Countertop cost by material: laminate vs quartz vs granite and more
What a kitchen remodel costs with each countertop material, from laminate to quartz, granite and porcelain, plus how cabinet grade changes the total.
In the same mid-range kitchen, quartz countertops bring the remodel to about $12,000, granite to $11,900 and laminate to $9,200. The countertop is the most visible choice in a kitchen, but it is rarely the biggest cost: cabinets move the total more. Here is how both compare.
Every countertop, same kitchen
The table prices one complete remodel, an L-shaped kitchen with about 15 ft of base cabinets, with each countertop material. The rest stays the same: tear-out of the old kitchen, plumbing and electrical points reworked in place, mid-range semi-custom cabinets, a porcelain backsplash, a quality sink and faucet, painting and connecting the appliances. Only the countertop changes. Appliances and flooring are not included.
We build the figures from the hours each trade needs, multiplied by local rates, plus materials, and check them against market prices and real quotes. They are before sales tax.
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate worktop | $9,200 | $7,150 – $11,900 | – |
| Solid wood / butcher block | $11,200 | $8,750 – $14,600 | – |
| Sintered stone / porcelain slab | $11,300 | $8,800 – $14,700 | – |
| Solid surface (acrylic) | $11,400 | $8,900 – $14,800 | – |
| Stainless steel | $11,700 | $9,150 – $15,200 | – |
| Granite | $11,900 | $9,300 – $15,500 | – |
| Quartz / engineered stone | $12,000 | $9,350 – $15,600 | – |
| Marble | $12,200 | $9,500 – $15,900 | – |
| Quartzite (natural stone) | $12,800 | $10,000 – $16,600 | – |
For your own kitchen size and local rates, use the calculator on Kitchen remodel.
The materials
Laminate
A printed decor layer bonded to particleboard. Modern patterns are convincing, it is easy to clean and it is by far the cheapest way to a new counter. It does not like hot pans, and a chip or a swollen seam near the sink cannot really be repaired. Undermount sinks are usually not an option.
Butcher block
Solid wood ($11,200) is warm and can be sanded back when it gets marked. It needs oiling and care around the sink, and it will show knife marks and water rings unless you keep up with it.
Solid surface
Acrylic solid surface ($11,400) has invisible seams and can include an integrated sink. Scratches can be buffed out, but it is softer than stone and a hot pan can mark it.
Quartz
Engineered quartz is the most popular choice in mid-range remodels: consistent color, no sealing, very stain-resistant. It is heavy, and resin in the slab does not like direct heat, so use trivets. Cutting and polishing engineered stone produces fine silica dust, which is a health hazard for the people doing the work; a reputable fabricator uses wet cutting and dust control.
Granite
Natural granite is hard, heat-resistant and every slab is different. It needs sealing from time to time, depending on the stone. Price varies widely with the slab you pick, so visit the yard and choose the actual slab if you care about the pattern.
Marble
Marble ($12,200) is beautiful and cool for baking, but it etches with lemon juice, wine and vinegar and stains more easily than granite. Choose it if you are happy for it to age.
Porcelain and sintered stone
Large porcelain or sintered slabs ($11,300) are thin, very resistant to heat, stains and UV, and can look like marble without the upkeep. They need a fabricator experienced with the material, because edges chip if handled carelessly.
Stainless steel
Stainless ($11,700) is hygienic and indestructible in the professional-kitchen sense. It scratches and dents, which some people like as patina.
Cabinets move the total more
Swap the cabinet grade and the whole remodel shifts more than with most countertop changes. With our default quartz counter:
| Cabinets | Typical kitchen remodel |
|---|---|
| Stock or flat-pack | $10,100 |
| Semi-custom (our mid-range) | $12,000 |
| Custom | $16,700 |
Stock cabinets come in fixed sizes and finishes; fillers close the gaps. Semi-custom lines add sizes, finishes and better drawer hardware. Custom cabinets are built for the room, which pays off in awkward layouts and tall ceilings. Box construction, drawer slides and hinges matter more for daily use than the door style.
A useful rule of thumb when budgets are tight: put the money where you touch the kitchen every day, meaning drawers, hinges and the counter by the sink and cooktop, and save on things that are easy to change later, such as hardware and lighting.
What can change a countertop quote
- Edges and cut-outs. Decorative edge profiles, an undermount sink cut-out and a cooktop cut-out are often priced separately.
- Seams. Long runs or an island may need more than one slab, and where the seam goes matters.
- Backsplash. A full-height stone backsplash uses more slab than tile.
- Templating and delivery. Most stone fabricators template after the cabinets are installed, which adds a wait between trades.
- Permits. Moving plumbing or electrical usually needs a local permit.
Before you sign
Ask for a quote that names the material, the thickness, the edge, the number of seams and every cut-out, and whether removal of the old top is included. Then run the price through our "Is my quote fair?" tool, which compares it with what homeowners in your area typically pay for the same job. For the full picture without appliances, see Kitchen remodel.