All Forum Posts by: Christian Dell'Orfano

When it comes to choosing the right countertops for your home or a renovation project, two popular choices are granite and quartz. Both are natural stones that can enhance the look and feel of any kitchen or bathroom, but they have distinct differences in terms of durability, maintenance, and cost. In this post, we will outline the differences and benefits of granite and quartz and help you determine which option may be better for a home builder, flipper, or rehabber.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone that has been used for centuries in construction and decor. It is a popular choice for countertops because it is durable, heat-resistant, and scratch-resistant. Granite is available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes, and it can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any kitchen or bathroom.

Benefits of Granite:

• Durability: Granite is one of the hardest natural stones, making it highly resistant to scratches, chips, and cracks.
• Heat-resistant: Granite can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for use in the kitchen.
• Low maintenance: Granite requires minimal maintenance, and regular cleaning with a mild detergent and warm water is sufficient to keep it looking new.
• Unique: Because granite is a natural stone, each slab is unique, with its own distinct pattern and color.

Drawbacks of Granite:

• Porous: Granite is a porous stone, meaning it can absorb liquids and stains if not sealed properly.
• Cost: Granite can get expensive, especially if you opt for a rare or exotic variety.
• Installation: Granite is a heavy stone that requires professional installation, which can be costly. Some places will offer installation services included in their pricing, like we do at Canal Street Cabinetry.

Quartz

Quartz is an engineered stone made from natural quartz crystals and resin. It is a popular choice for countertops because it is non-porous, scratch-resistant, and low maintenance. Quartz countertops are available in a wide range of colors and patterns, making it easy to find a style that suits your home decor.

Benefits of Quartz:

• Non-porous: Quartz is non-porous, making it highly resistant to stains, bacteria, and mold.
• Scratch-resistant: Quartz is highly durable and resistant to scratches and chips.
• Low maintenance: Quartz requires minimal maintenance, and regular cleaning with a mild detergent and warm water is sufficient to keep it looking new.
• Cost: Quartz has become more expensive than granite, especially if you opt for a higher level quartz.

Drawbacks of Quartz:

• Heat-resistant: Although quartz is heat-resistant, it can be damaged by high temperatures, so it is important to use a trivet or hot pad when placing hot pots and pans on the countertop.
• Uniformity: Because quartz is an engineered stone, it lacks the unique patterns and color variations found in natural stones like granite, although some quartz look very fascinating.

Which is better for a home builder, flipper, or rehabber?

When it comes to choosing between granite and quartz, there is no clear winner. Both materials have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle.

If you are a home builder or rehabber looking to flip a property, granite may be the better option, as it is often less expensive and requires little maintenance to maintain. Additionally, granite is a great choice for rental properties or homes that will be sold in the future, as it is a durable and low-maintenance material that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.

If you are building or renovating your own home and are looking for a luxurious and unique option, granite may be the better choice. Although it is less expensive than quartz, granite adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space and is a timeless choice that will never go out of style.

Keep in mind all lifestyles are different, if you drink a lot of red wine, maybe you want to go with quartz because it will not stain like granite will.

In conclusion, both granite and quartz are great options for countertops, and the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs

Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:

We are 100% electric in all units for over a decade. A smooth glass cook top is just much easier to clean and open flames are always a concern. As an agent I am well aware about the gas preference, but when you ask most people refer to the old electric coil stoves, which were indeed terrible.

I have a 36" high end electric cooktop in my kitchen and would not trade for a gas burner! The cleaning alone..

I do think the cleaning aspect of electric stoves is a huge plus and having 100% electric already is also a plus. You don’t need to worry about the gas lines you wont get to use or any of the headaches that may come from having gas stoves in units already.
But, the one thing I have noticed from having a gas stove in my unit is that if the power ever goes out, I can still cook on my stove. I'm sure that is not a big concern in most areas because how often does that happen. It is a nice thought though.

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @Jeff S.:

Quote from @Christian Dell'Orfano:

Quote from @Jeff S.:

Quote from @Christian Dell'Orfano:

Truthfully have not learned too much about this but did read about gas stoves getting banned. Personally I live in an apartment that has gas stoves in every unit and I do not see the gas stoves going away any time soon here in the Northeast. I would agree that gas stoves are the way to go especially for professional. Who thinks that the gas stove banning will actually make its way across all of the US? Additionally, would this not put more people out of business and how do you deal with the homes that already have gas stoves in them? Is there going to be some sort of exchange program or something?

