If you’re not allowed to pick the slabs, I would ask the builder if that means he’s guaranteeing that the samples are representative of the slabs. And put that in an email, so if they turn out to be substantially different you have something to fall back on.

@Kristin S thank you, I will most certainly ask them that in an email. That’s my biggest concern in this process, the samples not representing the actual material installed.

I would add that you might want to print out all your communications and put them in a 3 ring binder. Electronic is great, but hard paper is much easier to search for when you are needing back up material. :)

Hi alishia, not to add more confusion. We had st Cecilia (builder grade) we quite liked it. It’s warm and I liked the garnet flecks. this was a tract build home

Santa Cecelia varies from golden tones like that to much whiter. With your white cabinets I would go toward whiter choices. Of course if it were me, I would take cabinet door to granite yard and compare because there are a thousand whites on cabinets as well. If you can get a sample of the cabinet color take to local granite yard and look at these slabs. They are widely available.

These very busy granites are so terribly limiting if the time comes one wishes to change the color. If my budget only allowed for one upgrade, I'd do it on countertops that are more neutral and flexible.

@PG, thank you for the picture of your kitchen. It’s beautiful.

@Kristie, the granite shown are standard builder options with no extra cost to us. The upgraded options are similar to this picture. In a white and cream color. I’m not a fan of the sparkle and to upgrade to these would be another $3-4000.

@Flo, thank you and I most certainly will. Questioning whether to continue with this particular builder or not. Too many other new construction communities in this area right now to deal with this.

I totally support you checking around because not all builders are created equal. I simply wouldn't work with a builder who wouldn't let me see slabs. I'm not asking to select, I just want to see the current slabs so color isn't a surprise in the end. "Production" builders get this stuff dirt cheap at the Group A or 1 levels, so moving up one level is just a way for them to make more margin. But they are taking all the risks, so they do have to make money and on production homes where the margins are slim. I have had the good fortune of working with a production builder of high integrity and several builders of custom homes also very good. But they are getting squeezed from their supplier end and their buyer end. Not too much fun. But it is still YOUR money. Take your time and get the best builder you can in your price point. This is a difficult and stressful process. Document everything. There is no such thing as a "verbal" agreement. It must be codified. The best time of the relationship is at signing the contract, after that...kind of goes down hill. Not always, but generally. Mainly because of lack of good communication, and unrealistic expectations. Hoping for the best for you. With the way you are doing your due diligence, I think things will work out for you. Follow your gut!

Does your builder not have larger samples at the design center? My husband picked our counter top granite (Bianco Primata) based on the tiny sample, and the design center chick was like, "Do you want to see it bigger?" as she went over to a bunch of drawers and pulled out a "counter sized" (2'x3') slab. It *did* look different, but I was gonna love it regardless (which he knew), because it had warm purple/plum-wine specks in it, with sage green undertones. My two favorite colors. <3

Both of us have an eye for undertones (we both dislike pink, lol, and many of the "taupe" offerings were pinkish), but it's difficult to judge the photos you posted, without seeing them in person... and in natural light. Ask if you can take all of the samples to the nearest window and get a good look at all of them next to the other selections you have.

And as Miss Anglo pointed out, they are all "busy" granites, so go simple, simple, simple on the backsplash (assuming you have to pick a 'splash, too).

I wish we could've just done "builder basic" without upgrading at all, but I didn't want to remodel the kitchen immediately after closing (we have half a dozen young kids, and just didn't want to deal with ripping anything out, lol).

Following

I'm having a very hard time picking a granite to go with beautiful Carrera-like porcelain tiles in my bathroom. I want something very white and sedate and it's so hard to find in granite. I saw Luna Pearl but feel it might be date and more of a more "builder's grade" stone, possibly sold at Home Depot. Can anyone suggest a sophisticated looking gray/white/black/neutral granite that has some beauty and interest? I liked a River White sample but the slab had too many red or purple flecks. Any ideas out there? I really don't want to do quartz in the bathroom but might have to.

@Alishia

Are you building somewhere in NJ? We pretty much had the same exact choices. We upgraded to quartz for 5k.

That's why I would 'never' use a production(track) builder. They want to use the absolute cheapest material possible. Ditto on getting it in writing.

