Only you know if $500 is worth not having to worry about the seam matching, or being done correctly (chipping, epoxy bad color match, too wide, not level). Will they let you approve the template to make sure you can get a good pattern match, or do you take your chances with whatever material they have?

@mama goose_gw zn6OH I think they would, but it is also going to be a pretty tight fit to get all of it on the single slab, so there won't be a lot of room to rearrange. At least the slab is fairly consistent color. I'm at the point where $500 isn't a deal breaker, but also would take care of another part of the renovations etc. It could be way worse. If I had chosen a stone the first fabricator didn't stock I'd be looking at buying the entire 2nd slab. You make a good point. I've not seen their seam matching myself, but will be asking around. I've only ever had laminate where seams are not really an option or Corian where there are none. This optional thing kind of threw me for a loop :D

I’m not usually someone who always justifies extra spend. And I’m not someone to replace expensive things that are in good condition. With that said, I have two thoughts.

1. $500 is not something I’d cheap out on. I’ve made similar choices to save in the short run and never been happy.

2. Don’t get mad, but are you confident the cabinets are in good enough shape to hold up to the weight and also something you’re happy with for the long run?

@1929Spanish-GW

I get where you are coming from. The sink is the only thing in really bad shape. The backsplash has some damage that can't be patch 20+ years on. The house was built in '96 and the cabinets do have some partical board or mdf panels inside. I hadn't considered that they might not hold the weight and I'm not paying to put and entirely new kitchen in this house. I'm undervalued for the neighborhood, but not that undervalued. If they won't I'll be relegated to laminate or Corian again. I won't be here forever.

I agree with Joseph--using the apron front eliminates one part of the seam in a prominent spot, and distracts the eye from the other part, which will be at the faucet, where an exact pattern match won't be as important. I love my apron front sink.

IMO you need to post the 2 layouts and then I could comment on wether it is worth $500.00 to choose one over the other. Seams at sinks are done very often so IMO not a big deal breaker. Does your kitchen style suit a apron front sink, not all do. Get drawings of both layouts that is the first step. I am not sure what you mean about the stove area.

I meant the seam could run straight from the counter edge on the stove wall to the front end of the peninsula. The stone from the right edge of the stove to the front edge of the peninsula is one piece and the rest of the peninsula is a separate piece. the other option was to bisect the sink hole. What layouts do you mean? On the slab? It is either no seam at all using 2 slabs (same lot) or a seam somewhere.

Seams in granite - if you can avoid them, great. One can't always do that. A quality installer will minimize the appearance of the seam - varies by the granite you select. If done well, not a deal killer. If the $500 is do-able, avoid the seam. You're OK either way. Bonus! Have them seal both the top AND the bottom of the granite slab at the dishwasher location. Steam from dishwasher will get onto the porous side of the granite and can grow mold there. Advice I got years ago from a granite installer who showed me that problem in a home we were remodeling for a client.