advice on kitchen counter process

3 months ago

New build is almost complete and I’m running into a problem with countertop. Back in 12/25 I selected Taj Mahal and pricing at the counter supplier increased due to newly imposed tariffs. My builder told me to wait and select when closer to completion to see if pricing settles down but worst case woukd be $4,000. I just got the upcharge and it’s now $5,700. $4k was a stretch and now faced with $5,700. When I go to the showrooms they avoid talking cost saying they don’t have my plans, dimensions, etc. so I’m left with picking out two slabs without knowing price. How can I manage this better do I know what is in my budget. We have had several overages and I have to draw the line somewhere so back to square one with counter top.

Any suggestions on a cheaper quartzite? Or a Quartz that’s warm?

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Comments (6)

chispa
3 months ago
Where are you located? Different states have different business practices for slab purchases. In CA slab yards sell to retail customers, but in most other states they only sell to resellers (fabricators, contractors or designers), so pricing has to come though the resellers.

Is that $5,700 per slab? Does it include fabrication?

2018 Kitchen renovation in CA: I paid around $9000 retail for 3 slabs of Taj Mahal quartzite and $9000 labor to my fabricator

2021 Custom build in FL (kitchen): I paid $9000 for 3 slabs of Taj Mahal quartzite plus fabrication cost of $5400. These numbers didn't include my builder's mark-up/profit. It was a cost plus custom build, so I got to see my builder's invoices/cost.

Taj mahal is a very durable quartzite ... if you go with something "cheaper" you might not get the same durability and end up with something that stains/etches and requires sealing and more maintenance.

I used this quartz in one of my guest bathrooms. Warm off-white background with beige veins.

Radianz - Denali Cloud

I still have my quartz sample, so if you want a photo of it sitting on my Taj Mahal quartzite counters I can dig it out, take a photo and post here. Let me know.
Pam W
Original Author
3 months ago
I am building in Delaware. The$5,700 is excess above what was included in original building quote for kitchen snd island for a quartz. It included installation and fabrication. What is your background slap? It’s very pretty!
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Pam W
Original Author
3 months ago
Two slabs.
PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
3 months ago
Talk to the fabricator about alternatives.
chispa
3 months ago
"What is your background slab?"

Are you asking what is under the quartz sample? It is a linen-look porcelain tile and on the left a marble-look porcelain tile.
chispa
3 months ago
$5700 to upgrade 2 slabs from standard quartz to TM quartzite is probably not unreasonable. The quartzite is harder to cut/fabricate.

How long do you plan to be in the house?

Will you regret not having the slabs you really wanted for the next 10 or 20 years, when you walk into the kitchen every day, several times per day?