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Original poster

Getting rid of black granite - am I mad?

50 replies

Ruralbliss · 01/08/2021 23:14

Buying a new build and I'm not that into it as doesn't feel very 'me' - far too grown up and blingy in its features and decor.

One aspect is the black granite work surfaces in the kitchen. Two long runs at a right angle.

How daft would it be to replace them? Would they fetch a reasonable price second hand? Am I devaluing a house by taking out something I know to be high-end and desirable by others.

I don't intend living there for very long maybe 3-8 years.

I don't hate black granite but my taste in all my houses to-date as been skandi retro - lots of white, lots of wood, lots of vintage pieces, lots of colour but this place is very a la mode and grown-up.

OP posts:
Freshapples · 01/08/2021 23:19

I would want to take it out too. Not a fan of bling. If you're staying for 8 years then maybe worth doing and kitchen will be old bu then, but 3 years, I think you'd be better leaving it.

Original poster
Ruralbliss · 01/08/2021 23:25

Thanks @Freshapples good point.
3 years until my youngest finishes school but 8 until she's finished with university.

I've just realised by looking at the agents pics that the sink is a single drainer which I'm a bit 🥺😩about as love a double drainer so this adds weight to the argument of switching it up. I fancy something lighter so I guess I'll get quotes for corian or other composites to stay in the unfamiliar high end and ask people I know in salvage what the resale price of granite might be.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 01/08/2021 23:28

I don't like black granite either. If you have money to spare get them replaced.

Livingintheclouds · 01/08/2021 23:33

I replaced a kitchen less than a year old in my last house. It was burgundy. Gave it to someone though - I didn’t just chuck it in the tip.
I’m replacing the black granite in my new house. It’s my home, I want it to be the way I want it.

surreygirl1987 · 01/08/2021 23:36

I'd love black granite work surfaces! If you're staying for the long term I'd say change it to something that is to your taste though. Actually, if you can afford it and want to badly enough!

ApplesinmyPocket · 01/08/2021 23:37

I absolutely love my black granite so yes I think you're mad Grin it's amazing for rolling pastry on for a start and it looks good to me!

(I didn't choose it, just happened to be in the new house we bought 20 years ago - and it still looks just as good now as it did then, NOT true for the also very nice solid pine worktops in the utility room which has not aged well.)

But if you don't like it, you don't like it. I really loathe the current trend for plain white tiles in kitchens and bathrooms which make everywhere look exactly like a public toilet. But most other people do it seems, so.....

I hope you can sell it. There might be a market for it. I know my neighbours (identical house to ours) threw out all their black granite a few years ago in favour of 'distressed' wood, and I would have LOVED to buy it from them in case ours ever gets chipped... but it was whisked away by skip before I got up the courage to ask !

Ghosttile · 01/08/2021 23:39

If it’s a new build, are they still working on site?

beigebrownblue · 01/08/2021 23:51

I would live in it first for a while and see how you feel then.

Don't rush it. See how it feels to actually live and function in the property.

If you cook or indeed make pastry as one poster said, it might be just the thing.

Cocopogo · 01/08/2021 23:55

It doesn’t sound like a new build is particularly for you. Think you’d be happier in an old house with lots of character!

Charleymouse · 02/08/2021 00:23

If it's not installed yet I would ask them not to bother and arrange your own choice of worktop. Also ask
Them for a reduction in price.
As it is a new build you should be able to get it without VAT.
Also things like fireplaces and conservatory can be added excluding VAT as long as you have a plot number.

Original poster
Ruralbliss · 02/08/2021 07:44

Thanks all. Good point about pastry, living in it & not being hasty.

🥺🥺🥺to the tale of expensive work surface being carted off by skip! That's atrocious waste. Hope the skip hire company flogged it onwards.

The new build is a year or two old and not in a development just a solo house so already lived in. It isn't particularly my taste but v much looking forward to 2020 levels of insulation & it's location, square footage. Definitely not my dream or forever home but my teen girls believe it to be theirs so a few of us will enjoy it from the off.

