Updated: August 17, 2022
Reviewed by Ryan Burden remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.
To provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date cost figures, we gather information from a variety of pricing databases, licensed contractors, and industry experts.Countertops get daily use and abuse. They are also in a very prominent place in the kitchen, which means how they look influences your kitchen’s design. There are many countertop materials to choose from, and quartz is excellent for durability, stain resistance, and aesthetics.
Quartz countertops are durable, attractive, and available in a wide range of colors and styles. Their costs depend on the brand, size, and location. Different fabricators may charge different rates for the installation, depending on the area. The national average cost for a quartz countertop is $1,750 to $3,000. Most people pay $2,300 for 30 square feet of mid-range quartz countertops fully installed. This project’s low cost is $550 for 10 feet of vanity countertops installed, and the high cost is $5,500 for 30 feet of perimeter countertop with two sinks and 20 sq.ft. of island countertop in two premium colors.
Quartz countertops are roughly 93% natural quartz stone mixed with resins and pigments. It is one of the hardest natural materials used in construction and home decor. A granite countertop may be 45% to 65% quartz with silica, feldspar, mica, and other minerals.
These countertops have the durability of natural quartz. The resin makes them impervious to stains, and the pigments give you a controlled, even color. While natural stones may have color, veining, and movement variation, quartz is very uniform. While you need to choose your exact piece of natural stone to avoid surprises, quartz is consistent.
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Most quartz countertops are sold by the installed square foot, meaning you pay one price for the material and installation. A few manufacturers price their material separately, but the fabricator sets your final costs because the manufacturer does not sell directly to consumers.
Quartz countertops fall between $40 and $100 a square foot, but most cost between $60 and $80 a square foot. The bulk of the cost is the fabrication, edge finishing, and final installation. The material cost is a very small part of your final bill.
Countertop SizeAverage Cost (Installed)10 sq.ft.$600 - $80020 sq.ft.$1,200 - $1,60030 sq.ft.$1,800 - $2,40040 sq.ft.$2,400 - $3,20050 sq.ft.$3,000 - $4,000Quartz countertops can be used anywhere you would install a countertop. The three most common areas are the kitchen, mudroom, and bathroom. They make great additions to these areas because they are impervious to many of the things used in these spaces that could harm a natural stone, such as lemon juice, toothpaste, and wine.
Your costs by location vary mostly by countertop size. Kitchens have larger countertops than bathrooms, so the cost of a quartz countertop for a kitchen is higher than the cost of the same quartz in the bathroom or mudroom.
LocationAverage Cost (Installed)Bathroom$375 - $1,000Mudroom$420 - $1,000Kitchen$1,800 - $3,000The cost of installing quartz countertops in your bathroom ranges from $375 to $1,000. Bathroom vanities and tops can range in size. You may have a 36” wide vanity in a powder room or a 72” double vanity in a master bathroom. This leads to a wide range in costs for installing it. Quartz countertops for bathrooms can be found pre-made with a sink bowl attached. You can also have them custom-made like custom kitchen countertops by choosing and fabricating the slab.
The cost of installing quartz countertops in a mudroom ranges from $420 to $1,000 on average. Mudroom countertops vary in size by quite a bit. Many people choose to install a countertop that is between 42” and 72” in length, but it is possible to install one that is smaller or longer. This material is a good choice for mudrooms because it can handle a lot of abuse. Mud, saltwater, snow, and other things that enter through the mudroom will not harm the countertop. It is also easy to wash and maintain, so you do not need to worry about special cleanup in this busy area.
The cost of installing quartz countertops in a kitchen is between $1,800 and $3,000. Quartz countertops in the kitchen also have a range of sizes, but kitchens typically average around 30 sq.ft. Most edges and finishes cost the same regardless of the color or type. Your “extra” costs come mostly from your sink, cooktop, and other installations. Costs can be higher or lower if you have a larger or smaller kitchen or choose a “premium” or builder-grade quartz. Most people find mid-grade quartz has a wide range of colors to choose from, with costs that fall in this range.
The vast majority of quartz countertops are made with slabs. These slabs range in thickness, have various edge styles, and can support an undermount sink. You can also find tiles and install these on a countertop, but your selection is lower than with slabs. Ensure your installer has the correct equipment to put a bullnose or finished edge on the tiles for a completed appearance.
TypeAverage Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed)Tile$21 - $30Slab$60 - $80Quartz tile countertops range from $21 to $30 a square foot installed. Tile is relatively rare. It can often be found sold as an alternative to Terrazzo because it can have a similar look. It is a blend of quartz stone, pigments, and resins. These tiles are usually large, roughly 24-inches square. They must be finished on the edges because these tiles do not normally have finished edge pieces. This requires cutting them with a diamond blade on a wet saw and using a diamond bullnose tool on the wet saw to shape them. You may pay above-average installation costs versus another tile.
