Installing soapstone countertops will cost around $2,850 on average, depending on its size and location. Most spend between $2,100 and $7,200.
Soapstone countertops cost around $2,100 to $7,200, or an average of $2,850. For materials and labor, expect to spend about $70 to $120 per square foot. If you’re considering soapstone counters for your kitchen, this cost guide will be a great jumping-off point to figuring out just how much to budget.
Soapstone has been popular as a counter material for many years, particularly with those looking to achieve a more rustic look. That’s because of the stone’s soft and almost milky look, making it warmer in its appearance than granite or slate counters.
Soapstone countertops typically cost $70 to $120 per square foot for materials and labor. This means that for an average-sized kitchen with 30 square feet of counter space, you’ll pay about $2,100 to $3,600.
| Size in Square Feet | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 20 | $1,400–$2,400 |
| 30 | $2,100–$3,600 |
| 40 | $2,800–$4,800 |
| 50 | $3,500–$6,000 |
| 60 | $4,200–$7,200 |
Your total cost to install soapstone counters mainly includes two factors: how much material you need and the cost of labor to create your countertop idea. Here’s how it all breaks down:
The classic choice for soapstone countertops is gray. After you install the counter and use it, you’ll notice that the surface gets darker over time.
Note that compared to other countertop options, your color options are fairly limited. Here are the costs for the materials only for common color choices.
| Color | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Gray | $26 – $50 |
| Green | $25 – $50 |
| Blue | $50 – $70 |
| White | $55 – $70 |
| Black | $55 – $70 |
You can go with squared or eased edges for no additional charge, but choosing a different edging type can give your counter the extra pop you may be looking for.
| Edging Type | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Half or Full Bullnose | $10 – $12 |
| Bevel | $10 – $12 |
| Pencil Round | $8 – $10 |
| Chiseled | $20 – $25 |
| Ogee | $20 – $25 |
| French Cove | $30 – $35 |
Here are the average costs you can expect to spend for your soapstone counters in different areas of your home.
| Location | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | $2,100 – $7,200 |
| Kitchen Island | $770 – $2,340 |
| Bathroom | $280 – $1,800 |
| Outdoor Kitchen | $1,400 – $3,600 |
If you hire a professional to install your new soapstone counters in the kitchen, expect it to take between two and four days and to pay $550 to $750 to complete the job. This equates to $10 to $40 per square foot for labor.
Be mindful when hiring a local professional counter installer; make sure you’ve got someone well-reviewed and that you’ve gotten at least three quotes before you pick the right team for the job.
Here are additional costs you should keep in mind when planning your soapstone counter project.
Installing a drainboard on your soapstone counters is an easy way to keep the area below your dish drying rack clean and dry. These are built into your counters with up to 1/2-inch slope toward the sink. The runnels are usually 16 to 18 inches long and are either raised or recessed. You can get custom drainboards if you’d like specific runnel lengths, slope angles, or runnel layouts.
| Drainboard Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Traditional | $300 – $450 |
| British-Style | $350 – $550 |
| European-Style | $350 – $550 |
| Custom | $550+ |
Custom cuts and cutouts for your countertop cost extra. Common cutouts include sink cutouts and cooktop cutouts, which cost $200. You might also get other custom additions like carved designs. The extra work will translate to higher labor costs, which can range between $30 and $40 or more per square foot.
Getting rid of your existing countertops will run you $50 to $350, depending on the material. Before you rush to haul your old countertops off your property, you should see if you can repurpose the material for other projects around your home. You can repurpose some materials like marble and granite into backsplashes, baseboards, fireplaces, and more.
The soapstone price per square foot for a backsplash is the same as for countertops, costing $70 to $120 per square foot. Getting a matching soapstone backsplash is a great option if you’d like a sleek, clean look. Otherwise, standard options are more affordable at $15 to $40 per square foot.
There are many countertop options out there for your home project. Here are some common alternatives and how they compare with soapstone prices.
| Countertop Type | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Soapstone | $70 – $120 |
| Granite | $50 – $200 |
| Quartz | $50 – $200 |
| Marble | $40 – $100 |
| Limestone | $70 – $150 |
| Slate | $50 – $100 |
| Concrete | $65 – $135 |
| Epoxy | $50 – $150 |
After your soapstone countertop installation, these are the ongoing costs you should plan for.
Maintenance for soapstone costs very little. To enjoy the best hues of soapstone, apply mineral oil to your counters after the installation. After that, apply oil monthly for a year or two, depending on your preferences. The mineral oil helps bring out the beauty of the soapstone as it ages. Mineral oil costs about $6 to $9 per bottle.
Note that you don’t have to seal your nonporous soapstone countertops, so you don’t have to worry about sealing costs.
Soapstone is a soft material, which means that if you accidentally cut directly on the counter, you may notice scratches. You can usually repair shallow scratches by sanding them and applying mineral oil.
Call in a countertop pro to help you with larger repairs, which will cost you around $10 to $12 per square foot.
If you are installing soapstone yourself, then you are in luck. Seasoned DIYers probably already have the tools in their shed to cut down soapstone to size at home. Soapstone is made up of 80% talc, which makes it extremely soft—under the hand, it feels like a bar of soap.
Woodworking tools are the perfect choice for cutting your soapstone. If you don’t have these at home already, expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a tool fit to tackle the task at home. Whatever you do, cut it outside. It’s a stone that creates a lot of dust because of its talky composition.
You can save around $550 to $750 on labor for this project if you do it yourself, but be mindful of how specialized it is to install soapstone. The stone is fragile, and if you have no experience cutting soapstone or other stone slabs, seriously consider leaving this job to a professional by hiring a stone countertop installer near you.
Here are the most common add-ons for your soapstone counters:
Soapstone sink: $2,000–$3,000
Plumber: $45–$200 per hour
Electrician: $50–$100 per hour
Cooktop installation: $550–$1,670
Permits: $500–$1,500
Kitchen cabinets: $100–$1,200 per linear foot
If you’re looking for ways to save on your soapstone countertop installation, here are some tips to keep in mind.
The most affordable type of soapstone counters are the prefabricated ones, which run $40 to $60 per square foot. This is more cost-effective than the slabs, which cost $70 to $120 per square foot. The prefab counters can work well for you if you’re willing to be flexible on the design of your kitchen. Otherwise, you should look for a slab or custom work that fits your exact needs.
You can also save by going with the more wallet-friendly colors like gray and green rather than the more costly colors like black and white.
Finally, get quotes from at least three highly-rated countertop installers. To make an informed decision, check the details to see which services are or are not included in each quote.
Becca Stokes and Jill Harness contributed to this piece.
Soapstone counters are a popular type of stone countertops, and not just because they look pretty. This material absorbs heat, making it perfect for pots right off the stove. Soapstone may be soft, but its surface is so hard to penetrate that it’s more resistant than other materials like granite and slate when it comes to bacterial growth. Nice to have in a kitchen around all that raw chicken, right?
When weighing the pros and cons of soapstone countertops, here are the disadvantages to remember. While soapstone is tough on germs, it’s not so tough in general. Expect the stone to develop its own darker look and patina. You can apply mineral oil every four to six weeks to maintain it, but this won’t prevent long-lasting wear and tear.
Speaking of wear and tear, you can’t go hard on these counters: using them as a chopping board is a no-no because the knife will leave marks. Ding it with a heavy pot, and you may chip away a piece of the soapstone.
Learning how to choose the right countertops will save you time during the process. And when it comes to soapstone counters, know that there are two different types of soapstone: one with artistic-grade talc and one with architectural-grade talc. Keep in mind when you’re shopping for soapstone that it must be architectural-grade talc, which is much more durable.
While soapstone isn’t hard, it is dense; in fact, it’s more compact than marble, granite, and quartz. That’s what makes it a popular countertop choice. It’s also not affected by acids like lemon or vinegar—that’s why it’s so often used in chemistry labs.
People often choose to take on the cost of replacing their kitchen counters when they are renovating their entire kitchen. You can also think about getting brand-new appliances, updating the lighting in your kitchen, and even installing new flooring. No matter where you are in the kitchen renovation process, it’s never too early to start taking measurements and looking for the best soapstone deals near you.
