True Cost Guide Cabinets & Countertops Install Granite Countertops

How Much Do Granite Countertops Cost?

Q: How much does Granite Transformations cost per square foot?

Granite Transformations charges about $40 to $80 per square foot plus labor, with their countertops coming with a lifetime limited warranty.. Their labor rate pushes the cost up to $100 to $130 for each square foot, depending on the project details. The company only installs veneer pieces that go right over the existing countertops. This saves money on demo and disposal and takes much less time to complete. They don’t sell the modular pieces separately for DIY projects, and they don’t allow you to measure your own countertops.

Typical Range:

$2,250 - $4,500

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated September 30, 2022

Reviewed by Cati O'Keefe, Expert Home Building & Sustainability Contributor.

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Installing granite countertops costs $3,250 on average, or between $2,250 and $4,500. Size and quality are the biggest price factors, with most options falling between $40 and $100 per square foot. Labor adds another $35 to $85 per hour to the final cost.

Opting for granite tile instead of a solid slab is an affordable alternative, with typical costs between $5 and $15 per square foot. Tiles can often be installed over your existing countertop, removing the need for demolition and disposal and further reducing your total project cost.

Granite Countertop Cost Factors

Average cost for granite countertops range from $2,250 to $4,500

A few main factors impact the total you can expect to pay for granite countertops in your kitchen or bathroom.

Size

The larger the space you want to cover with granite countertops, the more the project will cost.

This is whether you plan to remodel a kitchen or renovate a bathroom. For example, a granite countertop for a 40-by-40-inch small kitchen island costs about $650 to $1,200. You’ll pay more for granite countertops for a 36-by-78-inch kitchen island countertop (average-size), at about $1,200 to $2,100. If you have a small kitchen or bathroom counter, your overall project will cost less.

Color

When it comes to choosing granite slabs for your counters, color is a major factor in the overall price of your project. Basic slabs cost around $40 to $60 per square foot and come in readily available colors, like white, gray, and green. More uncommon countertop colors, like red and blue, can range from $75 to $100.

Patterns in granite slabs like streaks and swirls will also increase the price, with subtle patterns costing less and unique and complex patterns costing more.

Granite Countertop Color	Average Cost Range per Sq. Ft
White	$40 – $60
Green	$40 – $60
Gray	$40 – $60
Black	$40 – $75
Gold	$40 – $75
Red	$65 – $80
Blue	$70 – $100

Texture

Across all available textures, granite countertops range from $2,000 to $4,500 installed. Also known as finishes, texture options for granite vary greatly. The most budget-friendly option is a polished texture, which is easy to care for and requires less maintenance than other textures.

Honed countertops are a bit more expensive due to their matte finish and demanding installation procedures. Leathered counters sit at the top of the price range due to their unique texture and low availability. Both of these options need a lot more maintenance than polished slabs to stay in great condition.

Granite Countertop Texture	Price	Description
Leathered	Expensive	Natural texture with vivid colors; stain-resistant but scratches easily
Honed	Moderate	Matte finish; needs to be sealed regularly; porous surface stains easily
Polished	Standard	Reflective, glossy finish; low maintenance; widely available

Compare Quotes for Your Granite Countertop

Labor

The labor rate for natural stone countertop installation is around $35 to $85 per hour. For an average-sized kitchen counter, you’ll pay about $600 to $1,500 for labor alone. To put a large vanity top in the bathroom, countertop installers in your area charge around $250 to $500.

Kitchen counter installs can take up to 20 hours, while bathroom vanities require fewer than 10 hours. Across all projects, this per hour rate includes delivery, fabrication, and disposal fees.

Slab vs. Tile vs. Modular

The cost of granite slabs runs from $40 to $60 per square foot, while granite tile costs $5 to $15 per square foot. Modular pieces run closer to $25 to $40. Both tile and modular pieces are relatively more affordable than slabs, though they don't have the same seamless appearance. These materials are easily installed over existing countertops, however. Without the need for demolition, labor hours and disposal fees decrease.

Removal and Disposal

The cost of removing and disposing of a countertop averages between $100 and $200, depending on the size. The cost includes a flat disposal fee, which contractors normally charge to discard materials leftover from countertop demolition. When taking out a countertop, contractors either break the granite into pieces before removal or remove them in one piece (if you plan to repurpose the material).

Cutouts

The average cost of a sink cutout for a granite countertop is about $100. This doesn’t include the sink installation and cost, which can cost up to $400.

Meanwhile, cutouts for cooktops mounted under kitchen countertops cost an average of $200. The price is in addition to the cost and installation for the cooktop, which averages to $650. If you’re considering other cutouts for hardware and plumbing, it may significantly increase the total cost of your granite countertops.

Treatments

Granite countertops are porous and can be prone to staining, but there are treatments to prevent that from happening. The national cost range to seal granite ranges from about $93 to $200 for 120 square feet, with the total cost averaging to $140. Granite countertop installation usually comes with sealing without an extra charge, though certain kinds of granite require sealing every year for maintenance.

Enhancements and Reinforcement

A granite backsplash is optional when installing countertops and gives your walls extra protection against grease. A 4-inch backsplash costs an average of $10 to $15 per linear foot.

