How Much Do New Countertops Cost?

New countertops are one of the few home upgrades that change how a kitchen looks, feels, and works in a single day of installation. They are also one of the easiest projects to over-pay for, because the sticker price you see on a slab is almost never the price you actually pay once fabrication, edge profile, cutouts, removal, and sink reconnect are added to the quote. The gap between the marketing number and the installed number can be 40 percent or more, and most homeowners do not find out until the contract lands in their inbox.

How much do new countertops cost? Installed countertops typically run between 40 and 200 dollars per square foot all-in, which puts a standard 30 square foot kitchen somewhere between 1,200 dollars for budget laminate and 6,000 to 9,000 dollars for premium quartz or natural stone, with most mid-range projects landing in the 2,500 to 5,500 dollar range once removal, fabrication, edge work, and reconnect lines are honored on the quote.

This guide breaks down what you actually pay for, line by line, across every common countertop material, so you can read a quote like a fabricator and know exactly which numbers are fair and which are padded. When you are ready to hand the project to a craftsman who handles the demo, the set, and the sink reconnect under one roof, the countertop installation and repair service at your local Ace Handyman Services office is built for exactly that scope.

Pricing varies by location. Ace Handyman Services works on a time and materials basis, and each location is independently owned and operated and sets its own rates. The figures below are general guidance for planning only.

Quick Overview - Countertop Cost at a Glance

Before you start collecting quotes, anchor yourself to the real installed-cost ranges. The numbers below assume a standard kitchen with one sink cutout, one cooktop cutout, a square edge profile, and removal of the existing tops. Bath vanities run lower in total because the square footage is small, but the per-square-foot rate is usually higher due to fixed setup costs.

Installed cost per square foot by material:

• Laminate: 40 to 70 dollars per square foot installed
• Butcher block: 60 to 110 dollars per square foot installed
• Tile: 50 to 90 dollars per square foot installed
• Solid surface (such as Corian): 75 to 130 dollars per square foot installed
• Granite: 70 to 175 dollars per square foot installed
• Quartz: 80 to 180 dollars per square foot installed
• Marble: 100 to 250 dollars per square foot installed
• Quartzite: 120 to 220 dollars per square foot installed

Average total project cost for a standard 30 square foot kitchen tracks like this: laminate lands around 1,200 to 2,100 dollars, mid-grade granite or quartz lands around 2,500 to 5,500 dollars, and premium quartz, marble, or quartzite often crosses 6,000 dollars before any adjacent scope (backsplash, sink upgrade, faucet swap) is added. A small bathroom vanity, often 8 to 12 square feet, frequently lands between 600 dollars for laminate and 2,400 dollars for stone, but per-square-foot pricing rises because the fabricator still has to template, fabricate, and deliver for a small footprint.

Assessing Your Space Before You Quote

The quotes you receive are only as accurate as the measurements they are built on. A fabricator will template the space themselves before cutting stone, but you should still arrive at the quote conversation with your own numbers so you can sanity-check the bid.

Measuring linear and square footage

Run a tape along the front edge of every cabinet run and add the lengths together for linear footage. Multiply linear feet by the standard counter depth (25.5 inches, or 2.125 feet, to allow for the typical 1.5 inch overhang past 24 inch cabinets) to estimate square footage. Add an island as its own rectangle and any peninsulas as their own runs. Most quoting platforms round up to the next half square foot, and slabs are sold in full slab increments, so your usable yield can swing a quote by hundreds of dollars depending on grain match and seam strategy.

Cabinet condition and support

Run your hand along the top of the existing cabinets. They should feel level, square, and solid. Any rocking, separation between cabinet boxes, or soft spots near the sink supply lines should be addressed before new tops drop on. Stone tops in particular punish weak cabinetry, because a single 30 square foot slab of quartz can weigh 600 to 900 pounds. Reinforcing the cabinet run with plywood or steel braces before the set adds 150 to 500 dollars to the project but prevents a sag or crack later.

Sink, cooktop, and faucet locations

Note whether your current sink is drop-in or undermount, and whether the cooktop is a slide-in range, drop-in cooktop, or separate unit. Each cutout has a cost, and undermount sink work runs higher than drop-in because it requires precision routing and a polished interior edge. If you plan to upgrade fixtures during the swap, mark the new model numbers now so the fabricator templates to the correct rough-in dimensions on day one.

Materials and What You Pay For

Material choice drives more than half of the final cost on most projects. The cheapest countertop material on the market is laminate, with installed cost as low as 40 dollars per square foot for basic colorways and standard edges, while the most expensive mainstream choices are marble and exotic quartzite at 200 to 250 dollars per square foot installed. Every material below has a real-world cost story that includes more than the slab itself.