I'll wait to see how finances are with the new mortgage, paint a few rooms, replace tired carpet, put my furniture in then see how I feel about the granite.

Interesting to see I'm not the only one who's not a fan. I can see why people are but it's not for me!

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 02/08/2021 07:49

I see loads of houses I wouldn't buy because they are too shiny for me. Definitely not a granite or shiny floor person.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 02/08/2021 07:57

I'm not a bling person at all. I have black granite and wouldn't change it, definitely don't find it bling or too shiny. Just classy and practical.
If you really can't live with it, then change it but as PP said, don't rush to change it . Granite is usually cut to fit a specific kitchen so not sure how easy you'll find it to sell.

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/08/2021 07:59

Don’t like it either.

When you say new build, are you the first owner(s)? What stage are you at? If it’s being finished and you’re yet to move in, some building companies will put in your personal choice (usually at a cost but if you’re replacing granite with something else, it may be cheaper).

Roselilly36 · 02/08/2021 08:13

Too high maintenance for me. We stayed in a holiday cottage that had this type of work top, looked fab when we arrived. I soon realised what an absolute pain it was, I couldn’t just wipe it over, had to buff it all. Absolute PITA. I would get rid, but wait until you have lived with it a while to decide.

Bluntness100 · 02/08/2021 08:17

I love my black granite and it’s just elegant it’s certainly not blingy.

It doesn’t need buffing etc if you use the right products, it’s in fact less maintenance than any other worktop I’ve ever had

I’d really live with it awhile before you replace it with something cheaper.

Warmduscher · 02/08/2021 08:23

It’s everywhere these days, isn’t it? Along with black induction hobs, which I don’t like either. I get that it’s all easy to clean but that really isn’t a priority for me in a kitchen. I chose what is best for cooking rather than what looks a certain way.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 02/08/2021 08:32

I chose what is best for cooking rather than what looks a certain way.

Precisely why we chose granite!

Piapea · 02/08/2021 08:36

I feel the same way OP. I just moved into a newish build (2 years old) and there is a very good condition grey gloss and black granite kitchen. It's not my style at all but it's in perfect condition and it's a very well made kitchen. I'm so tempted to tear it out and replace it but also can't get on with how wasteful that would be. I think I'm going to give it a couple of years.

tinselvestsparklepants · 02/08/2021 08:37

I'm about to replace the black granite worktop we inherited with this house. It shows every single crumb. A wooden worktop is far more forgiving!

PoshWatchShitShoes · 02/08/2021 08:45

I'm just about to replace the vendor's kitchen. It's expensive and in perfect condition, but I just don't like the layout and I really dislike the wooden worktops. They're very good quality, but never feel perfectly clean like a quartz would.

I also don't like the backsplash tiles, tap, handles, door colour or floor tiles. This post has reminded me that I should try a second hand kitchen sale website before scrapping it!

We had black granite worktops in the house we bought mid-2000's. It looked lovely at the time, but the granite was a pain to keep clean. I lost count of the products I bought to keep it shiny 😂

The kitchen is the heart of a home, so definitely change it if you're able to do so.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 02/08/2021 08:48

It looked lovely at the time, but the granite was a pain to keep clean. I lost count of the products I bought to keep it shiny

Dish cloth well rinsed out with washing up liquid to remove grease to wipe down the granite then go over with kitchen roll works for me every time.

Bluntness100 · 02/08/2021 09:01

Honestly, method black granite cleaner, spray on, wipe off, no buffing, job done, very simple and keeps it looking like new.

RunnerDown · 02/08/2021 09:06

I redid my kitchen in a previous house and got black granite. I hated it. It showed every crumb and fingerprint and needed cleaned then polished. I would never get it again.

AwkwardPaws27 · 02/08/2021 09:11

I'd be tempted to wrap it with sticky back plastic when you move in. Then, if you love it & funds allow, you can replace it, but you get to test it out first.
I wrapped mine two years ago as I knew we'd replace the kitchen but not for a year or two. Kitchen delayed with covid etc but it's still.holding up.
Is there a tiled splashback? Bear in mind it's often hard to replace a worktop without damaging tiles so that may also need replacing.

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