Written by
Tamatha Hazen
December 14, 2023
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Quartz countertops cost $50 to $200 per square foot installed or $1,500 to $8,000 for an average-sized kitchen. Caesarstone brand quartz costs $50 to $100 per square foot and Cambria brand quartz costs $60 to $125 per square foot installed. White and Calacatta quartz countertops are the most popular.
Quartz countertops cost by kitchen size - ChartQuartz countertop cost estimator Kitchen size Countertop square footage Average cost installed Small kitchen (70 – 100 SF) 20 – 30 $1,000 – $6,000 Average kitchen (100 – 200 SF) 30 – 40 $1,500 – $8,000 Large kitchen (200+ SF) 40 – 60 $2,000 – $12,000 Quartz countertops in open kitchenGet free estimates from quartz countertop installers near you.
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Quartz countertop prices depend on the quality. The quartz grade is determined by the slab color, visible defects, and percentage of minerals and resin. Higher grade slabs cost more but withstand everyday wear and tear better.
Quartz countertops cost per square foot by quality level - ChartQuartz countertop costs by level Quartz level Cost per square foot installed Features High-quality (First Choice) $90 – $200Quartz is strong and durable enough for use in kitchen, bathroom, and bar countertops. Total prices vary by size and location, as shown in the table below.
Quartz countertop costs by location Surface Size (Inches) Average cost installed Small kitchen counter (each) 25 x 100 $850 – $3,500 Average kitchen counter (each) 25 x 170 $1,500 – $6,000 Kitchen island 40 x 80 $1,100 – $4,400 Small kitchen island 24 x 48 $400 – $1,600 Bathroom vanity top 20 x 36 $250 – $1,000 Bar top 16 x 36 $200 – $800 Bathroom vanity with quartz countertop and herringbone tile backsplash.Quartz countertop fabricators typically bundle the cost of materials, fabrication, delivery, and installation, but some may quote each item separately. Customized finishes, edge styles, and corner treatments add to the total project price.
Quartz countertop cost calculator Item Cost per square foot Average cost (30 – 40 SF) Quartz slab materials (includes delivery) $40 – $170 $1,200 – $6,800 Labor to fabricate & install $10 – $30 $300 – $1,200 Total project cost $50 – $200 $1,500 – $8,000Factors and upgrades that increase the cost include:
Slab thickness –Quartz slabs range from 1cm to 3cm in thickness, with thicker slabs costing more but lasting longer.
Number of seams – Large kitchens or unusual kitchen shapes with more seams increases fabrication costs.
Edges & finishes – Upgrading from the standard edge profile and finish increases costs.
Waterfall sides – Extending the countertop to the floor increases the material and fabrication costs.
Backsplash –The average cost of a new backsplash is $200 to $2,000+, depending on the material used. A quartz backsplash is expensive, costing $1,000 to $6,000 or more.
Corner treatments – $50 to $150 per corner to add special corner treatments for wraparound countertops.
Made-to-order – Custom quartz colors may be available at a premium for those who aren’t satisfied with the standard color options.
Labor costs to fabricate and install quartz countertops are $10 to $30 per square foot. Other factors that affect the labor cost include:
A kitchen with Calacatta quartz countertops and backsplash.Most quartz dealers include standard sink and cooktop cutouts in the fabrication costs. Adding additional sink cutouts costs $150 to $300 per cutout. Small fixture cutouts for electrical outlets and soap dispensers cost $75 to $125 each.
Get free estimates from quartz countertop installers near you.
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Removing the existing countertops costs $50 to $400. Demolishing the whole kitchen costs $500 to $2,500 when replacing the countertops as part of a larger remodel project.
Engineered quartz is often confused with quartzite but the materials are very different. Engineered quartz is a factory-made blend of about 90% natural quartz and 10% resins and pigments. Quartzite is a 100% natural stone, mined in quarries and cut into slabs.
Engineered quartz vs quartzite cost comparison Material Cost per square foot installed Details Engineered quartz $50 – $200Quartz slabs cost $40 to $170 per square foot, not including installation. Prices depending on the slab quality, with most installers using mid to high quality slabs for kitchen countertops. Some dealers offer discontinued mid-quality slabs at a low-quality price.
Quartz slab prices by level Quartz level Material price per square foot* High-quality (First Choice) $80 – $170 Mid-quality (Commercial Grade) $65 – $80 Low-quality (Second Choice) $40 – $65*Not including installation.
