Can you view the full slabs? These can vary greatly from slab to slab.

HI -- Really , is that the only choices the builder has . I think they all have too much movement in them. I think texture like that is better on a backsplash with plain counter tops . But if you have to pick from these , then the first one is better . Yes ask to view the full slab if possible . You could ask for a credit amount and go out and find your own choice , if that works for you. It is such a permanent feature and costly , so it needs to be something you can live with for a long time .

agree on that comment above. If you aren't happy with either, see if you can get a credit and get what you want.

We literally had River White installed today in our new home that is being built (our builder's color options are comparable to yours). It took 4 slabs and one backup, but it is exactly what we envisioned. I say this in that we were able to select the slabs for our home instead of the builder using whatever "River White" slabs were available when it came time to install our countertops.

I would definitely suggest taking a look at the River White. Oddly enough, River White base colors can range from a bright white to a grayish tone which is what makes each slab (or lot) unique in its own right (and is why we chose to select our own slabs for our own home). The first lot we were shown was quite white and was too bright for our cabinets. We ended up falling in love with the second lot because of the gray in it versus the white that was in the first lot. I don't have pictures tonight as they were still working on the installation when I stopped by after work, but I will go by again tomorrow and post them for you.

Never go by the small sample squares of granite you are asked to make your selection from as your countertops are such an important and prominent feature in your home. Go to a few stores or slab showrooms prior to making your final decision and see for yourself just how varied each of the different granite colors can be when looking at a whole slab. Once you get a feel for what you are looking for and have made a decision on the color, ask your builder if they will allow you to choose your own slab (or lot of slabs if multiple are needed) from their vendor.

I wish you the best!

They won't allow me to view the slab or make recommendations as to which area might go to the island. I already asked. This is a large builder that starts a house every week. Our house will be completed in 3-4 months. They don't have time to wait for people to approve the slabs. This is the drawback of living in a large neighborhood :/

The builder offers a variety of darker granites that is included. To upgrade to the lighter choices is $1,900. To upgrade to Quartz is $5,600. I decided not to go with the Quartz yet as I wasn't super happy with the choices and for that amount I would want to view the slabs and make more specific choices.

I chose to upgrade to the lighter granite because I think I could live with it and be happy with it for several years at least. There are 85 sq ft of counter top. To upgrade to Quartz immediately using a local company would run about $6,000 so we will wait on that. The problem with getting the black granite is that I would want to replace that very quickly. And then it would've made more sense to go with the Quartz offered... We are already at our max budget and I'm adding $13k in options in the kitchen alone.

As far as the design goes the plan is to do a basic white subway tile with light grey grout for the backsplash as well as floor to ceiling on the back wall. I plan to paint the island a dark blue ( maybe BM Newburyport blue or hale navy). I plan to get copper/brass barn style pendants for the island (2 maybe 14-16 inch wide).

They do have a counter in the builder's design studio which is spring white but otherwise I have no idea what their full slabs will look like. I will add those pictures.

I'm honestly more between the colonial white and the river white. I think the colonial has some areas of whiter granite but also has bigger areas of darker spots. River white has Flowing veins that run through it making it more marble-like but it has a greyer base tone and is covered in those purple flecks.

Get your deposit back and choose a custom builder. Your expectations do not align with using a cookie cutter builder. If you persist in this build, you will need to change those expectations to mediocre quality, begrudgingly given after several attempts. If you have higher expectations, you need to find a builder who has those expectations as well. And be prepared to pay for them.

Sorry there is no way I would agree to a granite based on that small sample. You must, must look at the whole slab. And have input into how it is templated, ie which area goes where. I'm no expert, and I'm no prima donna either - but I've installed granite/quartz now in 4 rooms in my home (kitchen + 3 baths) and this is just the way it is done. I understand that quartz is fairly uniform since it is a manufactured product, but granite is not. If you don't see the whole slab first, it is irrelevant which you pick, as these are all so close and with slab variations you wouldn't even know which one they installed.

I understand what yall are saying and agree. I wish I could pick out the slab but that is not an option. This is the neighborhood I have lived in for the past 6 years and I want my kids to grow up in this house. Going with this builder is the only way for me to do that. There are only a few remaining lots in the neighborhood. I love this location and it's where I want to be. If I wanted to go with a custom builder I'd be 10 minutes further from the interstate and not in the vibrant neighborhood I want to be in. Location trumps pick of granite slabs in this case.

These are popular granite choices and I've been able to look up some pictures of kitchens with them on houzz. I was hoping some people might be willing to share their pictures (vettvu I'd love to see yours!). I know the slab I get might be drastically different. Still, I need to make a decision and was hoping others might have some pictures/input to sway me.

