Installing new countertops is a great way to update the look of an old kitchen and improve the functionality of the space.
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How Much Are Countertops?
When remodeling a kitchen, the average cost to install new countertops is $3,500-4,500.
This includes removal of the old counters, sealing, grouting, doing the edges and cut outs. An average countertop replacement project covers 40 square feet of surface area, together with about 25 linear feet of finished edges.
You can use our Kitchen Countertops Calculator to estimate the cost of installing different countertops.
It’s important to keep in mind that each type of counter material has its own features, benefits and disadvantages when it comes to spills, cooking, cleaning and maintenance.
Also, you will discover that a particular counter material may greatly vary in price. This is because there are different quality grades, thicknesses, finishes, etc that can make a countertop more or less expensive.
For example, premium quality granite counters cost as much as quartz, which is on average 20-30% more expensive than basic quality granite stone.
Countertop Prices Per Square Foot
Having the right kitchen countertops can make a difference between loving and hating your kitchen!
Popular countertop materials such as granite, quartz and concrete counters cost $55-90 per square foot.
However, depending on material quality and style countertop prices can be as low as $20 per square foot and as high as $225 per square foot.
If you are looking to save money and want cheap countertops, consider such options as tile, laminate/formica, solid color engineered quartz, wood, Corian, and acrylic materials.
Its even possible to find cheap granite counters or other natural stone, with prices starting as low as $35-45 per square foot.
Here is a chart that compares features and prices per square foot for the most popular types of kitchen countertops.
Material Price Per Sq.Ft. Installed Pros Cons Granite $45 – 170 high resale value, very durable, classic look, Poorly sealed granite may absorb wine, highly heat and scratch resistant, easy to clean dirt and harbor bacteria Marble $125 – 250 upscale elegance, ideal if you don’t cool a lot susceptible to scratching, staining, needs to be resealed crisp, bright color, adds value to your home every few years, may develop patina with time Wood and Butcher block $35 – 200 warm look, durable, pairs well with many kitchen styles needs to be regularly sealed, susceptible to water damage easy to clean porous material that may harbor bacteria, can be scratched Stainless Steel $75 – 150 sleek aesthetic, ideal for industrial style or modern kitchen may be loud, lower gauge steel can scratch and dent easy to clean, resistant to staining, bacteria, moisture ideal for professional cooks, tolerates heat well Engineered Quartz $90 – 185 highly durable, beautiful earth tones, low maintenance not very heat resistant, seams can be noticeable none-porous, resists staining, will not harbor bacteria Concrete $70 – 140 can be dyed, stained, acid-etched to create any color, texture scratches and stains are noticeable and happen easily heat resistant, easy to customize, trendy may crack, patina develops over time, take 28 days to cure Tile $25 – 90 versatile colors, sizes and styles, heat and scratch resistant grout susceptible to stains and difficult to clean Laminate $20 – 60 most affordable option, diverse range of colors and styles will not last long, less durable than stone or wood. very easy to clean doesn’t tolerate heat, susceptible to scratching
Countertop Installation Cost
The average cost of professional countertop installation ranges from $10-35 per hour depending on the type of material installed, and complexity of labor involved.
Most countertop installers roll the cost of labor into the total cost of the counter itself.
Before the actual installation, the pro will come in to measure the size of your counters and create an exact template of the countertop shape, which will then be produced either off site, or right in your kitchen.
Most materials are cut to size and shape off site (this is the case with all types of slab countertops: stone, corian, quartz, laminate, solid surface, butcher block and acrylic materials). However, tile and concrete countertops are installed right in your kitchen.
Also, don’t forget to include the cost to remove old countertops into the total, which can be up to $8-13 per square foot, depending on the size and weight of the counter.
Out of all countertop materials, tile is most friendly for a DIY installation. Tile is one of the cheapest countertop materials, and doing a DIY install really makes the total cost of your new counters really low.
Ceramic tile is most budget friendly, with prices as low as $1-2 per square foot. Porcelain and glass tile are slightly expensive, but still very reasonable compared to the cost of other countertop materials.
On the other hand, installing slab counters requires special cutting equipment as well as experience, especially when you are dealing with stone.
Moreover, large countertop slabs are very heavy, difficult to lift and position, so its really not a one-man DIY job.
Home Depot Countertops Cost
Many homeowners turn to Home Depot as a budget-friendly option for purchasing and installing new kitchen countertops.
Home Depot provides a convenient one-stop shopping for new counters including plumbing and electric work, as well as design services. You can also pick up a new sink in faucet right in store.
Here is a list of the average costs Home Depot charges for installing new kitchen counters.