Quartz countertops made from slabs cost between $60 and $80 a square foot installed. Slabs are generally sold installed rather than as material. Some manufacturers price them like that from the start, and others have a material price listed, but this is not likely what you pay because you cannot purchase directly from the manufacturer. Fabrication and installation influence your final price the most because they make up the bulk of the cost. Fabrication costs vary by region. They can also range depending on the quartz and whether it is builder-grade, mid-grade, or high-end.
Some manufacturers do not differentiate slabs. They have one price for the material, regardless of color, thickness, finish, or edge profile. Others divide their slabs into three categories: builder-grade, premium-grade, and designer-grade. Bold or unusual colors are typically considered designer-grade, while thinner slabs are considered builder-grade. Most homeowners find premium-grade slabs are used most frequently.
GradeAverage Costs per Sq.Ft. (Installed)Builder-Grade$40 - $50Premium (Mid-Grade)$50 - $80Designer$80 - $100Builder-grade quartz countertops cost between $40 and $50 a square foot installed. These countertops fall into a few categories. They may be thinner than average - around 2 cm instead of the more common 3 cm. They could also be plain or solid colors in shades that are not popular or trendy. For example, they may be solid gray or cream rather than having colors and patterns that mimic marble or granite. Sometimes, you may also find closeout slabs of discontinued colors that are sold for less.
Premium or mid-grade countertops average $50 to $80 a square foot installed. This is where most quartz countertops fall. Companies that do not differentiate in price have costs in this range, depending on the fabrication method. Quartz in this range has a wide range of colors and patterns. You may see some slabs that mimic granite. Others may resemble marble or concrete. Color is proprietary, so if you find one you like, it needs to come from that manufacturer.
Designer or high-end quartz countertops range from $80 to $100 a square foot installed. These countertops are generally a very bright, bold hue or may have specialty veining. For example, a bold red or rare marble look-alike countertop likely lands in this price range. Sometimes, you find extremely thick countertops - 4 cm or greater in this category. There are generally fewer countertops that fall in this category than others.
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Like granite or marble, quartz countertops come standard with a polished finish. They are also available with a matte finish. Some particular quartz countertops always have a matte finish, such as those that mimic limestone. There is usually no cost difference between the two finishes. You may find the matte finish may be slightly more expensive, especially if the finish is designed to look like concrete, limestone, or another matte surface.
FinishAverage Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed)Polished$60 - $80Matte$60 - $80Polished quartz countertops cost between $60 and $80 a square foot. Most countertops are available with a standard polished finish. Only a few may not be available in this finish. Polished surfaces reflect light, which means that smudges and marks are less visible. This, combined with a stone-look pattern, can be a great way to disguise everyday wear. Unlike stone countertops, the finish does not wear down nor need reapplying.
The average cost of a matte quartz countertop range from $60 to $80 a square foot. Some countertops come with a matte finish, such as those that mimic soft stones and concrete. Others may be available with an optional matte finish. Unlike natural stone, not all quartz slabs can be given a matte finish after being polished. You may need to choose a color that comes in matte or polished finishes. Matte finishes tend to have a softer look than polished countertops. This can make them very attractive in certain cottage and farmhouse designs.
Quartz countertops can have all the same edge options as marble and granite. Some manufacturers and fabricators do not differentiate in cost from one edge to the other. Others may have a few edges to choose from at no cost but charge extra per linear foot for more decorative edges. Eased edges and squared edges are the most common, but there are many others if you want a different look.
EdgeAverage Cost per Linear FootEasedNo Extra CostSquareNo Extra CostHalf-Bullnose$0 - $12Full-Bullnose$0 - $12Bevel$0 - $12Ogee$0 - $25Dupont$0 - $25Miter$0 - $25Quirk$0 - $25French Cove$0 - $35Double-Bevel$0 - $40Dupont Square$0 - $40Cole Smith$0 - $40Several brands make quartz countertops. Each company may have proprietary colors, so you might need to remain with a brand if you find a color you like. Others may have their own take on a granite or marble color, and there are subtle differences between brands. Some brands keep their costs the same for the material, and the fabricator sets the final cost. Others have different cost groups and give final costs with installation by group. Most brands fall into the same general cost bracket, with the fabricator having the final word on the cost you pay. You may be able to shop around for a single brand between fabricators and get different prices for the same quartz color and brand.
