Cheaper Granite Worktops and Like-For-Like
It could be said that the current recession could stop people spending money on their houses.
Quite the opposite is actually true, but consumers are looking for the better deals now, are shopping about and are definitely trying to negotiate the best value for money.
This has created a real problem, as the knowledge of most consumers regarding stone and stone types, in most cases is limited and is such that some suppliers are able to beat competitor prices whilst truly pulling the wool over the eyes of consumers.
A work colleague of mine recently lost a customer due to this exact problem.
In fact; the gentleman (a building developer) came back to my colleague after the installation and did comment on the fact that the grade of stone he had had installed was actually a lower grade, although he did say that it was not an essential as he just wanted to install the worktops to raise the value of the house prior to selling.
He did say though; that the company who supplied and installed his new granite worktop had not emphasized that the stone was a lower grade when selling it to him, but this time round, he was not bothered.
Would you be bothered if the stone that is installed in your kitchen was a different grade to the sample that you saw when you purchased it? I would be! A good method for ensuring that the correct granite is installed in your home is to retain the sample that was used to sell the stone to you.
When the installer comes to install your product, a simple like-for-like test can be performed by holding the sample next to the worktop and see if it looks similar.
Of course, all stone has many variations; and no two types of the same stone are ever exactly alike, but the grade should be apparent.
Things to look for are whether the actual shade / colour of the stone, is virtually the same and also if the same level of pattern exists! Remember! You don't have to have the worktop installed! In the past; I have heard of consumers simply turning the fitters away and it truly can be quite a surprise for the suppliers and installers.
If a stone type comparison is not like-for-like, it can dramatically affect the pricing and as a consumer, this is something you should definitely consider when looking for cheaper worktop quotes!
Quite the opposite is actually true, but consumers are looking for the better deals now, are shopping about and are definitely trying to negotiate the best value for money.
This has created a real problem, as the knowledge of most consumers regarding stone and stone types, in most cases is limited and is such that some suppliers are able to beat competitor prices whilst truly pulling the wool over the eyes of consumers.
A work colleague of mine recently lost a customer due to this exact problem.
In fact; the gentleman (a building developer) came back to my colleague after the installation and did comment on the fact that the grade of stone he had had installed was actually a lower grade, although he did say that it was not an essential as he just wanted to install the worktops to raise the value of the house prior to selling.
He did say though; that the company who supplied and installed his new granite worktop had not emphasized that the stone was a lower grade when selling it to him, but this time round, he was not bothered.
Would you be bothered if the stone that is installed in your kitchen was a different grade to the sample that you saw when you purchased it? I would be! A good method for ensuring that the correct granite is installed in your home is to retain the sample that was used to sell the stone to you.
When the installer comes to install your product, a simple like-for-like test can be performed by holding the sample next to the worktop and see if it looks similar.
Of course, all stone has many variations; and no two types of the same stone are ever exactly alike, but the grade should be apparent.
Things to look for are whether the actual shade / colour of the stone, is virtually the same and also if the same level of pattern exists! Remember! You don't have to have the worktop installed! In the past; I have heard of consumers simply turning the fitters away and it truly can be quite a surprise for the suppliers and installers.
If a stone type comparison is not like-for-like, it can dramatically affect the pricing and as a consumer, this is something you should definitely consider when looking for cheaper worktop quotes!
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