Laminate

Modern laminate is the only material that consistently lands under 70 dollars per square foot installed. Sheets cost roughly 8 to 30 dollars per square foot, fabrication is light because the substrate is particleboard or MDF, and there is no seaming a slab. Are laminate countertops worth it in 2026? For rental properties, basement kitchens, laundry rooms, and budget-driven primary kitchens, yes. Modern HD prints mimic stone convincingly from a normal viewing distance, and a new top adds visible refresh without committing to stone-grade cabinetry reinforcement.

Butcher block

Butcher block lands between 60 and 110 dollars per square foot installed for hardwood species like maple, walnut, and acacia. The material itself runs 20 to 70 dollars per square foot, with the remainder going to fabrication, oil or finish, and seam joinery. It is the most maintenance-heavy option on this list, requiring re-oiling every 1 to 3 months in the first year, but it is also the only material that can be sanded back to new condition decades later.

Solid surface

Solid surface, often referred to by the brand name Corian, lands between 75 and 130 dollars per square foot installed. It is a man-made acrylic and polyester blend that can be shaped, seamed invisibly, and integrated with a coved backsplash or molded sink. It scratches and scorches more easily than stone, but minor damage can be buffed out, which is why it remains popular in healthcare and hospitality where surface continuity matters.

Granite

Granite lands between 70 and 175 dollars per square foot installed. The wide spread comes from slab grade: builder-grade or "level 1" granite runs at the bottom of the range, while exotic or "level 5" and above slabs with rare veining or color depth can push past 175 dollars per square foot before any edge upgrade. Granite is sealed at install and resealed every 1 to 3 years thereafter.

Quartz

How much do quartz vs granite countertops cost? Quartz typically lands 10 to 20 percent higher than comparable granite at install, with installed cost running 80 to 180 dollars per square foot versus 70 to 175 dollars for granite. Quartz wins on consistency (it is engineered, so the slab matches the showroom sample), maintenance (no sealing required), and stain resistance, while granite wins on heat tolerance and one-of-a-kind veining for homeowners who want each slab to feel unique.

Marble and quartzite

Marble lands between 100 and 250 dollars per square foot installed, with classic Carrara at the lower end and statement slabs like Calacatta Gold at the top. Quartzite, which is a natural metamorphic stone often mistaken for marble at a glance, runs 120 to 220 dollars per square foot installed and offers harder, more stain-resistant performance than true marble. Both require professional sealing, careful slab selection at the yard, and seam planning around vein flow.

When you are weighing material against installed cost and want a single source that can handle the demo, the set, and the reconnect, the team that supports a full kitchen countertop remodel coordinates everything under one craftsman so you are not playing project manager between three subs.

Step-by-Step of a Professional Replacement

A countertop replacement is one of the few remodels that can start and finish inside a week. Most homeowners are surprised at how much of that timeline is template-to-fabrication lag, not on-site work.

Template and measurement

Template happens once cabinets are clear and the sink and cooktop are visible (the existing tops can stay in place for laser templating). A digital templater scans the cabinet perimeter, marks cutouts, and notes wall plumb, level, and overhang preference. Template usually takes 60 to 90 minutes for a kitchen.

Old top removal and disposal

This is the line item most homeowners forget. Removing existing tops, hauling them out of the home, and disposing of them adds 200 to 600 dollars on a standard kitchen, more if the existing tops are tile-on-substrate or bonded to the cabinets with construction adhesive that has to be scraped clean before the new set can drop. Demand this as a separate line on the quote so you can see the number.

Cabinet prep and reinforcement

Once the old tops are out, the cabinet run gets shimmed level if needed, and reinforcement plywood is added across the run if the new material is heavy. Stone going onto cabinet boxes that previously held laminate often needs this step, and it adds 150 to 500 dollars depending on linear footage.

New top set and seam

The new tops arrive prefabricated to the template. The installation crew dry-fits each piece, marks any field adjustments, lifts the slabs into final position, and bonds seams with color-matched epoxy. Seams should fall in low-visibility runs (not centered on the sink) and should be tight enough that you cannot catch a fingernail. Set typically takes 3 to 5 hours for a standard kitchen.

Sink, faucet, and supply line reconnect

The sink drops in (drop-in) or gets clamped from below (undermount), the faucet is reseated through the new deck holes, and supply and drain lines reconnect. Reconnect adds 150 to 400 dollars on most projects and should appear as its own line. Do not let a fabricator quote the set without specifying whether they handle reconnect or whether you need a separate trade.

Cost Drivers That Move Your Quote

Two homeowners with the same square footage in the same city can receive quotes that differ by 2,000 dollars or more. The spread comes from six specific drivers, each of which should appear on the written quote.