BrandAverage Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed)Caesarstone$40 - $100Okite$40 - $150Cambria$60 - $80Silestone$60 - $100Caesarstone quartz countertops cost between $40 and $100 a square foot installed. Caesarstone tends to break its products down into three categories - low-grade, mid-grade, and high-end. Most of their materials fall between $60 and $80 a square foot installed. Caesarstone has unique colors and patterns, including those that mimic limestone. They also have a range of bright and bold colors, so this is a good brand if you want a bold color for an office countertop or a child’s bathroom. This brand is widely available and can be found at Ikea.
Okite quartz countertops range from $40 to $150 a square foot. Okite makes a wide range of countertops. Their material costs start very low, around $11 a square foot, and go up to $75 a square foot. They have basic countertops, attractive colors that mimic marble, and a few extremely translucent designer colors. Most of their material costs are around $25 a square foot. Their remaining costs come from the fabricators. You may need to shop around to get the best installed cost.
Cambria quartz countertops average $60 to $80 a square foot installed. This company tends to price all their countertops the same for material regardless of color, thickness, finish, or edge. Their material costs are roughly $30 a square foot. The remaining costs are up to the fabricator. Fabricator costs vary by region, overhead, and other factors not controlled by Cambria. You may need to shop around to get the best cost.
The cost of Silestone countertops is between $60 and $100 a square foot installed. Silestone is a very common brand. It is found at many big-box stores, including Home Depot and Lowes. They make a wide range of popular colors and finishes. Many of their countertops are designed to mimic marble or granite. Most fall into the category of mid-grade countertops, but they have a few designer options.
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Color does not play a big role in your countertop’s cost. Some translucent quartz varieties and some brightly or exotically colored varieties may cost more, but many manufacturers keep costs fairly steady between colors. Fabrication and installation make up the bulk of the cost.
Like granite and marble, there are many popular colors. Most colors are proprietary, meaning if you find a specific color you like, it is likely made by one manufacturer. There may be similar slabs made by other companies, but each color name and exact shade is given by its manufacturer. This allows you to shop around for the best fabrication price because the color does not change, provided you can find a fabricator who carries the brand.
The following colors rank as some of the most popular. Their costs are for material and installation and range depending on the region and installer.
ColorAverage Cost per Sq.Ft (Installed)Vanilla Noir$50 - $80Topus Concrete$50 - $80Tuscan Dawn$50 - $80Excava$50 - $80Empira White$50 - $80Torquay$60 - $80Britannica$60 - $80Summerhill$60 - $80Montgomery$60 - $80Vanilla Noir from Caesarstone costs between $50 and $80 a square foot installed. This is a rich black quartz countertop. It has a bright white vein that ranges in size and placement. Most of the veining is thinner but varies in thickness. This color most closely resembles Nero Marquina marble. It looks best polished so that the quartz’s truest color can be reflected and shown.
Topus Concrete from Caesarstone ranges from $50 to $80 a square foot installed. This slab is from the Caesarstone Metropolitan collection. It is meant to look like a concrete slab that has developed a natural patina from wear and time. This slab has a warmer color to it, verging on beige. It is also not a flare color. There are subtle variations across its surface for the look of a long-used concrete slab.
Tuscan Dawn from Caesarstone averages $50 to $80 a square foot installed. Tuscan Dawn is rich milk chocolate-brown in color. It is similar in tone to Travertine Noce but features thin white veins across its surface. The veins vary slightly in length and thickness across the surface. It looks good polished and honed. Honing it gives it a look closer to limestone or travertine.
Excava from Caesarstone costs between $50 and $80 a square foot installed. Excava is from the Metropolitan collection. It has a matte finish that has been created with various patinas. The colors range from chestnut and copper to a deep auburn. It is meant to give you the look of freshly excavated material. The colors move and vary in long undulating waves across the surface for a varied look.
Empira White from Caesarstone averages $50 to $80 a square foot installed. Empira is a bright white countertop. It features gray and black markings in a range of patterns across its surface. These are not veins but tiny black speckles that range in groupings, from thick to thin. These specks move in clusters over the countertop’s surface for depth and interest. It comes polished in the finish.
Torquay from Cambria costs between $60 and $80 a square foot installed. Torquay is a soft, creamy off-white color countertop. Its surface features a range of marks and veins. These marks range from a light pewter gray to light tan color. They also vary in size and thickness, but most have fairly short veins. Torquay comes in a high-gloss and matte finish with multiple edge profiles.
Britannica from Cambria ranges from $60 to $80 a square foot installed. Britannica is an off-white quartz with dramatic veining. This quartz’s veins are very thick - 3 to 4 inches. They run in undulating waves, from one end to the other. The veins vary in thickness, shade, and color. They can be dark charcoal or a much lighter taupe. The slabs can be polished or matte.
