Granite counter update in kitchen ?

bigdog · 09-22-2015, 06:49 PM

Was thinking of upgrading my kitchen counters to granite.

I'll most likely be selling my home in the next 2 years, and wondering what the 'return on investment' would be considering the cost.

Haven't got any pricing yet, just considering the thought!

Thanks for your feedback.

DickR · 09-22-2015, 07:24 PM

What constitutes the "right" granite countertop is a very personal matter. In other words, it's what the "wife in command" likes. Unless the future WIC is involved in the selection of countertop (highly unlikely), I would say that ROI on granite countertop is negative. Others may disagree, notably other WIC.

brk-lnt · 09-23-2015, 06:05 AM

"It depends".

All other things being equal (though they never are) most sellers would prefer a home with granite counters (any color/style) over a home with laminate counters (any color/style).

As a *very* rough estimate, assume about $120/linear ft of counter for a decent granite. That's installed, and accounting for polished edges, sink cutout, etc. Again, it's a rough estimate, but it gives you something to start with.

A small 12x12 kitchen might have 28 linear feet of counter total (a 3-sided setup, some left out for a slide-in stove, fridge, etc.). So you'd be about $3,360.

Will the granite add $3360 to your selling price? Hard to say. It will almost certainly make the house more attractive, which can make it sell faster. If you're still carrying a mortgage on the house and it sells 1 month quicker that could save you an ~$800 mortgage payment.

Kitchen remodels are one of those things that tend to have higher payback value. But IMO you need to look at the whole kitchen to decide this. Granite counters on old cabinets with a semi worn out linoleum floor won't do much because most buyers will look at that and think the whole kitchen needs to be remodeled. Granite tops on presentable cabinets and a nice tile floor would probably give the whole space a nice uplift.

So, "it depends".

8gv · 09-23-2015, 06:43 AM

i recently sold my house and these decisions nagged me. We had a very nice Corian counter with a deep double bowl sink that was molded in. In our view, it was superior in appearance and function to a granite installation. It was also in the middle of the counter evolutionary scale, situated between laminate and granite. Or so we thought...

After a short investigation at the kitchen store we discovered that other materials were working there way into the mix, possibly sending granite to "dated" status. We made no changes.

Does your property have other desirable features that will help it sell? If so, I would not do the counter.

bigdog · 09-23-2015, 07:20 AM

Thanks folks for all great feedback !

The one thing mentioned that struck me was the comment about the future WIC. Yes she will probably be the deciding factor on new home purchase.
This said, if she doesn't like the granite, it will definitely be a 'turn off' for her, and thus a 'no purchase' !

I have a rough price guess of about $5,000 for new granite counters.
Will it make the kithcen look nicer and more appealing, maybe?
Do I want to spend $5,000 for a 'maybe'..... No, I'll gamble w/o the upgrade.

The way I look at it, I'd rather take $5k off the selling price, that go though
all the demolition and reconstruction work.

Thansk again.

Smokienorm · 09-24-2015, 02:18 PM

We had out countertops replaced with "quartz" from the following supplier, which appears to be one of the majors in this area- they were very efficient laser measuring, etc) and great on the installation. They have all sots of stone products, including granite:

Rumford Stone Showroom
95 Sheep Davis Road
Route 106
Pembroke, NH 03275
Showroom Hours:
Monday – Wednesday, 9am until 5pm
Thursday, 9am until 6pm
Friday, 9am until 5pm
Saturday, 10am until 5pm
Closed Sundays
Phone: 603.224.9876

Island Girl · 09-24-2015, 09:45 PM

Women want nice kitchens. If low end very neutral granite, decent floor and cabinets can be done reasonably then more woman will consider the house. If there will be a lot of remodeling and the house is a fixer upper then don't bother withe the upgrade now. The problem sellers have is being honest with themselves about the house they are selling and its appeal the a wide variety of buyers.

Just my humble opinion
IG

songkrai · 09-26-2015, 05:13 AM

Are all of your appliances stainless steel and same brand?

Does everything else look new and spotless?

If not, skip it.

I've viewed enough HGTV - and viewed multiple times - the woman stating that the color of the granite is awful and has to be replaced. Go figure.

Street appeal is more important. Clearing up all unnecessary "stuff" in house and garage is more important. If you have pets - make sure that doesn't show.

If wall to wall carpets - get those replaced. Does the master bath have two sinks?

View some of the HGTV shows. The ones where people/couples are buying a house. Might give you an idea of priorities.