The good thing about the less dramatic fine-grained granites is that they are a lot more uniform than the ones with swirls. The lower price is not because it's a low-quality granite, it's because there is a lot more of it.

The 4-star, $400/night hotel I stayed in in Seoul used something very similar to the Luna Pearl in the bathrooms, the restaurants, and the front counter of the reception.

I would choose the Luna Pearl. This tends to be a pretty consistent Grey Speckle and it was among the first granites used for countertops when virtually no one was using granite except modernist architects.

I think the key thing with a production builder is if you like their overall quality and menu of selections. Their formula and their limited menu is what makes their houses affordable to their buyer pool, so I don't think it's particularly reasonable to expect to be able to pick individual slabs if that's not their business plan.

It's kind of like going to a fast food place and expecting something that's not on the menu and a higher level of service than they provide for the same $2.99. We live in a culture that seems to expect that, but it's not particularly reasonable.

You shouldn't be made to feel inferior because you aren't doing a custom build. Most people can't afford or are not interesting in a custom build and there's nothing the matter with that.

If you're really not sure what to do, go ahead and put the free laminate in and then upgrade to granite afterwards like Sophie suggested. I'm not sure how many sq ft of counters you have but it might be a cost effective option. I have never built a home, but my parents have and that is what they did. They went to a granite supplier after the fact and had the opportunity to look at full slabs, tons of options, and actually saved money over what the builder wanted to charge them for granite. Then they donated their laminate to Habitat for Humanity! :-) No matter what, it will be beautiful and you should be able to enjoy the process of building your home!

Hi alishia, thank you for the compliment. We sold the house a few years ago. The new buyer fell in love with the large single bowl kitchen sink, lol. You are wise to check out various builders. Ours was a production or tract builder. We bought during the big bubble. There were many builders and Home models to choose from. During the crash, many builders went under, yet ours is still in business today. Why, because of his integrity, his attention to detail, etc. He provided the best possible quality, service and (in the end) the best possible home, given his business model. I was able to choose everything within his allocated allowance with The only upgrade being, hardwood floors in bedrooms. If I could hire him to build my new home in Canada, I would. So, yes, choose your builder wisely.

Thank you, palimpsest - very eloquent statement. This is an exciting time and not the place for people to throw shade on overall decisions.

@BW may I suggest you start a new thread and post it on the kitchens forum. You might get more ideas/suggestions there.

I am not suggesting you ask to individually select slabs, but to “view” the current supply so you can do two things. Verify the current shipments are consistent with design center samples. (Unlikely) and to see the net impression a whole slab gives. This affects your decisions on so many other choices especially in kitchens. Replacing countertops after is not as simple as it sounds either. If you opt for that, wait to do backsplash too because it will probably get damaged when countertops are removed. You or plumber has to remove sink and faucet etc. and re-install. Make sure appliances installed below countertops will work opening. The dishwasher for example. And your kitchen will be a construction site for longer than you probably figure. For me, not worth it. Do it right first time and keep builder warranty in place. Jmo

Find out which company is supplying the counters, then go hit up their showroom.

do what Sophie said. (providing you don't like the basic choices. No need for you to settle). Get the absolute lowest cost, with no extra money to you, and redo it after you move in.

these options you're shown are the absolute cheapest granite on the market. the builder probably pays $5 a sf and charge you $60 -$70 sf. If this Luna Pearl is included with no extra cost, then grab that one. if you are paying extra for granite, I wouldn't. just have them stick in the laminate. after you move, go to a stone yard and pick out what you like.

ditto on your flooring. that engineered wood flooring looks like 1.99 special. are you paying extra for that or is that a standard, no cost to you?

btw, here's luna w/a gray glass

Will you have an island in the kitchen? Another option might be to do the Luna on the perimeter and pop for some coordinating white on the island. Beth and her hubby do this all the time and are very skilled with doing this work, but if you aren't don't try to nickel dime this build. It will not serve you well in the long run. If you don't have the money, save some more and so a "semi-custom" home down the road where you can have more say in selections. Home ownership is tough and a never ending battle of cost. So, make sure you consider all the options and make the best decision for your circumstances.

