How much does it cost to install a new countertop? This is an important question to ask any time you are renovating a kitchen or bathroom. The cost of a countertop installation is calculated in two parts; square footage and labor. The cost of the countertop itself depends on your chosen material, thickness, and square footage of counter space to cover. The cost of labor depends on the effort necessary to transport, lift, secure, and support your countertop during installation. You may also choose to pay a premium for custom stone fabrication for personalized features or details.
While regional and material costs may vary, we can help you gain a better understanding of your ballpark price range for countertop installation and research more precise countertop installation costs in your area.
Typical Price Range for Countertop Installation
- Average: $3,500
- High: $10,000
- Low: $1,000
The average cost to install new countertops in your kitchen is around $3,500. This estimates about 30 square feet of countertop with an under-mounted sink. You can use this as your centerpoint when estimating if your home’s countertop installation will be higher or lower based on your countertop square footage.
Calculate your countertop square footage by multiplying the depth by the length for each section. Then multiply this number by the sq-ft cost of the countertop material and thickness you prefer. Small bathrooms often have a very low material cost for small sections of countertop.
Material Cost
Countertop materials can range from $20/sq-ft to $200/sq-ft depending on the material and thickness you select. Interestingly, almost all countertop materials have a minimum sq-ft cost below $100, and a maximum that leaps up between $100 and $300, often peaking in the $250 range. Low-end and destructible countertop materials are around $20/sq-ft, while the most popular luxury countertop materials are around $70/sq-ft. However, material prices will vary by region and availability.
Installation Labor Cost
Typical countertop installation requires 2-5 hours and a team of 2-5 people to carry, place, and secure the countertop safely. The shape and complexity of your kitchen will also influence the installation time and final cost of labor for your countertop installation.
The average labor cost of stone countertop installation per 30 square feet is $500 – $650. You can use this as a rule of thumb by dividing your square footage by 30 and multiplying by $500. More specialized materials like copper or ceramic cost closer to $600 per 30 sq-ft.
Cost of Granite or Marble Countertop Installation
- Granite Countertops: $70 – $250 per square foot
- Marble Countertops: $70 – $250 per square foot
If you want to install granite or marble countertops in your kitchen, these classic and beautiful slabs of stone run the price range from $70 to $250 per square foot of countertop. Thicker slabs increase the price, and Marble tends to cost a little more than granite, pound for pound. Granite is more durable, and more likely to feature a glimmering, textured grain. Marble is more susceptible to scratches and stains but tends toward smooth, creamy grains. Both can be found in a wide range of colors, grains, and prices.
Countertop Thickness Price Guide
- 1cm = 5/8: $10-$30 /sq-ft
- Only possible with non-stone like wood, steel, and sometimes quartz
- 2cm = 3/4 inch: $40 – $200 /sq-ft
- Thinnest possible for natural stone
- 3cm = 1 1/4 inch: $40 – $200
- Typical stone countertop thickness
- No underlayment required
- 4cm = 2 inch: $50 – $200
- Thicker and more durable stone countertops
- Thick butcher block
Stone Alternative Countertop Price Range
What countertop options are there other than granite and marble, and how much do they cost? Here’s a quick, helpful rundown of alternative countertop materials that might be perfect for your kitchen design and budget.
Least Expensive Countertops
- Laminate: $20 – $60 /sq-ft
- Butcher Block: $30 – $300 /sq-ft
- Slate: $50 – $200 /sq-ft
- Stainless Steel: $50 – $250 /sq-ft
Popular Mid-Range Countertops
- Porcelain: $55 – $120 /sq-ft
- Concrete $55 – $175 /sq-ft
- Soapstone $70 – $120 /sq-ft
Specialty Countertops
- Quartzite Synthetic Stone: $80 – $210 /sq-ft
- Recycled Glass: $100 – $250 /sq-ft
- Copper: $100 – $300 /sq-ft
- Zinc: $120 – $200 /sq-ft
Calculating Labor Costs for Your Countertop Installation
Once you have chosen a slab and know your material cost by square foot, it’s time to estimate the cost of your countertop installation labor. We tend to use granite and marble countertop installations as a baseline, as these are the most popular materials in both homes and businesses. For slab installation, labor will cost about $500 to $650 per 30-sq-ft stretch of countertop. Complex countertop designs, tight corners, and fitted fixtures can increase the time and therefore total cost of the labor.
Heavier slabs may increase your costs, as you may need more people and greater effort to emplace your countertops carefully. In total, countertop installation should take about one day of labor.
Specialty countertop materials may cost more to install due to a differing installation process. Stainless steel and ceramic both need an underlayment, and that can push your labor costs closer to $600 per 30-sq-ft as a baseline. Laminate, however, tends toward lower labor costs, closer to $200 per 30-sq-ft of countertop.
How Much Will It Cost for Your Countertop Installation?
To build your own kitchen counter installation estimate, start with the number of square feet your countertop requires. Measure with a ruler or tape measure, then multiply lengths by widths for the area of the resulting rectangles. Don’t forget your island and any detached matching counter squares.
- Multiply your square footage by the cost-per-square-foot of your chosen material and slab thickness. This is your material cost.
- Divide your square footage by 30, then multiply by $500 or $650 depending on installation complexity for your labor cost.
Together, this should be a fair estimate of your countertop installation costs. Round up on all your numbers to give yourself a safe budget margin.
If you’re ready for countertop installation in your new home or kitchen renovation, contact us today. Explore our beautiful gallery of slabs to choose from and order your custom countertop installation with the help of expert designers and stone fabricators.