09-22-2015, 06:49 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,433 Thanks: 325 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Granite counter update in kitchen ? Was thinking of upgrading my kitchen counters to granite. I'll most likely be selling my home in the next 2 years, and wondering what the 'return on investment' would be considering the cost. Haven't got any pricing yet, just considering the thought! Thanks for your feedback.

09-23-2015, 06:05 AM	#3
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 543 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	"It depends". All other things being equal (though they never are) most sellers would prefer a home with granite counters (any color/style) over a home with laminate counters (any color/style). As a very rough estimate, assume about $120/linear ft of counter for a decent granite. That's installed, and accounting for polished edges, sink cutout, etc. Again, it's a rough estimate, but it gives you something to start with. A small 12x12 kitchen might have 28 linear feet of counter total (a 3-sided setup, some left out for a slide-in stove, fridge, etc.). So you'd be about $3,360. Will the granite add $3360 to your selling price? Hard to say. It will almost certainly make the house more attractive, which can make it sell faster. If you're still carrying a mortgage on the house and it sells 1 month quicker that could save you an ~$800 mortgage payment. Kitchen remodels are one of those things that tend to have higher payback value. But IMO you need to look at the whole kitchen to decide this. Granite counters on old cabinets with a semi worn out linoleum floor won't do much because most buyers will look at that and think the whole kitchen needs to be remodeled. Granite tops on presentable cabinets and a nice tile floor would probably give the whole space a nice uplift. So, "it depends". __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

09-24-2015, 02:18 PM	#6
Smokienorm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 92 Thanks: 6 Thanked 47 Times in 27 Posts	Stone Countertops We had out countertops replaced with "quartz" from the following supplier, which appears to be one of the majors in this area- they were very efficient laser measuring, etc) and great on the installation. They have all sots of stone products, including granite: Rumford Stone Showroom 95 Sheep Davis Road Route 106 Pembroke, NH 03275 Showroom Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 9am until 5pm Thursday, 9am until 6pm Friday, 9am until 5pm Saturday, 10am until 5pm Closed Sundays Phone: 603.224.9876

09-24-2015, 09:45 PM	#7
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	WIC wants a nice kitchen Women want nice kitchens. If low end very neutral granite, decent floor and cabinets can be done reasonably then more woman will consider the house. If there will be a lot of remodeling and the house is a fixer upper then don't bother withe the upgrade now. The problem sellers have is being honest with themselves about the house they are selling and its appeal the a wide variety of buyers. Just my humble opinion IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

09-22-2015, 07:24 PM	#2
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 742 Thanks: 4 Thanked 257 Times in 169 Posts	What constitutes the "right" granite countertop is a very personal matter. In other words, it's what the "wife in command" likes. Unless the future WIC is involved in the selection of countertop (highly unlikely), I would say that ROI on granite countertop is negative. Others may disagree, notably other WIC.

09-23-2015, 06:43 AM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,060 Thanks: 63 Thanked 719 Times in 468 Posts	i recently sold my house and these decisions nagged me. We had a very nice Corian counter with a deep double bowl sink that was molded in. In our view, it was superior in appearance and function to a granite installation. It was also in the middle of the counter evolutionary scale, situated between laminate and granite. Or so we thought... After a short investigation at the kitchen store we discovered that other materials were working there way into the mix, possibly sending granite to "dated" status. We made no changes. Does your property have other desirable features that will help it sell? If so, I would not do the counter.

09-23-2015, 07:20 AM	#5
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,433 Thanks: 325 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Thanks folks for all great feedback ! The one thing mentioned that struck me was the comment about the future WIC. Yes she will probably be the deciding factor on new home purchase. This said, if she doesn't like the granite, it will definitely be a 'turn off' for her, and thus a 'no purchase' ! I have a rough price guess of about $5,000 for new granite counters. Will it make the kithcen look nicer and more appealing, maybe? Do I want to spend $5,000 for a 'maybe'..... No, I'll gamble w/o the upgrade. The way I look at it, I'd rather take $5k off the selling price, that go though all the demolition and reconstruction work. Thansk again.

09-26-2015, 05:13 AM	#8
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 727 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	Are all of your appliances stainless steel and same brand? Does everything else look new and spotless? If not, skip it. I've viewed enough HGTV - and viewed multiple times - the woman stating that the color of the granite is awful and has to be replaced. Go figure. Street appeal is more important. Clearing up all unnecessary "stuff" in house and garage is more important. If you have pets - make sure that doesn't show. If wall to wall carpets - get those replaced. Does the master bath have two sinks? View some of the HGTV shows. The ones where people/couples are buying a house. Might give you an idea of priorities.