The whole thing seems a little ridiculous if you ask me but I am not a professional by any means.

I agree totally ridiculous. So far it seems to be a west coast problem but spreading. This is for new construction. Think gas stoves just like gas cars will be around for a while. 

I am all for electric cars, I love them. But think about all of the waste and where would it all go if gas cars and gas stoves went out the window one day. There would be nowhere to put them all! You would have to recycle so much metal, which could also be a good thing. But regardless, I do not think these changes will have much of an impact for at least 7-10 years. I think electric cars would be awesome but what about the people that are gear heads, are you gonna shut down all the gas stations just because the gas cars are banned? What is going to happen to all the gas companies?

Ya just kind of have to go with the flow. Don't think Jay Lenno is going all electric any time soon. My 65 GTO will smoke those tires and burn gas with the best of them. But my Prius and our Hybrid RAV 4 don't get much respect from those HEMI Ram trucks. Hey don't get me wrong those electric cars are great and the faster the better. All good in my book.

yes in Canby Oregon I just had to put in Gas lines AT MY expense to 90 lots that i just built to the tune of about 250k.  so they ban gas and the lines were a waste of time and money.. ?  

That is insane! They definitely need to figure out some way to give a rebate or something for people like you who came out of pocket to run gas lines that can never be used!!
Also, good luck on your new builds! If you need any kitchen or bath cabinets let me know! ;)

Quote from @Jeff S.:

Quote from @Christian Dell'Orfano:

Truthfully have not learned too much about this but did read about gas stoves getting banned. Personally I live in an apartment that has gas stoves in every unit and I do not see the gas stoves going away any time soon here in the Northeast. I would agree that gas stoves are the way to go especially for professional. Who thinks that the gas stove banning will actually make its way across all of the US? Additionally, would this not put more people out of business and how do you deal with the homes that already have gas stoves in them? Is there going to be some sort of exchange program or something?

The whole thing seems a little ridiculous if you ask me but I am not a professional by any means.

I agree totally ridiculous. So far it seems to be a west coast problem but spreading. This is for new construction. Think gas stoves just like gas cars will be around for a while. 

I am all for electric cars, I love them. But think about all of the waste and where would it all go if gas cars and gas stoves went out the window one day. There would be nowhere to put them all! You would have to recycle so much metal, which could also be a good thing. But regardless, I do not think these changes will have much of an impact for at least 7-10 years. I think electric cars would be awesome but what about the people that are gear heads, are you gonna shut down all the gas stations just because the gas cars are banned? What is going to happen to all the gas companies?

Truthfully have not learned too much about this but did read about gas stoves getting banned. Personally I live in an apartment that has gas stoves in every unit and I do not see the gas stoves going away any time soon here in the Northeast. I would agree that gas stoves are the way to go especially for professional. Who thinks that the gas stove banning will actually make its way across all of the US? Additionally, would this not put more people out of business and how do you deal with the homes that already have gas stoves in them? Is there going to be some sort of exchange program or something?

The whole thing seems a little ridiculous if you ask me but I am not a professional by any means.

Remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms in your property is a great way to make a house feel like home. Try not to forget it is also a great way to bring up the value! Cabinets could also make a big difference in the types of renters you attract to the property. These are all great reasons to throw out and update the cabinets from the old particle board or built-in cabinets that haven't been on trend since the flat screen TV came on to market!

In all seriousness, the quality of the cabinets you put in to your rental units and rehabs truly make a difference when you go to sell. Tenants will slam and drown your cabinets that don't have soft-close doors or drawer. This will in turn will end up being more time and money out of your pocket to fix the problem that could have been fixed the first time. All too often I see remodels using particle board cabinets and Formica or laminate countertops. One of my biggest pet peeves is to see quality, all-plywood cabinets being topped with some kind of countertop other than granite or quartz. Sure, maybe the price of granite is a few extra bucks, but this will go a long way. It will make you look good, make the tenant happy, and save you money in the long term. Putting a quality kitchen and bathroom in will save you headaches in the future and save you time because you won't have to do anything except clean them when it is time for your next tenant.

Now with all of that said, thank you for reading my first post to the forums. I am new to the BiggerPockets community and love to listen to the podcasts. I no longer listen to music in the car, I listen to BiggerPockets podcasts.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts below!