You have a few options, but a countertop contractor is ideal
While carpenters can install butcher block countertops, the best option is a countertop contractor. These experts have the experience necessary to install any type of countertop, including those made of wood. The installation process is reasonably simple and includes cutting, sanding, finishing, and securing the butcher block to your cabinets, so if you have sufficient woodworking experience, you could even DIY this job.
While some countertop contractors specialize in stone or tile work, most will have the experience and tools to install butcher block as well. Their knowledge of countertop installation ensures they do it right the first time, taking proper measurements to avoid waste and guaranteeing tight fits against the walls and straight lines along the edges.
Before hiring a local countertop contractor, ensure they are familiar with working with wood, and inquire whether they provide sealing services for butcher block countertops ahead of your installation date.
Yes, whereas most countertop materials are too difficult and heavy for a DIYer to install on their own, butcher block countertops are something many homeowners can install themselves if they have enough woodworking experience. However, if you do not already own the tools to complete this project, you may not save much money compared to hiring an expert—especially considering the time commitment.
Installing butcherblock countertops isn’t a beginner-level woodworking project. Hire a professional if you aren’t familiar with precise cuts and measurements, joining pieces together, and finishing wood surfaces.
Absolutely. Unlike rough carpenters, who construct frames and supports for other projects, these carpenters add the finishing touches to a home, like crown molding, decorative railings, and wood countertops. Finish carpenters have plenty of experience under their tool belts—completing a three- or four-year apprenticeship and holding an associate’s degree—so you can trust they know what to do with wood projects like installing a beautiful butcher block countertop in your kitchen.
Yes, a general contractor can install butcher block countertops, and if they can’t do the job themselves, they will know a professional who can. However, a general contractor focuses on larger jobs than just countertop installation, so they’re the ideal hire if you’re working on a larger project, like an entire kitchen remodel.
Here are the basic steps a pro will take to install your countertop:
Remove existing sink and countertop, if necessary
Measure countertop area and create a template to determine the proper size, layout, and placement of cutouts for the sink, etc.
Cut and join the slabs together
Sand and seal the surface to protect it from stains and water damage
Install the prepared countertop, which may require shimming the wood to ensure the surface is even and installing brackets to provide additional support
Secure it by screwing through the braces along the front and back of the cabinets
Lastly, they will reinstall the sink and caulk along the edges to seal the gaps around them. These are all skills that a countertop contractor is well versed in, so they should be able to install the butcher block with minimal hassle and little material waste.
On average, butcher block countertops cost between $50 and $150 per square foot, though custom jobs with high-quality wood can cost as much as $200 to $400 per square foot. The average cost for installing butcher block countertops is around $3,750, including materials and labor, but prices will increase significantly with larger kitchens and more expensive types of wood.
Labor plays a significant role in the installation of butcher block countertops. Depending on who you hire, your location, the customization level of the project, and whether the wood is already finished, you may pay a professional between $10 and $150 per square foot to install a butcher block countertop. On average, expect the per-hour price to run between $60 and $100.