Keep in mind that because Home Depot hires subcontractors for this job, the actual labor costs can vary up to 20-30% depending on your geographic location.
Item Home Depot Price Granite Counters $40-100 per sq. ft. Most homeowners spend $58-60 per sq.ft. Quartz Counters $50-90 per sq ft. Most homeowners spend $68 per sq.ft. Solid Surface Countertops $37-67 per sq ft, with the average of $52 per sq ft Laminate Countertops $27-34 per sq ft, with the average of $29 per sq. ft These are extremely competitive prices if you are looking to install economical countertops on a tight budget Countertop edge $5-20 per linear foot depending on the style of the edge Custom Corner Treatments $55-135 for each edge. Average cost is $60 per edge Remove old countertop $9-10 per sq.ft. Includes haul away service Labor to Install undermount sink $240-280 Undermount sink $230-350 Labor cost of a cook top cut out $110 Cook top $442 – 1,200 depending if you want a gas or an electric cook top Electric outlet cut out $25 each Faucet cut out $20-30 each Disconnect and reconnect plumbing $450-500 (basic plumbing work only)
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that Home Depot only carries low to mid range quality granite and quartz stone. If you are looking for something more upscale and unique, you need to work with a dedicated countertop store/installer.
What Is The Cheapest Kitchen Countertop?
If you are on a very tight remodeling budget, splurging on new countertops can seem like an unreasonable expense.
However, it is possible to replace old counters without breaking the bank.
The secret is to think outside the box and use countertop materials that most homeowners don’t think of as their first choice.
Cheap countertops to consider:
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Countertop Material Price per sq.ft. Laminate/Formica $16-40 Tile $5-15 Butcherblock $20-35 Corian $30-60 Recycled paperstone $50-65 Cheap varieties of granite stone $25-50 Cheap varieties of quartz stone $30-60
Cost of DIY Countertop Installation
One way to get cheap counters is to install them yourself. The labor to install counters can be as much as 50% of the total project cost.
Keep in mind that there are only a few countertop materials that you can safely and relatively easily install by yourself.
Its best to install these in a new construction home so that you don’t have to deal with the trouble of removing and dumping the old counters.
Here are the counters that many homeowners choose to install DIY:
– Tile
– Butcherblock
– Concrete
– Hand made countertops with epoxy (the cheapest)
Of these, concrete counters are the most labor intensive and require the most expertise. While there is a big learning curve if you want to install concrete countertops, there are many tutorial videos available.
Concrete counters show the most drastic difference when it comes to DIY vs professional installation costs.
You can install concrete counters for as little as $8-18 per square foot, including all materials.
However, professional installation of concrete counters runs as much as $60-130 per square foot depending on the texture, design, color you want to have.
What Is The Best Countertop For Your Money?
The majority of homeowners looking to install new kitchen counters debate between quartz and granite. Quartz countertops are quickly growing in popularity because of their versatile looks and a more modern aesthetic.
Today, there are hundreds of colors and styles to choose from, manufactured by brands such as Silestone, Cambria, Zodiac, Caesarstone, etc.
Still, granite countertops remain extremely popular with a vast majority of homeowners, because it offers durability and a classic appeal that works well in most kitchens.
Each slab of granite is completely unique, and the stone lasts for decades when properly sealed and cared for.
One of the greatest advantages of granite is that lower quality grades can be installed for a rather low price, around $40-50 per square foot.
A growing trend is to use recycled and eco-friendly composite materials made out of glass, concrete or paper. They are less expensive, better for the environment and offer a wide rage of designs and colors. Many modern style kitchens now make use of these countertops.
A popular designer trick is to combine different countertop surfaces (polished vs unpolished) in one kitchen.
Mixing and matching materials is another great option. A favorite among homeowners is to install butcherblock on a kitchen island, and use natural stone on the rest of the counters. This adds a lot of visual interest and warmth to a kitchen’s ambiance.
High-end, contemporary kitchens can benefit from “smart” composite materials. These nano surfaces are heat and scratch resistant, come in a variety of bold colors and look very sleek.
One such popular product is “Glassos“, a crystalized glass surface countertop, or “Fenix NTM” composite nanotech material.
If you want to replace your old kitchen counters, be sure to get at least 3 price estimates from local counter installers.
Tips On Selecting The Right Countertop Color (Granite, Quartz, Marble)
If you are shopping in a big-box store or at a countertop fabricator store/shop, you will likely get to see 12×12″ samples. If you have a salesperson come out to your home, you will likely get to see 6×6″ color samples.
But can you REALLY judge the color you are getting from a 6×6″ or even 12×12″ sample? Not really. Also keep in mind that Granite and Marble samples will vary greatly from an actual slab that your counters will be cut from. And you may get UNPLEASANTLY surprised by what you actually get.
