On This Page:

1. Average Cost to Install Concrete Countertops
2. Concrete Countertop Prices Per Square Foot & Type
1. Basic
2. Stained/ Acid Stained
3. White or Colored
3. Where to Buy Countertop Material
4. Average Cost to Install
1. Kitchen Countertops
2. Bars & Tables
3. Bathroom Vanity Top
4. Custom Deigns & Shapes
5. Pros & Cons of Concrete vs. Granite
6. DIY Countertop Calculator
1. Making It Yourself with a Concrete Mix
2. Tools & Materials Needed
7. DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Average Cost to Install Concrete Countertops

*costs shown per square foot

People choose concrete for its modern look and feel. The ability to make a functional space that showcases your unique style cements this surface's popularity for the modern home. These countertops rank high in cost for materials and installation, much more than granite, marble or quartz. The work required to create the counter itself calls for more skill than simply cutting stone. Do-it-yourself concrete countertops can be an option for experienced homeowners. But, given the skill and patience required, a professional may be the best choice for most people.

Concrete Countertop Pricing Per Square Foot

Choosing a cement countertop often means no limits on size, color and style. The rate for concrete counters ranges from $65 to $135 per square foot. Most counters of this style for the home sit about 1.5 inches in width, with wider countertops generating higher expense. Specialty solid-surface materials may also weigh more, requiring additional support for cabinetry. Colors added during mixing, or stained into the concrete after curing, contribute additional charges.

Note About Measuring Linear vs. Square Feet: Pricing guides often measure counters in linear feet, square feet or both. Measurements in linear feet give customers a practical reference for the usable counter space of a kitchen. But, a single linear foot might range from 1-4 square feet. The average kitchen contains about 30 linear feet of counter. The depth of the counter may translate into an average of 50 to 100 square feet for a kitchen.

Basic

The basic concrete countertop averages about $100 per square foot. Uncolored, unstained and unpolished, basic styles look like other types of concrete. Specifically, it features a matte appearance, in a somewhat mottled gray color.

Stained/Acid-Stained

Experts typically charge $2 to $4 per square foot for simple concrete countertop staining, depending on the degree of complication. If you want an intricate design, you may pay up to $15 per square foot.

Staining a countertop made of this material offers endless and custom design choices. The stain requires waiting for the surface to fully cure, which takes about 10 days. This process usually happens once installation is complete. You can often arrange for staining with the same professional who installed the concrete or bring in another contractor after the fact. If you want to DIY this part of your project, you may find it reasonable to do.

White or Colored

Colored or white concrete increases the average cost by $4 to $6 per square foot, depending on the richness of the color you want. Adding various colors to this material allows you to match the kitchen surfaces with your home décor. For example, many people love the look of a white concrete countertop. You can have colors added during the mixing process, or after curing with a dye-based application.

Where to Buy Cement Countertops

If you go through a contractor, this person may pour the concrete themselves. They may also subcontract to someone else to build the countertop. Homeowners who want to DIY this project may find all the materials they need at their local home improvement store. If you pay for custom design and installation, your contractor will take care of the materials for you.

Cost to Install Concrete Countertops

Professionally installing a concrete countertop of a standard 75 square feet takes about 10 hours and costs approximately $300 to $900. This translates into a charge of $3 to $12 per square foot. The contractor can pour the concrete or site or prepare it at the warehouse to your specifications before arriving for the project. The best method for your situation should be discussed with your professional, and generally doesn't impact the project cost.

Poured Concrete Counters

Traditionally, contractors poured cement directly at the site. Many experts still consider cast-in-place concrete the best way to ensure a perfect fit. If you want to add fine details, like custom edging or embedded glass, your plan may require poured cement.

Precast Concrete

Pouring concrete at a client site presents several unique complications. Temperature, mess, and possible cracking are harder to control on-site. If a contractor pours the concrete at your home, you may have to wait up to 10 days before you can touch it. This leads many contractors to prefer pre-casting the cement to customer specifications at a warehouse. Then, they simply must deliver and install the countertop at the site.

Polished Concrete

You may love polished concrete for its shine and character. Service charges for polishing range from $3 to $12 per square foot, on top of the regular cost of installation. Your contractor could polish the countertop as part of a staining or dying routine, or by itself. You must wait for complete curing to have concrete polished. You can request it several times over the life of the counter.

Concrete Countertop Installation Cost Factors

The amount you pay for installation relates to the style of countertop you want, any custom designs and its placement in the home.

