What Is the Cost of Soapstone Countertops?

Average Soapstone Countertop Cost

Average Cost to Install Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone countertops cost anywhere from $70 to $120 per square foot. Not including installation, a typical 30 square-foot soapstone countertop costs about $2,100 to $3,600.

Installing new countertops is a big project with many factors to consider. Delivery, prep work, clean up and any special features, such as backsplashes and cut-outs, will play into the final cost. Plan to budget around $550 to $750 for professional installation.

Soapstone Kitchen Countertops

If you’re looking into the cost of a kitchen remodel and want to save on labor and installation, soapstone countertops are a great option to consider since they’re heat-resistant and don’t require any sealant.

• Materials: 30 square feet, $2,100–$3,600

• Installation: $550–$750

• Total: $2,650–$4,400

Soapstone Bathroom Countertops

Since soapstone is naturally antibacterial and non-porous, it is an excellent choice for bathroom countertops as well.

• Materials: 6 to 12 square feet, $700–$1,500

• Installation: $400–$600

• Total: $1,100–$2,100

Soapstone Countertop Labor Costs

The average cost to install soapstone countertops is around $15 per square foot or $450 for a 30 square foot countertop. Building the top from a cement backer board is a more common way to install a ceramic countertop. Many homeowners may also choose to pay an extra cost to tile the backsplash.

Soapstone vs. Other Countertop Materials

There are many types of countertop materials available, and they come in a range of prices. A typical 30-square-foot slab of granite or quartz costs about $1,500 to $3,000, while the same size of marble costs around $2,800. Opting for 30 square feet of handmade tile will run about $1,950 on average, glazed terracotta will cost in the ballpark of $750, and machine-made ceramic countertops will be around $480.

Soapstone Countertops Additional Options

Like other countertop materials, manufacturers cut soapstone to fit your space and dimensions. As such, there are many different customizable styles, depending on your personal preference.

Style of Edging

Here are some edge options you might consider:

• Square or Eased: $0 additional cost per linear foot

• Half-Bullnose or Full Bullnose: $10–$12 per linear foot

• Bevel: $10–$12 per linear foot

• Ogee: $20–$25 per linear foot

• DuPont: $20–$25 per linear foot

• Mitre: $20–$25 per linear foot

• Quirk: $20–$25 per linear foot

• French Cove: $30–$35 per linear foot

Drainboards

Soapstone shapes easily, so it’s possible to include several additional features. One of the most popular features is an integrated drainboard, which drains water from washed dishes into the sink. There are three basic types of drainboards:

• Traditional: a series of grooves cut deeper as they get closer to the sink. The water runs along these grooves and goes into the sink.

• British: a smooth, recessed area with a small lip. The recessed area slopes toward the sink.

• European: similar to the British style in that it’s smooth, not grooved. However, there is no lip. It’s more like a ramp with a slight slope.

Some people combine the traditional style with one of the other two, adding grooves to the sloped area for better drainage.

DIY vs. Hiring a Soapstone Countertop Pro

Soapstone countertops can be a DIY project if you have the skills and the correct tools. Because it is a soft material, you can cut soapstone fairly easily with a regular circular saw. Note that soapstone is very heavy, so you will likely need helpers to lift and move the slabs.

DIY Costs

To install 30 square feet of soapstone countertops, you will need:

• Plywood to build a template: $25

• Tape Measure: $15

• Level: $20

• Carpenter's Square (measures right angles): $10

• Circular saw with a dry cutting diamond blade: $150

• Goggles: $10

• Epoxy glue: $5

• Adhesive caulk: $4

• Belt sander: $75

• Painters tape: $5

• Sandstone slabs (30 square feet): $2,500

• 80 grit sandpaper: $6

• Total Cost of Materials and Tools: around $2,850

Hire a Pro Costs

If you opt to hire out the job, be sure to hire a recommended local kitchen and bathroom countertop pro. Contractors will bring in all the necessary tools for the job and handle setup, cleanup and any sanding needed once the countertop is in place. The total installation costs, including materials and labor, will cost anywhere from $2,100 to $3,600.

FAQs

What is soapstone?

Soapstone is a natural stone that consists primarily of the mineral talc. The high concentration of talc softens the stone and gives it its soap bar texture. Other minerals found in it include magnesite, chlorite and various amphiboles. It is denser than slate, marble and other harder stones.

Why choose soapstone for countertops?

Soapstone is highly durable and nonporous, making it an ideal material for countertops. It’s both acid- and heat-resistant, meaning you can set hot pots and pans directly on the surface and not worry about burn marks.

It’s also an environmentally-friendly countertop option since soapstone doesn’t require the use of any sealants when installed or for maintenance.

Do soapstone countertops come in different colors?

Soapstone is available in various gray hues, some of which have blue or green undertones. Like granite, each slab is unique; some contain many streaks while others may only have a few streaks. Untreated soapstone develops a patina with age, which gives it a warmer look.

What are the pros and cons of soapstone?

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly

• Does not stain or crack easily

• Very durable

• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

• Only available in a few colors

• Upfront cost is higher than other stones

• Scratches and chips easily

• Tends to darken over time