Granite Countertops Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

Granite is quarried stone, cut into slabs and polished. No two slabs look exactly alike, and that variation is what sets the price. A common gray or speckled granite from a large quarry can cost a fraction of a rare stone with dramatic movement and unusual colors.

Most fabricators price granite by the installed square foot, then add charges for cutouts and removal of the old counters. This guide follows that order, starting with the per-foot rate, then the grade of the stone, then a whole-kitchen total.

The per-foot rate is the number fabricators and showrooms quote most often, and it usually includes the slab, fabrication, and installation together. Slabwise reports a full range of $40 – $200/sq ft, with a national average band of $60 – $100/sq ft.

The top of the range applies to a small share of projects. Most kitchens use stone from the lower and middle grades, where availability is good and slabs are easier to match.

Distributors sort granite into levels, sometimes called groups or tiers. The labels are not standardized across the industry, so one yard's Level 2 can be another yard's Level 3. They still give a useful sense of where a stone sits.

• Level 1 granite is the entry tier. It tends to have small, even grain and common colors, and it is what many builders install in new homes.
• Level 2 covers a broad middle ground with more color choice and some veining.
• Level 3 and higher includes exotic stones, heavy movement, rare colors, and imported material, and prices climb steeply.

Because each slab is unique, view the actual slab before you commit. Pick the slab at the stone yard if you can, and ask the fabricator to show you where the seams will fall. A seam through a busy vein is hard to hide.

To turn a per-foot rate into a budget, you need the counter area. Slabwise gives totals for three kitchen sizes.

Counter area grows fast once an island is added, which is why the large-kitchen range is so much wider. A full-height backsplash in granite also adds area. A short 4-inch backsplash adds very little, so many homeowners keep the backsplash short and use tile above it.

Installation charges usually come in two parts. The first is the cutting the fabricator does in the shop. Each sink, cooktop, and faucet opening is priced separately, and an undermount sink needs a finished, polished edge.

The second is removing what is already there. Tearing out laminate is quick, but removing old stone or tile counters takes more time, and disposal is part of the bill.

Plumbing is another line to check. Someone has to disconnect the sink and dishwasher before the old top comes off and reconnect them afterward. Some fabricators do this, and others expect you to hire a plumber.

Slabwise gives a typical kitchen total in its own summary, separate from the size table above.

That figure and the per-foot ranges may not line up with your quote for several reasons. Averages assume a certain counter area and stone grade, and your kitchen may differ on both. Regional labor rates may matter too. So may edge profile, slab thickness, and the distance from the stone yard, since granite is heavy and shipping adds cost. When two quotes differ widely, compare the slab name, the square footage each fabricator measured, and the listed extras.

Granite is hard and holds up well to heat and scratches, which is a large part of its appeal. It is still a natural stone with some porosity, and many fabricators apply a sealer at installation. Depending on the stone, resealing may be recommended periodically to help resist stains from oil, wine, and acidic foods.

Some dense, dark granites barely absorb water and rarely need sealing. A quick test is to leave a few drops of water on the surface. If the stone darkens within a few minutes, it is absorbing and may benefit from a fresh coat. Use a cleaner made for stone, since harsh or acidic cleaners can wear down the sealer.

Granite slabs are also heavy. Standard kitchen cabinets usually handle them, but older or damaged cabinets may need reinforcement, and large overhangs often need hidden supports.

• Is the quoted price per square foot for the slab only, or installed?
• How many seams will there be, and where?
• Which edge profile is included at no extra cost?
• Are cutouts, removal, and plumbing reconnection included?
• Is the stone sealed at installation, and with what product?
• What warranty covers fabrication and installation?