Granite Transformations^â Independent Review

Background

Existing laminate countertop with structurally sound infrastructure modernized using Granite Transformations^â.  Granite Transformations^â selected as an alternative to tile, laminate, solid surfaces (e.g., Corian^â, Kerrock^â, Gibraltar^â, Avonite^â), granite, marble, slate and other engineered stone (Silestone^â, Cambria^â, Legacy^â, Ceasar-Stone^â, Zodiaq^â, Avanza^â).  Granite Transformations^â is a granite and polymer mix that is poured into ¼” slabs.  The slabs are cut and assembled to fit over your existing countertop.

Selection criteria included overall cost, including tear out and replacement, heat resistance, stain resistance, scratch resistance, susceptibility to bacteria buildup, durability and appearance.

Complete list of Granite Transformations^â benefits, features, advantages and disadvantages can be found at their website granitetransformations.com.  Granite Transformations^â complete warranty can be found at granitetransformations.com/warranty.pdf.  Granite Transformations^â three primary products are Trend Stone^â, Trend Glass^â and Trend Mosaics^â.  For purposes of this review, Trend Stone^â was used for the countertops and Trend Mosaics^â was used for the backsplash.

The Project

Step 1:  Project took place in Greater Kansas City and as such a showroom was available.  The showroom was well done and showed products used in a number of configurations including kitchen countertops, bath countertops, showers, tubs, fireplaces, etc.  Large slabs of each product and color were available which presented an excellent opportunity to examine products and select colors, product mixes and edging options.  Granite Transformations^â distributors also frequent home improvement and remodeling shows.

Note:  Be prepared to purchase a new sink, faucet and perhaps garbage disposal.  Sinks are best purchased from Granite Transformations^â distributors, as they will have access to sinks that compliment their products.  Confirm the distributor is selling the sink at cost.  Plan for a more elegant faucet as anything less will look shoddy compared to the countertop.  Faucet and garage disposal (if you’ve had your current garbage disposal for several years, this is a great time to upgrade to something smaller and quieter) can be purchased online or at a local home improvements store.

Step 2:  Designer conducts free, in-home consultation.  Designer assists in selecting products, colors and options (like where to put seams) and measures and provides detailed quote.  In Greater Kansas City, the quote included all labor, materials, and taxes.

Go / no go decision is required before going any further.  Once decision is made, then designer or office will schedule installation.  50% down payment is expected at this step although it was not required for this project until step 3.  Consultation to installation was three weeks, though time frames can be longer closer to holidays when everyone wants new kitchens for holiday festivities.

Step 3:  Template associate visits the kitchen a couple weeks before installation to cut and lay templates.  Granite Transformations^â does not rely solely on the measurements of the designer.  The template associate measures again and lays out templates for the assembly crew to use (measure twice – cut once is adhered to by Granite Transformations^â).  This is a good time to confirm location of seams.  For this project, template associate made recommendations for changing direction of one seam which was accepted and appreciated.  At this point, an offsite assembly crew cuts and preassembles the countertops.  This leaves installation and finishing for onsite.

Step 4:  The installation crew arrives with all pieces required to complete installation.  They disconnect the plumbing, install the new countertop and backsplash, and mix grout to seal any seems and putty under the countertop so the old countertop is not visible.  There is a substantial amount of finishing work, some of which will leave a thin, white coat of dust on your walls and surfaces.  They will cut a hole for sink and install the sink.  The crew that worked on this installation was amazingly professional and did an amazing job.  The job took two days to complete.  Attention to detail was tremendous.  The installation crew on this project was the strongest link in this project, by far.  More details on the installation process can be found at granitetransformations.com/installation.aspx.

When the installation crew is done, a plumber will be needed to connect the faucets and garbage disposal.  The Granite Transformations^â distributor will most likely have the name of a plumber who is used to following their crews.  The plumber for this project charged approximately $150.

The Result

There is no denying the result is quite remarkable.  The product is beautiful and literally transforms the look of a kitchen.  The product is low maintenance and lives up to its stated benefits.  Nothing is cheaper than replacing the existing laminate, but if one is looking at a replacement, then Granite Transformations^â compares favorably.  When calculating the costs of various options, do not forget to include the cost of tear out when putting in a complete countertop.

Clearly, the quality of the installation crew is of paramount importance.  The template associate and installation crew were very impressive.  It’s hard to imagine a customer that would not have been impressed with the results of this project.

Costs

The backsplash had 32 square feet of surface space and 5 linear feet of edging.  The cost for the backsplash was $1,699.00 or $53.10 per square foot.

The countertop had 55 square feet of surface space and 44 linear feet of edging.  Total cost for the countertop (including $350.00 to cut out the sink hole, new sink was thrown in for free) was $4,155.00 or $75.55 per square foot.

Total cost for the entire project, including all charges and taxes, was $5,854.00 or $67.29 per square foot.  Incidentals included a new faucet, garbage disposal, outlets and outlet covers.

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