How Much Do Porcelain Countertops Cost?

Estimating Porcelain Slab Installation Costs

Installing a porcelain slab costs an average of $50 to $70 per square foot, including the materials and labor. Regionally, you can expect variations in labor to affect the budget, but the price of the materials won’t fluctuate much from state to state. 

Materials

You’ll pay $20 to $65 per square foot for materials alone. Because porcelain slab is a newer product in U.S. markets, you won’t find many off-the-shelf varieties. More often, your contractor will order the large format slabs customized for your build. 

Labor Costs

Solid surface countertop installation costs $10 to $20 per square foot for labor alone. However, porcelain countertops are a thin, newer style that requires special care and precision in fabrication, transport, and installation. Some homeowners have reported quotes for labor costing up to double the price of materials. Labor prices vary by location and builder, so contact a local countertop installer for an accurate quote.

Permits

Kitchen remodel permits cost anywhere from $50 to $500, depending on your location. In many places, you won’t need to pull a permit for a kitchen unless you change the layout or a structural component, like adding or removing a wall. Your contractor typically pulls the permit for this type of work, if it’s necessary.

Additional or Unexpected Costs

Custom work, cutouts, and size dictate your total budget. A few things to consider include:

• Cutouts add $100–$200 per cutout. 

• Edges aren’t cut on-site, due to the porcelain fabrication process. You’ll usually order them with eased edges, so it’s included in the fabrication price. 

• Adding an island can double the counter space and increase the price.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Porcelain Kitchen Countertops per Square Foot?

As a newer application, you’ll pay $25 to $65 per square foot for materials and typically double that for labor. It’s much thinner than solid surface or stone slabs, so always find an experienced installer. “Porcelain fabrication also requires completely different tooling and expertise than traditional countertop fabrication of granite, marble, or quartz,” says Ezra Laniado, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor. “As such, not all stone fabricators are proficient in this new material and how to work with it.”

How Much Does It Cost to Install Porcelain Counters Yourself?

Installing DIY porcelain countertops costs $750 to $3,500. You’ll pay for both the materials and delivery. Fifty-five square feet of uncut porcelain countertop slab runs $1,200 to $2,000. 

Porcelain slabs are thin. Although it’s incredibly durable, during the install it’s most susceptible to breaking. If you happen to crack it, you’ll pay out of pocket to have it replaced. If a pro does it, replacement falls on them. 

Cost to Install It Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor

Hiring a contractor for your project can cost two to three times as much as a DIY project. This is likely due to the limited number of experienced professionals working with this type of material. As these slabs become more popular, expect porcelain slabs and labor prices to level out or even drop. 

Although it’s more affordable to do it yourself, it’s precision work and you carry all the financial risk if it breaks while installing. “Since porcelain is so thin, a novice is almost sure to break the slab upon fabrication,” says Laniado. “Experienced porcelain fabricators use special techniques and blade angles to properly work with this material such that a regular homeowner would find it almost impossible to get it right without the assistance of a skilled mentor.”

Contact countertop contractors near you to compare local prices versus doing it yourself. Often, pros pay under retail for materials directly from fabricators and pass those savings along to you.

How Much Does a Porcelain Counter Cost by Style?

There are no differences in price depending on style. Fabricators create porcelain slab countertops using the same process, regardless of the design. 

Porcelain is a type of ceramic fired at extremely high temperatures from a specific type of clay, with a glaze on the top. During production, pigments in the glaze create myriad colors and designs. Many popular designs mimic real stone, like marble, granite, and slate. Underneath that top layer, they are identical. 

While the process means you’ll find more variety in customization of design, it also means chips, while rare, show the clay beneath. Major damage repairs are nearly impossible to hide.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Install Porcelain Countertops?

Currently, factors that influence porcelain include:

• Distance from the fabricator to your home: This affects delivery fees.

• Custom or stock designs: Custom typically costs 50%–100% more than stock material.

• Available contractors: It’s a relatively new product in the U.S. and there simply are not enough contractors to meet demand. 

• Slab cutouts: Pros make cutouts on site, which takes time, equipment, and skill.

FAQs About Porcelain Countertops

Is porcelain more affordable than granite?

Granite countertops cost $40 to $100 per square foot for the materials, which means they’re usually more expensive, but the prices overlap. Porcelain ranges from $25 to $65 per square foot. High-end prices on porcelain top those of most lower-end granite installs, but standard off-the-shelf styles are less expensive than most granite projects. However, porcelain is non-porous, almost UV-proof, requires no maintenance, and is less prone to damage. 

Is porcelain better than quartz?

Quartz countertops cost about $15 per square foot more than porcelain. Not only is it less expensive, but it’s also less prone to damage from heat and staining than a stone countertop. 

How much do kitchen countertops cost?

• Kitchen countertop prices range from $2,000–$4,800.

• Replacing countertops costs $1,800–$4,400.

Do porcelain countertops chip?

Porcelain countertops can chip, although it’s unlikely to happen without a significant amount of force. They’re highly durable surfaces, even more so than a natural stone slab countertop. But, if they do, it’s hard to hide the repair. Although countertop repair costs are minimal, you’ll want to consider replacing a section to hide serious damage.

How long does it take to install a porcelain countertop?

On average, It takes one to three days to install a counter. That includes the time it will take to remove all the old materials, measure and make cutouts as necessary, and install the new materials. 

Are there other projects I should do at the same time?

Consider upgrading cabinets, floors, and fixtures at the same time to wrap your kitchen build costs together, potentially saving you thousands on labor. Match your porcelain slab countertop with thin slabs on walls and cabinet doors for a seamless look. 

How thick is a porcelain slab?

You can use a large format porcelain slab to face walls, showers, cabinets, and fireplaces to match. It’s incredibly thin, about 1/4-inch (6mm) or 1/2-inch (12 mm), so find a knowledgeable professional. It’s still relatively new in the U.S. market, so finding an experienced installer can make or break your project and budget.