Countertop Cost per Square Foot: What's Included?
Published •7 min read
"Per square foot" sounds simple, but countertop prices are quoted two ways. A material price covers only the slab. An installed price includes templating, fabrication (cutting, edges, cutouts) and installation. Comparing one against the other is the most common reason quotes seem not to add up. Here's what to expect for each stone and what a per-foot price may leave out.
Material Cost per Square Foot by Stone
| Material | Per sq. ft. (material) |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $15-$60 |
| Granite | $40-$150 |
| Marble | $50-$200 |
| Quartz | $50-$200+ |
| Quartzite | $60-$200 |
Installed Cost by Stone
| Material | Installed estimate | Source (updated) |
|---|---|---|
| Granite | Typical project $2,500-$5,000 (30 sq. ft.) | Fixr (Jan. 2025) |
| Quartz | Typical project $2,600-$4,400 (35 sq. ft.) | Fixr (Jan. 2026) |
| Quartzite | $80-$220 per sq. ft. installed | HomeAdvisor (June 2026) |
| Marble | About $50-$200 per sq. ft. installed | Fixr (Jan. 2026) |
What a Per-Foot Price May Not Include
- Edges: decorative profiles are priced per linear foot of edge (Fixr: about $10 to $40 for granite).
- Cutouts: about $100 per sink and $200 per cooktop (Fixr and HomeAdvisor, granite).
- Backsplash in the same stone.
- Removal of old countertops: about $50 to $300 (Fixr).
- Cabinet reinforcement for heavy stone: a few hundred dollars (Fixr).
- Finish upgrades: honed or leathered surfaces add about $10 to $25 per square foot.
- Sealing for natural stone, if not included.
- Waste and slab yield: you may pay for more stone than ends up on the counter.
How to Estimate Your Square Footage
- 1Measure each countertop section's length and depth in inches (standard depth is about 25 inches including the overhang).
- 2Multiply length by depth for each section, add them up, and divide by 144 to get square feet.
- 3Add islands and any backsplash you want in stone.
Fixr notes most kitchens have about 30 to 40 square feet of countertop. Your installer will template the exact size after the cabinets are in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the price per square foot include installation?
Sometimes. Some prices are material only (the slab), others are installed. Always ask which one a quote uses.
How many square feet of countertop does a kitchen have?
Most kitchens have about 30 to 40 square feet, according to Fixr. Islands add more.
What's the cheapest stone per square foot?
Common granites are often the most affordable stone, with Fixr's material range starting around $40 per square foot.
What extras are usually not in the per-foot price?
Decorative edges, sink and cooktop cutouts, backsplash, removal of old countertops, cabinet reinforcement, finish upgrades and sealing are often priced separately.
Get an All-In Quote from Mega Solutions
Mega Solutions installs granite, quartz, quartzite and marble countertops, and also sells and installs cabinets. Request a personalized quote based on your measurements, and ask us to spell out what's included.
Sources
- Fixr, "How Much Does It Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops?" (updated January 2026): fixr.com
- Fixr, "Granite Countertop Installation Cost" (updated January 2025): fixr.com
- Fixr, "Quartz Countertop Installation Cost" (updated January 2026): fixr.com
- Fixr, "Cost to Install a Marble Countertop" (updated January 2026): fixr.com
- HomeAdvisor, "What Do Quartzite Countertops Cost?" (updated June 2026): homeadvisor.com
- HomeAdvisor, "How Much Do Granite Countertops Cost?" (updated June 2026): homeadvisor.com
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