I don't understand why you would be trying to solve this issue. That's what the fabricator gets paid for.

Thank you ! Most of this process has been a fairly straightforward However,the granite fabrication industry seems to be a shady world like the old diamond industry. I feel like I am in good hands-I'm working with a designer who works for a reputable national kitchen design company. They work with a reputable granite fabrication company. Both companies have something to lose if they don't take care of the customer. And they are both big enough to back up their work in the event of an error. However, this piece is the focal point of our design. At $5,000 for the island top alone, it is also a big investment. My designer is working with the company rep and president to see this through. And everything will be in writing. Thank you for affirming the company's responsibility in solving this problem-ahead of delivery.

Seams aren't a dirty word unless you are using a low end fabricator. The granite fabrication industry isn't any shadier than any other home improvement industry. It's only when homeowners shop for the lowest price that you get the lowest reputations. It sounds like you have a company you trust, so if they say they can't get it in your home in one piece, they are probably right.

Your responsibility in this is make sure everyone (especially the fabricator) is aware of the issue ahead of time since they will not visit your home until it comes time to template. They need to be aware so that they can give you pricing information up front - otherwise you could get a serious surprise in the final bill. As a contractor, if we identify an issue such as this upfront, we immediately have the fabricator visit the site so they can create a plan and give us accurate pricing - or tell us up front they have no way to do it so we can get another fabricator lined up.

My slab is called Copenhagen or Alpinus White. If it has to be seamed, we'll rethink the whole project. I found out the cost of the stone (2600) from another contractor who was able to get that information (he offered to use his guy, but I went for a more established fabricator at a cost of $800.00 more.) I'm specifically not cutting corners (sorry about that) with the granite, precisely because I've heard about inconsistent quality. That being said, I'm in love and am seeking any ideas that I might also present to the company. Have you run into this challenge, and if so, did you try cranes or scissor trucks or some other method?
I see your postings often and realize you are both an expert and generous with your time.

Granite Grannies will have seen much more that we have. Our worst was to get a large, one piece granite island top into a second floor kitchen. Our only access was up some deck stairs (winder stairs). (The island was also large, one piece and custom built - the only way to get it up was the same set of stairs.) Our primary granite fabricator declined to do the project so we went to another fabricator who agreed. In order to get the island and the granite top up the stairs (along with all the people trying to carry them) we had to reinforce the whole staircase from the underside. The granite folks only had two large guys capable of lifting the weight. They used hand clamps to get a hold on the granite. The lead guy had to back up the stairs - my husband was backing up the stairs ahead of him holding onto him in case his foot slipped or he leaned forward. The second guy of course had to be able to lift the granite up higher in order to clear the steps. One of our workers went up behind him with his hands on his back to steady him in case he tipped backwards. It took forever and a lot of work to get around the bend in the steps. It took 45 min or more to get it up and I think I held my breath most of the time. We were thankful nothing happened as there were no additional slabs available. Those guys earned their money that day!

The cost of a crane or lift would be extremely high unless the fabricator already owns one. Rental of this type equipment is high. I still would advocate that the fabricator should see the space in advance and make decisions about what is best. They are the professionals and are ultimately responsible. If they say no way, then maybe you go to Plan B.

Good luck to you.

Have your fabricator quote with and without crane. You might find the totals are similar, and you have less risk to a slab you've chosen and love. Depending on where you live, the crane company may need advance notice to get permits, police details and reserve parking. In the Boston area, the range is between $200 & $500 (ish) extra to get the crane involved, but it can really bring peace of mind! When we redid the kitchen in our condo, we had to get the crane in (4th floor walk up and a very big island), but they also brought in the appliances at the same time, which helped spread out the assignment of cost.

Deborah is right. We have had to carry a island that large on a wood plank over a pool, carried a 5x 8 island up 3 flights of historic row home stairs, and we are currently trying to solve a problem very similar to Roxanne's. We didn't realize how rickety the back stairs were on the deck so we weren't able to get the island in on that visit. I think we're just going to try using four strong men to walk it up the more difficult shaped front stairs.