Summerhill from Cambria costs between $60 and $80 a square foot installed. Summerhill is a neutral countertop with a light cream-colored background. It features thick, swirling veins in multiple shades of gray and taupe. These veins can form lines or oblong circles on the surface. There are thinner, darker lines in deep gray and brown that speckle the remaining surface areas. This countertop has a lot of movement and looks best on an island.
Montgomery from Cambria averages $60 to $80 a square foot installed. Montgomery is considered white quartz. It has a light creamy background with veins of blue/gray and brown and spots of tan. It has a lot of movement but very few long or thick veins. Most of the color is in small spaces scattered evenly over the slab. It can be found in polished and matte finishes.
The cost to install quartz countertops is usually bundled into the total price. This is because installation is one small part. To start, you first select the quartz, finish, and edge.
Then, a fabricator visits your home. They make a template out of thin strips of wood glued together in your countertop’s shape. You need to have your new faucet and sink on hand because their size and shape are important for the next step.
Your countertop is now fabricated. This means that the slab of material you chose is cut to fit the template’s dimensions. The sink is cut out, and holes are drilled for the faucets. All the edges are finished. In many cases, this means cutting several pieces that will be installed together in one countertop.
Approximately 2-3 weeks after templating, your new countertop can be installed. It is given a bead of silicone adhesive around the cabinets’ perimeter and lifted into place. The seams between the pieces are given a color-matched epoxy to make them less noticeable. Your sink is installed at this time but not connected until the next day.
Of the total costs - $60 to $80 a square foot - approximately ½ to ⅔ of the cost is the material fabrication, transport, and installation, and the remaining costs are for the slab. This varies from fabricator to fabricator, making the cost of fabrication and installation between $30 and $60 a square foot.
You also pay roughly $200 per sink cutout, and if edging is an additional cost for that fabricator, you have additional costs per linear foot.
The cost to replace countertops with quartz varies based on your current countertops. If you have laminate or another lightweight countertop, the removal costs are usually included in the total $60 to $80 a square foot. However, if you are replacing something heavier like granite, you have additional costs for removal and disposal, between $200 and $500. This makes the total cost range between $1,950 and $3,500.
The cost to replace existing quartz countertops with new quartz has the same costs for installation - $60 to $80 a square foot - and additional costs for removal and disposal. This ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the area and how hard the old countertop is to remove. This makes the average cost range for replacement between $1,950 and $3,500.
Quartz countertops are virtually maintenance-free. They are non-porous, so they do not require sealing. They are also stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and heat-resistant. Honed quartz countertops are more likely to get stubborn surface stains that may need more effort to remove than polished. These surface stains can be removed with cleaners and scrubbing pads and do not require special equipment or stain removers. While these countertops are scratch-resistant, they should not be used as a cutting surface. The material dulls your knives’ blades, so use an appropriate cutting board each time.
Quartz countertops are durable, but permanent damage or discoloring can occur from some types of household cleaners, chemicals, and abrasives. Quartz is non-porous and does not stain in the same way as granite or marble. Surface stains from food are easily removed in most cases. However, hard water cleaners, degreasers, oven-cleaners, drain-cleaners, bleach, solvents, and highly-acidic products can permanently discolor the resins and pigments in quartz countertops. Also, abrasive cleaners and pads can dull the surface in some cases. Thoroughly review the manufacturer’s care and maintenance guidelines to avoid unrepairable damage. Using products made for cleaning granite and marble is the safest choice.
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Like any material, quartz countertops have positive and negative attributes. Quartz is attractive, low-maintenance, and exceptionally durable. The colors remain fairly consistent, so once you view a sample, you can be reasonably sure this is installed.
However, this last detail can be negative for some, while being positive for others. Those who like to know what to expect and do not like surprises should like quartz and likely prefer it over granite or marble.
However, it can feel very homogenous for those who like natural variation and the uniqueness of natural stone. Each slab is nearly identical to the next, while no two natural stone slabs are ever the same.
The high cost of fabrication can also be a drawback. You need to shop around for the best price and speak to multiple fabricators who carry the same quartz brand.
These countertops are easy to care for. They are naturally antimicrobial and easy to clean, so quartz is topping many lists as people look for lower-maintenance materials.
From a color standpoint, quartz is following other trends at the moment. For the bathroom, black quartz countertops are very popular. You can also use black quartz as a bathroom or shower threshold.
Earthy warm-colored quartzes are getting the most attention in the kitchen. For example, Tuscan Dawn from Caesarstone, with its rich brown color, is very popular right now. White and gray countertops are still fairly popular but are giving way to softer, warmer colors.