What most people postpone to after the build, means "cash flow" for the future and funny how there never seems to be enough cash to do what you "postponed".

Cheap or not, I think the Luna Pearl is a decent enough looking granite, and neutral enough to work with compared to a lot of the super active "clown vomit" stones (to steal a phrase) that are so popular right now.

@Beth H, I’m not paying extra for the granite or the floors; they are standard with the build. Thank you for the picture! The Luna Pearl actually looks nice with the white cabinet and glass tile. Definitely something I will consider.

@Jay Walsh, I’m in Virginia.

@Flo, the kitchen will have a small island. I’ll try to post a picture of a sample layout of it.

OK, I'll be watching for it. There are hundreds of choices in building a new home, so don't overstress on them. Just kind of take them in stride. It will be more fun that way. The only thing I can guarantee, you will have things in the end, you wish you would have changed. You are human after all!

I would ask for the credit and go get my own. Yuck.

@Flo, here is a sample of the layout.

OK, With that layout, you would be best with one granite. Don't let them put the 4" backsplash though. That is very dated and makes your backsplash look weird above it. Trade that cost for a pendant over your island. Always negotiate!! lol

Moon white is nice but may have more variation than that sample. Luna will look just like the sample but very dated. I put Luna in as standard with my builder too and plan to change it.

Don't let them put the 4" backsplash though.

Our production builder didn't put the 4" backsplash in the kitchen (they did in the bathrooms, though, which I'd like to replace), but instead, they forced us to pick a backsplash at the design center (we couldn't leave it out or get a credit). I would've preferred that they put in an easier-to-rip-out 4" than pay to upgrade to a decent-looking 'splash that didn't look like the floor was on the wall. :-D

I don't know if you have the ability to make any changes to the kitchen layout, but if you do you might post it in the Kitchens forum to see if they can help you get a more functional layout for your space.

Alishia, then as has been mentioned, do not let them install that 4" back piece. you don't want your tile to sit on that, you want it to meet the countertop.

Alisha, tract home builders make their "cherry on top" money from up-selling on the extras. They will give you all kinds of bunk about how they are required - by the mortgage company - to provide a "finished product". The builder says this must include blah, blah, blah. NOT TRUE. You must have a working bath & kitchen & heat to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy...THAT'S ALL. My Aunt's home; I had laminate installed, vinyl & carpet on the floors (all standard). After closing I had granite put in (kitchen, 2 baths) and tile laid diagonally throughout except the bedrooms. This was less money than what the builder wanted for the kitchen granite alone.

Can you tell I have an issue with tract builders?

chiflipper,,,do you know if one could obtain a rebate or lower price if one told the builder, "I don't want you to install any flooring or countertops?" That wood flooring they're going to put down is a low quality flooring. if they wanted to change it, having someone demo all of that will be expensive. Just wondering if they will let you move in w/ just a slab or subfloor. ditto if you just put plywood for the countertops.

Yes I agree, the flooring is terrible quality, so is the granite. I’d say we will keep the credit, keep the subfloors and plywood counters. You don’t need finishes to get a COO in most jurisdictions and frankly in most jurisdictions they will give you a temporary COO if they require installed flooring and countertops and they will come out when its done.. I agree this is just horrible with a huge mark-up and no choice

Some PPs suggest putting in laminate and then changing it post-closing. Please find out before you do that if the laminate will be 3cm thick EXACTLY - else you might be paying to rip/replace the backsplash too. (My $3,000 marble counters are costing me $5,000, because they are lower/thinner than the laminate we pulled out - the gap is too large to be caulked, too narrow to be tiled. So the entire 30 sq' tile backsplash has to be taken out, re-plastered (wall came out with the backsplash), re-tiled. Ugh.)

@amanda99999 - this is what I was pointing out earlier. With a "production home" you are buying the lowest grade and work possible. So, no credits or change outs are generally available. Around here, you couldn't get an "occupancy" permit without proper flooring. I agree the process is not good for quality stuff, but that isn't what is being paid for on this home. btw, even if they did give a "credit" it would be shockingly small. As I mentioned earlier, if you want better quality finishes, you either need to General Contract yourself (which I don't recommend for novices) or get into a better home with a "semi-custom" builder. Just choices.

