How Expensive Are Quartz Countertops

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The time has come where you want to update your kitchen or bathroom with a beautiful slab of quartz. You have an idea of where you want to install it, but the only question you want to know is how much will it cost you to install a quartz slab?

The simplest answer is, it depends. Quartz and other stone slabs are not a “buy and pay” type of service. There are a lot of factors to consider to truly understand how expensive quartz slabs are priced.

That is why we are going to break down how quartz countertops are priced to help you understand how much you will be paying.

Average Cost

According to Forbes and HomeAdvisor, the national average for quartz countertops is $75-$200 per sq. ft. to purchase and install. Overall, a customer can be expected to pay anywhere from $1,500-$12,000 for the whole installation process; with the average being $4,500.

This price is divided up between several separate services:

· Brand of Material

· Quality of Slab

· Slab Availability

· Job Complexity

· Installation & Labor

· Edging

· Additional Work

From the outside, this does sound like a lot of money. However, quartz is worth the high price due to their exceptional durability, variety of styles, and ability to increase property value in your home.

Brands of Quartz

Quartz countertops are artificially designed by companies who specialize in fabricating quartz slabs. Because quartz countertops are in high demand, many companies have emerged in the market to supply their own style of quartz. Each company sets their own prices based on competition, rarity, demand, and overall labor going into their specific brand.

Some of the highest quartz competitor brands are priced at:

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Quality of Slab

Due to the high demand of quartz countertops, more quartz suppliers are emerging to profit. This can act as a double-edged sword as this allows for more places to shop, but also less consistency with quality.

Quartz slabs are manufactured through a method of bonding the quartz mineral with a resin. The fused stone is then dyed to create an assortment of colors, patterns, and designs. Trustworthy quartz fabricators will highlight how much natural quartz is used in their slabs. High-quality quartz slabs will be made with 93%-95% natural quartz mineral.

Depending on the quality of the quartz, the price can fluctuate. For instance, a small quartz fabricator with 90% quartz can be selling their slabs for $40-$50 per sq. ft., while another fabricator selling a slab of 93% quartz can cost $60-$70 per sq. ft. Some companies with premium quartz can cost upwards of $200 or more per square foot.

A lower quality slab does not directly equate to poor durability. You are still getting a large amount of quartz stone with all the same benefits of quartz, but there is more resin and dye in the fabrication process. For someone not interested in having the highest-grade of premium quartz, you won’t really see the difference. However, it could be a factor in cleaning as improperly cleaning with strong chemicals can affect the resin in the slab, leading to a higher chance of damage like stains or cracks.

Slab Availability

Quartz slabs come in a wide assortment of colors and designs; ranging from simple shades with veining, to complex patterns, to mimicking other stones like marble. Quartz is often used as an alternative solution to marble because quartz manufacturers have evolved their craft where professional stone experts cannot tell the difference between quartz and marble. Quartz possesses notable benefits over other stones which makes it in high demand.

With a high demand for any product, the most coveted designs will be chosen first. Quartz slabs that mimic marble sell out quickly, making the price for them increase. Popular quartz colors like white and black tend to be more expensive than grey or beige stones. Exotic patterns that mimic nature or custom designs will also be more expensive than a regular looking slab.

Special ordering a quartz slab from off site will cost more to account for purchasing and transport. It is more cost effective to browse through the selection of quartz slabs immediately available on the fabricator’s site.

Like all things, the harder it is to find something to purchase, the more expensive it will be to obtain. Researching what quartz colors will work well with your new kitchen or bathroom can be made much simpler by using an online visualizer tool to get a proper understanding of how the specific stone will look once installed.

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Job Complexity

To determine the price of your quartz countertop, the company will have to know what type of job they will be doing, which requires precise information on:

· How much quartz will you need for your project?

· The dimensions of the project: length, width, height, thickness.

· Will you be requiring a single slab or multiple slabs?

· Are there any angles to the project?

· Will there be any extra cutouts needing to be performed?

A general rule of thumb, the more complex a job is, the more money it will be to complete. For example, a quartz kitchen countertop requiring several cutouts, with 2 round angles, extra overhang with supports, with a thick slab will cost more money than a project needing a single slab installation with minimal cutouts.

Materials & Labor

The cost of quartz countertops is more than just the stone material itself. It also incorporates the cost of general labor and travel from the company.

As stated before, every company has their own pricing for labor. Laborers are typically charged hourly for their time. However, other companies will charge you by the square foot being installed. With either situation, the price can range from $10-$30.

