HOW TO MEASURE FOR COUNTERTOPS AND PRICE THE LABOR FOR YOUR JOB.
When anyone comes to your home to price some work that you want done, it's a muddy mix of pressure and confusion, right?
How do you size up the individual? Are they doing an up-sell, or pricing by the size of your house and what's in your driveway? They (hopefully) know more about the labor and materials involved than you do, so how do you make sure that you're getting the straight scoop and the whole story? How can you know if the quote is legit; that you won't wind up with a job half done, or pay more to get it completed?
We have a simple solution . . . price that stone-counter project yourself.
Step 1. Get yourself a tape measure. You know there's one in that junk drawer, or out in the garage, or borrow one from uncle Bob, or spend 5 bucks at the hardware store.
Step 2. Measure the width (length, end-to-end, side-to-side), and depth (front to back, wall-to-front edge) of each "Area".
An Area is a counter-section that forms a square or rectangle. So, if a counter is L-shaped, one leg is Area "1", and the other is Area 2. Just Measure to the 1/4 inch. Extend angled areas to form rectangles or squares.
Step 3. Next, use that good ol' calculator on your cell phone to multiply the width x depth of each Area to get square inches.
HINT - On a calculator 1/4" = .25, 1/2" = .50, 3/4" = .75 - so easy, isn't it? Calculate square inches for an Area, then divide by 144 to get square feet (don't we all wish we'd paid more attention in math class?). That's how counter labor & materials are priced. Please NOTE - Most stone fabricators round up to the next foot on all Areas, but if you are going to work with Oklahoma Granite and Stone, we always calculate to 1/100 of a foot. Save it where you can!
Here's an example:
A kitchen island measures 84-1/4" wide by 36" deep. 84.25 x 36 = 3,033 sq in, divided by 144, = 21.063 sq ft. Easy, yes?
Step 4. Now just add up the total square-footage of all Areas, and multiply by our labor price of $28 per SF.
We believe that's the best price in NE OK and surrounding areas. Next, look at stones from the Verona link on our materials page. Wholesale slab prices start at $7.95 per SF, sometimes less, with 10-15 beautiful choices at that price. 90% of our Clients choose stone under $12. Use 65 SF as a typical slab size. Most go from 50 SF to the high 80's, but 60-75 SF is the most common size-range.
Note that many stone fabricators price their jobs in nice, round numbers, which often includes both labor and materials.
That gives them the opportunity to "down-sell" to a price which might get them the job. We always price labor by the square foot, rounded to the 1/100 ft, and sell slabs at our wholesale.
Our Designer always pays for your slab(s) when chosen, and the stoneyard gives you a duplicate copy of our payment receipt.
No hanky-panky or "up front" cost. You pay for labor/materials only after the project is completed. Demo (counter removal) charged by the SF, at our cost. Sink-cut prices about the lowest around. 1st drop-in cut FREE. Plus 4 free edges, including a hand-chiseled edge - Others charge up to $25 LF (linear foot) for chiseled.
We are the easy way to have stone in your home
Some useful notes:
When measuring counter depth, measure to the wall surface, not to tile backsplash. If you can't get around the tile, just add 1/4" to the depth; a common tile thickness.
When measuring out from a wall, look down towards the floor from the countertop edge.
Be sure that the new countertops will overhang far enough beyond the tops of cabinet doors & drawers to allow any spills to fall to the floor, instead of onto the cabinet wood. If it looks too close, add a bit to the depth measured. Measure to 1/4", 'cause you don't have to be too precise . . . just trying to get a close idea of what this project should cost for fabrication and installation. Also, to know if it's a one-slab job. Allow 15-30% stone waste depending on the pattern.
If a stove is close to the wall behind it, with no counter-strip in the rear, we only charge for the left and right sides.
If the stove has that narrow strip of counter-material behind it, then we have to fabricate and edge that entire "cavity", so we calculate width-of-stove as part of total SF for the job.
Once you've calculated approximate square-footage, call and let us come out to give you an exact labor quote. There's never any charge for us to draw and measure. We can also show you some fabulous stone choices online!
A great labor price for stone-counter fabrication & installation, and we always price any stone that you choose at our wholesale cost.
OKLAHOMA GRANITE and Stone
"First-class work at a can't-miss price"
Call or text 918-747-7893
