Granite fabrication companies with outstanding service tend to be higher priced. Conversely, those with lower prices often sacrifice quality and cut corners when it comes to service. We strive to give you the best of both worlds, high-quality countertops at highly competitive prices. This is made possible by our state-of-the-art fabrication facility and our in-house inventory of slabs.
At Arch City, we believe in honest and upfront pricing. We use straightforward advertising techniques based on real prices. We avoid the bait-and-switch advertising techniques used by some companies within our industry. We do not entice customers with an impractically low price, only to make up for it with a slew of additional fees (template fees, installation fees, fuel surcharges, etc.). We feel these techniques are dishonest and unethical. They are certainly no way to begin a working relationship. As a customer, you deserve honesty and transparency at all times. So that is what we provide.
What can you expect from Arch City?
You can expect to have beautiful countertops in your desired color range, custom fabricated to match your kitchen, bathroom or bar area. Your counters will be cut from full-size slabs that are 3-centimeters thick. We strive for a perfect fit every time and do not use prefabricated blanks. You get all of this at a very fair price.
We want you to make an informed decision when choosing a provider. That is why we educate our customers (and potential customers) about products, pricing and installation.
How much do granite countertops cost?
What is the realistic price of granite? This is one of the most common questions among first-time buyers. The installed price of countertops will vary based on a variety of factors. The actual cost of the slab itself influences the price more than anything else. The rarity and beauty of the slab also influences the final cost.
As a result of these variables, the price of the finished project can range from $39 – $140 per square foot, installed.
Most of the projects we complete for our customers fall into the range of $45 – $79 per square foot, installed.
The ABC Grading Scale for Granite Countertops Pricing
Granite is often labeled by using an A, B, C, D, E and F grading scale. These grades are purely based on the pricing and not on the quality of material. This is a common source of confusion for the first-time buyer.
The A-to-F grading system was actually created by the big-box home improvement stores. On this scale, ‘A’grade is priced the lowest, while ‘F’ grade is priced the highest. ‘A’ level stones are priced lower not because they lack quality or durability, but because the raw-material price is lower than the other grades.
As you probably know, the stone is quarried from the ground. ‘A’ grade stones, such as Tan Brown are available in plenty and easier to remove from the earth. It is more uniform in its natural strength, and is obtained from India where the cost of labor is lower. So it is priced lower than other grades. But the low cost does not mean low quality. In fact, Tan Brown is one of the best stones on the market, in terms of durability and strength. But it is still very affordable due to its abundance.
Emerald Pearl and Blue Pearl slabs are quarried in Norway. The blocks are then exported to Italy for cutting and polishing, before being shipped to the United States. Labor costs are very high in Norway. The higher cost of labor, combined with the intermediate transport to Italy, makes these slabs more expensive. They typically fall in the ‘D’ to ‘E’ grades, depending on where you buy them.
Moving up the scale, we have the highly exotic slabs like Louise Blue (also known as Dolly’s Dream or Blue Louise). This beautiful stone has a lot of “movement” with patterns going in different directions, along with a broad color palette. It is also rare and hard to quarry. In boulder format, this stone has a lot of fissures. So the quarry owner must eliminate six to ten boulders before reaching one usable block of stone.
During the slab-cutting process, this stone has to be reinforced by placing a plastic mesh on the back of the slab. The end result is a stunningly beautiful stone that commands a high price throughout the world. The installed price of this stone may be as high as $140 to $160 per square foot.
As you can see, the pricing is not based on the true quality or durability of the stone. It is based on the supply and demand of slab materials.
That covers the cost of the materials. As for the project, costs will vary based on the following:
- The size of your kitchen or bathroom
- The colors you choose
- The number of cutouts that have to be done
- Any upgraded edges you choose
We can provide you with a quote for your specific project, based on all of the factors mentioned above.
Please call us for a no-obligation in-house estimate. Better yet, visit one of our natural stone showrooms to select your slab. We will give you an estimate almost instantly.
How We Offer Competitive Prices without Sacrificing Quality
We offer highly competitive prices on countertop installation. But that doesn’t mean we cut corners or compromise on quality.
Here is how we achieve customer-friendly pricing:
- We will measure your kitchen with a sophisticated digital-measuring device. This helps us achieve a proper fit the first time around, thereby avoiding remakes.
- We obtain our inventory of granite and marble slabs in bulk quantity, which reduces our upfront costs. These savings are passed along to you, the customer.
- Our Computer Numerical Control (CNC) stone-cutting machines save time and produce consistent high quality. Custom-shaped islands and upgraded edges can be produced with greater efficiency.
- Our experienced in-house teams install your kitchen countertops correctly the first time, saving both time and money.
Our competitive prices are the result of an art and science we have perfected over a period of many years.