Another factor to consider is location from the fabricator to the job site. Transporting heavy and delicate materials can be dangerous and the farther away the jobsite is, the more money it will cost to haul those materials to you. Alternatively, you could transport the quartz to your home instead. But if you do not have a vehicle large enough for it, you could damage your quartz on route or damage your car as quartz is very heavy.

Finish

A stone finish means the final layer placed on to ensure your countertop is secure and sealed. Quartz countertops do not require sealing thanks to being artificially constructed making them non-porous, but they do have several finished options.

· Honed: smooth, matte-like feel that hides crumbs, smudges, and streaks well. Requires additional processing and usually seen as an upgrade charge.

· Sueded: textured and has more depth, complements dark stone better and is easy to wipe down.

· Polished: buffed to have a glossy look. May require follow-up polishing to keep its sheen. Standard with quartz countertops and most cost effective.

Having your quartz finished typically does not add up too much. It can range anywhere from $4-$6 per square foot, depending on what option you are choosing.

Edging

Edging is the process of shaping the edges of your countertop to have a specific design. Depending on the type of edging you wish to have for your countertop, some companies will allow you to choose a standard edge included with your purchase of quartz.

Some standard and popular styles like Straight, ¼ Round, or Half Bullnose provide plenty of protection to your countertop and offer a safe and smooth corner.

Intricate and premium edging options like Waterfall, Ogee, and Cove Dupont are often a separate and higher charge due to their more complex design.

Overall, the price for edging treatment can range from $5-$60 per linear foot.

Countertop Removal

It only makes sense that if you are planning to change your current countertop, then you will need to remove the old one. Depending on where you are buying your quartz from, some companies will include a countertop removal service in the installation fee.

However, that is not always consistent, so you will have to double-check to see if it is included or not. If not, then it will be an additional charge to remove and dispose of your old countertop. The average charge for removing old countertops ranges from $5-$15 per square foot.

Additional Costs

Companies will always try to sell you something more to get your business. It is a mix between a sales tactic and actual interior design advice as fabricators work with a lot of homeowners with countertop installation. It would be wise to listen to their advice and carefully consider additional work with your countertop upgrade so you get the most out of your kitchen.

    Backsplash: A backsplash provides protection to your walls against bugs, grease, and oil. A backsplash also adds to the overall design and theme of your kitchen or bathroom, providing an excellent accent piece for your countertop, cabinets, or vanity. The materials for a backsplash are charged by the square foot, like your countertop.

    Cutouts: Cutouts involve making precise cuts in the slab to fit your sink, faucet, cooktop, and other appliances. When upgrading your kitchen, it is common for owners to want an additional cooktop or sink. Making more cutouts will be an extra charge, but some companies may include the price of cutouts on their estimates.

    Extras: Depending on your project, these are not always going to be a factor. Things like plumbing work, sink removal, or extra supports for overhang will increase the price of your quartz countertops. But not every project will involve these factors. Getting some of these options done could be an additional charge ranging between $200-$300 or more, depending if larger appliances are involved.

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Tips to Save Money

It may seem like quartz countertops will cost you quite a lot for all this work, but there are always little tips to help you save money.

· Check The Quote: Double check your quote to see if some services are included in your installation process. You could save a lot of money going with a company that includes countertop removal, cutouts, and standard edging options in the installation fee.

· Get Multiple Quotes: Shop around and get 2 to 3 quotes to see which company offers you the best deal for your money.

· Shop In Stock: Search through the variety of quartz available at the fabricator’s facility. Try not to special order a slab if you do not have to.

· Off-Season Purchases: Buy your slab when the market is not too busy like in winter. Companies sometimes lower their prices in the colder months or have in-store sales to get business when people are less likely to remodel.

· Thinner Slabs: Look for slabs that are not as bulky. Thicker slabs tend to cost more than thinner ones.

· Recycled Material: Ask if the fabricator has any recycled material you can use. Many times, these materials will be re-used for other projects, and you can use them for additional work like a backsplash.

Conclusion

So how expensive are quartz countertops? Short answer, it depends. They can be pretty pricey, depending on the complexity of your project, how far away you are from the fabricator, the type of quartz you want to install, and any additional work you want done.

Not every project is the same, so take time to review what you want done with your quartz countertops so you can budget your money wisely.

Why you can trust Marble.com

When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. We at Marble.com are known for our incredibly quick turnaround, as we understand having countertops and other mainstays installed quickly and properly is important to our customers. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible.

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