There are several well-known quartz manufacturers with similar quality slabs and prices. One feature that differs between the well-known brands is the manufacturer’s warranty included with their product.
Quartz prices by brand Quartz brand Cost per SF installed Warranty Caesarstone Quartz cost $50 – $100 Lifetime, non-transferable Cambria Quartz cost $60 – $125 Full Lifetime, transferable to new owner Corian Quartz cost $50 – $150 10-year transferable Silestone Quartz cost $60 – $140 Certified 25-year limited, transferable HanStone Quartz $50 – $130 Lifetime, non-transferable Minuet LG Viatera Quartz $65 – $75 15-year non-transferable Samsung Quartz $50 – $60 Limited lifetime, non-transferable Viatera Quartz $50 – $100 Limited lifetime, non-transferable Kitchen with Cambria quartz countertops and backsplash.Quartz countertop come in a range of colors with white, grey, and Calacatta varieties that look like marble being the most popular. Most fabricators sell 3” x 3” quartz samples for $3 to $10 each to help you pick the best quartz for your space.
Quartz countertop colorsQuart kitchen countertop edge treatments cost $10 to $60 per linear foot. Standard edge styles are included at no extra cost.
Quartz countertop edge treatment costs Edge Price category Description Eased No additional cost Simple, slightly rounded edge that isn’t too sharp Square No additional cost Straight edge with a very slight bevel Half-bullnose (Rounded) $10 – $30 Top edge is rounded more dramatically Beveled $25 – $50 Beveled edges on the top or bottom Full bullnose $25 – $50 Converts the edge to a perfect half-circle DuPont $30 – $60 Straight edge dropping down to a curve Miter $30 – $60 Bevel edge perfect for joining multiple pieces of quartz seamlessly Ogee $30 – $60 Two sweeping arches; one concave and the other convex Waterfall $30 – $60 Three cascading convex arches Countertop edge optionsGet free estimates from quartz countertop installers near you.
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The two most common finishes for quartz are polished and honed. Polished quartz is the standard finish for quartz slabs available at no extra cost. Honed quartz requires the natural polish be removed, increasing the fabrication costs. Other upgraded finishes include suede, concrete, and rough textures.
Quartz material finishes & textures Finish Description PolishedQuartz countertops are expensive compared to other materials, but their durability and low maintenance makes them a great value. In comparison, the average cost of new countertops is $50 to $150 per square foot, depending on the material.
Countertop cost comparison Material Average cost per square foot installed Details Quartz countertops $50 – $200Check out our guides comparing quartz to granite and quartzite:
The cheapest quartz countertop typically uses a low-quality material that may have visible defects. Instead of looking for the cheapest price, look for a good quality quartz made in the USA with at least a 10- to 25-year warranty.
Quartz countertops increase the home’s value, but less than you would get with natural stones like granite, marble, or soapstone.
Quartz countertops are installed in as few as 3 to 4 hours. Larger kitchen installations may take from 1 to 3 days.
Quartz countertops last a lifetime and are virtually maintenance free.
Quartz countertops are sold by most home improvements stores, kitchen designers, and stone fabricators. Home improvement stores tend to sell mid-quality quartz while kitchen designers often sell high-grade products.
Before hiring a nearby countertop installer, be sure to:
Look for a quartz fabricator or installer in your area who specializes in quartz.
Compare at least 3 estimates with the same quartz quality level.
Check their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire a licensed, insured, and bonded company in business for 5+ years.
Review their portfolio of past quartz countertop installations.
Ask for references with contact information.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the project starts.
Never pay in full before the job is complete. Request a payment schedule instead.
Asking these important questions can help you choose the right installer:
How long have you been fabricating and installing quartz countertops?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Does the estimate include delivery and installation?
Which quartz choices fit my budget?
How much will it cost to upgrade the edge style?
What finishes are available? Do they have an upcharge?
How do I prepare for the installation?
How long will the installation take?
What type of warranty is available?
Do you require a deposit? How much is required?
What kind of payment plans do you offer?
When it comes to the kitchen, we all know that this space can be the heart of our homes. Whether your kitchen (or ideal kitchen) is bright and airy or takes design notes from classic blue and white patterns, a beautifully functional kitchen is a welcoming space for all to cook and dwell.
For many home cooks, the recipe to success depends on having reliable and functional kitchen countertops, ideally adding to the overall aesthetic as well. Now the question arises: If you're looking to give your kitchen a face-lift with new countertops, how much does it cost to update?
