How Expensive is Slate Countertops

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When searching for what stone material to buy for kitchen or bathroom countertops, the top choices are often granite, marble, and quartz. It may come as a surprise to many that slate is a strong contender for countertop material as it can be very durable and reliable in moderate and active kitchens or bathrooms.

Slate is uniquely made to be resilient to damage and it is used for both decoration and insulation for home designs.

One of the best perks of slate is how affordable it can be in relation to the other stone materials. Slate countertops are typically less expensive to purchase and install, but it still requires a homeowner to be mindful with how much they are spending.

Follow along to learn how much slate countertops could cost and learn ways to save money for your next home remodel.

Average Cost of Slate Countertops

When researching the cost of stone countertops, a common theme you will see is that the price fluctuates based on several factors. This is true for slate as well since slate has an average cost, but that cost will depend on what type of project you are doing with your home.

On average, slate can cost around $45-$100 per square foot to install. Some higher ends pieces of slab can cost around $200, but that price is a rare situation. The average cost of installing slate countertops ranges from $1000-$2200.

Home remodelers will notice that this price is at the low-end of the financial spectrum in comparison to quartz, granite, or marble.

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Factors That Change Price

Like we said before, the price for slate countertops depends on several factors.

Slab vs. Tile

Depending on whether you are buying slate slabs or slate tile; this would dramatically affect the overall price.

Location

Depending on where you live, the price of how much slate will cost will change. For example, a family living 2 miles from a fabricator will pay less than a family living 10-15 miles from the fabricator. Transporting the material can be very delicate and perilous as the longer the trip takes, the higher the chance a piece can chip or break and cost the fabricator’s time and money to replace.

Another important aspect of fluctuating price with location is the specific region where the fabricator and homeowner are living. If a specific area does not have a demand for slate, then fabricators will not carry it as it will not sell. For instance, if an order comes in requiring slate, they need to make a special order which costs more money for them, which in turn will be paid by the homeowners requesting it.

Color

Homeowners often buy similar colors for countertops. Marble countertops are often white, quartz countertops are often black or white, and slate countertops are most chosen in black or a dark gray.

The more popular a color is, the higher price it can be because there is more demand for it. Fabricators need to keep more of this specific color in stock to meet the high demand for the market. This means they must buy more of it in bulk to meet this demand, which will raise the price for homeowners to purchase.

Colors like light gray or blue are not as appealing and can often be purchased at a lower price.

Grade / Quality

The quality of slate is a major factor in determining its price. Slate’s quality can widely vary between high, medium, and low-quality stone that it will affect how much a homeowner is paying directly and residual payments of repair and upkeep.

Availability

The theme of supply and demand rules the marketplace where if something is in high demand and not available, the price for the demanded item will increase. If there is a high demand for slate when there is not enough slate to be provided, fabricators will have to pay more to obtain the slate and charge more to sell it.

If quarries are not able to find a plentiful enough supply of slate in their mines or quarries, the price for slate increases because it is harder to obtain.

Certain colors are harder to find than others which will increase the price as well. Colors like green or black are highly coveted and sell out quickly.

Finish / Textures

There are three types of textures or finishes which slate can have. These textures will change what the countertop feels like and will change how much maintenance a homeowner will need to do for upkeep.

Edging

Edging in countertops refers to adding a specific design to the very edge of the countertop. These edges provide a sense of texture, depth, and design to a countertop, as well as protecting the floor and cabinets from spills. Many companies will provide a free popular edge with a purchase of slate countertop installation. However, that depends on the specific fabricator company. All our edges can be viewed on our online edge viewing tool to help highlight the brilliant differences between popular, premium, and laminate edges.

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Additional Charges

The factors above can change the price of slate countertops, but the following are additional prices which can also add into the overall price of installation.

• Backsplash Removal: Fabricators may charge homeowners for removing their current countertop in favor of their new one. Sometimes this price is part of the overall installation fee, but other places will make it a separate charge.
• Labor: Homeowners will have to pay the general cost of labor for the work in their kitchen or bathroom. Laborers often charge by the hour and can be as expensive as $30-$40.
• Additional Cutouts: Having additional cutouts for a sink or cooktop will be an extra charge as it is more customization the fabricators must prepare.
• Backsplash: Adding a backsplash to a new countertop goes hand-in-hand as a backsplash helps protect and adds more design to the overall kitchen or bathroom. However, a backsplash is an additional charge and could cost more money with what material you use.

Tips to Save Money with Slate Countertops

We understand all of these charges may sound intimidating and expensive. But there are always ways to save some money when it comes to home remodeling.

• Buy less common colors: Purchasing less common colors like light gray will save you extra money with installation as many companies will put it on sale to get rid of it.
• Tiles: Slate tiles are much easier to install and buy. They can also be customized much more for added layers of creativity.
• Small Slab: Small slate slabs can be less expensive than purchasing a large and bulky slab.
• Choose a simple edge: If a fabricator offers a free edge with the cost of installation, choose one of their free options. The free popular options will still look nice and save you money.
• Remnant Pieces: Ask the fabricators if they have any remnant pieces of slate around which can be used. These pieces cost the fabricator money to remove, and they will gladly use recycled material at a lower cost.

Conclusion

In summation, how expensive are slate countertops? Short answer, not very expensive and potentially more affordable than other stones like quartz, marble, and granite. With all this information at your fingertips, schedule an appointment today to have our fabricators provide a quote to have your slate countertops installed.

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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