Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How do I get started?
A – Getting Started with Half Priced Granite is quick and easy. Simply schedule an appointment with one of our Granite Countertop Specialists.
Q – How do I get an estimate?
A – Getting an estimate for your countertops is simple. Call us To Receive Your Free Quote. If you have files to upload, or measurements, we can help you even faster. If you do not, don’t worry, we will contact you shortly and start gathering the information we need from you to get you started towards the completion of your project.
Q – What is included in the Estimate?
A – Your Estimate will include the following:
• An estimate bid on one of our granite selections, or a remnant depending on the size (stated on the first line of the bid)
• The cutout sink hole but not the physical sink itself
• Sink mounting
• The faucet hole cut
• Options for the edge profile
• Taxes
• Professional application of annual seal
• Production Labor
• Installation
• Templating
• Options to add 4″ back splash, & sink.
Q: Does Half Priced Granite come with a Warranty?
A: Yes! Half Priced Granite comes with a unprecedented 25 year warranty! Click Here for full Warranty Info.
Q: Why use Half Priced Granite?
A: Our revolutionary product line has been extensively tested and proven to be heat, stain and scratch resistant. The diamond polished surface makes cleaning easy and you can cut your vegetables right on the countertop without fear of leaving cut marks. You can even place a hot skillet right on the countertop. Because there are no grout lines, you have no fear of bacterial build up or dirty grout lines.
Our products offer a stunning look and can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. Our products are used by homeowners, architects, developers and builders around the country.
Q – How Durable is Granite?
A – Granite is very durable and is one of the hardest surfaces you can use for counters. Its hardness value on the Mohs scale is about 8 on a 10 point scale (diamonds are #10). This hardness directly relates to abrasion resistance from items sliding on the counters or food preparation. Granite Countertops are highest ranked by Consumer Reports after testing for Abrasion, Cutting, Heat and Stain Resistance as well as Impact durability.
Q – Can I put hot pans on my Granite?
A – Granite is the hardest stone among all other stones used for countertops. Granite was formed in the earth by extreme heat and pressure so it does not burn, scratch or stain easily. It is not easily affected by heat. You can place hot pans directly on granite countertops without any worry.
Q – Can I cut on my Granite?
A – Yes you can. Granite is one of the hardest stones on earth. Cutting with knives does not effect or damage your granite countertops, but could dull your knives quickly.
Q – How do I choose my Granite?
A – Just like any other design, the choice is entirely up to you. Some people prefer the deep rich colors and textures that create a warm, elegant look, while others prefer something more light and airy; and still others prefer to mix and match tones and textures. There are also some Granites that have a lot of veining and others that have a much more consistent pattern. It is a good idea to choose a pattern that compliments the flooring and/or back-splash already in place (if that is the case). The good news is that you can find exactly what is right for you!
If possible, take one of your cabinet doors with you when you go to look at granite colors. This way you can visualize the colors together better. You can also ask for a sample to take home with you and view it in your lighting. The lighting in every interior is unique and different and this will affect how the granite looks; Your lighting will always be different than that of a store.
Q – What are my color options?
A - At Half Priced Granite we have an assortment of half priced colors, as well as an even wider array of custom colors that you can choose from.
• Click Here to view our Current Granite Color Selections
Q – What edge styles are available?
A – We have over a dozen different edge styles for you to choose from for Custom and all of our Half Priced Granite has. Click Here to View Edge Styles.
Q – How much does Granite Cost?
A – Our Half Priced Product (Builder Classic) is $25 per square foot in all of our spectacular colors. Unlike other “Half Priced Granite” Companies our product does not have many unnecessary seams. We are able to do this because of our unique State of the Art Modular System and Pre-fabrication process that no one else has. Call us for your free Estimate and we will show you why our product is such an incredible value compared to everything else out there. Custom Colors and finishes (Builder Deluxe) are also available.
Q – What type of payments are accepted?
A – We accept cash, check, or credit cards (mastercard, visa, discover, amex).
Q – Do I need to seal my Granite?
