The U.S. homeowner spends an average of $3,155 on the cost of countertops. Depending on the material, type, and size, most people spend between $1,883 to $4,477.
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 average countertop installation cost is $3,155, although it can cost anywhere between $1,883 and $4,477, depending on material, type, and size. For example, ceramic counters cost $1 to $15 per square foot, while granite costs $10 to $140 per square foot. Let’s review everything you need to know about countertop installation costs so you can budget for this project.
Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen will help tie everything together. When deciding what to do, here are the main factors that’ll affect your overall cost to replace countertops.
The countertop material you choose will largely affect your costs. Your inspiration may come from kitchen countertop ideas on a budget, like laminate countertops, which cost $8 to $27 per square foot. Or maybe you’re looking for something classically luxurious like marble, which ranges between $15 to $190 per square foot.
There are also other types of countertops that fall in between the spectrum, like wood, Corian®, stainless steel, and granite. Your chosen countertop material can not only change the look of your kitchen, but greatly affect the cost of a kitchen remodel.
| Countertop Type | Description | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Granite | Durable and diverse in texture and color | $10–$140 |
| Soapstone | Limited colors, mainly dark gray or black with a blue or green tint | $20–$70 |
| Marble | Slightly less durable than granite but still durable; color options include stark white, jet black, red, and gold | $15–$190 |
| Slate | Stain-resistant, kid-friendly | $30–$90 |
| Limestone | Neutral hues | $10–$70 |
| Travertine | Darker with veins | $11–$35 |
| Quartz | Engineered, durable, and low-maintenance | $15–$70 |
| Quartzite | Porous; needs regular sealing | $55–$75 |
| Corian® | Colorful, nonporous, not moisture-resistant | $20–$75 |
| Acrylic | Budget-friendly and resembles natural stone | $13–$30 |
| Laminate | Affordable but prone to damage | $8–$27 |
| Ceramic | Delicate and best for light use | $1–$15 |
| Porcelain | Delicate and best for light use | $3–$28 |
| Concrete | Many different stains and glazes; prone to cracking and chips but sealant can help prevent them | $50–$100 |
| Butcher Block | Needs maintenance; must be oiled and treated frequently | $50–$150 |
To understand how much you should set aside for your countertop installation, you should first figure out the size of your countertops. Generally, the depth of kitchen countertops is 25½ inches, while kitchen islands can range between 24 inches to 48 inches deep.
Also, the average countertop is 30 square feet. Your countertops may be larger or smaller, but either way, it's good to start by measuring your countertops for an accurate price estimate.
Different countertop edges and corner treatments for your countertops can offer visual appeal and practical advantages. Here are the most common options available.
| Edge/Corner Treatment | Description | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Bevel | 45-degree angles along the top of the counter | $10–$15 |
| Dupont | Curved quarter round-cut at the bottom and sharp, 90-degree cut at the top | $20–$40 |
| Full Bullnose | Rounded top and bottom | $10–$15 |
| Half Bullnose | Rounded top and square bottom | $10–$15 |
| Mitered | Two pieces of the countertop are cut at 45-degree angles and joined together | $20–$25 |
| Ogee | 90-degree edge on the bottom with S-shaped cut at the top | $20–$25 |
Depending on where you live, the cost of countertops could be higher or lower than average. For example, if you’re in an urban area, your countertop project will likely cost more than if you live in a rural area due to an increased cost of goods and services.
Since installing countertops is labor-intensive and requires expertise, you can expect working with a general contractor to account for 10% to 20% of your project cost. This estimate can vary depending on your countertop materials and custom requirements, like adding edges and cutouts. A contractor typically charges $300 to $500 per day for their services, plus $150 to $250 per day for additional crew members.
Your countertop installation costs differ according to the method. The most common method is the slab installation.
Slab installation costs about $40 to $200 per square foot, depending on the material. Workers either cut slabs to size on-site or bring pre-cut slabs. They prep the slabs, place them on cabinetry, level, and secure them.
You can choose between the precast or cast-in-place methods for concrete countertops. The precast method requires workers to make a mold and pour your concrete countertop. Once the counter is ready, they’ll move it to your kitchen and install it. This typically costs $60 to $150 per square foot.
