Kitchen worktop cost by material: laminate, wood, quartz, granite
How the worktop and the units change what a new UK kitchen costs, from laminate to quartz, granite, marble and porcelain, and what to check in a quote.
In a mid-range UK kitchen with about 4.5 m of base units, the worktop is the second-biggest choice after the units themselves. With a laminate worktop the whole kitchen, fitted, typically costs about £5,350 including VAT. With engineered quartz, our mid-range default, it is about £7,800; with granite, around £7,100. Appliances are not included in any of these figures.
The same kitchen, different worktops
Each row below is the same mid-range kitchen - soft-close units, sink, splashback, plumbing, electrics, decorating and fitting - with only the worktop changed. Figures include 20% VAT.
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate worktop | £5,350 | £4,150 – £6,950 | – |
| Solid wood / butcher block | £5,950 | £4,600 – £7,700 | – |
| Solid surface (acrylic) | £6,850 | £5,350 – £8,900 | – |
| Granite | £7,100 | £5,550 – £9,200 | – |
| Quartz / engineered stone | £7,800 | £6,050 – £10,100 | – |
| Sintered stone / porcelain slab | £7,800 | £6,050 – £10,100 | – |
| Marble | £8,000 | £6,250 – £10,400 | – |
The gap between two rows is roughly what the change of worktop costs, supplied and fitted. Change the length of the run and see every line in our New kitchen.
The worktop options
Laminate
The cheapest option (£5,350). Modern laminates imitate stone and wood well, and the fitter cuts them on site on the day, so there is no wait. Joints and edges are the weak points: water getting in makes the core swell. Avoid hot pans directly on the surface.
Solid wood
Oak, walnut or iroko block worktops (£5,950) are warm and repairable - scratches sand out. They need oiling a few times a year, and more around the sink. Fitters cut them on site, like laminate.
Solid surface
Acrylic solid surface (£6,850) can be joined invisibly and moulded into an integrated sink, which makes it easy to keep clean. It scratches more easily than stone but can be polished back. It is made to measure, so there is a wait between templating and fitting.
Quartz
Engineered quartz (£7,800) is the most popular stone-look choice: consistent colour, non-porous, no sealing needed. It does not like very hot pans, and prolonged sun can fade some colours. Cutting quartz releases silica dust, so fabrication belongs in a workshop with dust controls, not on your drive.
Granite
Granite (£7,100) is hard, heat-resistant and every slab is different. It needs sealing periodically. Price varies a lot with the stone: common greys and blacks cost far less than rare colours.
Marble
Marble (£8,000) looks beautiful but marks with lemon juice, wine and vinegar, and scratches. People who choose it accept a worn, lived-in look over time. Many use it only on a baking area or an island.
Porcelain and sintered stone
Large porcelain or sintered stone slabs (£7,800) are thin, very resistant to heat, stains and UV, and suit outdoor kitchens too. They are harder to cut and chip at the edges if knocked, so fabrication skill matters.
Stone worktops: the hidden steps
Quartz, granite, marble, porcelain and solid surface are not cut on the day. The fitter installs the units, a fabricator templates the worktop, cuts it in a workshop and fits it a week or two later. That means two visits, a period without a worktop, and extra charges for:
- Sink and hob cut-outs, drainer grooves and polished edges
- Upstands or a full-height splashback in the same material
- Joints on L-shapes and long runs
- Carrying heavy slabs up stairs or through narrow access
Ask for all of these to be listed. A low stone price that excludes cut-outs and upstands is not a low price.
The units matter more
The cabinets are usually the biggest single cost. Keeping a quartz worktop and changing only the units, the same kitchen costs about £7,650 with flat-pack or stock units, £7,800 with mid-range soft-close units and £9,350 with bespoke or high-end cabinetry. Tall units, corner solutions and internal drawers all add up, so count them rather than looking only at the run length.
We build these prices from the hours each trade needs at local labour rates, plus materials, and check them against market prices and real quotes.
Rules and VAT
Kitchen electrics often include notifiable work in England and Wales: it must be done by a registered electrician (Part P) or notified to building control. Keep the certificate. Our figures include 20% VAT.
How to save
- Mix materials: laminate on long runs, stone on an island or near the hob.
- Keep the layout so the sink and hob cut-outs stay where they are.
- Choose a common stone colour rather than a rare slab.
- Compare like for like: thickness, edge profile, upstands and cut-outs.
Check your quote
Take appliances out of the total and check that the worktop line lists material, thickness, cut-outs and upstands. Then compare it with typical prices where you live using our "Is my quote fair?" tool: Is my quote fair?.