Installed cost per square foot by material
Installed prices include the slab, fabrication and installation of a standard countertop. They usually do not include tear-out, plumbing or upgraded edges.
| Material | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | $50-$150/sq ft (premium to $200) | Most homeowners land in the middle of the range |
| Granite | $50-$150/sq ft (exotic to $250) | Priced by level; see below |
| Quartzite | $65-$200/sq ft | Hard to fabricate; slab choice drives price |
| Marble | $60-$200/sq ft | Carrara at the low end, rare marbles high |
| Soapstone | $55-$150/sq ft | Smaller slabs can add seams |
| Solid surface (Corian-type) | $40-$100/sq ft | Seamless look, repairable |
| Porcelain | $50-$120/sq ft | Thin slabs; specialized fabrication |
| Sintered stone (Dekton-type) | $80-$200/sq ft | UV-stable, suits outdoor use |
| Laminate | $15-$60/sq ft | Usually not a stone-fabricator job |
| Butcher block | $40-$100/sq ft | Usually not a stone-fabricator job |
| Concrete | $50-$150/sq ft | Specialty fabricators |
Granite price levels
| Level | Typical installed cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $50-$80/sq ft | Common, widely stocked colors |
| Level 2 | $80-$150/sq ft | More movement and less common colors |
| Level 3 and up (exotic) | $150-$250/sq ft | Rare patterns, heavy veining, imported specialty stone |
Levels are set by the distributor, not by a standard, so the same stone can sit at different levels in different yards. See granite countertops for what each level looks like.
Worked examples
These examples apply the national ranges above to common Sacramento layouts. They show how size and grade move the total; they are not quotes.
40 sq ft kitchen in quartz
A typical tract-home kitchen with an L of perimeter counters and a small island is often 30-50 sq ft. At $50-$150/sq ft, 40 sq ft of quartz is roughly $2,000-$6,000 for the surface. Add a removal charge, a cooktop cutout and a plumber, and a realistic all-in budget lands around $2,500-$7,500, in line with typical whole-kitchen totals for stone or quartz.
Same kitchen in Level 2 granite with a waterfall
40 sq ft at $80-$150/sq ft is $3,200-$6,000. One waterfall end on the island adds $500-$2,000. High-end kitchens with exotic stone, large islands or full-height backsplashes can pass $10,000.
Bathroom vanity top
A single vanity top typically runs $200-$1,000 installed, depending on size, material and how many sinks. Remnant pieces from a fabricator's yard can keep a small vanity at the low end. Double vanities and full slab tops cost more. See bathroom vanity tops.
Add-on costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Sink cutout | $0-$300; the first cutout is often included |
| Cooktop cutout | $100-$200 |
| Edge upgrade (bevel, bullnose, ogee, dupont) | $10-$40/linear ft; eased edge included |
| Old countertop removal | $50-$300+ |
| Backsplash | $500-$1,500; full-height slab higher |
| Plumbing reconnect | $45-$200/hr (plumber rate) |
| Waterfall end | $500-$2,000 per end |
Edge options are compared on countertop edge profiles, and slab backsplashes on stone backsplashes.
Read each quote for what is included. One fabricator may include the first sink cutout, eased edge and haul-away, while another lists them separately, so the lower per-square-foot number is not always the lower total.
What drives the price
- Slab count and yield. You pay for whole slabs, not just the square feet installed. A standard quartz slab is about 120 x 56 in and a jumbo about 130 x 65 in, so an island 1 inch too deep for a standard slab can force a jumbo or a second slab.
- Seams. More seams mean more labor and more places where pattern has to match. Jumbo slabs reduce seams on large islands.
- Edge profile. Eased is standard. Ogee, dupont and mitered edges add labor per linear foot.
- Island size and overhang. Deep seating overhangs beyond about 10 in on 3 cm stone need corbels or steel supports.
- Thickness. 3 cm (about 1-1/4 in) costs more than 2 cm (about 3/4 in) but usually needs no plywood subtop.
- Access. Second-floor installs, narrow side yards and long carries add crew time. A standard 3 cm quartz slab weighs roughly 640-675 lb before cutting.
- Material grade. Granite level, quartz collection and quartzite variety move price more than anything else.
Ways to keep the price down
- Choose Level 1 granite or an entry quartz collection. Material grade moves price more than anything else.
- Keep the layout inside one or two standard slabs. Ask the fabricator how many slabs your layout needs and whether a small change to the island depth saves one.
- Keep the eased edge that is usually included instead of ogee or dupont.
- Use 3 cm stone and skip the plywood subtop, or 2 cm with a laminated edge, depending on what the fabricator quotes lower for your material.
- Use a 4 in splash or tile backsplash instead of a full-height slab.
- Ask about remnants for vanities, laundry rooms and bar tops. Remnants are leftover pieces from larger jobs and can be much cheaper.
Replacing old counters vs. new construction
In a replacement, the price also covers tear-out (about $50-$300+), possible cabinet leveling, and plumbing reconnect. Tile counters with a mortar bed take more work to remove than laminate. If the old top had a drop-in sink and the new one will be undermount, budget for a new sink. In new cabinets, those costs disappear but cabinet installation must finish before templating. See countertop replacement and the fabrication process.
Check the license before you pay. Verify the contractor on the CSLB website. Jobs over $1,000, or any job needing a permit, require a licensed contractor in California.
How to compare quotes
- Give every fabricator the same drawing with measurements, sink model and cooktop specs.
- Confirm each quote names the exact material, color, thickness and edge.
- Check whether the quote is per slab or per square foot, and how many slabs it assumes.
- Look for tear-out, cutouts, backsplash, sealing and haul-away as separate lines.
- Ask where seams will go and whether you can approve the layout.
- Ask how the shop complies with Cal/OSHA §5204 wet-cutting rules.
- Verify the contractor's license on the CSLB website before signing.
California payment and cancellation rules
Under California law, the down payment on a home improvement contract may not exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. There is no exception for special-order slabs. The only exception is a contractor with a Blanket Performance and Payment Bond on file with the CSLB. If a quote asks for 50% down, ask why.
You have 3 business days to cancel most home improvement contracts, or 5 days if you are 65 or older. Contracts negotiated at the contractor's place of business are an exception. After a valid cancellation, the contractor has 10 days to refund your money.
Ready to price your layout? We connect you with licensed local fabricators who quote in writing. Start with the quartz and granite countertops in Sacramento overview or request matched quotes. If you are still choosing material, see quartz vs. granite.
Main guide: quartz and granite countertops in Sacramento.