We tapped Home Care Expert, Bailey Carson, at Angi to give us the lowdown on kitchen counter renovations.
Laurey W. Glenn
Cost of Updating Kitchen Counters
Modern home renovations have varying costs depending on the material, square footage, layout, and location. However, Carson shares that installing countertops tends to range from $1,860 to $4,340. However, estimates can be as low as $400 or clock in well over $8,000 depending on the factors above.
Homeowners looking to update their kitchen counters should note that countertops are typically priced by square foot, ranging from $10 to $70 per square foot.
Just as the cost of living fluctuates from state to state, the cost of home renovations varies as well. Carson says that the average cost of countertops in Charlotte, North Carolina, is $1,627 to $3,309. The price in Dallas, Texas, ranges from $1,565 to $3,560. To update counter space in Austin, Texas, the price point is likely between $2,124 and $4,874.
Cost of Natural Stone / Quartz Countertops
Whether your personal home décor taste leans toward marble or granite, tile or porcelain, there are a number of countertop materials to select from when refreshing the heart of your home. Just as there is a variety of materials to choose from, each has its own pros, cons, and price ranges.
Carson shares that while natural stone materials (quartz, granite, marble, etc.) are on-trend, they tend to be more costly than synthetic materials (acrylic and laminate).
"[Quartz] is a beautiful, strong, and durable option for countertops," Carson says. "Because of the high quality of the stone, quartz is expensive, but it's also long-lasting." The average cost for quartz countertops ranges from $50 to $200 per square foot, contingent on the stone and kitchen layout.
Cost of Granite Countertops
According to Carson, granite is similar to quartz as it is durable and similarly priced, ranging from $80 to $180 per square foot. Unlike quartz, which does not need resealing, "granite needs annual resealing, because it's relatively porous and can stain from water or certain cleaning products, so it requires a bit more maintenance than some alternatives. Granite is easy to install, as it can be added to existing countertops for a visual and protective boost."
Marble, popular on Instagram as well as Pinterest boards, can be priced from $15 to $190 per square foot depending on the quality. When opting for marble countertops, note the potential increase in the installation price. Our expert shares that the cost of labor ranges greatly from $35 to $45 per hour or $25 to $220 per square foot, contingent on the contractor and the level of difficulty.
Copper countertops are on the rise and Carson believes it's because they're both antimicrobial and easy to clean. They can set you back between $5,500 and $9,625 on average for a 55-square foot countertop.
Cost of Synthetic Countertop Materials
If you're looking for budget-friendly options for your countertop update, there are some lower cost per-square-foot varieties to keep in mind. Synthetic materials are typically less expensive than natural stone, with laminate and acrylic being the most cost-effective choices. "Soapstone and tile are also lower-cost options for countertop materials, but they come with some weaknesses like low durability and limited color options," says Carson.
Solid surfaces, comprised of a combination of mineral dust and plastic resins, are least pricey compared to natural stones of quartz or granite, but still have a fresh aesthetic. Laminate surfaces come in an array of colors as well as styles and, according to Carson, are more cost-effective. But with that comes a con: Laminate countertops damage easily. Thankfully they can be protected with the right care, lasting up to 20 to 30 years. When damaged, they can't be repaired, but can easily be replaced and reinstalled.
Soapstone is a fresh, modern, and affordable option as it's low-maintenance as well as simple to clean. Soapstone countertops can cost around $20 to $70 per square foot (not including installation). Soapstone has a high heat resistance and is not easily stained, though it does scratch easily.
Cost of Tile Countertops
Lastly, tile is another budget-friendly option to consider. Ceramic tile varies from $1 to $15 per square foot and porcelain tiles range in price from $3 to $28 per square foot. Homeowners looking at tile should note that tile isn't a traditional option for countertops as it can break, chip, and scratch easily. Carson shares that tile is a better fit for kitchen backsplashes as opposed to countertops. Duly noted!
Is granite or quartz less expensive to use for countertops?
Granite and quartz are expensive countertops options. According to Consumer Reports, both granite and quartz cost about $40 to $100 per square foot. However, when selling your home, quartz is more valuable as it is a buyer's preference.
What is the most budget-friendly countertop option?
Several budget-friendly countertop options are durable while remaining affordable. Laminate is generally considered one of the least expensive options. Tile, acrylic-based, and polyester-based materials are also inexpensive countertop materials.