Russell,thanks for taking the time to look at my web site. You are right, for those on a budget or the DYI type granite tile is a far better option than ceramic tile.
In regards to price shopping us against the big box stores.. I will go toe to toe with them anytime. We are frequently very close in price and when considering more exotic granites we are usually cheaper. Importing our own material makes us very competitive in the upper end granites.
The thing to remember about big box stores is that for most of the home improvement services they offer they sub the work out to those in the business. They make a good buck off those deals so how do they stay competitve?? The answer is they grind the “associate” companies so hard on pricing that these companies have to compromise something to bring thier costs down. Too often that comes in the qaulity of materials or service.
IMHO you have a better chance of getting a qaulity job at a fair price going directly to the companies that are in that business. I have torn out and replaced more than a few box store jobs.