Material and slab grade

Within every material category, slabs are tiered by rarity, vein quality, and origin. A level 1 granite costs less than half what a level 5 granite costs, and the visual difference is real. Visit the slab yard, pick your specific slab, and tag it with your name before signing the contract.

Square footage and seams

Larger jobs benefit from per-square-foot discounting up to about 60 square feet, then plateau. Slabs typically max out at 65 to 75 square feet of usable surface, so any kitchen run longer than that requires a seam. Seams are not flaws when placed well, but they should be discussed at template, not surprise you at set.

Edge profile

What edge profile is included in base pricing? A square or eased edge is almost always included in the per-square-foot quote. Bullnose, ogee, dupont, and waterfall edges add anywhere from 8 dollars per linear foot for a half-bullnose to 100 dollars or more per linear foot for a mitered waterfall edge that wraps the side of an island. Walk the showroom edge samples before committing.

Cutouts and undermount sinks

Standard cutouts (drop-in sink, cooktop) usually run 100 to 200 dollars each. Undermount sink cutouts run 200 to 400 dollars because the underside of the cutout has to be polished and reinforced. Add 50 to 150 dollars per faucet or soap-dispenser hole.

Removal and disposal

As above, this is a separate line that ranges from 200 to 600 dollars and grows quickly if the tile or stone is bonded to the cabinets.

Supply line and disposal reconnect

Sink supply lines, drain, disposal hookup, and any cooktop hardwire reconnect should each appear as a line. Bundled, this work usually runs 150 to 400 dollars for a single sink kitchen.

Prefab vs Slab - Where the Savings Really Live

Prefab countertops are pre-cut, pre-polished pieces in standard lengths and depths, typically with a finished edge on one or two sides. They are the budget-conscious answer for kitchens that fit standard cabinet runs and do not need exotic veining.

Prefab scenarios

Prefab pays off when your kitchen has a simple galley or L-shape layout, your cabinet depth matches the standard prefab depth (typically 25.5 inches), and you do not require a continuous slab match across an island or a peninsula. Installed prefab granite or quartz can come in 30 to 40 percent below custom slab work for the same material, often landing at 50 to 90 dollars per square foot installed instead of 80 to 140 dollars.

When slab is worth it

Custom slab is worth the upcharge when you have an island wider than 60 inches (where prefab seams become visible), when you want a specific vein flow that runs across multiple pieces, when you need a non-standard depth (kitchens with deeper cabinets or banquette overhang), or when you have selected an exotic stone that is not available in prefab inventory. The extra 2,000 to 4,000 dollars on a typical kitchen buys grain control and zero compromise on layout.

Special Considerations

A countertop replacement that looks simple on paper can hide several gotchas that move the final number. Catching these at quote time, not at install, keeps the project on budget.

Kitchen vs bathroom vanity cost difference

A bath vanity top covers 8 to 12 square feet on average. The per-square-foot rate runs 20 to 40 percent higher than the same material in a kitchen because the fabricator still has to template, deliver, and install for a small footprint. Bundling multiple bath vanities with a kitchen project usually trims this premium because the trip is amortized across square footage.

Heavy material cabinet reinforcement

Going from laminate or solid surface to a stone slab can add 600 to 900 pounds to the cabinet run. If the existing cabinets are particleboard frameless boxes or older sit-built units, plan on 150 to 500 dollars of reinforcement, and have a craftsman verify the cabinets can carry the load before stone is fabricated.

Backsplash and tear-out timing

If your existing tops have a 4 inch backsplash or a tile field, that wall surface usually has to come off during the swap. Drywall repair behind the old backsplash adds 100 to 400 dollars, and any new backsplash work (tile, slab, or paint) is its own scope. Sequence backsplash demo with the countertop removal so the wall is open and ready when the new tops set.

Lead times on stone selection

From slab tag to install, expect 2 to 4 weeks. Template happens early in that window, fabrication runs 7 to 14 days, and install is the final day. Custom edges, exotic stones, or imported quartz can stretch lead times to 5 to 6 weeks. Build that into your kitchen-down timeline, especially if the kitchen is the only one in the home.

For a project that includes removal, reinforcement, set, and reconnect under a single craftsman who shows up on the scheduled date, the countertop installation and repair scope at Ace Handyman Services covers the whole sequence without you coordinating three subs.

Maintenance and Long-Term Value

New tops are a 15 to 25 year decision in most homes, so the maintenance plan and the resale math matter as much as the install number.

Sealing intervals by material

Quartz, laminate, and solid surface require no sealing. Granite is sealed at install and resealed every 1 to 3 years (a 15 to 30 dollar bottle of penetrating sealer and 20 minutes of work). Marble and quartzite are sealed more aggressively, usually every 6 to 12 months, and benefit from immediate spill cleanup. Butcher block is oiled every 1 to 3 months in year one, then every 6 to 12 months afterward.

