Your Countertop Cost - Explained By the Pros
Countertop costs can feel like a mystery, but they don’t have to be. After 30+ years at Granite Guy Inc, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners, designers, and builders find the perfect stone for their budget. Let’s break it down together—starting with the basics.
What Drives Your Countertop Cost?
Your project’s price boils down to a few key factors:
1. Material Choice:
Each material option has a range of prices depending on the source and relative availability. Here are some examples of price ranges:
(Prices shown are per square foot)
- Granite: $40–$150 (wide variety of colors and origin; price ranges from affordable to exotic)
- Marble: $50–$500 (timeless & special; rarest specialty items priced at the top end)
- Quartz: $50–$150 (engineered consistency; premium options priced higher)
- Quartzite: $60–$200 (unique and luxurious; priced for rarity)
o More Options: Soapstone ($70–$120), Travertine ($50–$100), Onyx ($75–$250), Porcelain ($60-$150)— every material type has its range
NOTE: The very rare and exotic slabs are likely to be priced at the top of the ranges (and even higher). At Granite Guy Inc, we are committed to having a mix of exotic and budget-friendly options.
2. Project Size:
What is the shape and total square footage of your project?
- Small bathroom vanity? Relatively simple to plan with small dimensions.
- Large Kitchen countertops with a big island? More square footage requires more slabs and more planning.
3. Extras:
Edging (Mitered or Ogee edges), cutouts (sinks, cooktops), and finishes (polished, honed) can add a bit more to the overall project cost.
These are starting points—your exact cost depends on your picks. Most of the cost is in the stone – what kind you pick and how much of it you need. Come visit us and we can figure it out together.
Why Prices Vary
Ever wonder why stones cost what they do? Here’s the scoop:
Natural Stone: Rarity rules. Rare blue granite or Italian marble (like Calacatta ) can cost $500/sq.ft. because nature made so little - and lots of people want it. The laws of supply & demand will drive prices up on the popular-but-rare items. However, most stone options are more plentiful and therefore way more affordable.
Engineered Stone: Quartz or Porcelain prices are tied to technology and brands; most lines top out at $150 /sq.ft. Supply & demand applies to engineered stone as well; styles and colors in high demand may cost more. Note that some imports might be priced slightly higher due to import tariffs.
Trends: Design fads can push prices higher. For example, if many people love white counters but can’t afford the most expensive marble, the quartz producers step in with white marble-mimicking options at prices below marble.
The Puzzle of Fitting Your Slab
Pure Square footage isn’t the only factor in the cost of your project. Fitting the different pieces of your project onto your slabs also matters. We use our Slabsmith technology to create a precise digital layout on a digital image of your exact slab. We fit your project to your slab like a puzzle, and we work to minimize material waste.
Using In-Stock Material: When you use material from the Granite Guy warehouse inventory for your project, we charge a set price per square foot for that particular material.
Using Special Order Material: If you select material from one of our supplier partners, we purchase the stone in full slab quantities. Depending on how efficiently the slabs are utilized, the cost of the project may be slightly different.
Patterns Matter: Bold veins or waterfall edges need extra planning - sometimes more slabs – to look seamless.
Precision planning for every project.
At our facility, each piece of stone—whether a remnant or a full slab—is first transformed into a digital slab. Once we have the precise measurements from templating, we create a detailed digital layout that aligns perfectly with the stone. This allows builders, designers, and homeowners to plan every detail remotely if necessary, saving time, reducing waste, and ensuring the final results meet their exact vision. Busy professionals can rely on our precise, documented planning to bring their vision to life with transparency and accuracy.
Whether you're working on a single vanity or managing a sophisticated kitchen renovation, our digital slab approach simplifies the process from start to finish. Even before final templating, we can use rough dimensions from sketches or preliminary plans to accurately estimate the material needed, optimizing orders, minimizing waste, and maximizing value.
At Granite Guy Inc., we streamline the planning and purchasing process, empowering you to confidently deliver exceptional results every time. We have the latest technology and the know-how to make it happen!
NOTE: The truth about “Exclusive” stones. Occasionally you might hear a salesperson at a fabricator or supplier say that they have an “exclusive” on a particular stone, or “you can only get this stone from us.” They may use this as justification for marking up the price. The truth is that Natural stones are a global market, and everyone can access it. At Granite Guy Inc., if we don’t have your favorite stone in our warehouse, we’ll go find it for you.
Get a Free Quote
We’re happy to provide you with a FREE quote for your project. All we need is some information about your plans and your selections of material, finish and edging. Here are the steps involved:
Step 1: Visit Our Showroom or Schedule a Consultation – Bring dimensions or design plans if available.
Step 2: Choose Your Material – Select from slabs in stock or visit a supplier. Note: we can usually source any material you want; our suppliers and partners have access to every stone-producing country in the world.
Step 3: Receive a Detailed Quote – Our team will calculate all aspects, including layout, fabrication, edging and installation. Our Stone profits ERP software is state-of-the-art for delivering accurate quotes. Granite Guy Inc. is committed to transparency in pricing, and we want you to understand every aspect of your quoted price.
Step 4: Final Adjustments & Approval – If your layout changes from the original plan, we’ll update the quote accordingly.
No hidden fees or surprises. 30+ years of experience. From rough sketch to finished kitchen, we’re here to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stone is the least expensive?
Pricing depends on availability, demand, and grade. More exotic, hard to find slabs will typically cost more than other materials.
Can I buy remnant stone for my project?
Yes! Remnants are great for smaller projects like vanities, tables, or fireplace surrounds and can offer significant savings. At Granite Guy Inc., we have a large selection of remnant pieces of all kinds of material: marble, granite, quartz, quartzite, and more. Remnants can be less expensive on a cost/sq.ft. basis
What’s the difference between a stone supplier and a fabricator?
A supplier provides raw slabs, while Granite Guy Inc fabricates and installs your custom project with precision cutting and finishing. Note that Granite Guy Inc works with stone suppliers around the region to source whatever stone is needed for a project, and that we have a large supply of stone slabs in our own heated warehouse.
Can a supplier or fabricator have certain stones that are “only available” through their company?
No, building materials like natural or engineered stone are widely available, and reputable companies like the Granite Guy Inc can source any material from around the world. However, since each block of natural stone is unique, some aggressive sales people may stretch the truth and call each slab of stone in their inventory “exclusive.”
What happens if my kitchen design changes after I receive a quote?
We’ll adjust your quote based on any changes to dimensions, material selection, or project scope before fabrication begins.
