How much does it cost to install countertops?
How much do countertops cost? Popular granite and quartz run about $40–$100 per square foot installed, with the full range stretching from ~$15/sq ft for laminate to $150+/sq ft for marble. For an average 40 sq ft kitchen (about 19 linear feet), most people spend $1,600–$4,000 — laminate can come in under $1,000, while high-end stone tops $6,000. Material is by far the biggest factor.
Countertop cost by material
The material you choose sets the price. These are typical installed costs (slab + fabrication + labor), with the total for an average 40 sq ft kitchen:
| Material | Installed / sq ft | 40 sq ft kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $15–$40 | $600–$1,600 |
| Tile | $25–$50 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Butcher block / wood | $30–$60 | $1,200–$2,400 |
| Solid surface (e.g. Corian) | $40–$90 | $1,600–$3,600 |
| Granite | $40–$100 | $1,600–$4,000 |
| Quartz (engineered) | $50–$120 | $2,000–$4,800 |
| Concrete | $65–$135 | $2,600–$5,400 |
| Marble | $60–$150 | $2,400–$6,000 |
Cost by kitchen size
Countertops are priced by the square foot, but fabricators often talk in linear feet (the running length of counter). At the standard 25-inch depth, one linear foot is about 2.08 sq ft. Here's a rough total at a popular mid-range price of $40–$100 per sq ft (granite/quartz territory):
| Kitchen | Countertop | Linear feet | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 25 sq ft | ~12 ft | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Average | 40 sq ft | ~19 ft | $1,600–$4,000 |
| Large | 55 sq ft | ~26 ft | $2,200–$5,500 |
| Large + island | 75 sq ft | ~36 ft | $3,000–$7,500 |
Measure your countertops first
The countertop calculator turns each run's length and depth into total square feet, linear feet, and an editable cost by material — the number you'll want before any quote.
Open the Countertop CalculatorWhere the money goes
A finished countertop quote is more than the slab. A typical job includes:
- The material. The biggest line item, and the one set by what you pick — laminate to marble.
- Fabrication. Cutting the slab to your template, plus polishing and the edge profile; for stone this is usually built into the installed price.
- Installation labor. Delivering and setting heavy slabs, leveling, and seaming.
- Cutouts. Sink, cooktop, and faucet openings — often $50–$200 each.
- Edge upgrades. A basic eased edge is standard; ogee, bullnose, or mitered edges add roughly $10–$20 per linear foot.
- Old-counter removal. Tear-out and disposal, often $50–$300 (or $2–$5 per sq ft) — sometimes separate.
- Backsplash. A matching stone or tile backsplash is its own area and its own cost.
What changes the price
- Material & grade. Stone is sold in tiers — an exotic granite or premium quartz color can cost double a builder-grade one.
- Edge profile. Fancier edges take more fabrication time and add to the per-foot price.
- Seams & corners. L-shapes, islands, and long runs that exceed a slab need seams, which add labor.
- Cutouts & thickness. More openings and a thicker 3 cm slab (vs. 2 cm) both raise the total.
- Removal & region. Hauling the old tops and local labor rates both move the number.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
How much you can save yourself depends entirely on the material. Laminate — especially pre-formed post-form tops — and butcher block are realistic DIY projects: you can cut and fit them with standard tools and skip the labor charge. Tile counters are also doable with patience. But granite, quartz, and marble are not practical DIY: the slabs are extremely heavy, require precise templating and wet-saw cutting, and most manufacturers' warranties require professional installation. For stone, the realistic saving isn't labor — it's choosing a more affordable color or a remnant for a small counter or island. See our methodology for how we build these ranges.