A – Yes you do. You can have one of our technicians professionally seal your granite surfaces or choose to do so yourself. We have quality sealing products recommended by experts.
Q – How do I care for my Granite?
A – Granite countertops are easy to maintain and do not require a lot of special care to remain looking beautiful for many years. Granite is extremely strong and durable and the only required maintenance is to apply a sealer every every three years, although we recommend doing this annually as it is easy and low cost to apply this treatment. You simply Apply the Sealer, let it Soak in for 15-20 minutes, wipe away excess sealer with soft cloth, and let it cure overnight.
Here are some other simple Care Tips to keep your Granite looking beautiful:
1 Although granite is very durable and not an especially porous surface occasionally spills can soak into the surface, so to avoid deep staining wipe up spills immediately.
2 For stone surfaces a neutral cleaner, such as stone soap or mild dish washing liquid and warm water, is safe to use.
3 When cleaning with a soap solution, use a soft, clean cloth and then rinse the surface thoroughly. Finish off by drying with a soft, clean cloth.
4 If you do happen to stain the surface, removal depends on the type of stain. First, try removing it with this paste: mix together a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dish washing liquid, and water. Place the paste over the stain, cover in plastic wrap, and leave overnight. In the morning, use a wooden utensil to scrape away the paste and give it a rinse. This should work except for stains made from grease, oil, or milk. In these cases, instead of dish washing liquid use hydrogen peroxide in the paste, or ammonia.
5 For organic stains resulting from coffee, tea, or fruit, a mixture of 12% hydrogen peroxide combined with a few drops of ammonia should work wonders.
6 Ink, marker and wine stains on darker stone require a lacquer thinner or acetone for removal. Hydrogen peroxide works well on light-colored granite.
7 Another method to remove wine, ink, or any other non-oil stain is to mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste. Apply for 30 minutes, remove, and rinse.
8 For oil-based or fat-based stains, create a paste of molding plaster and water. Keep it on the stain for 3 hours and then remove and rinse.
9 Granite countertops require resealing every two to three years, but ask your installer for suggestions as to when this needs to be done. Of course, on surfaces that will be used for food preparation, use a non-toxic sealer.
10 New disinfectant cleaners on the market now come in formulas designed for granite countertops – purchase this type of product if you prefer disinfectant cleaners to other cleaning options.
11 Use coasters, especially for alcoholic and citrus beverages, as the acid in these drinks can dull the stone’s surface.
12 Always test these cleaning methods on small discreet area for color fastness or granite damage.
13 Although Granite is extremely Heat resistant it is still a good idea to not place exceptionally hot items directly on the surface.
Q – What is the difference between Marble and Granite?
A – Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth. Granite is composed primarily of quartz, feldspar and mica. Other minerals may be present in the stone creating its unique colors, textures and patterns. Used as a countertop material, it is resistant to scratches, acids, stains and heat. It is long-lasting, durable and available in a wide variety of colors, textures and unique crystal patterns that create a warm and inviting environment for you kitchen, bath or anywhere you might need a countertop.
Marble works beautifully especially in the bath where the veining patterns and colors that appear can be used to create exquisite designs. Marbles are made up of mostly of calcite. Marble is sensitive to acidic foods such as vinegar, lemon, tomatoes, wine, as well as some tile cleaners, mildew removers and other materials commonly found in the kitchen or bath and will dull a polished finish.
Q – What kind of design services are available?
A – Although many times most of the design is decided by your kitchen design, Half Priced Granite can help with configuration of counters to make your kitchen as beautiful as you dreamed it to be. Our experienced countertop specialists will help you color coordinate your stone with the walls, cabinets and floor colors to beautifully accentuate your home or office.
Q - How long does it normally take to install my Granite Counter top?
A - While each project varies depending on the size of the space to be transformed, the installation of your Countertops if they are a standard size kitchen countertop and back-splash should take approximately 1 to 2 days.
Q - Is there much mess and disruption involved when installing Granite Countertops?
A – There is minimal disruption and mess.
