Granite Floor Cost

How Much Does a Granite Floor Cost?

DIY, 10x10-foot Hall: $200-$1,000

Installed, 10x10-foot: $600-$5,000

Granite is a stunning-looking natural stone that polishes and finishes well, and is available in a variety of colors. Granite flooring is generally available in square tiles, typically 12-24 inches wide and about 3/8 inches thick. Because it's relatively expensive, granite is often installed in smaller areas, such as in a foyer or front hallway to give a home an impressive entrance area.

Typical costs:

Depending on local rates and the complexity of the floor layout, professional installation can run $6 -$22 a square foot for materials and labor, or about $600 -$2,500 for a 10x10-foot foyer. For extremely small projects there may be a minimum charge of $500 -$600 or more, and premium granite tiles can boost the total to $3,000 -$5,000 or more.
Because granite is extremely strong, relatively heavy and can be difficult to work with, do-it-yourself installation is generally not recommended but is possible, particularly for a small area. Granite flooring tiles can run $2 -$10 a square foot, depending on size, color and quality, or $200 -$1,000 for enough tiles for a 10x10-foot foyer. However, prices for premium granite floor tiles can be as much as $10 -$40 a square foot for special colors or finishes.

What should be included:

Granite flooring comes in four main types of finishes -- polished (shiny, for low traffic indoor areas), honed (matte, for high traffic areas or commercial flooring), and flamed or brushed (textured, for outdoors). Granite can be slippery under bare wet feet and is generally not recommended for bathrooms except with a honed surface. Although durable and dense, granite can stain if spills are not cleaned up immediately. Experts recommend sweeping and/or damp-mopping granite flooring daily. Floorbiz.com provides an overview of granite floors.
Granite is a natural material, which means there will be color variations between tiles. Inspect the entire batch before installation, looking for possible damage or other issues. Before installation, the subfloor must be clean, level and able to support the weight of the granite floor. AskTheBuilder.com offers an enthusiastic discussion of granite floor tiles, including installation tips.

Additional costs:

There can be extra charges for: furniture removal and replacement; ripping out and disposing of old flooring material; repairing or replacing a damaged subfloor; and removing and then re-hanging doors. A Conneticut installer charges an extra 20 cents per square foot to remove old carpet, another 20 cents per square foot for moving furniture, $15 per appliance moved and $35 per toilet.
To avoid stains, granite flooring should be cleaned and sealed at least once a year. Sealing can be a relatively simple do-it-yourself process with sealants that cost $15 -$50 per container. Some cleaning services will clean and seal granite, or contact the stone flooring company about this service.

Shopping for a granite floor:

Granite flooring tiles are available online and from most home improvement and flooring stores. The World Floor Covering Association provides a directory of retail floor stores by zip code. Major online natural stone flooring suppliers include BuildDirect.com and StoneLocator.com.
Granite flooring should be installed by someone trained and experienced with granite flooring. The Marble Institute of America discusses all types of natural stone flooring, offering tips for selecting and working with any natural stone contractor, and a directory of natural stone companies.
Get several estimates, asking about the training and experience of the installers, the materials to be used, performance warranties, and the length of time required to complete the project. Request (and confirm) references, and ask to see examples of recently completed projects. Make sure the contractor is properly bonded, insured and licensed (state licensing requirements vary), and check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.