Plan B idea: If you can't do it all in one piece, have you thought of cutting the granite size down and placing it up against a butcher block, copper, or stainless steel section? I've seen lot of kitchens on houzz with that design, and it looks great. You could also put a wide strip of butcher block inbetween two sections of granite. Then you avoid the seam on the island, and it looks like you just did something fun and unique in the space.

Wow, I cannot even imagine how much a granite slab must weigh!

kimdee, not more than 1000 lbs.

Thank you all so very much. I've learned so much from this discussion. You've put the project in a completely different place. I will let you all know about the resolution when it happens.

Granite weighs about 17lbs a square foot.

Well, 2 1/2 weeks after the templater was here, a company rep came by to figure out whether they can get the island countertop up the stairs ( with removing all the railing and perhaps the flight of stairs above them) We made a rigid wood template to aid the rep in his analysis. He's trying to make it work, but will speak to the company president and get an answer tomorrow. If they say no to taking it up the stairs, it has to go over the deck (2nd story kitchen) Problem is- they won't do it and neither will 2 other fabricators-including those who do commercial. My option then is to find a contractor who is comfortable using big machines and moving granite. I don't have a general contractor on this project (it started with a water leak last July). I know that the work can be done, but how does the liability work? The fabricators wouldn't take any, and would a contractor take responsibility for the cost of the granite and fabrication for the price of their labor? The designer and I haven't heard back yet from contractors that we've called. Any idea where I could find someone to do this job and how it could be insured?
l live in the Seattle area, btw

I am going to say what you don't want to hear. Step back and look at it more objectively (you are emotionally invested in getting this done) - you are trying to pursue something that reasonable, rational business people are saying that they don't think is possible to do successfully at reasonable cost. These people take risks and accept liability all the time - but, in this case, there is no way to charge enough to offset the risk. After your original post, just to educate myself I looked into what it would have cost us here locally to get a crane out to the job where we struggled to get the granite in. It would have cost us about $1k for the day and for the labor to operate it. We would have passed that cost on to the consumer with a healthy markup to reimburse us for taking the risk. Would one slab of granite be worth an additional $1,500 to $2,000 in order to get it in the door? I can't imagine that. If it were part of a total remodel project with a substantial budget, you might could work it in to the total and make it worth it. Certainly there are times that cranes are needed to bring in and set steel beams or similar items, but that can be built into the larger project and it is worth it for both parties. But this is a one off item and the contractors can't do anything but lose on this.

You could contact an insurance company and pay for a policy to cover this one item and sign an agreement that you will not hold the contractor and fabricator responsible for any damage to the slab or to your property and see if someone will bite. I don't imagine that they will. A good designer could come up with an alternate countertop solution that is both aesthetically pleasing, functional and cost effective.

Deborah is right. The issue is money. My current liability insurance would cover this operation, no problem. Call a crane company and get a quote. If the price is OK with you, do it. Crane companies do this sort of thing all the time...so do I, but I'm not in Seattle. Comes down to the cost of completing your vision....or modifying your vision to save the cost.

Thank you all so much. Found out today that the granite company owner approved the stair delivery (with rails removed and 4-5 guys) It will cost an additional $500. Before I heard from him, I had a crane company look at the job. They weren't interested because of access issues. The designer and fabricator rep plan to banish me during the trip up the stairs because my nail-biting will not be helpful.
Deborah, I understand where you are coming from on my (and my designer's) persistence in the face of the obstacles. I did try to think of a plan B, but I honestly don't know what we could've come up with. (My designer says there are no problems, only solutions-but still) My cabinetry was installed, the sub top was in place and the island is the centerpiece of an open plan. When it is done, I will be sure to post pictures here!
Thank you so much for your time and thoughtfulness!

Glad you got a resolution.

Success! Island countertop ascends stairs to take rightful place in my kitchen!
The first 2 photos are of our adaptations to our stairs: removal of 2 inner rails and strengthening of treads with wood screws and 2x4's ( I know the stairs are hideous, but that's for another day)
The 4 installers arrived a quickly maneuvered the piece into the kitchen. It was not a problem at all for them. I think any of them could have assessed the access issues far better than the templates or the rep. I had horrible customer service from this country. But I was thrilled with the team that did the installation.