Hi nsandridge, I totally understand where you are coming from with the builder. We seriously just lucked out in getting to choose our own slabs. I like your way of thinking in getting the upgraded lighter color now and then maybe replacing it later. Who knows, you may just really like what is installed and decide not to replace! :) I also like your ideas about where you are going with the island color and the lighting. It sounds like you know what that picture is of what you want you kitchen to be, so with the granite selections you are looking at, envision what each will look like on that beautiful blue/navy island, under those phenomenal lights. If you have a few days left go online and find a granite store with a showroom and see if they will allow you to go in and look at slabs. Even if it isn't the same vendor for your builder, you can at least see whole slabs of your choices. They usually have multiple slabs of each color so you can see the differences - and have an idea as to what could get installed if you choose that particular color granite. I almost forgot! I wanted to remind you that River White does have those red/purple flecks throughout, so keep that in mind. What city/state are you located in? I can probably find a slab warehouse for you. :)

Vettyvu You are too sweet! I do need to go to a granite store and look at some slabs - I think that would definitely help. I have until next Tuesday before I'm locked in so I might be able to go do that this weekend. We did go look at one and they didn't have a lot of slabs - just samples ~12"x6"

It is very possible that I'll fall in love with what we pick and not upgrade the counters. And I'm the kind of person that really doesn't like to go in and change things - especially things that cost 6,000... I know it will look good either way, just want to feel confident that I'm making the right choice so I don't doubt myself later.

What would happen if you just decline any countertop at all? And just order your own later?

Since you can't pick your slab, I would go with the quartz upgrade. The sample you see will be exactly what your countertop will look like. The monthly amount that the extra $3700 adds to a 30 year mortgage is minimal in order to have a finish you will be happy with. You won't end up changing a countertop for a few decades. Especially since you want navy blue cabinets, and all three of the light builder's options have a lot of the red/purple color in them.

Nadya - not an option unfortunately :( I have to pick some kind of counter top.

And no quartz because we are already tapped out on the budget. We've chosen 60k in upgrades (unfinished 3rd floor, master bath spa shower, stacked kitchen cabinets, stainless vent hood, hardwoods downstairs, etc.). We really do not want to add another 4k for quartz. Of all the upgrades we've considered, countertops are probably the easiest to upgrade later so that's why we're holding off on it.

Put in the cheapest laminate that can be done. Makes upgrading later easier.

I love the Spring White it has pops of black in it....the other two will give of some amethyst..unless you like shades of that I would stick with the Spring White.

Honestly, I think all three work very well but I like Colonial White the best. It will look beautiful with white shaker cabinets and a simple backsplash.

Go with River White , you'll love it. I picked something similar in my kitchen and did not know what to expect after there was an error in size when cutting the slab . The result was very interesting and beautiful because of the irregular pattern of the granite. Something you cannot get in quartz.

I have river white. I am very happy with it. But then again, I like river flow movement in granite. If you can't pick out the slab, wait to get the backsplash. You can brighten up the granite or dull it with the backsplash. The problem I have with granite with a lot of black specs (like the spring white) in it is that it tends to look dated faster, in my opinion. River white seems to stand the test of time since it is more subtle. As for the quartz, yes, it is beautiful but the seams really show, especially if it is plain, without a pattern. I go into model homes and the first thing I see is that seam now. Drives me nuts. I'd never get it unless the seam was hidden under something or I could do an area with just one slab.

here is a picture of my river white countertops in my new home

Wow thanks everyone. I'm definitely leaning towards the river white.

Hannah your kitchen looks beautiful and your granite looks amazing. I hope I get slabs with similar coloration

Clubnev You made a great point I think about the splotches of black making the granite look more dated quickly. And as someone else mentioned Quartz appears to be the future and river white is the least granite-looking

Another vote for river white ....stick with the granite. My friend has Quartz and it has chips around the sink and small dents in the surface.

I understand your concern about not getting to choose the slab. I built with a large builder last year and had to choose my granite from a small sample. Because I didn't upgrade the counter, I didn't get to choose the slab. Then I had trouble trying to coordinate a backsplash with that tiny sample so they let me omit the backsplash and they painted the wall instead. My granite ended up better than I expected and I had a backsplash added on my own after I moved in, so I could look at tile samples with the kitchen lighting, cabinets and counters in place.

That is a great set of color choices. I am currently looking for white granite. https://countertopadvisor.com/white-granite has a great selection of the various white granites.

I am also in love with this colonial white color: https://countertopadvisor.com/colonial-white-granite/

I think for my parameter I will go with a dark stone like Negresco and then colonial white on my island.

I have colonial white in a rental. It's been there for 10 years and still looks nice. It's a great durable stone.

Her vision was lovely. Why do so many people post their questions and we don't get to see the result? OP, how did it turn out? I'm curious how picking the granite, but not seeing the slab turned out. I wonder how the dark blue island looks.