Last week on my lunch break, at my wife’s request, I stopped by Home Depot in Virginia Beach to get some gutter guards and trash bags. I did something that I swore I’d never do. I mystery shopped one of my largest countertop competitors: Home Depot.
I was intrigued by the sign outside that read granite for $35 sf, and thought I’d investigate.
I sat down with my sales person. We’ll call her Cheryl. Cheryl was a lovely lady, she was friendly and helpful. I have nothing negative to say about my experience with her. I provided Cheryl with hand drawings of my kitchen which equaled 49.05 square feet. I selected two options (Giallo Ornamental Granite and White Arabesque Quartz.)
Cheryl asked s few specific questions, about my job and calculated a total number. I was preparing myself for the final number to be somewhere around $1,732.5 based on my square footage and the advertising outside. Cheryl presented me with two quotes, one for $4,005.60 and the other for $4,790.40.
Being in the industry, I was expecting this bait and switch tactic, as Home Depot and Lowes are not my only competitors who employ this tactic. So, I thought this experience would make good reading for those of you who follow “The World’s Most Boring Blog.”
A Quick review of the Giallo Ornamental Granite quote discovered the following:
- Giallo Ornamental was a Level 3 granite, which was not $35 a square foot, but in fact $54 a square foot. A quick review of Home Depot’s “Level 1” stones reminded me of trip to a Super 8 Motel.
- I was charged $445.50 for “edge detail.” All I requested was a “basic bullnose” edge. I came to find out the only edges they offer in their “included” price range was a “flat square” edge, or a Bevel (which I actually kinda liked).
- Next, I noticed a charge for $269 for double bowl 18 gauge sink, at QSC they are complimentary.
- After that I noticed a charge of $250 for mounting and polishing said sink.
- I was also charged $392.40 for removal and haul away of my existing countertops, which I thought was a good deal, but wasn’t offered the opportunity to do it myself.
All of these additional charges brought me to a grand total of $4,005, which based on my 49.05 square feet equaled $81.66 a square foot out the door. The quartz option reflected the exact same pricing structure at almost $97.68 per square foot.
In conclusion, there is NOTHING wrong with shopping at Home Depot or Lowes, just don’t buy their granite or quartz countertops. Buy their Hammers, nails and grills, but don’t overpay for your countertops. Come see why Quality Stone is the best priced, best reviewed countertop company in Hampton Roads. We have shorter lead times, lower prices and more industry expertise. We will gladly beat any written quote from Home Depot or Lowes and that is a Guarantee.
Quality Stone Concepts
1373 London Bridge Road,
Va Beach, VA 23453
757-275-9382 or www.qualitystoneconcepts.com
Hi, I’m with Cornerstone Marble & Granite out of Sarasota. If by any chance you still haven’t replaced your countertops I will be more than willing to give you a free Quote. I can GUARANTEE you that it will be much cheaper than what they offered you. Home depot and Lowe’s sub out their job’s. Which means they take no part in the actual production of the countertops. They up charge the costumers so then they can pay someone else to do the job for them. Sometimes it’s a hit or miss with the QUALITY and timing of the Schedule. I take pride in QUALITY don’t believe in cutting corners. My number is 352-257-1744
[…] How Home Depot's $35/SF granite magically becomes $82/SF. – A Quick review of the Giallo ornamental granite quote discovered the following: Giallo Ornamental was a Level 3 granite, which was not $35 a square foot, but in fact $54 a square foot. A quick review of Home Depot’s "Level 1" stones reminded me of trip to a Super 8 Motel. I was charged $445.50 for "edge detail." […]
This was great! I can totally see how the bill can balloon if you’re not careful. Many times, sales people won’t explain the free option. Instead they add the upgrade you selected. Either way, shopping around is the most sensible option when making such an important purchase. Thanks for your article and insight!
[…] How Home Depot's $35/SF granite magically becomes $82/SF. – How Home Depot’s $35/SF granite magically becomes $82/SF. – A Quick review of the Giallo ornamental granite quote discovered the following: Giallo Ornamental was a Level 3 granite, which was not $35 a square foot, but in fact $54 a square foot. A quick review of Home Depot’s "Level 1" stones reminded me of trip to a Super 8 Motel. […]
What would your price be for the same product?
Home Depots price includes installation. Hope you are talking apples to apples.
As an ex Kitchen designer at Home Depot I can say that this is spot on with only a few exceptions. I worked in 3 stores in two different states and I met a lot of DIYers as well as clients who only wanted countertops. I want to add a little insider info.
You can absolutely al’ a carte your countertop. If you only want the top you can have just the top without the sink and etc. I always suggest top mount sinks because undermounts have the tendency to get gross over time. If not installed with additional support brackets underneath can end up falling out. Who wants to pay $250 for that??? Top mount is free and you can always provide your own sink for top or undermount. As long as the sink is present at the time of measure they will cut the hole.
Home Depot also offers “pre fab” that generally start at $25/sf and experienced designers will always refer clients to the fabricators show room so they may select their slabs especially for non prefab tops and stones with lots of veining. These fabricators are third parties and once you’re in their showroom there’s nothing that stops you from doing business directly with the fabricator. You may or may not see a price difference here.
Now here is the kicker. Home Depot markets and advertises consumers that they sell countertops on an “installed square footage” of the actual measured and templated countertop surface area. Based on that representation and an estimate that we would need approximately 90 square feet, the sales rep for Home Depot prepared a “contract” for the installation adding, of course, a charge for cutout for a kitchen sink and the cost of removal of the existing countertop. It was agreed that a more accurate measure and template would be prepared by the subcontractor hired by Home Depot and a final charge order would be added as an addendum to the contract. The measure was made and the template prepared. The change order recited that I would be paying for more than 150 square feet of material, or more than 50 additional square feet at the “installed square footage” price. Of course, I objected. Now the mater is in dispute and has been upgraded to Atlanta, the home of HD. In my opinion, after 40 years of practicing law, if this is the manner Home Depot is selling countertops they are engaging in consumer fraud. Even their order online template requires only that you put in a rough diagram and dimensions of the counter to calculate the price for the initial Contract, without mention of any additions for waste. Can you imagine a 50% increase in a signed contract price, bassed on installed square footage? BEWARE. Home Depot is apparently clueless about the discrepancy between their marketing promotion, contracts and the attempt by THEiR subcontractor to jack up the price in this manner. I have indicated i am ready, willing and able to perform the contract by making payment of the small amount of additional material needed. If they refuse, I will tender that amount and demand performance. If they do not comply, I will get the job done elsewhere and file suit for breach of state and federal statutes regulating consumer fraud and deception. It is in my opinion a clear case and the statute authorizes attorney fees and costs of bringing the suit. Sad that a company this large either intentionally or unintentionally engages in such conduct, but be VERY BEWARE of their lack of responsiblity and integrity.