The material quartz gets compared to the most is granite. Quartz countertops were originally made to mimic granite, while being more durable, less porous, and easier to maintain. Eventually, quartz began to branch out and became available in a much wider range of styles, including some that mimic concrete or marble.
Granite is a blend of quartz, feldspar, silica, and mica. It comes in an incredible range of colors and patterns, depending on the minerals that each slab contains. Because granite is a natural stone, it varies in durability, color, and maintenance. This is true not only between colors, but even within some specific stones. A stone containing higher amounts of one mineral may have a different hue than a piece of the same type of granite without that mineral. Some granites are very dense and do not stain or etch. Others are more fragile and may need a lot of care.
Quartz countertops now come in a wide range of colors and styles that mimic granite, marble, and concrete. They require no maintenance beyond regular cleaning, and their colors remain the same from slab to slab. While granite will never look the same twice, quartz can have a lot more consistency. This makes it easier to match from samples when you are planning your project.
Granite varies in color and pattern from piece to piece and within one piece, so you must choose the exact slab you want. Granite also ranges in cost. While quartz falls between $60 and $80 a square foot installed for many colors, granite ranges from $40 to $400 a square foot, depending on how common the material is. In general, you will find that most quartz countertops are less expensive than granite. Below are the average costs for 30 sq.ft. of each material fully installed.
MaterialAverage Costs (Installed)Quartz$1,750 - $3,000Granite$2,500 - $5,000Although quartz and quartzite sound very similar, they are two very different countertops. Quartz is a man-made material made from roughly 93% natural quartz and mixed with pigments and resins. Quartzite is a metamorphic stone made mostly of quartz that has undergone enormous heat and pressure to be transformed into a harder and more durable stone.
Quartz is non-porous and very low-maintenance. It comes in a wide range of colors and has little variation from slab to slab. Quartz can mimic the look of different materials including concrete, marble, and granite. Quartzite, however, looks very different with a sparkling texture and a range of different colors. These colors can vary from piece to piece, while quartz is always consistent.
Quartzite is slightly porous but much less than granite and marble. It should be sealed to impede potential staining, but even unsealed, very little affects it. It is scratch and heat-resistant. It comes in an incredible range of wild and bold colors and patterns. Because it is a natural stone, no two pieces are ever the same. This means that you need to select the exact piece you want for your home, while quartz can be chosen from samples.
Of the two, quartzite is generally much more expensive than quartz. Below are the average costs for installing 30 sq.ft. of each material.
MaterialAverage Costs (Installed)Quartz$1,750 - $3,000Quartzite$3,600 - $4,950Another material that frequently gets compared to quartz countertops is marble. Marble is a soft metamorphic stone made mostly of calcite. It comes in a range of colors, often with soft, varied veining. Many quartz types are made to look like marble, with several different types being made to mimic different types of white marble in particular. Marble can stain and scratch easily because it is so soft, while quartz that is made to look like marble will be much more durable. This makes marble very high-maintenance in a busy home, while quartz is much less maintenance in general.
Marble varies naturally from piece to piece, depending on things like mineral presence and where it was quarried from. This means you need to choose the exact piece of marble you want for your home. Some pieces of marble can vary a lot, making them hard to coordinate if you need several slabs to cover a big kitchen. Quartz is more uniform. You do not need to choose the exact slab as they are made to be very similar to one another, without any of marble’s extreme variability. This means it is much easier to purchase several slabs that match. For some, this can be a plus, but marble can be preferred by those who like the natural variation and surprising colors.
In general, marble is also more expensive than quartz, although there can be some crossover between the two. Below is the average cost of installing 30 sq.ft. of both materials.
MaterialAverage Costs (Installed)Quartz$1,750 - $3,000Marble$2,000 - $7,000
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You can have your quartz countertop extended to the backsplash. This is frequently done behind the cooktop to make the entire area cohesive and easy to clean. The cost is slightly less per square foot than the countertop because there is no edging. Costs are roughly $40 to $60 a square foot for a quartz slab backsplash.
These countertops are also popular additions to kitchen islands. Costs are the same for installing quartz on an island because they are for perimeter countertops - $60 to $80 a square foot. However, you may choose to create a waterfall edge for your island, extending the countertop over the side to the ground. This increases costs slightly because of how the countertop must be mitered. If this is the case, you have additional fees of roughly $10 to $20 per linear foot.
On the whole, granite is slightly more expensive. However, granite is coming down in cost, and there are some granites that are less expensive. The difference is that most quartz falls into a narrow cost range, while granite has an extreme cost range, depending on the stone’s rarity.
