to deliver my sink before I get a specific date pencilled in. But other fabricators I looked at gave me the same information. I am in the Upper Midwest.

FWIW...I'm in San Jose...2 fabricators I called never got back to me, one gave a bid so much higher than the others that I figured he didn't want the job. The company I chose to go with will be templating this week...then I'll see how long til installation. IMHO, there's so much money in this area that people are not stopping remodeling, etc. Every weekend the tile/granite places are packed. Go figure...

graniteoutlaws-- check over to John Bridge's forum. It's not just tile guys-- anot of stone people over there as well. Register, and then go into the Pros Hangout and introduce yourself. Alot of good people over there, and ya never know-- you might happen into some good info on work in your area. Several people in there from the Bay area.

Here is a link that might be useful: John Bridge's Pro's Hangout

Hi,

I'm in Knoxville, Tennessee and the granite fabricator I used is looking for work. He jumped when I asked him to look for a carrera marble vanity in the bathroom and found the marble piece and had it installed within a week. About a week ago, I called because I wasn't sure if my granite had a crack or if it was a fissure and he came to my house within 15 minutes. He said he's going broke and needs to find some work.

My contractor recommended him and the contractor does mostly high end houses (except for mine!). The contractor doesn't seem to be hurting for work. But a few times he's said to me that when he gets busy again, he won't have the time if I.....(whatever his complaint is on that day).

My friend that is a KD said they are not seeing as much business in new homes as remodeling and even that has slowed a bit. So I think the poor economy has hit here as well.

Best of luck

Karen

Wow, thank you guys so much for all the experiences and helps, I am glad I came to this forum and so many people are willing to help and talk about kitchen stuffs, since this economy hit so hard on me this time, I realize I really need to step up and learn more stuffs and rely on myself more, not just depend on 1 company.

If anyone is looking for good prices for granites, mostly prefabbed, ask me, I will give you stores that are cheap and close to you in the bay.

I was talking to my granite guy yesterday about this topic. He said that granite is a luxury item and whenever the economy takes a bad turn, luxury items are cut first. House building in my area is very slow right now and many builders and subs are out of work. The granite industry is suffering because many people (and builders) are cutting back on luxury items in their new homes.

Karenfromknoxville would you mind letting me know who you used for your granite. I'm in Oak Ridge and looking to remodel my kitchen. I'm looking for cabinets if you have any info there.

Hi stan1164,

I will be happy to give you any information you need! I will be glad to share with you all my mistakes and what I've learned.

The granite fabricator that I used is Jim Graeney. He is the grandson of John Barreta of Barreta Tile on Sutherland Ave and that is the family run business. He did my kitchen granite, bathroom vanity, and the tumbled marble backsplash. Baretta Tile is wonderful to deal with and I highly reccommend them. All the sales people there have been there for many many years and know what they are doing. My contractor recommended them (Fred Harvey) and he has been right on with all his recommendations.

Stay away from Tile Sensations at all costs (my contractor said he has had problems with them on every job he's had). The lady (Jennifer) that manages it and owns it is a snake. I have lost over $1,000 there. The sales people are kids, they don't know anything about tiling and they lie. It is truly a buyer beware type of store.

Back to granite, Jim does not have an account at Belstone granite which is in Oak Ridge. I haven't been there. He has a close association with Triton Stone. But they sold my granite out from under me and I didn't appreciate their style of business. There is a new place G & L Marble that just opened in Lenoir City. They are wonderful. They have Soapstone, granite, marble, etc. That is where I got my granite from after Triton sold my slabs and it is by far the most beautiful granite. Jim, the fabricator does have an account with them. G & L is very helpful. I think Ricky is the manager and Will is the person that helped me.

I got my cabinets from Kitchen Sales (Erin was my sales person). We looked at American Kitchen (or American Standard on Kingston Pike)and Showplace cabinets but my KD didn't think they were made as well as Kitchen Cupboards cabinets (that I got at Kitchen Sales). My bathroom vanity is from Kraftmaid and my KD thinks they are the best made cabinets in the big box stores.

What I did learn which I think has been on this forum, is that price varies and not to assume that Lowe's or Home Depot will have the cheapest cabinets or lowest price. Shop around, especially during these times the deals you can get are incredible.

Clearly this was off topic and I apologize to the original poster. But I am delighted to share my experience and especially all those things I've learned the hard way.

Glad to help!

Karen

graniteoutlaws, would you pls let me know the places I could get prefab granites ? I'm thinking of remodeling my kitchen. I live in San Jose area.

appreciate your help.

Ok, at the San Jose area, there is only two places I would go, one is DECO, One is KZ KITCHEN(Search at Google).

If you have a licensed contractor, bring him, cause he will save you money, since contractor saves at these 2 stores, dont go places that you can't pick up stones right away or doesn't have a large warehouse, that's because they don't even have the stone, they would just go to other places and buy and resell them back to you.

Good Luck

Thanks I'll look into this.