Stain and scratch durability

Quartz tops the resistance chart for everyday spills (wine, coffee, oil). Granite is excellent on heat but moderate on staining for lighter colorways. Marble stains and etches readily under acidic spills (vinegar, citrus, wine), which is part of the patina that draws homeowners to it. Laminate scorches and chips at impact but resists most household stains. Butcher block scratches by design and is sanded back as part of maintenance.

Resale lift

Do new countertops add resale value? In most markets, swapping laminate or dated tile for granite or quartz returns 50 to 80 percent of the install cost at sale, with the lift larger in primary kitchens and minimal on secondary spaces. The lift is harder to measure on like-for-like upgrades (quartz to quartz) and largest when the existing tops were dated or damaged enough to deter buyers during showings.

Things to Consider Before You Buy

Before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, walk through this gut-check list. The right fabricator answers all of these in writing without hesitation.

• Has the fabricator templated your specific cabinets, or are they quoting from your verbal measurements?
• Is the per-square-foot price for the actual slab you selected, or for a generic grade of that material?
• Does the quote include removal and disposal of the existing tops, or is that a separate trade?
• What edge profile is included in the base price, and what does an upgrade to bullnose or ogee add?
• How many cutouts are included, and what is the per-cutout charge for adds (undermount sink, faucet holes, soap dispenser)?
• Does the install crew handle sink and supply line reconnect, or do you need to schedule that separately?
• How is the seam strategy decided, and where will the seams fall in your specific layout?
• What is the labor warranty on the install, and what does the slab warranty cover from the material side?
• How many days from template to install, and is the install date locked or weather-dependent?

Why Homeowners Bring in Ace Handyman Services

Most countertop projects fail at the seams between trades, not at the slab itself. The fabricator templates and sets the tops, the plumber wants a separate call for the reconnect, the electrician shows up on a different day for the cooktop, and the homeowner becomes the project manager between three companies who do not all communicate. Our craftsmen close that gap by handling the surrounding scope so the slab install lands clean.

• Peace of mind from a single craftsman who owns the project start to finish, no subcontractor handoffs
• One-year labor warranty on every workmanship line, in writing, applied to the entire scope
• No equipment to source - the craftsman arrives with the tools, fasteners, and consumables for the job
• Background-checked, W-2 craftsmen who carry our brand instead of independent subs working under their own warranty
• Predictable weekday timeline locked at booking, with arrival windows that respect your work schedule
• Right-sized scope for a countertop swap - removal, cabinet prep, sink and supply line reconnect, and cleanup roll into the same visit
• Cleanup and disposal included, so the old tops leave the property the same day they come out
• Direct line to a local office that knows the building stock, the suppliers, and the permit landscape in your specific city

When you are ready to move from gathering quotes to scheduling work, reach out to your local Ace Handyman Services office for a walkthrough that ties the countertop scope to the rest of your kitchen punch list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do new countertops cost installed for a typical 30 square foot kitchen?

A standard 30 square foot kitchen runs between 1,200 dollars for laminate and 6,000 to 9,000 dollars for premium quartz, marble, or quartzite, with most mid-range projects landing between 2,500 and 5,500 dollars once removal, cabinet prep, edge profile, cutouts, and sink reconnect are included on the written quote.

What is the cheapest countertop material?

Laminate is the cheapest mainstream countertop material, with installed cost running 40 to 70 dollars per square foot. Modern laminate uses high-definition prints that imitate stone convincingly at normal viewing distance and works well in rental properties, secondary kitchens, and budget-conscious primary kitchens where stone reinforcement is not a fit.

How long does it take to install new countertops?

From slab selection to install day, plan on 2 to 4 weeks total, with template happening in week one, fabrication taking 7 to 14 days, and install completing in a single day. The on-site install itself usually runs 3 to 6 hours for a standard kitchen, plus another hour or two for the sink and supply line reconnect.

Do I need to remove old countertops before measuring?

No. Professional fabricators template directly over the existing tops using a laser or digital templating system. The existing tops only come out on install day, immediately before the new tops set. This is why removal and disposal should appear as its own line on the quote and not be hidden inside the per-square-foot rate.

Can countertops be installed in one day?

Yes, the on-site install itself is a one-day project for most standard kitchens. The crew removes the old tops in the morning, sets the new pieces and bonds seams in the afternoon, and completes sink and supply line reconnect by end of day. The 2 to 4 week timeline is the lag between template and fabrication, not the install itself.

Do new countertops add resale value?

In most markets, replacing dated laminate or worn tile with granite or quartz returns 50 to 80 percent of the install cost at sale, with the biggest lift in primary kitchens that buyers will see during showings. The return is smaller on like-for-like upgrades and larger when the existing tops were a visible deterrent during the listing.