Countertops typically come with many options for edge treatments. The majority of countertops are finished with an eased or square edge at no cost, while other decorative edges cost more. For example, an ogee edge costs an average of $20 to $25 per linear foot, while a double bevel has an average range of $36 to $40. Factors that influence the cost of edge treatments include the coat of the stone, which edge you choose, and your location.

The thicker your granite countertop is, the more you’ll need to pay to reinforce your cabinets. If your cabinets won’t support the weight of your new granite countertop, you need to add reinforcing beams for extra support. Cabinets also need steel braces for reinforcement for countertops with an overhang longer than 3.8 centimeters. Reinforcing cabinets is a custom job, so you can get an accurate cost estimate by contacting a local professional.

Compare Quotes From Stone Countertop Installers

Granite Countertop Cost Estimates by Use

Whether you’re installing in the bathroom or kitchen, there’s no difference in price. The cost of installing a granite countertop in the bathroom or kitchen ranges from $300 to over $3,400. Basic materials cost anywhere between $150 and $1,800. Labor adds around $100 to $1,600 more.

The total can increase from there, depending on the number of countertops installed, selected materials, and the scope of the project.

Benefits of Granite Countertops

If you’re considering this natural stone for your project, here are the benefits of having granite counters:

Heat resistant
Comes in various hues
Lasts a lifetime if cared for properly
Repairs are possible with polishing or epoxy kits
Easy to clean with mild detergent and hot water
Durable and will resist chipping and cracking from kitchen utensils
Doesn't absorb moisture if sealed properly
Most natural-looking stone option for counters
Each slab of granite is unique

In comparison to quartz, granite is the most budget-friendly option. The same is true when comparing marble to granite. However, quartz is the easiest to maintain and the most durable.

Granite Countertops vs. Other Stone Options

Of all the stone options for solid surface countertop prices, granite offers the best mix of looks, value, and durability. Other popular options on the market today include the cost of quartz countertops, the cost of travertine countertops, and the cost of soapstone countertops.

To decide among all the varieties, reflect on which ones will elevate the appearance of the space best. Then, consider which ones best fit your installation and maintenance budget.

If you're unsure if a particular type of natural stone is the right choice for your home, contact a countertop contractor to weigh your options. They will go over the pros and cons of each option, helping you see how each would work in your household.

DIY vs. Hire a Granite Countertop Pro

Installing natural stone countertops is rarely a DIY project, especially when working with stone slabs. These slabs can weigh several hundred pounds each, making them extremely difficult to maneuver on your own. In addition, they’re easily damaged while cutting out the sink, completing the edging, and polishing the surface. If you’re using veneer or tile, however, then DIY is much more viable.

Overall, it’s often best to hire a countertop expert to handle this project for you. They will use their skills and expertise to prepare the material, fit it on the cabinetry, and complete all the finishing touches. They also have the specialty tools required for all those steps and helpers available to assist in moving the heavy slabs.

When your countertops need resealing, you can also hire an expert to complete the necessary steps. Just reach out to a granite restoration expert near you to discuss their services.

Hire a Granite Countertop Installer in Your Area

Frequently Asked Questions

Is granite or quartz more expensive?

Quartz countertops cost more than granite, with most pieces running about $50 to $200 per square foot. Rare colors of granite, which range from $70 to $100 for each square foot, are an exception. For a basic granite countertop install, expect to pay around $2,000 to $4,500, while quartz costs approximately $2,500 to $5,000.

How can you tell the quality of granite?

Granite comes in a wide range of grades that indicate its quality. At the lowest grade, the slab is only 3/8 inches thick, has a plain pattern, and comes in basic colors, like white, green, and gray. Mid-grade stone is a bit thicker at 3/4 inches, and boasts brighter colors and interesting patterns. The highest grades are much thicker and have vivid tones and complex patterns. Rare colors are most common at the higher grades, though it’ is possible to find veneer and tile in those tones.

How much does Granite Transformations cost per square foot?

Granite Transformations charges about $40 to $80 per square foot plus labor, with their countertops coming with a lifetime limited warranty.. Their labor rate pushes the cost up to $100 to $130 for each square foot, depending on the project details.

The company only installs veneer pieces that go right over the existing countertops. This saves money on demo and disposal and takes much less time to complete. They don’t sell the modular pieces separately for DIY projects, and they don’t allow you to measure your own countertops.

Why is granite so expensive?

Granite is so expensive because it’s a natural stone that comes from deep in the earth. Before it becomes your countertop, this material is dug out of a quarry, cut into thick slabs, and transported across long distances. All this takes a lot of time, money, and labor, driving up the price considerably.

Since the slabs are so big and heavy, they’re challenging to store as well. Retailers must keep them in secure areas, manned by skilled individuals who can use powerful equipment to move them around.

Do you need a plywood underlayment for granite countertops?

You’ll need a plywood underlayment to protect your granite countertop if your granite slab is less than 3/4 inches thick. The underlayment has several benefits, including providing extra support for the countertop material, absorbing pressure, and helping to prevent the granite from cracking. If your granite countertop is at least 1 1/4 inches thick, you can forgo the plywood in most cases.