The cast-in-place method for concrete counters costs around $50 to $125 per square foot. Instead of building a mold, installers will make a frame on your cabinetry. They’ll pour the concrete into the frame, making it a seam-free counter.
During a tile countertop installation, workers will prep the surface and apply thin-set mortar. They’ll lay the tiles and cut them to size as necessary. Certain materials require sealant before the grout installation. This option averages $18 to $100 per square foot. The most affordable tile is ceramic, while the higher-cost ones are natural stone and glass.
| Installation Method | Cost Range (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Slab | $40–$200 |
| Precast | $60–$150 |
| Cast-in-place | $50–$125 |
| Tile | $18–$100 |
Several factors affect the overall cost of countertop installation, so keep them in mind while putting together your budget.
| Factor | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Removal | $50–$300 |
| Cutouts | $100 each |
| Refinishing | $300–$500 |
| Plumbing | $45–$200 per hour |
| Electrical | $50–$100 per hour |
| Garbage disposal | $150–$950 |
The typical flat-rate cost to remove a kitchen countertop is $50 to $300, depending on the counter’s size and any complex factors, like plumbing workarounds. This cost may not include the disposal fee, which is usually around $20 to $25.
Expect to pay around $100 per cutout or more for complex shapes.
Sink
Cooktop
Electrical
Faucet
If you decide to restore or refinish a countertop, it’ll cost between $300 and $500, with an average of $400. In this process, you’d clean the countertop before sanding it, then add a base coat and apply a sealer.
If you decide you want patterns or other custom design work on your new countertop, that’ll cost extra. The exact price depends on what intricacy of the pattern you want. A countertop installation professional can give you an accurate estimate before making your creative vision come to life.
Hiring a plumber costs around $45 to $200 per hour. Depending on the scope of your project, you might need to disconnect and later reconnect the plumbing fixtures, such as the sink and possibly the dishwasher, to accommodate the new countertop.
Your countertop installation may require electrical work, especially if it’s a brand-new installation or if you’re planning on adding modern amenities like a pop-up outlet. An electrician usually charges $50 to $100 per hour.
Whether you’re installing a brand-new countertop or updating an old one, choosing a matching backsplash is an important part of creating a cohesive kitchen. Installing backsplash costs $600 to $1,300, depending on materials and size.
An end splash serves as an extension of the countertop, positioned along its lateral edges. End splashes are used to conceal any unevenness or gaps that may exist between the countertop and the adjacent walls.
A garbage disposal costs between $150 to $950. This unit connects to your drainpipe and the hose from your dishwasher, facilitating convenient waste disposal. If there is no electrical outlet and switch available for your garbage disposal, you'll need to enlist the services of an electrician.
Knowing how to install countertops requires significant knowledge and skill, so we don’t recommend DIYing it unless you have experience with similar types of projects. 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.
DIYing the job 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 an unadvisable—and sometimes impossible—job for one person.
In most cases, you should hire a countertop contractor near you to get the job done. The labor costs will be worthwhile, especially since making a mistake with countertop installation is potentially very costly. If you damage the countertop, you would need to order the materials twice, plus pay for the cost of repairs. Get at least three estimates from different pros so you can compare their costs and services.
Countertops can be a big investment, so you may be wondering how you can save money on this project. Check out these budgeting tips for best results.
Shop around: The easiest way to potentially save money is to shop around and get several estimates. Be thoughtful about who you decide to hire, and don’t make your decision solely based on pricing. When choosing who to hire to replace countertops, consider resources like other homeowners’ testimonials and the company’s credentials.
Consider many material grades: You can save money by taking a look at the different grades of materials available. For example, if you want granite countertops, you can choose a lower grade that may be more affordable.
Choose budget-friendly materials: If you decide that your project is way past your budget during the planning phase, you might opt for a more budget-friendly material like laminate.
Remove old countertops yourself: If you’re willing to do some work yourself, you might want to do the demo and get rid of the old countertop before the installers arrive to shave some money from the installation cost.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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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.
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.
Most new countertops will increase your home’s value, with durable materials like natural stone giving you the biggest return on investment. Countertops can be expensive, so you might not get back more than what you invested, but choosing high-quality, durable materials will give you an advantage.