Yes, it is heat-resistant. You can put a pan straight from the stove or oven onto your countertop without a trivet.
Yes, absolutely. Quartz is heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and scratch-resistant. A toaster does not hurt it.
No, quartz countertops are resistant to etching, which is where weaker particles are removed from marble and some granites. There are no weak particles in the quartz to be removed.
Yes, you can use rubbing alcohol on your countertop, but the material is non-porous and antimicrobial. You can wash it with plain soap and water.
Not anymore. This was an issue with some older quartzes, but it has been resolved.
Yes, you can use bleach on your quartz countertop, but the material is non-porous and antimicrobial. You can wash it with plain soap and water.
They are stain-resistant, but some honed countertops by a few brands are more likely to collect surface stains. Wipe up spills quickly before they dry if you have a honed countertop.
Several key factors determine what you’ll pay to install new quartz countertops in your home. Understanding these cost factors allows you to estimate your overall investment and look for ways to save money.
The biggest component of your total quartz countertops cost is the price of the engineered quartz slabs themselves. Prices range from $40 to more than $100 per square foot depending on the brand, color patterns, and thickness. Thicker slabs over 3 cm and premium designer colors or patterns cost more.
You can expect to spend around $50 to $70 per square foot for most mid-range quartz countertop slabs from leading brands like Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, and Vicostone. The total cost obviously goes up the more surface area you need old countertops to cover.
In addition to the quartz itself, you’ll need to pay professional quartz countertop prices and installation costs. This includes:
Initial Template and Fabrication – $200 to $500
Delivery – $100 to $500
Installation Labor – $40 to $100 per hour
Minor Electrical, Plumbing, and Carpentry work to remove old counters/sinks, install new sink cutouts, etc.
In total, expect to invest $2,000 to $4,500 or more to hire countertop professionals to fabricate and install your new quartz surfaces properly, depending on the scope of work needed.
A few additional considerations also impact the total project cost:
Backsplashes – Integrating backsplashes add $10 to $25 per square foot
Edges & Treatments – Decorative edges like ogee, bevel, and bullnose run $15 to $30 per linear foot
Sink Cutouts – Specialized sink cutouts add $100 to $500+ per opening
Removal & Disposal – Taking out old laminate or tile counters costs $2 to $6 per square foot
Getting estimates from local countertop installation pros is the best way to gauge precise costs based on your kitchen or bath layout, materials selected, and installation requirements.
Now that you know what goes into pricing quartz and granite countertops together, what is the typical overall investment for a new kitchen or bath installation?
The average total cost to purchase and install quartz counters falls between $3,000 and $4,500. However, it’s common to spend anywhere from $2,000 up to $6,000 or more depending on several cost factors:
Quartz prices per square foot – Low to high-end material grades
Surface area needed – Smaller galley kitchens to larger open layouts
Edge treatments – Standard to premium decorative edges
Cutouts – Number/complexity of sink or cooktop cutouts
Labor rates – Regional variances in installation costs
Use $80 per square foot as an approximate midpoint for estimating purposes if you’re planning for new higher-end quartz kitchen countertops with a backsplash and standard edge detail.
Actual costs can be lower or higher for different quality slabs, installation requirements, and depending on your geographic area.
Quartz often costs more than laminate or ceramic tile but is comparable to or cheaper than many other countertop materials, especially natural stone. Here’s how quartz counters stack up cost-wise against popular alternatives:
Laminate – $20 to $50 per square foot
Tile – $10 to $40 per square foot
Butcher Block – $30 to $70 per square foot
Concrete – $50 to $100 per square foot
Soapstone – $70 to $100 per square foot
Marble – $60 to $150+ per square foot
Granite – $80 to $150 per square foot
So while not the absolute cheapest option, quartz delivers serious value, especially for a low-maintenance solid surface that competes favorably with premium materials like granite.
While quartz counters offer an attractive combination of aesthetics, performance, and affordability, several design choices can drive your total investment up quickly:
Kitchens with more extensive countertop square footage – especially open floor plans integrating an island – require larger, darker quartz countertops slabs and more installation time, increasing costs. Adding quartz surfaces in multiple bathrooms also ups the price tag proportionally.
While a standard eased or rounded top edge is the most affordable, decorative treatments like ogee, DuPont, triple bullnose, or mitered add from $3,000+ for a full kitchen.
Standard rectangular sink or stove cutouts are simple to fabricate. However incorporating a lot of cutouts for vessels, cooktops, trivets, etc, or special edge details around openings increases costs.
Vivid saturated solids along with luxury patterns or imported stones cost over 50% more than mainstream whites, grays, and blacks, sometimes exceeding $100 per square foot.
