Why such a price difference?
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (52146)
Staten Island, New York
July 21, 2023 1:49pm CST
Yesterday, we went to look at countertop stone for our kitchen. Went to two different places. Both charged us same amount for the quartz slab. They were different and probably different manufacturer. However, for the installation and all that goes into it, one place charged us twice as much. I wonder why that is.
The place that charged us almost double, we spoke to an Italian guy. The other place, the guy we talked to was Ukrainian.
The Ukrainian guy just told us the total for the installation. The Italian guy broke it down. Turns out we pay for labor per square foot.
7 people like this
7 responses
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
22 Jul 23
It pays to shop around. Hope you can find something affordable. Enjoy your day.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
Don’t mind shopping around more. I actually wanted to go to Home Depot but hubby didn’t want to go there. He said he doesn’t wanna go there if we are not gonna but it there. But you never know. I’d go there myself but it’s a long bus ride I think. Have to check.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
23 Jul 23
@LindaOHio seems like it based on what I saw online.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
23 Jul 23
@lovebuglena Home Depot has a ton of choices.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502487)
• Italy
22 Jul 23
@lovebuglena Those people are usually very good doing their job.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
True. The kitchen guy gave us the Ukrainian guy so assuming he does a good job.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174478)
• United States
21 Jul 23
Installation places charge what they think people will pay. Most people won't go to a second place and ask pricing so pay the installation price they're told.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
The two places we went to we were told installation cost without even asking. Though one guy told us right away and the other texted the numbers today.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174478)
• United States
22 Jul 23
@lovebuglena Because installation is part of it. If you buy it there, they'll install it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 23
Installing stone countertops is not easy work, and it's tough to get everything just right. This would be one of those situations where I would probably pay the higher price to make sure it's done correctly. I'm not saying the Ukrainian guy won't do a good job, but I just wouldn't be comfortable taking a chance.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 23
@lovebuglena It is definitely better to call around. That way, you start to get a feel for what the installation price should be. Some are going to charge high, some are going to charge low, but most should be somewhere in the middle.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
@moffittjc wonder how much Home Depot charges.
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@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
I may call another stone person and see what he’s got. If I do that, will see how much he will charge.
When we went to see the Ukrainian guy, a couple was with him and then another came in. If people go to him I doubt they’d do that if he wasn’t good.
But I do wonder what the average cost is for installation...
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 23
Maybe one is more anxious for the work than the other.
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
I hope that’s not the case. But the Ukrainian guy was recommended by our kitchen guy. I doubt he’d tell us to contact him if the guy was not good.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59216)
•
22 Jul 23
Look up anyone you are serious about buying from, for reviews online. I think that helps a lot. I know finding people to do good work isn't easy!
@lovebuglena (52146)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Jul 23
That is a good idea. Thanks. Will look into that.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (6029)
• United States
24 Jul 23
You may find that the quality of the work from the place that charged almost double is much better than the place that is charging substantially less. Our landlord hired a crew to clean the sidewalks, the sides of the buildings and the sidewalks. The group they hired was the cheapest, and the job that they did was horrible!!!! I went out Friday and mopped the sidewalk around my front door, elevator and the common deck. I used my mop and bucket and CLEAN water. When I finished my water was totally black and anyone could see where I had mopped. All the tenants are commenting about the horrible job that the contracting company did.
Check around for prices, when i have a massive job *like installing counter tops) I always get price quotes. You may find that Home Depot is in the upper price range. You also might go on line and do some browsing there. No matter what I would want a break down of the costs of installation, and I sure would be there keeping tabs on the use of their time. Too often the home owner turns the installer lose in the house to do the work and either go somewhere else or they don't bother to keep track of the time the installers use and what they do. Also while you're browsing, check the manufacturer's and their prices...yes, you can do that too.
