How Much Does It Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops in 2024?
Typical Range:
$1,883 - $4,454
Typical Range:
$1,883 - $4,454
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 10,826 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
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Updated September 12, 2024
Reviewed by Andy Kilborn, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor.Replacing your kitchen countertops will cost you about $3,142, with most projects costing between $1,883 and $4,454.
The cost to replace kitchen countertops depends on the size, edge treatments, and the materials you use.
Certain materials, such as laminate, are inexpensive but don’t last as long as more premium, pricy materials, such as granite or marble.
Replacing kitchen countertops is a good, relatively low-cost way to boost your home’s value, with as much as 98.5% ROI.
You can reduce the cost of installing new kitchen countertops by removing old countertops yourself, opting for simpler edge treatments, choosing a less expensive material, and limiting curves and irregular shapes.
Installing new kitchen countertops is a great way to refresh the look and feel of your kitchen, whether as a quick project or a part of a larger renovation. Countertop installation costs a national average of $3,142, with most projects falling somewhere between $1,883 and $4,454. However, these numbers can vary significantly depending on size, materials, edge treatments, and more. So how much does it cost to replace kitchen countertops? Read on to find out.
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National Average | $3,142 |
Typical Range | $1,883 - $4,454 |
Low End - High End | $400 - $11,000 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 10,826 HomeAdvisor members.
Your total kitchen countertop replacement cost will vary significantly depending on a few key cost factors—particularly the size and materials you choose. But there are price-driving factors to consider as well.
Naturally, a larger countertop will cost more. On average, countertops cost about $50 to $150 per square foot, which means even a small, 20-square-foot countertop could cost as much as $3,000 for materials and labor. The larger your counters, the more you’ll pay for materials and labor to install a new kitchen countertop.
Countertop Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost (With Installation) |
---|---|
20–30 | $1,000–$4,500 |
30–40 | $1,500–$6,000 |
40–60+ | $6,000–$9,000+ |
When picking a countertop material, you’ll often have the choice between slabs or tiles. This is especially true for natural stone materials such as quartz or granite. Generally speaking, you’ll pay 30% to 80% less for a tile countertop than you would for the same material as a slab. Tile countertops have some downsides since the grout between each tile can become stained or damaged with time, meaning you’ll eventually have to pay the cost of regrouting the tile.
One compromise between slab and tile is with precast or cast-in-place epoxy and concrete slabs. These countertops offer a slab countertop's seamless look (and lowered countertop repair costs) while being less expensive than a quartz or granite one.
You’ll need to have some holes cut out from your countertop material to accommodate your kitchen sink, cooktop, or electrical outlets. Because cutouts are customizations, the price will go up depending on how many you need. Also, some materials are more labor-intensive to cut, which may further increase the price per cutout.
Cutout Type | Average Additional Cost |
---|---|
Sink | $100–$300 |
Cooktop | $120–$400 |
Electrical Outlet | $20–$125 |
Faucet | $20–$125 |
With most countertop materials, you’ll need to pay for special edge treatments to add a finished look to your new counters. These treatments generally cost between $10 and $60 per linear foot, depending on the material and style. Corners and curves cost more than a straight edge, ranging between $50 and $150 per corner. That said, you can usually choose a straight or eased edge at no additional cost when you pay for your new countertops.
Edge Type | Description | Additional Cost per Linear Foot |
---|---|---|
Straight/Squared | Straight edge—no bevelling or rounding | $0–$5 |
Eased | Square edge with slightly rounded corners | $0–$15 |
Bevel | 45-degree angled edge | $10–$15 |
Double Bevel | Two 45-degree angled edges, top and bottom | $15–$40 |
Half Bullnose | Curved on top, flat on the bottom | $10–$30 |
Full Bullnose | Rounded on top and bottom | $10–$50 |
Ogee | S-curve edge | $20–$60 |
Mitered | Square on top, sharp incline on the bottom | $20–$60 |
Dupont | Square top with a half bullnose edge on the bottom | $20–$30 |
Beyond size, edge treatment, and cutouts, there are a few other important cost factors to consider.
There are countless customization options with new kitchen countertops. For one thing, you may have an irregularly shaped counter that requires a custom countertop. Custom fabrication will always cost more than an in-stock slab.
The other major customization is finishes and polishes, which can increase the cost of your countertops depending on your choices. Exact prices for different finishes vary depending on your chosen material, but anything that differs from the standard options will raise the price of your new kitchen countertops.
On average, labor costs to install a new kitchen counter are around $20 to $50 per square foot, making up around 30% to 40% of the total project cost. You might pay more for labor if you’re using a specialized material that’s more difficult to work with (e.g., epoxy or porcelain), or if you need other services, including:
Countertop and cabinet leveling
Cabinet support for heavy countertops
Cabinet replacement
Backsplash replacement
Plumbing upgrades or rerouting
Electrical installation or rerouting
The other main cost factor of new kitchen counters is your old countertop. Unless you’re working on a new build, you’ll need to factor in the cost of removing and disposing of the old countertop. Depending on the size and material of your old countertop, it will cost between $50 and $250 to have it removed. Your local countertop contractor will probably include this cost in the estimate for kitchen countertop installation labor costs.
One of the main cost factors for a new countertop is the material you choose. Let’s have a look at countertop prices by material.
Countertop Material | Average Cost per Square Foot (Installed) |
---|---|
Granite | $80–$150 |
Marble | $40–$150 |
Quartzite | $65–$150 |
Soapstone | $60–$130 |
Labradorite | $200–$300+ |
Onyx | $50–$200 |
Slate | $50–$100 |
Travertine | $40–$150 |
Quartz | $50–$200 |
Caesarstone | $50–$100 |
Concrete | $50–$150 |
Corian | $50–$150 |
Epoxy | $50–$150 |
Laminate/Formica | $20–$80 |
Porcelain | $50–$120 |
Recycled Glass | $60–$250 |
Bamboo | $50–$125 |
Butcher Block | $50–$150 |
Teak | $100–$200 |
Stainless Steel | $80–$200 |
Copper | $100–$200 |
Zinc | $90–$200 |
Granite is one of the most desirable and common countertop materials. They come in a variety of colors and types, some of which are much more expensive than others. On average, granite countertops cost $80 to $150 per square foot.
Marble is a luxurious-looking material that’s actually quite inexpensive compared to other options. Most marble countertops cost between $40 and $150 per square foot, though some marble, such as Calacatta, is much more expensive.
Quartz is an engineered stone made of a mixture of natural quartz, resins, and pigments. A quartz countertop costs about $50 to $200 per square foot. Quartzite, on the other hand, is made of 100% natural stone and usually costs about $65 to $100 per square foot.
Soapstone is a type of natural stone made mainly from talc. It gets its name because it feels like dry soap to the touch, giving it a unique look. Soapstone countertops cost around $60 to $130 per square foot.
Labradorite and onyx are premium gemstone materials that offer a shimmering, luxurious look to your countertops. Brilliant green labradorite costs as much as $200 to $300 per square foot installed, while the translucent, striking onyx costs between $50 and $200.
Slate (and other natural stone countertops) are a relatively low-cost option that adds a natural feeling to a kitchen. Most slate and other natural stone countertops cost between $50 and $150 per square foot installed.
Travertine is a popular countertop stone formed from limestone. Travertine countertops cost about $70 to $150 per square foot. You can expect similar numbers for other limestone countertop costs, such as dolomite.
Caesarstone is an engineered material made of a mixture of minerals, glass, resin, and pigments. It’s an inexpensive option, with Caesarstone countertop costs sitting around $50 to $100 per square foot installed.
Concrete is a very popular option because of its lower material costs. Concrete countertops cost between $50 and $150 per square foot installed, with 90% of that amount going toward labor.