We recommend that once you’ve selected a contractor, tell them to send you to THEIR supplier to choose a stone/slab for your countertop!
Most will have no problem with this, and if they do, they are either insecure, or you just don’t want to work with them in the first place!
Here is how we chose our Granite Countertop Slab, and how you should do it as well!
How To Save On The Cost Of Kitchen Countertops
Installing new countertops is one of the most expensive items on the bucket list of kitchen remodeling.
However, if you are on a tight budget, there are ways to save money, while still getting a beautiful counter that you will love using.
Basic countertop colors cost less
Whether you want a natural stone (granite, marble, soapstone) or quartz, the rule of thumb is that patterns and fancy color variations cost 30-40% more than more uniform looking slabs.
Moreover, when you pick a very prominent looking stone, your entire kitchen design will need to match it in order to look good.
Read more : Are White Kitchens Really Out Of Style?
This means your kitchen cabinets, flooring, backsplash, etc will all need to conform to the color and style of the countertop.
This limits your design and product options in the present, but also in the future. A stone counter will last for decades, and you may easily got through 2 cabinet and tile replacements in that span of time.
A smarter option is to install counters that are less overbearing and will easily complement a variety of cabinet colors and styles.
Consider a cheaper substitute
if you are in love with the majestic look of marble, but can’t afford the price tag, consider quartz. There are many products that are designed to replicate the look of marble, and their cost varies. For example, Cambria quartz has a special collection of products that look like marble, called “Torquay”.
Some quartz replicas are very expensive, in the ball park of $90-120 per square foot, but others are a lot cheaper: $60-80 per square foot. In any case, you can save at least 20-30% by installing a man-made imitation of a natural stone countertop.
Go for a simple edge
There are usually 1-2 edge styles that are included in the base price of the countertop, and this is what you should select if you are trying to keep expenses down. Fancier edges such as bullnose, waterfall or ogee, can easily add 15% to the total price.
Splurge on the island and save on the rest of the kitchen
Lets face it, most kitchen countertops are always filled with stuff, often to a point where you barely see the surface.
If that is the case in your house, why waste money on a fancy beautiful countertop that you will not even see that often?
Instead, go with a cheaper material on the main cooking surfaces, and spend more money on a fancy kitchen island top.
Shop the remnants section
If you have a small kitchen, you may be able to get away with purchasing remnants of a few large slabs of stone and piece them together.
Many stone wholesalers will offer as much as 50-60% off on these left over pieces.
Its best to go to a local wholesaler vs. a small fabricator because you will have a much larger selection of stones to consider.
Cheap countertops don’t spell out “ugly”
Many homeowners worry that if they go for a low cost countertop material, their kitchen will look unattractive and dated. Nothing can be further from the truth!
There are beautiful butcher block, tile, laminate and composite counters that have plenty of designer flare, but cost at least half the price of upscale countertops.
For example, Ikea sells affordable laminate counters that look very stylish.
Minimize the number of cut outs
If you are completely redesigning the layout of your kitchen, you can save money by creating a layout that will not require the stone or other material to be cut many times.
The more cuts, the higher the cost. Also, things like sink and faucet cut outs each cost a few hundred dollars extra.
One way to avoid these additional costs is to install a farmhouse rather than an undermount sink (which is what most homeowners install without thinking about the associated spending).
Resale Value Of New Countertops
The average reported ROI of granite or quartz countertops (medium grade stone) is 60-80% depending on the overall value of the house and the amount of money that was invested into the remodel.
If your current kitchen countertops look very old and stained, its best to replace them before putting your house up for sale.
The kitchen is one of the biggest points of interest for prospective buyers, and if they see dingy counters, it may be an immediate turn off.
Also, many people don’t like to buy homes where they will be required to spend extra money on expensive renovations, such as replacing counters in the kitchen.
You best bet is to go for granite or quartz counters, as both materials are highly popular with homeowners.
There is no need to splurge on top of the line, higher grade products, because you will not see a high ROI at resale.
Instead, go for neutral, modern looking slabs in the range of $45-60 per square foot. This is a safe figure to spend in order to get a good return and shape up your kitchen.
Most realtors and interior designers advise against installing very colorful and bold looking countertops if you plan to sell your house in the future.
What is in style today may not be in 5 years from now, Moreover, your aesthetic taste may not match the one of next home owners.
If you are remodeling a rental property, unless its an upscale apartment, you can easily get away with installing laminate or corian kitchen countertops, at under $30 per square foot. They are inexpensive, functional and look good enough to satisfy the tastes of most renters.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens