While you can complete small granite installation projects for under $500, most projects range from $2,000 to $4,000, but the total depends on the amount of granite you need for your counters and the quality of granite you buy.
Countertops come up against a lot of pressure during the day, making granite a popular countertop material, and for a good reason. When properly installed and sealed, this natural stone is highly heat-resistant, tough against most chips and scratches, and rarely depreciates with time.
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Granite Countertops Cost Factors
Granite countertops are a common choice, no matter the style of your kitchen. It’s typically easy to clean, maintain, and most importantly, to whip up a massive family dinner.
When hiring a local granite countertop installer, your estimate will likely break down into two sections: the square foot of materials and an hourly rate for labor.
Size
On average, a slab of granite for countertops runs between $40 and $60 per square foot.
While all granite is technically one of a kind, some homeowners seek particularly rare textures, inclusions, and colors to match their counter-design vision. In general, granite countertops break down into five (or, for some companies, three) levels.
Granite Tile vs. Granite Slabs Cost
Kitchen counters can be made of either tile or unseparated slabs of granite. The difference is significant: Dividing granite into tiles makes transportation and installation much easier. That tends to cut down on labor costs. Plus, it’s easier to source smaller (typically 12 inches by 12 inches) granite tiles than produce whole granite slabs of counter quality. However, tiles require a bit more upkeep, such as periodic grout cleaning, than slabs do.
As we’ve done below, most granite is priced by the square foot. Unless otherwise indicated for some exceptions, consider these prices to be for slab granite. In many cases you can switch to granite tiles and cut prices significantly, often by 50% or more.
Type of Granite
Granite countertops may vary based on the type you get. Do you want dark granite countertops with flecks of gold to complement your gold drawer and cabinet handles? Or are you looking for a bright white granite with swirling gray patterns to resemble marble for a chic, timeless look?
Common options, like ubatuba, are easier to source and, therefore, less expensive compared to rare granite types, like blue Louise.
There are many types of granite, and availability depends on supply, but let’s look at the costs of some very popular picks. Remember names aren’t always consistent from brand to brand, but granites like these are typically universal.
Alaska White
For just the granite itself, Alaska white granite costs about $35 per square foot and is a more affordable option. It features white and warm gray tones, making it a versatile option for kitchens and bathrooms.
Ubatuba
Ubatuba is a popular granite that costs about $30 to $60 per square foot. It features a darker green color with gold and brown flecks that catch the light.
Silver Cloud
Resembling a mystical, foggy sky, silver cloud granite costs about $35 to $40 per square foot. This is a great option if you want granite countertops with a look similar to marble since this granite type features swirls of ivory and shades of gray.
Absolute Black
This striking granite costs about $45 to $60 per square foot and is ideal for making bold statements. True to its name, absolute black granite is solid black, making it a great choice for modern designs.
Black Galaxy
Black galaxy granite costs about $50 to $70 per square foot. This style features a dark black background and white speckles that look like stars.
Blue Louise
Incredibly rare and difficult to source, blue Louise granite costs about $70 to $100 per square foot, and that’s before installation costs. With blue, green, and red hues in swirling patterns, blue Louise granite is like having a work of art on your countertops.
Crema Bordeaux
While not as rare as blue Louise, crema Bordeaux is still an uncommon granite option and is priced as such at around $80 per square foot. This style has shades of red, pink, brown, and gold.
Solarius
Solarius granite costs about $60 per square foot. This type of granite is sourced from Brazil and has warm tones of yellow and brown.
Bianco Antico
People who like gray granites will appreciate this fascinating combination of gray and white patterns. Coming from Brazil, Bianco Antico has great depth with quartz crystals, flecks of burgundy, and constant, shifting color. Prices can vary between $45 and $75 per square foot.
Baltic Brown
Native to Finland, Baltic Brown granite is far from a boring brown. It combines brown notes with plenty of black flecks, creating a powerful spotted appearance. This granite works well around simpler color schemes where it’s allowed to stand out. It’s one of the more affordable options, with tiles costing around $8 per square foot.
New Venetian Gold
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This light gold granite option offers a smooth beige that’s interspersed with amber notes and flecks of black and white. It’s not as busy as Baltic brown, and makes for an excellent granite choice for flooring as well as counters. Expect it to cost around $45 per square foot, including installation.
Costa Esmeralda
For those who want a rich, green granite option, Costa Esmeralda from Italy is a beautiful option, featuring light green with gold veining. It has some variation, but not so much that it gets distracting, making it a perfect choice for many kitchen countertops. Costs start around $70 per square foot.
New Caledonia
This striking Brazilian granite is a popular option for counters throughout the house, including bathrooms and kitchens. It features a variety of grays fading to black variations through, a neutral color pattern that can go with almost any other home colors. This starter-level granite costs around $45 per square foot.
Giallo Ornamental
A popular pick for kitchen counters, this granite ranges from beige to light cream colors, with the light colors fitting in especially well with kitchen cabinets and appliances. It has dark brown and golden striations to give it character, but like all high-variation granites, you’ll want to ensure it doesn’t look too busy in your space. Prices variety between $50 and $55 per square foot.
St. Cecilia
Another Brazilian granite, St. Cecilia is noted for its combination of beige, yellow, and gray tones with prominent dark striations. It’s another affordable countertop option, with prices generally starting around $40 per square foot.
Color
Darker granite usually has a higher hardness level and comes with higher quarrying costs, meaning these hues will cost about $10 per square foot more than lighter granite countertops. Rarer colors will also increase the price.
Texture
The feel of the granite under your fingers seems like a small detail, but it can impact the cost. There are three common textures of granite with different price points:
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Polished: This is the standard texture you’ll find for granite countertops, so a polished texture is one of the least-expensive options.
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Honed: This granite texture maintains the natural look of the stone, but it is higher maintenance than polished and slightly more expensive at about $10-$20 more per sq. ft.
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Leathered: For a natural finish that is durable against staining, consider leathered granite. This texture adds $15 to $25 per sq. ft.
Levels of Granite
Levels note the rarity of style and color. The higher the level, the more unique and valuable the stone. Here is how each level breaks down by price:
Edges
Do you want squared-off counter edges, or do you prefer a rounded option because you have young kids running around the house? The edging of your countertops can also impact the cost. The more intricate the edges, the higher the cost will be.
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Standard and square edges: Easy to manufacture, standard or squared-off countertop edges are typically included in the price of the granite.
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Rounded edges: Rounded, also called bullnose, edges can make the kitchen a little safer for the kids. Half or full bullnose edges cost about an extra $10 per linear foot.
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Ogee and Dupont edges: These types of edges feature a stylish rounded (ogee) or squared (Dupont) divet and cost about $20 to $25 more per linear foot.
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French cove edges: For a French farmhouse kitchen, consider this option for $30 to $35 per linear foot.
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Cole Smith edges: One of the most intricate edge options, this stylish design costs up to $40 per linear foot.
Your final total cost also comes down to where you live, the extent of the installation, and if you require extra work—like leveling your counters—in the process.
Granite vs. Marble
If you’re running into confusion about the differences between granite and marble countertops, you’re far from alone. Because these two stone materials have a similar composition, they are sometimes referred to interchangeably. However, there are several important differences.
Granite is more likely to be igneous in origin, while marble can be sedimentary.
Among other things, this affects the minerals both contain. Granite has a very broad range of minerals it can draw from, including silica, mica, feldspar, and quartz, which tends to give it a more granular look. Marble is generally more limited in minerals, focused on quartz with some additions like serpentine. That means marble usually has a smoother, creamier appearance, often in shades of black and white.
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While marble tends to be more expensive because of its origins and appearance, it also has greater maintenance concerns in the kitchen. It’s a softer material, more prone to scratches and marks with heavy use. It can also be more absorbent and stains can be difficult to remove, which is problematic when some sets down a careless wine glass. That’s why granite is generally a more popular kitchen pick.
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Cost to Install Granite Countertops
When it’s time to revamp your dated kitchen into a place you can’t wait to cook with family, you may consider granite for a sleek new look. But when budgeting for your new counters, keep in mind that granite countertops cost more than just the price of the slabs or tiles.
If you hire a professional countertop installer for a seamless finish, you’ll need to budget for labor costs. Other installation costs to consider are removing old countertops, delivering heavy granite slabs to your home, and cutting slabs to fit around sinks and other obstacles.
Labor
Professional installation adds around $35 per square foot or $35 to $85 per hour. It’s best to budget for professional installation if you want seamless granite countertops. Improper installation by trying to DIY can cost more in materials if you make mistakes. In our prices above, most costs include purchasing the granite along with installation, although additional fees may be added depending on the project size.
