Cost by material
Installed price per square foot includes template, fabrication, cutouts, and installation.
- Laminate: $15–$40/sq ft installed
- Butcher block: $40–$80/sq ft
- Quartz: $50–$120/sq ft
- Granite/marble: $40–$150/sq ft
What increases countertop price
Waterfall edges, thick profiles, extra seams, and cooktop cutouts add labor and material waste.
- Island waterfalls add $1,000–$3,000
- Backsplash coordination may require separate trade
- Old countertop removal: $200–$500
Why the same kitchen can have two countertop prices
Square footage is only the start. A U-shape with a cooktop cutout, a farm sink, and an overhang for stools wastes more slab than a simple galley with one seam. Fabricators bid waste, edge profile, and trip charges — not just the Instagram stone name.
- Ask to see seam locations on the template drawing before they cut
- Undermount sinks need a solid build-up and a sink the shop will warrant
- Removal of old stone is not always in the “per square foot” headline
Level cabinets first, then template
Templating on racks or out-of-level boxes is how you get lips at the dishwasher. If you are also replacing cabinets, do not buy the slab until the boxes are set, filled, and the dishwasher can be pulled. Counters cannot fix a 3/8-inch rack in the run.
- Have the cabinet installer sign off that runs are level before template day
- Leave the dishwasher out or confirm it can slide without chiseling stone later
- Cooktop and sink models must be on site or fully spec’d for cutout size