Countertop Installation Cost Factors
Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen will help tie everything together. When deciding what to do, here are the main factors that’ll affect your project’s final cost.
Countertop Material
The countertop material you choose will largely affect your costs. You might choose a budget-friendly option like laminate countertops, which costs $8 to $27 per square foot, or something classically luxurious like marble, which ranges between $15 to $190 per square foot. There are also other options that fall in between the spectrum, like wood, Corian, stainless steel, and granite. Your chosen countertop material can not only change the look of your kitchen, but greatly affect the cost of a kitchen remodel.
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Size
To understand how much you should set aside for your countertop installation, you should first figure out the size of your countertops. Generally, the depth of kitchen countertops is 25½ inches, while kitchen islands can range between 24 inches to 48 inches deep.
Also, the average countertop is 30 square feet. Your countertops may be larger or smaller, but either way, it’s good to start by measuring your countertops for an accurate price estimate.
Edging and Corner Treatments
Different countertop edges and corner treatments for your countertops can offer visual appeal and practical advantages. Here are the most common options available.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Countertops
While indoor countertops are usually around 30 square feet, outdoor countertops are typically 12 to 20 square feet. These facts and figures are especially relevant when determining the countertop budget for your outdoor kitchen. Depending on the materials you choose, installing outdoor countertops may be more affordable than indoor ones.
Keep in mind that you don’t have as many materials options for outdoor countertops. The best materials to install outside include granite, quartz, soapstone, and concrete.
Location
Depending on where you live, the cost of countertops could be higher or lower than average. For example, if you’re in an urban area, your countertop project will likely cost more than if you live in a rural area due to an increased cost of goods and services.
Labor
Since installing countertops is labor-intensive and requires expertise, you can expect working with a general contractor to account for 10% to 20% of your project cost. This estimate can vary depending on your countertop materials and custom requirements, like adding edges and cutouts. A contractor typically charges $300 to $500 per day for their services, plus $150 to $250 per day for additional crew members.
Additional Factors Influencing the Cost of Countertop Installation
Several factors affect the overall cost to install countertops, so keep them in mind while putting together your budget.
Removal and Disposal of Old Countertops
The typical flat-rate cost to remove a kitchen countertop is $50 to $300, depending on the counter’s size and any complex factors, like plumbing workarounds. This cost may not include the disposal fee, which is usually around $20 to $25.
Sink Cutouts and Installation
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In the case that your countertop installer doesn’t include sink cutouts into the installation costs, expect to pay an additional $100. You should also factor in another $210 to $650 for the kitchen sink installation.
Cooktop Cutouts and Installation
No kitchen countertop is complete without a cooktop. Cutouts for a cooktop is $110, while cooktop installation costs $70 to $155. Don’t forget to budget for the cost of essential electrical and faucet cutouts.
Electrical Cutouts
Electrical cutouts are necessary if your kitchen has outlets or switches mounted on the wall, which might require adjustments to the countertop material and additional labor for proper fitting. These cutouts require skilled countertop professionals and specialized tools, which may lead to increased expenses in your countertop replacement project.
Faucet Cutouts
Faucet cutouts involve creating openings for sinks and faucets in the countertop. The complexity of this process is high as it requires precise measurements and potential adjustments needed for a seamless fit. Plus, the type of sink and faucet you choose can influence installation costs. For example, double-basin sinks require larger cutouts than the average sink, increasing the cutout install cost.
Countertop Refinishing
If you decide to restore or refinish a countertop, it’ll cost between $300 and $500, with an average of $400. In this process, you’d clean the countertop before sanding it, then add a base coat and apply a sealer.
Patterns
If you decide you want patterns or other custom design work on your new countertop, that’ll cost extra. The exact price depends on what intricacy of the pattern you want. A countertop installation professional can give you an accurate estimate before making your creative vision come to life.
Plumbing Work
Hiring a plumber costs around $45 to $200 per hour. Depending on the scope of your project, you might need to disconnect and later reconnect the plumbing fixtures, such as the sink and possibly the dishwasher, to accommodate the new countertop. This process involves skilled plumbers to ensure proper disconnection, reconnection, and potential adjustments, to accommodate changes in countertop thickness or layout. The complexity of the plumbing work can vary based on your kitchen’s configuration and the type of countertops, so it’s important to budget for potential plumbing expenses in addition to the cost of the countertop materials and installation.
Electrical Work
Your countertop installation may require electrical work, especially if it’s a brand-new installation or if you’re planning on adding modern amenities like a pop-up outlet. An electrician usually charges $50 to $100 per hour.
Backsplash
Whether you’re installing a brand-new countertop or updating an old one, choosing a matching backsplash is an important part of creating a cohesive kitchen. Installing backsplash costs $600 to $1,300, depending on materials and size.
End Splash
An end splash serves as an extension of the countertop, positioned along its lateral edges. End splashes are used to conceal any unevenness or gaps that may exist between the countertop and the adjacent walls.
Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal costs between $150 to $950. This unit connects to your drainpipe and the hose from your dishwasher, facilitating convenient waste disposal. If there is no electrical outlet and switch available for your garbage disposal, you’ll need to enlist the services of an electrician.
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Cost to Install My Own Countertop
Knowing how to install countertops requires significant knowledge and skill, so we don’t recommend it as a DIY project unless you have experience with similar types of project. But you can help your professional installation go faster by making sure to clean up as much as possible beforehand so your installers can jump straight into the job.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
DIYing the job will save you money compared to hiring a pro since labor costs range from $10 to $30 per square foot. However, some countertop slabs weigh as much as 200 pounds or more, so it’s an unadvisable—and sometimes impossible—job for one person.
In most cases, you should hire a countertop contractor near you to get the job done. The labor costs will be worthwhile, especially since making a mistake with countertop installation is potentially very costly. If you damage the countertop, you would need to order the materials twice, plus pay for the cost of repairs.
How to Save on the Cost of Countertops
Countertops can be a big investment, so you may be wondering how you can save money on this project. Check out these budgeting tips for best results.
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Shop around: The easiest way to potentially save money is to shop around and get several estimates. Be thoughtful about who you decide to hire, and don’t make your decision solely based on pricing. When choosing who to hire to replace countertops, consider resources like other homeowners’ testimonials and the company’s credentials.
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Consider many material grades: You can save money by taking a look at the different grades of materials available. For example, if you want granite countertops, you can choose a lower grade that may be more affordable.
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Choose budget-friendly materials: If you decide that your project is way past your budget during the planning phase, you might opt for a more budget-friendly material like laminate.
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Remove old countertops yourself: If you’re willing to do some work yourself, you might want to do the demo and get rid of the old countertop before the installers arrive to shave some money from the installation cost.
Kelly Weimert contributed to this piece.
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Categories: Kitchens