Corian is a type of solid-surface material for countertops, made with a blend of natural minerals and resin. Corian countertops cost about $50 to $150 per square foot.
Epoxy countertops are made with a mixture of resin and a chemical hardening agent. The materials are inexpensive, though the labor makes up for it. Epoxy countertops cost about $50 to $150 per square foot installed.
Most laminate countertops cost between $20 and $80 per square foot installed, though they offer less durability compared to other options. Formica, a brand of laminate made of thin plastic layered on top of plywood, is even less expensive, around $20 to $60 per square foot.
Although porcelain is a relatively budget-friendly countertop material, it’s very delicate, meaning labor rates are higher. This material is non-porous and resistant to UV fading, making it an especially great choice for outdoor kitchens. Porcelain counters cost about $50 to $120 per square foot.
This material is made by melting glass pieces into a slab (or combining them with a resin) to create a unified surface. Recycled glass countertops cost between $60 and $250 per square foot.
Bamboo is a relatively inexpensive countertop material, though it doesn’t last as long as other types. Bamboo, like other simple wood countertops, costs between $50 and $125 per square foot installed.
Butcher block countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot for materials and labor, depending on the type of wood you use and the thickness of the slab you buy.
Stainless steel is hard-wearing, easy to clean, non-porous, and, naturally, resists staining. Stainless steel countertops cost about $80 to $200 per square foot installed, depending on the steel gauge you choose.
Copper countertops are luxurious, durable, attractive, and easy to clean, though they can be expensive. Copper countertops cost about $100 to $200 per square foot.
Depending on the type of problem you’re having with your kitchen countertop, it might make more sense to repair it instead of replacing it. For instance, if your countertop has small scratches, stains, or minor chips, it should be quite simple (and inexpensive) to repair—even if it’s a slab countertop. However, if your countertops have extensive damage, such as deep cracks, large discolored patches, or major structural problems, it’s probably more practical (and safer) to replace the countertops entirely.
Of all the kitchen renovations you can do to boost your home’s value, countertop replacement is one of the best. Compared to other major upgrades, such as switching out appliances or redoing cabinets, replacing kitchen countertops is a fast and low-cost way to get as much as a 98.5% ROI. This is especially true if you’re replacing a drab laminate countertop with something more modern, such as granite, quartz, stainless steel, or even concrete.
Replacing kitchen countertops doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are a few ideas to make this project more budget-friendly:
Research all available material options to pick one that strikes a balance between low upfront cost and durability for the future, ensuring you pick a material that will remain durable for years to come.
If you have the tools and ability, consider removing your old countertops yourself—assuming they’re easy to handle, such as laminate or Corian. We don’t recommend removing heavy granite or concrete countertops yourself.
Shop around when purchasing new sinks and faucet fixtures—you may find more inexpensive options than those offered by the company you buy your countertop from.
Stick with simpler edge detailing to reduce the cost per linear foot—square and eased edges often come at no extra cost with new kitchen countertops.
Reduce odd shapes and customizations—if you can buy an in-stock countertop slab, it will always be cheaper than having a custom one manufactured.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
To measure the area of the countertop you need to buy, first measure the countertop length in inches, adding 1 1/2 inches of overhang at each end. Divide the length by 12 to calculate the linear feet of your countertop. Then, use the same process to measure your countertop’s depth (it’s usually 25 inches or 25 5/16 inches) in linear feet, being sure to account for your cabinets and overhang. Then, multiply the linear feet of the depth and width to get the square footage of your countertop.
Depending on the material of your countertop, it might need to be replaced within 10 or 15 years. But more durable options, such as concrete, marble, or stainless steel, can last for much longer—50 years or even more with proper maintenance.
Depending on the size of the project, the material you’re using, and the installation method, professional countertop installers usually complete a replacement project in one to three days, including the time needed to remove the old countertop.
Generally, labor for kitchen countertop replacement costs between $15 and $25 per square foot, though this might increase for special materials, like porcelain or poured-in-place concrete.