Cost of Installing Concrete Kitchen Countertops

Installing a precast kitchen countertop may not call for higher expenses. But, this factor depends on the features you want. For example, putting in a concrete sink may add $1,000 to $2,000 to the total. Creating a custom cement backsplash could add $25 to $50 more per square foot, as well.

Bar or Table Top

Building a custom bar or table to match your counters creates a cohesive look. Concrete may require additional support, usually related to its thickness. This could limit the styles you can choose for the foundation of your bar or table, and possibly increase the overall price.

Concrete Bathroom Vanity Top Cost

Installing concrete in the bathroom could have a higher expense per square foot than kitchens. For a kitchen, you might have 50 square feet of solid rectangles, with a few feet around sinks that creates more complication. The lower total square footage of a bathroom vanity might translate into a lower overall cost. But, the ratio of sink space to counter space could increase the more difficult aspects of building the countertop. Consult a countertop professional for a rate quote before starting the project.

Custom Designs/Shapes

The standard concrete countertop features 1.5 inch width and straight corners, without dyes or embedded items. Any custom additions, like rounded edges or a sea glass surface, tend to increase installation costs. They may also require your contractor to pour the concrete on-site.

Pros & Cons of Concrete vs. Granite Countertops

While natural stone remains the sweetheart of the custom counter set, many materials stand as fair competitors. Neither granite nor concrete makes maintenance of your counter very easy. But, both may be an excellent long-term choice for your home improvements.

Which Is Cheaper/More Expensive?

As a rule, granite (in slab or tile form) stands as the least expensive choice. Granite costs around $2,000 to $3,000 just for a full slab, compared to about $7,500 for concrete. Cost of the material per square foot accounts for the largest price different between the installation projects.

Professional Installation Costs or DIY

Expenses for installation relate partially to the source of materials. Granite installation charges range from $1,100 to $1,700, not including the material. Concrete installation costs less, at $300 to $900. A DIY concrete project could save you the most money but may call for much more expertise than DIY installation of other high-end materials.

Custom Choices

Every slab of natural-cut stone could look a little bit different. But, it cannot be truly one-of-a-kind like concrete. When buying granite, you get what you can find. Concrete allows you to pick any design you like, with a virtually unlimited list of options in color, styles and additions.

Durability

The methods used to make and pour the mixture affects its overall durability much more than other solid surfaces. For example, cement poured in place may open tiny cracks as it dries. The expense to repair concrete could cost $200 to $500 each time. But, recent improvements to concrete countertop designs have improved the surface's durability. Regular sealing dramatically increases the material's function and lifespan. Stone surfaces like quartz, marble or granite probably win out on long-term staying power, but not by a lot.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Compared to other materials, granite and concrete both call for a fair bit of upkeep. Homeowners must regularly seal both materials, to prevent water or oil from seeping in and staining it. Without sealing, you could encounter the growth of concrete mold. Specialty countertops might need sealing every month.

ROI & Resale Value

Granite has become a little mainstream in midrange or upscale homes. Concrete's trendiness may appeal more highly to a smaller set of home buyers. If you want to stand out from the pack, concrete could serve you best. Homeowners who hope to engage a larger number of buyers may want to go with marble or granite.

DIY Cement Countertop Calculator

Putting in your own concrete for a counter may cost a lot less, around $8 to $15 per square foot. This includes the basic materials needed. You may need to pay extra for tools that make the job easier, like a disc sander. If you want to make this solid surface, you will spend less on materials. But, you will need a lot more labor and expertise to do it right.

Making It Yourself with a Concrete Mix

Mixing cement and something like sakrete or quikrete may require a lot of elbow grease. Otherwise, it remains fairly simple. You only need cement ($10 per project), concrete ($5 to $10 for a small counter or table), water, a bucket for mixing and a shovel for stirring. You must prepare to pour and shape quickly, once the mix is ready.

Additional Materials

Other items you will need:

• Protective gloves
• Melamine wood to create the mold
• Wire mesh to help prevent cracking
• Rebar for reinforcement
• Drywall screws
• Silicone caulk
• Sandpaper to finish the surface

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Starting a DIY concrete project requires a tiny portion of the expense of hiring a professional. But, building this kind of countertop demands absolute precision. You must understand how to remove the old counter. As soon as you pour it, the surface begins to dry and the clock ticks away to fix any errors. If you feel confident in your ability to mix and manage cement, you could find this DIY project a good challenge. Others might decide that hiring a countertop contractor saves them a lot of time and stress.