Most quartz counters are made from 2 cm slabs. Going up to a 3 cm thickness boosts durability but also increases cost by 25% or more. Jumbo slabs run up charges exponentially.
Leading manufacturers like Silestone, Cambria, and Caesarstone already command a 10-20% premium over secondary brands. Designer collections from these companies run even higher.
With the many factors that change quartz pricing, it pays to understand where upgrades drive your budget up the most. Having realistic expectations of costs allows you to allocate your spend appropriately to best match your space, functionality requirements, and style priorities.
If your quartz quote came in higher than expected, don’t lose hope! Here are smart ways to scale back expenses without sacrificing overall quality:
Stick with a mainstream brand to save up to 20% over boutique designer labels
Ask about remnant pieces for discount quartz – perfect for narrow walls or islands
Use a simplified edge style like standard eased or pencil round
See if your contractor offers free sink cutouts – some do!
Install the backsplash yourself after the counters are in
Choose a 2 cm thickness unless you need extra durability
See if DIY big box stores offer lower prices on popular colors
Supplement with ceramic tile islands matching your counters
Shopping sales and clearance for quartz remnants, taking on some finish work yourself, and keeping countertop edges even and thickness modest offer the simplest ways to reduce costs without affecting durability or function. And be sure to get at least 3 quotes from reputable local contractors to stimulate countertop pricing competition!
If you’ve started seriously pricing quartz counters from different manufacturers, you’ve likely noticed a wide range of prices and qualities – even among leading brands! Here’s a look at some of the top national companies producing and installing quartz countertops along with typical per-square-foot costs:
Caesarstone – Founded in Israel, Caesarstone remains an industry leader, offering around 50 colors and styles, including some with up to 93% quartz content. Their slabs run from $50 to $89 per square foot installation-ready.
Cambria – Based in Minnesota, Cambria has over 120 premium quartz products. They are known for striking designs but their signature quartz comes at a premium – $65 to $95 per square foot common.
Silestone – Part of the Cosentino Group in Spain, Silestone boasts over 70 vivid colors and patterns. Mid-grade options run around $55 to $75 per square foot.
Vicostone – This fast-growing brand founded in Vietnam offers two tiers: the Prime+ line from $50 to $65 per square foot and the premium Royalstone selection topping $100 per square foot.
In addition, home improvement stores tend to keep costs on the more affordable end for stock colors and smaller projects, charging $45 to $65 per square foot supplied and fabricated.
Local and regional brands vary widely in quality and pricing, so be sure to vet options thoroughly and look for a quartz slab that comes with long warranties against defects before purchasing. Reviews of fab shops using the slabs can provide helpful insight as well into durability.
In addition to the engineered quartz materials themselves, labor cost for fabricating and installing counters properly makes up a significant portion of your total project investment. Here is a closer look at typical charges to expect:
Local countertop shops use the dimensions of your existing counters or take measurements to craft a template. This is used to fabricate your counters to be installed later. Expect to be charged around $400 for templating and fabrication fees.
Most quotes include at least one basic cutout for an under-mount kitchen or bathroom sink at no additional cost. Some charge $100 to $200 per opening. Complex cutouts for cooktops or trivets cost $200 to $500 in extra fabrication fees.
It costs around $100 to $300 to carefully transport your finished quartz pieces from the fabricator to your home, including unloading, staging, and removing packaging debris.
Typical installer hourly labor runs $50 to $120 based on regional rates and company reputation. Count on spending $800 to $2,500 or more depending on the scope. Island counters, tile demolition/disposal, and other variables affect the labor costs.
Installing a matching quartz backsplash adds at least $400 but often runs $700 to $1,500 or more. The exact price depends on the amount of linear footage needed and tile height.
Minor plumbing, electrical, or carpentry repairs to update sinks, fixtures, walls, etc bump overall project fees up further. However, addressing issues now prevents problems down the road.
If going completely DIY on quartz countertop colors and the installation seems daunting, another option is to purchase pre-fab quartz pieces from home improvement stores. While still heavy and challenging to install perfectly, this lets you supply the materials at wholesale costs. You would then just hire local countertop pros or carpenters for an hourly rate to install your counters.
Fortunately, you aren’t necessarily stuck paying top dollar if your budget is tight. There are a few options to equip your home with beautiful new quartz surfaces without overspending, including:
Pricing quartz by the slab means paying for large surface areas, even if your counters don’t need that much material. Some home improvement warehouses sell pre-cut stock sizes of popular quartz colors at nearly half the per-square-foot cost of full slabs. If you can work with narrower 25” depths and standard 8’ lengths to minimize seams, this is an affordable choice that Professional installers can still work with.
