You can expect to spend around $3,500 on the average 35-square-foot kitchen counter. That said, range up to $9,000 for a pro job in a large kitchen.
Epoxy is commonly used to refinish countertops, breathing life into old surfaces. It reigns in popularity thanks to its high durability and water resistance, which makes it an ideal material for kitchens and bathrooms. This guide will help you weigh the potential costs of your epoxy countertop project. The typical epoxy countertop costs $50 to $150 per square foot if it’s installed by a pro.
There are a number of factors that impact your overall epoxy countertop price. Materials, labor, and countertop size all play a role.
For most homeowners, professionally installed epoxy countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot. The price is dependent on the size of your countertop. For example, the average 35-square-foot epoxy kitchen countertop costs $1,750 to $5,250—but you’ll pay much less for a single bathroom vanity.
| Room | Countertop Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small Kitchen | 20 – 30 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Average Kitchen | 30 – 40 | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Large Kitchen | 40 – 60 | $2,000 – $9,000 |
| Double Bathroom Vanity | 10 – 12 | $500 – $1,800 |
| Single Bathroom Vanity | 5 – 10 | $250 – $1,500 |
Most homeowners don’t buy brand-new epoxy countertops. Typically, you’d use epoxy to refinish an existing surface (meaning you can put it right over your old countertop, as long as the surface is properly prepped). This costs about $4 to $8 per square foot for the materials, with most homeowners spending $100 to $1,000 on the average refinishing project.
If you’re looking to install a brand-new epoxy countertop, you’ll have to pay for both the countertop and the epoxy coating. The cost of the new countertops depends on the material. Homeowners commonly use wood, laminate, or ceramic. It’s a particularly popular product for those sealing concrete countertops since it adheres better than acrylic resin.
| Countertop Type | Average Cost (Before Epoxy) |
|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1 – $15 per sq. ft. |
| Laminate | $8 – $27 per sq. ft. |
| Wood | $20 – $70 per sq. ft. |
| Concrete | $50 – $100 per sq. ft. |
Intricate designs and custom textures tend to cost more than basic finishes. Remember, epoxy is poured by hand—so if you choose a marble-like finish, a contractor will have to spend time making the veins. This will increase labor costs, so expect them to tilt towards the high end of a typical range.
High-end brands of epoxy tend to cost more, so make sure you have a look around your hardware store and read the reviews. Contractors may have a special deal that gives them a discount on certain brands, depending on their distributor.
You won’t need a permit to refinish an existing countertop, but you will need a permit if you’re making structural changes—especially if you’re doing plumbing or electrical work. Building permits cost $50 to $500 depending on the work and the rules of your local municipality.
Though some homeowners do DIY their own epoxy countertops, this material is extremely challenging to install and requires adept skills and expertise. For this reason, professional labor is far more costly than the material. Expect to spend $45 to $140 per square foot on labor costs alone.
Repairs are the largest ongoing expense. Despite its durability, epoxy can scratch or chip. Typical countertop repairs cost about $225 to $550. When your countertops near the end of their life span, you can resurface them again.
Aside from repairs, epoxy countertops don’t come with many ongoing expenses. Unlike marble countertops or other porous stone slabs, you won’t need to reseal them every year. You can easily clean epoxy countertops with a standard, non-abrasive household cleaner. Even basic dish soap works wonders.
Most hardware stores sell epoxy countertop refinishing kits for $100 to $350. You can use these on most countertop surfaces, provided you prep the surface beforehand. You’ll save anywhere from $40 to $140 per square foot on labor costs—but don’t necessarily let the savings tempt you.
Epoxy countertop installation is extremely messy and difficult. Without skills and experience, you could end up with an uneven or slanted countertop that has blotches, bubbles, and haphazard details. If you choose an epoxy that mimics natural stone, your contractor will work by hand to create veins and other patterns—in a way, it’s an art form.
For this reason, it’s typically best to call a countertop installer near you. It’s smart to get at least three quotes from different pros and check their reviews before hiring. But if your heart is set on DIY, you may want to choose a different refinishing method, like re-laminating or painting.
