Installing new countertops has a wide range—between $1,858 and $4,177
The best kitchen countertops offer a perfect combination of form and function, elevating your kitchen's aesthetic while giving you space to whip up all of your favorite dishes. The cost to install kitchen countertops varies based on factors like where you live, the type of material you choose, and whether you hire a pro to do it or take it on yourself.
Here, we cover everything you need to know about countertop installation costs so you can start this project with ease.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Countertops?
It typically costs between $1,858 and $4,177 to install countertops, but the cost can reach as high as $8,000 or go as low as $400 depending on several factors, like material and square footage. For example, if you opt for laminate countertops, you can expect to pay much less than you would for granite or marble.
And because countertops are usually priced by the square foot—typically ranging from around $10 to $70 per square foot—bigger countertops cost more than smaller ones of the same material. A small bathroom counter will cost less than a large kitchen counter, for example.
Average Cost of Countertops in Your Neighborhood
Countertop installation costs usually vary depending on where you live due to factors like material availability and cost of living.
Austin, TX: $2,080–$4,470
Charlotte, NC: $1,610–$3,185
Chicago: $1,500–$3,305
Dallas: $1,565–$3,560
Denver: $2,005–$4,225
Los Angeles: $2,180–$4,795
New York: $1,735–$3,945
Portland, OR: $2,405–$5,200
Seattle: $2,565–$5,850
Washington, D.C.: $2,075–$4,585
Countertop Materials: Which One Fits My Budget?
Which countertop material you choose to install can not only change the look of your kitchen but greatly affect the cost of your project.
Granite Countertops
Granite is a super popular countertop material thanks to its durability and variety of textures and colors. Granite countertops cost around $2,000 to $4,500 to install based on quality and size. For whole slabs, you'll usually pay anywhere from $15 to $140 per square foot, while prefabricated pieces typically cost $10 to $35 per square foot.
Soapstone Countertops
Due to small slab sizes, soapstone seams are often visible when your countertop is longer than 7 feet, so you’ll commonly see it used in smaller kitchens. It's also fairly soft, making it prone to scratches, so it's not a great choice for kitchens with a lot of traffic.
Because it's an all-natural stone, soapstone's colors are limited to the beauty of Mother Nature, so most of these countertops are dark gray or black with a blue or green tint. Soapstone countertops typically range in cost from $2,700 to $4,200 to install, or $20 to $70 per square foot.
Marble Countertops
Marble isn't quite as hard as granite, but it's still pretty durable, making it a fine choice for busy kitchens. Quality is a major factor affecting the price of marble, which ranges from $15 to $190 per square foot, but you can usually find quality marble around $25 to $60 per square foot.
In general, marble countertops cost about $3,000 to install. This material comes in many different color options, including stark white, jet black, red, and gold, so it's easy to find just the right fit for your aesthetic.
Slate Countertops
Stain-resistant and a breeze to clean, slate countertops are a particularly great choice for households full of little ones. But if you do have kids at home, you'll want to make sure that the edges of your slate countertops are sanded down during installation since they can get pretty sharp.
The cost to install slate countertops is around $1,100 to $5,000, or $30 to $90 per square foot.
Limestone Countertops
Limestone comes in neutral hues ranging from pale gray to golden brown and usually costs around $1,100 to $5,500 or about $10 to $70 per square foot to install. It's a fairly soft and porous stone, so you'll want to seal it regularly to help prevent damage from scratches and stains.
Travertine Countertops
Travertine countertops usually come in stone slabs or tile and cost between $1,150 and $3,600, or $11 to $35 per square foot. Travertine looks similar to limestone, but it's typically a bit darker, with deep veins running through it, which can feature a variety of different hues. To maintain travertine's shine, you need to polish it occasionally.
Quartz vs. Quartzite Countertops
Quartz and quartzite are often mistaken for each other, but they have distinct differences. Quartz is an engineered stone comprising small crystals bound by resin, while quartzite is a solid, all-natural stone. Because quartz is bound by resin, it's highly durable and doesn't require sealant. Quartzite, however, is more porous, so it requires regular sealing.
Quartz countertops cost around $15 to $70 per square foot, while quartzite costs $55 to $75 per square foot.
Corian Countertops
Coming in all kinds of colors and styles, Corian is a great choice for anyone with very specific style preferences. Plus, it's nonporous, so it doesn't require sealant, but it's not very moisture-resistant, so it's not recommended for humid climates. The average cost to install Corian countertops is $4,000, or $20 to $75 per square foot.
Acrylic Countertops
A more budget-friendly alternative to natural stone, acrylic countertops can mimic materials like quartz and granite while costing much less. Typical acrylic countertop installation costs $1,300 to $3,300, or $13 to $30 per square foot. Acrylic is also ideal for high-traffic kitchens thanks to its durability and how easy it is to clean.