I don't understand how a granite could be "horrible quality". Granite is granite geologically--it's a crystalline igneous rock. Price of various species has to do with commoness, how much is mined and how much there is to mine, it's not that a common speckled granite is "inferior in quality" compared to something rare...not if they are both granite, and not different stones.

That's just a snobbish classist statement because it's been seen too much and it's "common". Like someone not buying Coach brand anymore because every secretary in the US has Coach and Coach is bougie now. That's fine if you don't like it because it's "builder common" or whatever, but "quality" has nothing to do with it.

Quality is only going to be based upon the install, and I have seen very expensive (and coincidentally hideous) granites ruined by a terrible install, and an installation we haven't seen in this case.

I can't say anything about the flooring, except that it's oak flooring and at least where I live that was the flooring installed for most of the post WWI 20th c. where I live in houses of all sizes and shapes--so it least it won't be "dated in ten years" because it's much too ordinary to be so. Narrow oak is my favorite flooring for the typical house.

In terms of getting a COO, I know someone who didn't get one because a single light socket in their house was inoperable, in their locale, and yet in my location the house only seems to need working plumbing an operable stove and a furnace, and not much more. So who's to say?

But what I can say is that most builders will credit you pennies on the dollar for leaving something out. I know someone who wanted to leave an entire bathroom out of the plan and leave the space a closet and the builder offered them a few thousand dollars. It's hardly ever worth it.

I really don't get the badmouthing of the finish choices available for this house. It's a house at a particular price point and with a limited number of offerings. That's how this business model works. If you want more customization, you either go with a more expensive builder, or you go really expensive and do all custom all the way.

I realize that custom is how many of the houses in this forum are built. But there's no reason to look down on the choices that some people are given to make.

I get custom, I am doing complete and overboard custom on some aspects of my house. I had custom wastebaskets made for the two upstairs bathrooms. I had a custom door made for my cat's custom tunnel, for cripe's sake. I get it. But on the flip side, I am not walking into the builders's show area with a client building a builders house with a few choices for each finish telling them it's all horrible and they need to get something else. There is no something else. We work with what is offered. The time to make any wider choices is when the builder is chosen, not after.

I honestly like the granites considered lower grades here - I don't like movement so a fairly uniform pattern is good to me. They also tend to be hard and wear really well. In my current house I have not treated mine with kids gloves at all. Never sealed it after 10 years, I put hot pots on it and in general have not been careful at all as I've been hoping it would not last as I want to change the layout of my kitchen and to use it is as an excuse to redo. Nothing has happened to it and it still looks like it did when first installed. We cook daily. Eat at our peninsula several times a day etc. I would say the quality is excellent.

This is completely true lyfia. I have also never sealed Luna, put hot pots down all the time trying to push my kitchen reno nearer, but it still looks perfect. It is a good product just not everyone’s cup of tea. another thing I found was that there were no issues with seams because it’s so busy it blends easily.

Take this into consideration (seams) because with production build there is no choosing slabs, templating or being onsite at time of install.

also with my builder for some things we asked to be left undone there was no credit we were charged a fee because they were obviously losing money on the monsterous markup they wouldn’t be able to charge us.

Beth, to my knowledge tract builders don't give "credits"...only up-charges. I always advise buyers to pay for the "hidden" options; extra insulation, softener loop, ceiling electrical boxes (for fans), a higher SEER furnace & AC, extra exterior hose bibs (faucets) and electrical outlets, driveway and patio "sleeves" (a piece of PVC pipe through which future water or electrical lines can pass), a wider sidewalk, natural gas line, a better "elevation", any exterior stone work option, gutters. Those things are more expensive to add after the original build.

Beth, to my knowledge tract builders don't give "credits"...only up-charges.

My first house was a DR Horton, and they gave credits for a few things (for example, we deleted the refrigerator, the range, and the microwave; would've deleted the dishwasher, too, but they wouldn't allow it). That was back in 2004, though.

Our current house is a Gehan, and they didn't allow jack diddly squat. :-/

Luna looks dated to me arabesque is my favorite out of those