Countertop Replacement Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

Replacing countertops is one of the most visible kitchen upgrades, and the bill can swing widely. Material choice is the main driver, but installation, removal of the old surface, edges, and cutouts for sinks and cooktops all add to the total.

This page looks at the replacement job as a whole, with attention to the budget-friendly and mid-range materials. Granite and quartz have their own pages, so the focus here is on what the project costs and how to plan it.

Material-only prices tell part of the story. Fabricators quote an installed price per square foot, which includes measuring, cutting, and fitting. Those numbers are more useful when you are comparing real quotes.

Taking out the old countertop and setting the new one is skilled work. Sink cutouts, seams, and leveling can go wrong in ways that are expensive to fix.

Removal can cost less if the old surface is laminate that comes up in one piece, and more if it is tile set in mortar or a heavy stone slab. Ask whether the quote includes disposal.

Some companies bill labor separately from the material.

The edge is a small detail that changes the look and the price. A plain eased edge is usually included, and fancier profiles are an upgrade.

• Laminate. The lowest-cost option, with many colors and patterns. It can scratch, burn, and chip, and it is hard to repair.
• Butcher block. Warm and natural, and it can be sanded and refinished. It needs periodic oiling and does not like standing water.
• Tile. Many styles and price points, but grout lines collect dirt and need sealing.
• Soapstone. A soft, natural stone that darkens with oil. It resists stains and heat but scratches, which some owners treat as part of its character.
• Stainless steel. Hygienic and heatproof, popular in commercial-style kitchens. It shows scratches and fingerprints.

• Material. The biggest swing factor by far.
• Square footage. Measure the kitchen, and add the island and any peninsula.
• Layout. L-shapes, corners, and islands mean more seams and cuts.
• Edge profile. Detailed edges cost more per linear foot.
• Cutouts. Sinks, cooktops, and faucets all need openings.
• Backsplash. A matching backsplash is usually priced as extra material.
• Plumbing and electrical. Disconnecting a sink and cooktop may need a plumber or electrician.
• Removal and disposal. Heavy or glued-down surfaces take more labor.

Each source here sets a different scope. One may be a general kitchen estimate, another a fabricator's price for a certain size kitchen, and a third a wide range that mixes budget and premium surfaces.

The kitchen's size is the other variable. A small galley and a large kitchen with an island use very different amounts of material.

Laminate and butcher block are possible DIY projects for someone with good tools and patience, since they can be cut to fit with ordinary tools. Stone and stainless steel are different. The slabs are heavy and fragile, templating has to be exact, and most fabricators handle the cutting in a shop before delivery. Mistakes mean wasted material. If you do hire out, check whether the quote includes disconnecting and reconnecting the sink.

Custom countertops are measured in your home first and made afterward, so you may be without a finished surface for a while. Laminate and butcher block can sometimes come from stock and go in faster. Plan for a temporary kitchen setup, and ask the installer how long the kitchen will be out of use.

• Does the price include templating, fabrication, delivery, and installation?
• Is removal and disposal of the old countertops included?
• Who handles the plumbing disconnect and reconnect?
• What is the edge profile, and is the backsplash included?
• Can I see the actual slab or sample before it is cut?