Laminate Countertops
Laminate is a relatively affordable countertop material, typically ranging from $800 to $1,650 or $8 to $27 per square foot. However, there are pros and cons to laminate countertops. If you have a bustling kitchen, then laminate might not be the right fit since it tends to chip, fade, and show scratches faster than most other materials. It can also be damaged by high heat, especially if it's not sealed adequately.
Ceramic or Porcelain Countertops
Because both ceramic and porcelain break and scratch fairly easily, they work best in kitchens that see minimal use. If you love to experiment in the kitchen or regularly prep meals for a family of five, then a more durable countertop material, like granite, might be a better choice for you. Ceramic or porcelain tiles work well for backsplashes that undergo less wear and tear rather than heavy-duty countertops. Ceramic is slightly less expensive than porcelain, costing $1 to $15 per square foot compared to $3 to $28 per square foot for porcelain.
Concrete Countertops
You can use many different stains and glazes on concrete, which means concrete countertops come in nearly endless colors. The material is prone to cracking and chips, but a good sealant can help prevent them. Concrete countertops cost an average of $3,300 to $7,200, or $50 to $100 per square foot.
Wood Countertops
The warm appearance of wood makes it a good fit for rustic or otherwise organic aesthetics, but you'll need to seal this type of countertop monthly to maintain it. The price of wood countertops varies by the type of wood you get, with bamboo being the cheapest, but a 55-square-foot wood countertop installation typically costs between $1,550 and $3,800, or $18 to $38 per square foot.
Stainless Steel Countertops
Stainless steel countertops are low-maintenance and durable, making them a popular choice in commercial kitchens. However, they scratch easily, so you'll want to keep that in mind if a pristine appearance is paramount. It typically costs $3,900 to $7,200 to install stainless steel countertops or around $60 to $100 per square foot.
Copper Countertops
Thanks to copper's antimicrobial properties, copper countertops have been growing in popularity. They're also a cinch to clean, so they lend themselves well to busy residential and commercial kitchens. They are, however, pretty pricey, ranging from $5,500 to $9,625 for a 55-square-foot countertop.
Recycled Paper Composite
Recycled paper composite countertops are composed of various fibers and resin, making them more durable than wood but lighter than most other solid surfaces. The cost to install this countertop ranges from $3,050 to $5,500, or $45 to $70 per square foot.
Recycled Glass Countertops
Heat-resistant but prone to scratching, recycled glass countertops run the gamut of appearances, ranging from smooth and consistent to unique and striking, depending on how the recycled pieces are melted down and poured. This type of countertop costs $3,700, on average, or $45 to $135 per square foot.
What Will It Cost Me to Install My Own Countertop?
Installing a countertop yourself 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 a big—and sometimes impossible—job for one person.
Installing kitchen countertops also requires a fair bit of knowledge and skill, so it's not recommended as a DIY project unless you have some experience with it. 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.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Install Countertops?
Several factors affect the overall cost to install countertops, so keep them in mind while putting together your budget.
Countertop Material
One of the biggest factors affecting countertop costs is material. Natural stones, like quartzite, granite, and marble, usually cost significantly more than engineered stones, like quartz, or synthetic materials, like acrylic and laminate.
Countertop Size
Since most countertops are priced by the square foot, size is another major factor affecting cost. Typically, the bigger your countertop, the more you can expect to pay for materials and installation. Plus, it’s critical to install countertops with the right depth and size for your kitchen.
FAQs About Countertop Installation
Should I install a countertop myself or hire a pro?
Installing countertops yourself will certainly save you money on labor costs, but it's by no means an easy job. At the very least you'll need another person or two to help you transport your countertop and lift it into place.
And depending on the material you choose, you might need to sand it, seal it, or perform other installation tasks, so you'll want to make sure you have some expertise in this area. For these reasons, it's usually best to hire a local countertop installer unless you feel very confident that you can take it on yourself.
What should I consider when installing a countertop?
Before installing new kitchen countertops, you should consider factors like your budget, aesthetic, and lifestyle. For example, if you have a high-traffic kitchen with lots of kiddos running around, then you probably want to install a countertop made of a durable, easy-to-clean material, like quartz. And if the price is a primary concern, then budget-friendly materials like laminate and acrylic are great options.
You should also consider how specific your aesthetic is. Some materials, like soapstone, have very limited color options, while others, such as concrete and granite, come in a wide variety of styles and hues.
How long does it take to install a countertop?
The time it takes to install countertops varies by factors like size and material, but it typically takes one to three days to complete the job. If you only have one or two big slabs, then your installation won't take as long as it would if you have a variety of custom pieces that need to be installed.
How do I calculate square feet for my countertop?
The easiest way to calculate a countertop's square footage is to divide your countertop into squares and rectangles, then multiply the length and the width of each piece in inches before adding them together and dividing by 144.
For example, if you have an L-shaped countertop, then in your mind, break it into two rectangles, measuring the length and width of each rectangle in inches, multiplying the results by two, then adding both sums together. Once you've added both sums together, divide that number by 144 to find the approximate square footage.