Slab Delivery
For most projects, slab delivery is included in the labor costs. Be sure to check your contract with the installation company for any delivery fees. Granite slabs are heavy, so delivery costs may cost $150 to $200 more if they aren’t included in the installation rate.
Sink Cut-Out
You’ll spend about $100 per sink cut-out in addition to the cost of granite countertop installation. If you’re remodeling, sink installation costs about $420. You may also consider cut-outs for a countertop cook station, which is about $200 per cooktop cut-out.
Edging and Polishing
Styled edges add around $10 to $40 per linear foot. Honed or leathered finishes add $10 to $25 per square foot. A glossy or polished finish and squared edges are included in the cost of the granite. But if you opt for a different finish, like a more natural, matte look, or rounded or intricate edges, you’ll spend more.
Removing Old Countertops
In order to be out with the old and in with the new, you’ll need to budget an extra $100 to $200 or around $4 to $7 per square foot for the installation crew to remove and dispose of your old countertops.
Sealing
Many types of granite require sealing after installation. Sealing granite countertops helps increase sheen, protect from spills, and prevent small types of surface damage. If a professional countertop installer offers sealing as part of their installation package, it can add an extra $100 or more onto the overall cost.
Warranties
Warranties offer extended protection for your granite and replacement in case of certain types of damage. This coverage may be especially important when dealing with granite slabs, which are more likely to crack during installation or encounter other issues. These warranties typically cost a few hundred extra dollars.
How to Save Money on Granite Countertops
Granite installation quickly gets expensive, especially with more high-end types of granite. But you have options to cut down costs. Homeowners should look into steps like:
Choose a Less Expensive Type
Granite types can vary greatly depending on their appearance, origin, and rarity. As you can see in our list above, you can drastically cut the cost by choosing a less expensive form of granite. Make sure it matches your kitchen color scheme—that’s the most important part. When possible, choose granite that’s sourced from closer locations. The more local you can get, the more affordable it’s likely to be.
Note: We do not suggest lowering the grade of granite. Quality is important, and lower-quality granites may be more susceptible to cracks and damage.
Pick Up Your Granite In-Store
If possible, arrange to pick up the granite yourself and transfer it to your garage or another safe place prior to installation. This step is more likely with tile than slabs: Granite slabs are very large and very heavy, and will require lots of care during moving and transportation, which is why handing them off to consumers is uncommon. But when possible, handling the pickup and transportation yourself can cut a chunk off your bill.
Choose Granite Tile
It’s impossible to argue with the math on this choice. Granite tile is much, much more affordable than choosing a full slab. In return, you lose the particular style and appearance associated with a granite slab, but many other benefits of granite remain. If your budget is a concern, choosing tile over slab can lead to more savings.
Choose Thinner Granite
Many types of granite come in different thickness ratings, typically measured by centimeter. Thinner granite is more fragile during installation, but otherwise offers many benefits and relatively few downsides. As long as you like the appearance of thinner granite materials, you can choose them to cut down on costs. Plus, thin types of granite don’t usually need an additional underlayment installation, which can help you save even more.
Remove the Old Countertop Yourself
If you’re willing to remove the old countertop and take care of the waste, you can remove another portion of your bill. However, this isn’t always a safe DIY project. Very simple laminate counters offer little resistance. But removing tile takes far more work and care. If homeowners aren’t careful, they can damage nearby surfaces and create new problems. If you aren’t sure if this project is within your reach, read through our guide on how to remove a countertop to learn more.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you’re dreaming of installing a large slab of uninterrupted granite on your counter, it’s best to skip the DIY route. Large slabs run several hundred pounds, and incorrect granite countertop sealing, grouting, or leveling can end up costing you more in repairs down the line.
On the other hand, granite tile and modular pieces have the potential for DIY work if you’re up for the job. Granite tiles range in price from $5 to $15 per square foot, while modular pieces cost between $25 to $40. While you won’t have the same clean look as a slab of granite, it is a way to shave some money off the overall price. You’ll save about $35 to $85 per hour on labor costs, which is usually about $1,500 total for the project. Also, remember to add the cost of grouting, mortar, sealer, and tools.
One last caveat: Even fitting tile and modular granite pieces to your sink requires advanced DIY skills. We still recommend hiring a professional fabricator to measure and cut your pieces properly. You may also need to hire an electrician when working around electrical outlets.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens