Granite is more than a suitable option for countertop installations. It is an option that many homeowners look into. There are several reasons as to why they would. On average, homeowners will likely spend about $2200 to $4300. At the low end of the range, however, the cost will likely be about $1800, while at the high end of the range, the cost will probably amount to around $5000.
| Average Range | $2200-$4300 |
| Low End | $1800 |
| High End | $5000 |
Although there are many varieties of natural stones or countertop materials to select, granite is a premium stone that homeowners find to be alluring. In fact, there are many added benefits and advantages that come along with the installation of granite countertops. Both your kitchen and your bathroom will reap the rewards from granite countertops.
Table of Contents
- Granite Countertop Cost
- Cost Of Installation Services
- Labor Costs
- Fabrication Process
- Debris Removal
- Rearrangement Of Necessary Items
- Cost Associated With Grade Of Granite
- Granite Countertop Colors
- Granite Countertop Patterns
- Granite Countertop Finishes
- Granite Countertop Cleaning Guide
- Granite Countertop Polishing & Sealing Cost
- Edge Profiles
- Replacing Your Countertops On A Budget
- Finding Multiple Estimates Through House Tipster
Granite Countertop Cost
Depending on the quality and rarity of the granite, the cost range for the installation of the countertop will probably be between $30 and $100 per square foot. There are some slabs on the market that could go upwards to or more than $160 per square foot.
Consider the fact that this is a natural stone and that it is a material that comes from quarries. Extraordinary lengths are therefore taken to extract the granite, which is precisely why the material can result in great costs.
Homeowners should also keep in mind that there are quite a few factors that can drastically affect the prices for granite. Although there are assortments with common granite, you’ll find that there are also premium quality materials that cost more.
Keep in mind that ultimately, it is the quality, the size, the level, and the thickness that will determine the overall price. There are also edge profiles that will affect this price as well. A special edge will inevitably impact the numbers above. Although this may be a service that may seem unnecessary, there are additional services that may compel you in certain areas.
Cost Of Installation Services
Homeowners that hire professionals for the installation of their granite countertops will have to measure the amount of space that it will take for the project to take place. It isn’t so simple as finding a contractor to bring a granite slab into the room of your choice and making a countertop out of it.
Labor Costs
There are different services that the homeowner should consider when choosing to install granite as a countertop. Besides the fabrication of the actual slab, you also have to think about the price of the edge profile, and the rearrangement of the space the countertop is being installed.
Overall, the labor costs should range between $25 to $60 per square foot or more. There are two other services to consider. When you hire the service to install the countertop for you, you have to think about the price of the delivery and the optional service of cutting out the sink. Costs associating these two services will be determined by the estimates of the company you choose to hire.
Depending on your preferred service, the cost you’ll likely encounter will probably be a flat fee of about $200 to $300. However, there are even some companies that will include the sink cutting services into their labor costs. Included with the labor that goes with the installation of your granite countertop is the fabrication, the debris removal, the replacement service of any current countertops and the rearrangements of the cabinets and other necessary items.
Fabrication Process
Before any slab can be installed, the homeowner must choose a particular granite that they think would look best in their home. Once the granite type is chosen, the fabricator will inspect the slab. The reason the stone specialist needs to inspect the granite is due to the innate characteristics that may need to be removed.
Dry seams, black spots, polyester resin fill, pits, natural directional veining, feldspar and mica conglomerates are all considered to be one-of-a-kind. However, it is entirely up to the homeowner whether these physical traits should be removed or not. Right before the templating process can be done, the fabricator will find the specificities that the homeowner wants corrected.
Essentially, the inspection of the stone works as the planning, so there are going to be marks and notes involved with which attributes should be taken out. During this process, the fabricator figures out which template and layout that the homeowner desires. This part of the process is pivotal because the template is what will ensure that your granite retains the best version of itself.
Now that the inspection and the templating are complete, the fabricator begins actually cutting the stone with either a water jet or a bridge saw. The bridge saw is made up of a diamond segmented blade that cuts seven feet of stone per minute. This is while the water jet will use a powerful amount of pressure, utilizing water to cut the stone by a foot per minute.
The fabrication specialist that favors the bridge saw will want speed, while the fabrication specialist that favors the water jet will want precision. The added benefit with the water jet is that it can also cut circles and many other elaborate shapes.
Finally, the fabricator will figure out the dimensions and the proper measurements to cut holes for the homeowner’s sinks, cooktops, faucets, and other associated items. Keep in mind that the whole point to the countertop is to prevent the spaces in your home from being damaged. With the assistance of a computer to ensure that all the holes are concise to the plans and layouts according to the homeowner’s enumerations.
Debris Removal
A part of the services that are included in the installation of the countertops is hauling away any of the unwanted debris as a result of the project. Consider the amount of junk that may need to be disposed of, whether it is the stone of your former countertops or the remnants of the sink cut-out.
Rearrangement Of Necessary Items
Whether you’re installing your granite countertop in your kitchen or your bathroom, there are many items and appliances that you need to consider rearranging. Since your professionals will need all the space they can get to place the large slab of granite in the right places, they’ll need to perform several jobs. By shutting off the lines to the electricity and the water, the risk of harm is minimized.
Once everything that could pose a risk is deterred, the granite experts will begin to rearrange the cabinetry. However, you also need to think about the costs that are associated with the veritable sum of cabinetry you already have installed in your rooms. Depending on how many cabinets you own and whether they’re custom-made, the homeowner might have to spend between $100 and upwards of up to $750.
Cost Associated With Grade Of Granite
You should also try to distinguish the grades of the granite from the basis of its patterns, grains, veins, pittings, markings, thickness, and colors. Typically, granite is graded from one to three and by figuring out the level, you’ll see that there are cost ranges associated with each of them. Categorically, you also have to consider the fact that the pricing also involves the readily available market with each sort.
Level 1 granite is the most basic category of slabs and it is distinguished by its simple design and conventional color schemes. level 1 will cost about $40 to $50 per square foot. level 2 granite is in the middle of the accessibility spectrum and will have more markings on the surface. Estimates for the level 2 granite range between $50 to $60 per square foot. The level 3 granite is probably the most exclusive and offers a wide array of unique patterns and riveting colors. A slab of this level will probably cost you around $60 to $160 or more per square foot.
Level 1
Typically this category of granite will be pre-fabricated granite. You’ll see this level of granite in apartments or for remodeled purposes. It is lower grade and is commonly known to be fabricated with a thinner cut. Normally, the level 1 granite will be measured to about ⅜ inches in thickness and will require some kind of support for its strength. As briefly mentioned above, these are the most familiar colors and designs you’ll see for your granite options. Keep in mind that this level of granite is predominantly imported from China.
Level 2
This is considered the medium-grade granite and will have a broader selection in assorted colors and designs. Although the level 2 granite has the same thickness, it should be regarded with a little more prestige. With the consideration of appearance, the level 2 granite will be more appealing with the markings. This sort of granite is most often imported from India or Brazil.
Level 3
With the rarity of both its appearance and the source of where it comes from, level 3 granite is known to be the most eminent sort amongst the three. Unlike the other two levels, level 3 granite typically gives you the option of increasing the inches in thickness. More often than not, this variety of granite is imported from India or Brazil.
What is most unique about this level of granite is that the appearance of level 3 granite is unparalleled. The colors and the veins that the granite has to offer are unmatched and it doesn’t take much effort to notice the amount of hard or soft minerals that the surface is made of. Considered to be the cream of the crop, the level 3 granite is a premium choice amongst homeowners.
Granite Countertop Colors
The reason why granite and other stones will cost as much as they do is due to how they’re made. Since everything is formed naturally and isn’t manufactured, the costs will vary from the outcome of the unfeigned process. This means that the likelihood of the slabs forming into a particular color will determine the cost of the material itself.
| Slab Colors | Price Per Square Foot |
| Black | $20-$70 |
| Green | $25-$50 |
| Steel Gray | $35-$60 |
| White | $40-$60 |
| Gold | $40-$75 |
| Red | $65+ |
| Blue | $100+ |
The chances of finding granite with black, green, steel gray, white, and gold pigments are typically high. Due to the high possibility of finding slabs with these hues, there is a solid aspect of affordability in these palettes. The more rare colors, surprisingly, are red and blue, since they’re only discovered in certain quarries.
Granite Countertop Patterns
As you browse through the inventories of the granite before you, you’ll notice that the natural markings in your granite will have distinct profiles to them. Due to the natural basis of how granite and stones materialize, you cannot replicate the patterns through the means of machinery. There are three kinds of patterns that homeowners will have the choice of installing. You can choose a marbled pattern, a speckled pattern, or a solid pattern.
Each of them will cost differently due to the way the pattern appears. The solid pattern is $25 and up per square foot, and this design is your standard. A solid granite pattern won’t have any veins or swirls on them and is plain to the eye. The speckled pattern will cost about $45 or more per square foot. And it will have a spottier appearance and is normally available in level 2 granite.
The marbled granite is sparse and, in fact, it actually simulates the patterns of marble, which is probably why it costs upward to about $60 per square foot. The veins and swirls of different colors give it the mesmerizing appeal that homeowners want to include into their kitchen or bathroom.
Granite Countertop Finishes
Typically, you’ll find three custom jobs, more specifically, three finishes. There is the leathered finish, the honed finish, and the polished finish. The most conventional finishes that a homeowner will probably opt for is the polished finish. This will cost you about $0.50 per square foot and it’s the most available choice amongst the three. It can also handle mass production and won’t affect the overall quality or appearance of the slab.
