Question 1

How much does it cost to install a marble backsplash?

Accepted Answer

Installing a marble backsplash costs about $2,200 on average, ranging from $600 to $6,000, depending on the variety of marble and the labor costs to prep and install. Common types of marble used for backsplashes include:

Makrana: $12 per square foot
Pink: $25 per square foot
Carrara: $40 per square foot
Statuatrio: $50 per square foot
Cultured: $65 per square foot
Travertine: $75 per square foot
Danby: $80 per square foot
Calacatta: $180 per square foot

Question 2

How much do marble countertops cost?

Accepted Answer

Marble countertops cost $3,000 on average, ranging from about $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the type of marble, square footage, location, and whether you use tiles or slabs. Another major cost factor to consider is the grading of the marble, which determines its quality level.

Use this grading system when selecting marble for countertops:

Grade A: Nearly perfect with subtle veining
Grade B: Minor flaws such as pits, fissures, or blotches
Grade C: Minor and major flaws like chipping and cracks requiring repair
Grade D: Significant damage needing repair, with dark veining and pronounced colors

Question 3

Is marble or granite better?

Accepted Answer

Granite and marble compare well against each other in terms of price, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Deciding which one is better depends on your personal style and preference. Both materials resist damage like chips and cracks well. You should seal both material types against staining and etching, but they’re still susceptible if oil, wine, coffee, tomato sauce, or juice are left on the countertop long enough. As material and installation costs range similarly, the deciding factor is your budget, design, and preferences.

Question 4

How much do granite kitchen countertops cost?

Accepted Answer

Installing granite kitchen countertops costs about $3,250, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the quantity and quality of the granite, use of granite tile or granite slabs, the type of granite, and its color and texture. Varieties of granite include:

Alaska white: $35 per square foot
Ubatuba: $30–$60 per square foot
Silver cloud: $35–$40 per square foot
Absolute black: $45–$60 per square foot
Black galaxy: $50–$70 per square foot
Blue Louise: $70–$100 per square foot
Crema Bordeaux: $80 per square foot
Solarius: $60 per square foot

Question 5

Is marble or granite more expensive?

Accepted Answer

Overall, granite tends to cost more than marble. Prices for each material will fluctuate depending on the source of the stone, your location, shipping costs, and the thickness of the material. Labor to install marble or granite countertops typically ranges from $35 to $45 per hour. Granite and marble tile and slab costs compare as follows:

Marble tile: $7–$10
Granite tile: $5–$15
Marble slab: $25–$60
Granite slab: $50–$100