If you’re already hiring a pro to install your epoxy countertops, you may want to add on other common kitchen or bathroom upgrades. Smaller renovations, like upgrading your sink or refinishing your cabinets, can make a huge impact at a fraction of the cost of a full-on remodel. Here are some additional jobs and average prices to consider:
| Epoxy Countertops Add-Ons | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Backsplash installation prices | $600 – $1,300 |
| Faucet replacement | $400 – $900 |
| Sink replacement prices | $225 – $1,600 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $1,800 – $4,200 |
| Cabinet refacing prices | $4,500 – $10,600 |
| New cabinet hardware | $5 – $30 per piece |
| Installing new appliances | $125 – $300 plus the cost of the appliance |
While there are many pros and cons of epoxy countertops, sometimes the price can be prohibitive. Epoxy isn’t typically a budget-friendly kitchen countertop idea unless you’re using it to refinish a surface or DIY the job. Both laminate and acrylic cost less, while certain luxury materials like natural granite slabs or high-end Corian countertops cost more. Regardless, there are a few ways you can save money on epoxy countertops:
Resurface rather than replace: Instead of replacing your entire countertop, refinish it with epoxy. You can usually put it right over your existing countertop with the right prep. The typical refinish project costs under $1,000, which is much less than installing a new epoxy countertop.
Use a DIY epoxy countertop kit: Kits commonly cost $100 to $350, but they do require a lot of care and patience. Epoxy countertops are notoriously difficult and messy to install.
The costs of a DIY gone wrong can start to add up. Unless you’re handy and confident in your experience with epoxy, this is a job better left to a countertop professional.
Limit epoxy to a small area: Shrink the square footage, and you’ll spend less. Countertops with high exposure to water or those that require frequent cleaning may benefit the most from epoxy.
Skip designs with time-consuming details like veining: Certain details take more labor to create. You’ll save by skipping them and going with a basic design.
Lump similar projects together: If you’re planning a larger remodel or renovation, you can typically save on labor costs by doing similar projects at the same time. For example, upgrade your sink or refinish your cabinets while installing epoxy countertops.
Epoxy countertops boast plenty of advantages and a few disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of using this material for countertops.
Durable: Epoxy countertops are extremely durable and long-lasting when built and installed correctly. The material’s non-porous nature makes it naturally resistant to moisture and can withstand heat.
Scratch-resistant: These fixtures will resist scratches from fingernails, collision with physical objects, and even some sharp tools.
Attractive: Epoxy provides a glossy look that makes even budget-friendly materials like laminate or worn-out wood appear more luxurious. Consider an epoxy coating as a way to extend the life of old countertops and give them an aesthetic refresh.
Stains easily: Epoxy countertops are extremely durable but can stain when you leave a spill for an extended period. To prevent issues, clean up spills immediately.
Difficult to install: Installing epoxy counters is expensive because the material is difficult to work with. This drives up the cost of professional labor and can lead to lumpy, uneven DIYs.
Unforgiving: If you’re drawn to epoxy countertops by the promise of being able to create custom patterns and finishes, there’s a major downside: You only get one shot at your desired pattern. Messing up means buying a new epoxy kit and a whole new surface to apply it to.
Mariel Loveland contributed to this article.
Epoxy is typically more affordable than granite, especially if you’re choosing a high-end slab. Most granite countertops cost $75 to $145 per square foot to install, with high-end varieties topping $185 per square foot.
In contrast, epoxy countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot to install. The material costs for epoxy are significantly lower than granite, but installation costs can be higher. Rather than simply cutting granite countertops to size before installation, your contractor will need to carefully pour the epoxy over an existing surface.
The average lifespan of an epoxy countertop is around 10 years, but this material can last longer with proper maintenance. This material happens to be resistant to most kinds of countertop damage (think: water and heat damage) though damage can happen. In the event you do damage your epoxy, you can often fill it with an epoxy repair kit.
No, epoxy countertops are highly resistant to scratching. Epoxy resin resists scratching damage from typical sources like fingernails, rough edges, and physical objects. However, epoxy resin is not indestructible, so you should still be cautious. There’s also a downside to its scratch-resistant properties. Epoxy countertops are difficult to sand and nearly impossible to do so by hand. Go for an orbital sander to achieve the desired results.