Homeowners also have the option of using the honed finish which will cost about $0.50 to $1 per square foot. This is considered to be a mid-grade finish and helps to hide any superficial errors within the granite. The leathered finish is estimated to range around $1 to $2 per square foot and is considered the most expensive out of the lot.
A leathered finish will have the more traditionalist appearance and somewhat simulates the look and feel of actual leather. Your professional fabricator will use diamond-tipped brushes to polish the counter, and by doing so, there is an emphatic intensification to the patterns of the granite.
Granite Countertop Cleaning Guide
Whether you want this done on your own or whether you want a professional service for the job, you’re going to want to keep your granite in good condition. Although there are special services to prolong the durability of your granite, you can maintain the appearance of your countertop by taking these steps.
When it comes to granite, you’re going to want to avoid using any acidic cleaning agents, especially vinegar. Products that are highly acidic will not only weaken the sealant but also dull your granite. Use mild dish soap blended with warm water and scrub it with a soft microfiber cloth, make sure not to use any coarse materials either.
However, if your slab’s sealant isn’t properly applied, chances are, you’re going to have more trouble with the maintenance of your granite. Although granite is a very low-maintenance material, you’re going to want to have a polishing and sealing service to be performed for additional protection.
Granite Countertop Polishing & Sealing Cost
Sealing is not a crucial service to exact on your granite countertop, however, it will make your granite that much more protected. Granite is almost completely resistant to moisture, this means that water, but more importantly, steam won’t affect the granite. Having your granite countertop sealed with just a single coat of sealer will keep it 95 to 97 percent resistant to moisture. Without the service, the granite will naturally be about 90 percent.
The cost of sealing and polishing your granite countertop will probably range between $4 to $6 per square foot. This service also helps elevate the resistance against stains and scratches. Although sealing is normally considered when your countertop is damaged, you can use this service for extra protection.
Keep in mind that it may be optional but you should have your granite countertop or any countertop for that matter sealed every 10 to 15 years. Although maintenance won’t be a very big concern involving premium quality stone like granite, you’re still going to want to perform some sort of upkeep.
Edge Profiles
The service for shaping an edge for your countertop can range between $6 all the way up to $60 per linear foot. Besides the reason for keeping the edges safe without harming yourself or your loved ones, there is the enticing appeal of the edge’s artistry. Every stone option you have for your countertop will have these edge profiles available to you. Ultimately, it is through your preference that the service completes this part of the project.
There are multiple edge treatment options to choose from. If you’re a homeowner without concern for your budget, then the Ogee and Waterfall edges may be a perfect match for your granite countertops. These two edge profiles are typically the higher end of the cost range mentioned above. Due to the expertise that is required, these two are considered the costliest options out of the several options available.
Stone fabricators will give you an estimate on the kind of edge treatment you prefer on your countertops. And most of the common edges are actually quite budget-friendly. Ranging between $30 and $45 per linear foot for edges such as the half bullnose, and the bevel edge profiles. Typically, you won’t see an additional cost if you choose to keep the edges of your granite countertop straight.
Replacing Your Countertops On A Budget
Homeowners that do not have the luxuries of a big budget will have concerns about the expenses that follow the installation of a granite countertop. However, there are routes that one can take to avoid the imprudence of overspending one’s budget. As stated in the sections above, homeowners can purchase and install slabs within their own affordability range.
The advantage of granite is the overall benefits in its usage. Since even the more common options will retain the same benefits, it won’t matter which granite slab you choose and install. As a homeowner that wants to save on their expenses, you can choose the inexpensive colors to lower the cost range overall. Rather than looking at a palette that you prefer, you can select the more mundane colors, like black, white, steel gray, green, or gold.
Homeowners can also take that extra step by keeping the edges of their countertops straight. There is no cost to keeping the slab as is and you’ll find that such installations will maintain the minimum spending of your budget. However, the costs will be determined by the spaces that your granite countertop is going to end up occupying. Keep in mind that granite countertops can actually increase resale value as well.
Finding Multiple Estimates Through House Tipster
Although you can spend money by using the services of the company you purchased your slab from, there are other options that may actually give you better results and estimates. Instead of spending all your time trying to search for a fabricator, you can find one that matches your preferences through House Tipster.
Thanks to our two features that function as your guides, you’ll be able to find the right professionals for your project. House Tipster is a web tool with a reviews feature and a chat system for users to have an easier time to keep affordability and practicality in mind. With these two main functions, you’ll essentially be cutting the search time in half.
Our reviews feature allows you to look through the reviews left by past clients of the expert you’ve been dwelling upon. None of us make choices without some hint of hesitation or doubt. With our reviews feature, homeowners can confirm which professional will get rid of the uncertainty that they’re feeling.
The chatting system also allows you to directly message your professional without any troubles or concerns. Gone are the days when one would have to wait for a call and have their questions and inquiries answered. With House Tipster, you’ll have easy access and assistance with any issues you may find regarding your home improvement projects.
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