How Much Do Precast or Poured Concrete Countertops Cost?

Average Cost of Concrete Countertops

Estimating Concrete Countertop Costs

When estimating the cost of your concrete countertop installation, it’s important to know just how much the cost of labor will impact the final price. In fact, labor makes up roughly 90% of the total cost.

Material

The cost of concrete by itself is not high, costing from $5 to $15 per square foot. Materials for a poured concrete countertop cost anywhere from $5 to $10 per square foot. When you hire a concrete contractor, you can also ask them to precast the concrete off-site, which increases materials prices to roughly $10 to $15 per square foot.

For a 30-square-foot concrete countertop, expect material costs to range from $150 to $450.

Installation

The largest portion of any kitchen countertop cost comes from labor and installation. Concrete countertop prices are no different, with labor ranging from $55 to $135 per square foot. Billed hourly, that’s about $30 to $90 an hour, depending on the local labor rates of concrete countertop companies near you. 

For a 30-square-foot concrete countertop, expect labor costs to range from $1,650 to $4,050.

Finish

Concrete countertops are extremely versatile. From painting to staining to polishing the surface or changing your edge profile, there is nothing you can’t do. Adding extras such as a drainboard, integrated sink, or polished finish affects the final cost.

Here are some common finishes and their costs:

• Basic concrete countertops: The basic countertop typically costs $50 to $90 a square foot. This is a rough matte gray finish and isn’t colored, stained, or polished.

• Stained concrete countertops: Professionals typically charge $100 to $150 a square foot for stained concrete countertops, depending on the design. Staining a concrete countertop offers endless design choices, such as wood grain, marble, or any custom patterns to add texture and depth to the countertop. Wood countertops cost less, however, so if you want a wood-grain countertop, consider installing butcher block for a fraction of the cost.

• Colored concrete countertops: Colored concrete countertops cost an average of $60 to $100 per square foot, depending on your desired color. 

• Polished concrete countertops: Polishing concrete countertops costs between $100 and $150 a square foot. Polishing the concrete allows you to have a smooth and shiny countertop by sanding down the surface until it has a mirror finish. A local concrete professional will polish the countertop as part of the staining or dying process, and they typically use sealant and finishes to protect the surface.

Concrete Countertop Cost per Square Foot

Concrete countertop installation costs between $60 and $150 per square foot, or $100 per square foot on average. Concrete countertop prices range between $5 and $15 per square foot for the materials; for a more accurate concrete countertops cost estimate, you need to factor in professional labor, which ranges from $55 to $135 per square foot.

Note: The high cost of labor makes the average cost of concrete countertops higher than the typical price to install countertops ($15 to $70 per square foot).

The table below demonstrates common countertop sizes and the associated cost range:

Concrete Countertop Cost Factors

Additional concrete countertop cost factors can influence your total price. These include the placement of the countertop, any custom designs or finishes, the thickness, and whether it’s precast or poured.

Placement of the Countertop

Whether you’re putting a concrete countertop in your kitchen or building a bar in your backyard, where you want to install makes a difference in the final price.

• Kitchen: Countertop installation might come with other expenses, such as installing a concrete sink (which costs $1,000 to $2,000) or creating a custom backsplash (backsplash installation costs range widely, from $1 to $300 per square foot).

• Island or tabletop: Building a custom island or table to match the look of your counter creates a cohesive look. But concrete may require additional support, limiting the style, thickness, and design for the table base—and possibly increasing the overall price.

• Bathroom vanity: Installing concrete in the bathroom could mean working with a smaller area and a higher expense per square foot.

Custom Design

You can elevate the design of a concrete countertop with custom edges. Opting for unique edges for your countertop surprisingly doesn’t add much to the cost, since the countertop installer you hire will just use a different mold.

Common edge styles include:

• Square: Standard; no additional cost

• Eased: Usually adds $1–$5 per linear foot to overall cost

• Bevel: Usually adds $2–$6 per linear foot to overall cost

• Bullnose: Usually adds $2–$6 per linear foot to overall cost

Custom Finish

Adding colors or specific finishes to the concrete can increase the price over the standard $55 to $90 for a basic concrete countertop. Expect to pay between $60 to $100 per square foot when you add pigment to the concrete mixture for specialty-colored countertops. You’ll pay even more for polished or stained countertops, between $100 and $150.

Thickness

The standard concrete countertop is 1-1/2 inches thick. Thicker countertops generate higher expenses. Specialty solid-surface materials may also weigh more, requiring additional support for cabinetry.

Precast vs. Poured Concrete Countertop Costs

When installing a concrete countertop, the contractor can either pour the concrete on-site or prepare it at the warehouse to your specifications before arriving for the project. The method you choose will impact the final cost and the time to finish the project.

The cost of an on-site concrete countertop pouring is between $60 and $145 a square foot. Many professionals consider cast-in-place concrete the best way to ensure a perfect fit. In this process, the professional pours concrete into a mold on-site. 

A Quick Note: It takes four to 10 weeks for concrete to cure completely, depending on humidity and additives in the concrete. If you want to add custom details, such as custom color or edging, it's better to pour concrete on-site. But for most homeowners who live on-site, this method is not recommended because it means your countertop is off-limits during the curing time.

A precast concrete countertop ranges from $65 to $150 a square foot. Many contractors prefer to precast the cement to customer preference in a factory-controlled environment. They can give the countertop the proper time to cure, then deliver and install the countertop at your home.

DIY Concrete Countertop Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY concrete countertops cost significantly less than the cost of professional installation. In fact, labor makes up 90% of the average cost of concrete countertops. However, that’s for a good reason. Pouring concrete into a mold and letting it cure correctly requires skill, special equipment, and accuracy. If you want your countertops installed correctly, work with a professional countertop installer near you.

According to Ezra Laniado, Expert Review Board member and owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group Inc. in Los Angeles, installing concrete countertops requires “not only absolute precision, but also extensive experience in smoothing and finishing the concrete as it sets.” If you aren’t up for this challenge, stick with a professional.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Concrete Countertops Yourself?

How much is a concrete countertop? If you install it yourself, you might spend as little as $5 to $15 a square foot on the cost of concrete and related materials, plus the cost of equipment and other supplies.

Those extra tools and supplies include:

• Wood to make the mold

• Wire mesh

• Drywall screws

• Silicone caulk

• Sandpaper 

• Protective gloves

A DIY install requires precision and quick action if you make a mistake. If you don’t have the space, time, and know-how to correctly pour concrete, it’s better to leave this project to a professional.