Q – How long does installation take?
A - The average kitchen installation job takes 4-5 hours hours depending on the size and number of pieces. Bathrooms tend to take less time, but that is according to how intricate the project is.
Q – Does the back-splash come before or after the Countertop?
A - Whether your back-splash is tile, 4″ granite, or full height granite, It will be installed after your granite countertop.
Full height granite back-splashes will be measured the day your new counters are installed and are then installed within 4-5 business days. This ensures most the accurate fit for full height stone back splash.
Q – What does a seam look like?
A – Seams in granite counter tops are usually completely unnoticeable when done by experience installers like Half Priced Granite.
Q – Will my kitchen have a seam?
A – Most kitchens usually have seams. Whether your kitchen has one or more seams depends on the layout, design and configurations of your counter tops. The more angles or “returns” typically cause additional seams.
U-shaped Kitchens typically have more seams than one with little or no angles or returns. We take great care to ensure seams are vein-matched, flat, and as narrow as a sheet of paper. Our Installers at Half Priced Granite take great care in making seams as unnoticeable as possible. Having fewer seams is where experience and craftsmanship can make all the difference!
Q – Do we have remnants?
A – YES WE DO! Remnants can be a great option for saving money on vanities that are less than six feet long and other small counter spaces. They can also be used for table tops, cutting boards, lazy susans or many other interesting applications….just get creative! Since they are remnants the size and colors vary, but we invite you to come and browse our remnant yards.
What are the do’s and don’ts of Granite Countertops?
You can follow the Care Tips below for not just Granite, but for all Countertop surfaces, and you’ll eliminate most potential problems without ever having to worry about causing any damage:
Do: Blot up spills immediately.
Acidic substances like wine, coffee, fruit juices, tomato sauce and sodas will not etch granite like they do marble, but they could potentially stain the surface. Cooking oils may also leave a stain if not wiped up.
Do: Clean surfaces using a sponge or soft cloth.
Using a specially formulated stone cleaner like Stone PLUS is recommended to keep your tops in the best condition and protect the seal, but hot water will do for quick clean-ups. Dish soap won’t damage your granite, but repeated use of soap will cause build-up (yes, even if you rinse) and dull your countertop’s shine. So, using dish soap for regular granite countertop care is not recommended.
Do: Use coasters under all glasses, bottles and cans.
Again, granite won’t etch and rarely stains, so while using coasters on dense and/or properly sealed granite isn’t necessary, like it is with marble, using coasters is still a good practice to protect all surfaces
Do: Use cutting boards.
This is mostly to protect your knives, not the granite, as it is very durable and scratch resistant. But cutting on stone will dull your knives’ edges very quickly.
Don’t: Use generic cleaning products such as bleach, glass cleaners, De-greasers or other common household cleaners regularly as they can build up and dull the shine of your granite countertop.
These products that you buy at your local store contain acids, alkalines and other chemicals that will degrade the granite sealer (and will etch marble) leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining. Trying to save money by using these chemicals only ensures that you’ll spend a lot more time and money on you granite countertop care in the long-run. See our Care & Maintenance page for recommended products.
Don’t: use vinegar, ammonia, lemon or orange as cleaners. Again, most common and name-brand household products are not good for cleaning granite countertops (and definitely cannot be used for marble, travertine or most other stones)
Don’t: use bathroom, tub & tile or grout cleaners.
The powders and even the “soft” creams contain abrasives that could scratch and dull surfaces.
Don’t: sit or stand on your countertops.
Unlike laminate countertops, granite, marble and quartz countertops are very hard, but not flexible and they DO NOT have a plywood backing so too much weight in one spot could cause a crack.
Don’t: store toiletry products directly on your countertop surface.
Hair products, perfumes, colognes, nail products, creams, lotions and potions have a tendency to spill or leak and go overlooked.
Even when sealed, a substance that remains on the surface for an extended period of time may stain granite (and etch marble and other stones). Practice proactive granite countertop care by storing these products on a shelf or decorative tray like they do in fancy hotels!