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Kitchen Countertops Cost

How Much Do Kitchen Countertops Cost?

Low: Prefabricated Do-It-Yourself: $360-$450

Laminate or Ceramic: $450-$1,800

High: Corian or Granite: $3,600-$11,000

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Kitchen Remodeling

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Most daily kitchen activity occurs on countertops; with literally hundreds of options available, the right blend of style, durability and functionality can make a kitchen a welcoming workspace.

Typical costs:

RemodelingOnline estimates a typical kitchen is 200 square feet overall with 30 linear feet (approximately 90 square feet) of countertops. Although some types of countertops can be do-it-yourself projects, installation generally is best done by a qualified professional who is familiar with the specific material chosen. Dealers usually price countertops by the lineal or square foot, and most quotes include creating a template (with cutouts for sinks or other items), delivery and installation. Regional location has a huge impact on the final price, especially for natural stone and other large, heavy countertop materials.
Durable and colorful laminate surfaces (such as Formica, Nevamar or Wilsonart) range from $15 -$60 per linear foot or about $450 -$1,800 installed in a typical kitchen with 30 linear feet of countertops. For do-it-yourselfers, prefabricated models with a molded backsplash and front edge are $12 -$15 a linear foot, or $360 -$450 for that same size kitchen.
Installing ceramic tile is $5 -$15 a square foot for extremely simple solid colors or about $450 -$1,400 for a typical kitchen; depending on the complexity and quality. Patterned tiles run $20 -$100 a square foot, or $1,800 -$9,000 or more for 90 square feet. Just the materials for skilled and patient do-it-yourselfers can be $200 -$2,000.
Solid surface countertops (such as Dupont Corian or Aristech Acrylics' Avonite), come in a wide range of colors and textures installed for about $40 -$80 a square foot, or $3,600 -$7,200 for 90 square feet in a typical kitchen. A recent innovation compresses highly durable and sparkling quartz into solid surfaces at $120 -$200 a square foot or $11,000 -$18,000 or more for that same kitchen.
Installing natural stone--granite, soapstone, slate or marble-ranges from $40 -$120 or more a square foot, or $3,600 -$11,000 for a kitchen with 90 square feet of counter space. Wood countertops--butcher block, oak, maple, cherry, red beech, walnut, teak or mahogany--vary from $30 -$100 a square foot, or $2,700 -$9,000 or more in a typical kitchen. Tough, porous concrete can be installed for about $60 -$100 a square foot or $5,400 -$9,000 for that same kitchen.
Stainless steel runs $50 -$150 a square foot, or $4,500 -$14,000 for a kitchen with 90 square feet of counters; copper averages $150-200 a square foot, or $13,500 -$18,000 or more for that same kitchen.

What should be included:

Depending on the material chosen, installation may take anywhere from a few hours to several days (for complex tile work). Exact measurements are critical for any of these materials that are pre-fabricated in a factory, then delivered and put in place.

Additional costs:

Removal of existing countertops may or may not be included in a price quote; be sure to ask. Often, new countertops are installed on new counters, which means the old have already been removed as part of an overall remodeling.
Extensive sink or other cutouts, custom widths, an unusual layout, a complex backsplash design or other factors can bump up the total cost, sometimes dramatically; there's no way to predict the exact amount except by comparing detailed on-site estimates from a number of contractors.

Shopping for kitchen countertops:

ThisOldHouse.com explains the three main factors to consider when choosing kitchen countertops--clean-up, maintenance and durability. Kitchens.com provides a quick chart comparing how various countertop materials hold up to cutting, rolling dough, hot pans or stains.
Countertop manufacturers include Formica, Dupont, Cambria, Dal-Tile, John Boos (wood), Silestone and Soupcan.com (concrete and metal).
Contractor referrals are available through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
Get several estimates, making clear what is (and isn't) included in each quote. Request and check references; ask about the contractor's length and type of experience; and be sure they're properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state. See if there are any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.