Speaking of DYI, ambitious homeowners with some construction experience can buy quartz remnant slabs or pieces to fabricate for their own kitchen or bath remodels. While certainly not easy work, this lets you supply the real stone yourself at a low cost. You would then just pay local countertop or carpentry pros hourly installation rates to complete the job, avoiding paying retail markups and fabricator fees.
Another DIY-friendly option is using large-format porcelain, ceramic, or natural quartz tile rather than a fully integrated slab. Highly realistic 12 x 24” tiles are available from top brands like Caesarstone and Silestone, often at less than $10 per square foot. And professional tile installers can handle the template and precise cutting work fairly affordably. The grout lines add visual breaks that can hide imperfections from DIY installations.
Lastly, check smaller nearby stone yards, importers, and distributors for quartz deals. Without big brand name markups, you can sometimes source remnant slabs or stock colors for $10 to $15 less per square foot than nationally known labels. Just be diligent about vetting quartz quality, warranty coverage, and the reputation of your fabricator.
Saving on costs doesn’t need to mean settling for laminate! With handy tips like these, you can still enjoy natural quartz surfaces at affordable prices.
Now that you know approximate per-square-foot to install quartz countertops, prices and options to lower costs, let’s examine true full installation expenses. Below is a sample price estimate for installing 30 square feet of new Caesarstone quartz counters including a sink cutout and standard eased edge in a suburban Midwest home.
Note regional rates result in slightly lower nationwide installation charges on average than coastal markets. Rural areas also tend to hit the low ranges while major metros can reach the higher ends due to cost of living differences.
Materials – 30 sq ft of $75 per sq ft Caesarstone quartz = $2,250
Sink Cutout Fabrication – 1 basic cutout at $0 = $0
Edging – 30 linear ft eased edge at $2 per ft = $60
Template and Fabrication Fees – $400 flat charge
Delivery – 1 truckload flat fee = $150
Installation – 2 workers x 2 days x $100 per hour = $1,600
Backsplash Install (DIY sourced) – $0
Tax – ~10% on materials = $226
Total Investment = $4,686
As you can see, a professionally installed higher-end quartz kitchen countertop upgrade averaging $150 per square foot all-in fits squarely in the middle of the typical range. And that allows for a premium brand, full custom fabrication and installation, durable eased edging, taxes, etc.
Based on the breakdown above, you could potentially trim $800 or more off by installing your own tile backsplash, choosing a budget quartz line, or handling other finish work yourself. Or costs might rise closer to $6,000+ if you have a larger kitchen, opt for thicker materials, exotic imported stones, hand-polished edges, or intricate cutouts.
Either way, understanding precisely what goes into the cost of new quartz counters helps avoid budget pitfalls. Be sure to get itemized estimates from at least three local quartz countertop installation companies to compare bids effectively.
In addition to kitchen overhauls, quartz makes an exceptional (and eye-catching) upgrade over worn laminate bathroom counters and dated ceramic tile. The water-resistant, non-porous makeup stands up to splashes and humidity while adding modern style.
So how much does installing a new quartz vanity top run compared to other counters? Here is a realistic breakdown:
Laminate – $200 to $400
Cultured Marble – $350 to $700
Quartz – $500 to $1,200
Granite – $800 to $1,500
Marble – $1,200 to $2,000+
At $75 to $100 per square foot installed, clear-edged slab quartz offers serious value, outpricing natural stone options. And the variety of colors suits modern, transitional, or traditional spaces beautifully.
Are Quartz Countertops Worth It?
With mid-range prices higher than basic options like laminate, are quartz counters ultimately worth the extra investment? Given consumer trends and the huge functional benefits quartz offers, the answer for most homeowners is a clear “yes!”
Installing new quartz surfaces makes excellent sense in your home renovation budget because:
Quartz matches or beats granite and other high-end natural stones for visual elegance and luxury appeal. Even designer brands cost less than exotic marbles or soapstones.
The stain, scratch, and heat resistance stands up better than almost any material, retaining beauty despite busy kitchens.
Simple cleaning and maintenance needs also minimize lifetime ownership costs.
The added resale value of $1,000+ per kitchen makes upgrades worthwhile. Stats show that modernized kitchens and baths sell homes faster and for higher prices.
Extended warranties against defects provide lasting peace of mind.
Quartz offers great flexibility too – integrating beautifully as kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, laundry rooms, bar tops, fireplace surrounds, and everywhere else an extremely durable yet eye-catching surface is valued. That versatile, upscale functionality at mid-range prices seals the decision for many homeowners.