Table of Contents
With their natural patterns and durability, granite countertops are a beautiful and functional element to have in your kitchen. Before planning for a kitchen renovation always look for some trusted remodelers like these remodeling contractors and of course you should find out how much granite countertops cost. Not only are granite countertops a joy to have in your home, but they can help attract more buyers if you want to sell, so saving up enough to install granite countertops is a really smart idea.
When you are shopping for granite countertops you also want to consider the local price, because you may be trying to estimate a price, but from anither area where costs are different. In this article we will focus on the cost of granite countertops in Alexandria VA.
There are a few elements that will determine the granite countertop prices in Alexandria, VA that we will go over in more detail to help you make a sort of granite countertops cost estimator Alexandria VA. Use this guide to get decent estimate of your granite countertop cost and you will know what to expect when you talk with your contractor to plan your new counters.
What is granite?
Granite is a natural stone which has been used throughout human history for building and for decoration. It is found at shallow depths, so it can be quarried without digging too deep into the Earth’s surface.
Most granite countertops in the USA come from quarries in Brazil or India. The quarries use explosives to get huge blocks of granite out of the earth, then the blocks are transported to a milling facility where they are cut into countertop thick pieces.
They are shipped to the USA and then distributed throughout the country to different countertop manufacturers. The granite is kept as a large slab until they are ordered to be cut to the right size to fit into a kitchen, bathroom or anywhere else they are needed.
Cleaning granite is somehow a different approach. However, if you’re scared that you might damage it, letting professional cleaning services in Alexandria is what you’ll need.
We tell you this to show you how much work goes into getting a granite countertop into your kitchen remodel cost so that you can understand why the price is what it is, and maybe feel amazed that they are actually as cheap as they are.
How much do granite countertops cost in Alexandria VA?
The average cost of granite countertops Alexandria is $3,250, which is pretty close to the national average for granite countertops because of the high demand and its proximity to large ports. Most granite countertops will end up costing between $2,000 and $4,500, depending on the size and the quality of the granite.
In terms of price per square foot, granite countertops can be found from $40 up to $100 per square foot. If you can find out the quality of the granite you want, you can find out its exact price per square foot.
To find the square footage of your countertop, you can measure the depth of your counter, then measure the length of your countertop and multiply the two numbers. Then multiply that number by the price per square foot of the granite you want for your countertop to get a close estimate of the materials cost for your granite countertop.
For example, an average sized countertop is two feet in width and fifteen feet in length. Multiply those numbers to get 30 square feet. If the granite you want costs $65 per square foot you do 65 x 30 you get $1,950 which is the estimate for your granite countertop cost.
What determines granite quality?
The quality of granite will have a big impact on the granite countertops cost. When we talk about granite quality for countertops, we are not talking about the stone being any stronger or better for countertops, we are mostly talking about its appearance and how rare it’s natural coloration is.
The lowest quality granite has subtle color variation and veining. Lower quality granite is colored white, grey or green, as these are the most common granite countertop colors found in nature. It can be found for $40 to $70 per square foot.
Medium quality granite is black, gold, or red. It will have more intimate veining and you will be able to see different types of minerals in the stone. Medium quality granite can be found from $50 to $90 per square foot.
The rarest and most expensive color of granite is blue, which ranges from $70 to $100 per square foot. The more veining and natural designs you can see in the granite will make the price of the countertop increase. These granite countertops must be well-maintained and be cleaned regularly, no worries, this cleaning method in Alexandria VA will surely help you.
Shape and granite countertop cost
The shape of your countertop will be a big factor in determining the price you pay. Cutting granite is not an easy task, so if you want to have a lot of cuts made the price will go up.
The lowest price will be for a simple rectangle shaped countertop. If you have a simple rectangle countertop you may be able to use a remnant from another countertop, which would be much cheaper than using a whole slab to make your countertop.
For more intricate shapes like an L shaped countertop, you will have to buy an entire slab and then cut out what you need. If your countertop is too long, you may need to use multiple slabs of granite to complete your project.
You will also need to cut a hole for your sink to fit into as well as for any other appliances you want to have space for. This will add to the labor costs of your granite countertop.
Labor costs
The actual work of cutting, smoothing, transporting and installing your granite countertops will add to the price as well. It is estimated that labor will add $35 up to $85 per hour to the granite countertop cost. Typical granite countertops require four to eight hours of labor. So a typical granite countertop installation should cost about $1700.
It is not very likely that you will be able to accomplish a granite countertop installation on your own. Granite countertops are extremely heavy and require a team with special equipment and training to maneuver.
Cutting a granite countertop is almost impossible without very expensive equipment that not many homeowners have access to. You will almost certainly save money and definitely save time by having professional granite countertop makers do this work for you.
If you’re interested with the types of countertop to look at in Alexandria VA, you can always visit our showroom or check on us on Pinterest.