Materials / Cost guide · August 2026
Countertops are not a price ladder.
Granite can cost less than quartz. Quartz can cost more than marble. The useful comparison is not four materials in a row—it is nine product tiers that overlap.
Installed planning bands · per sq. ft.
The price-overlap map
Choose a slab. Its width shows the range; its position shows what it overlaps.
40 sq. ft. planning range
Standard quartz
$2,200–$3,800Predictable color, easy care, and no routine sealing.
- Care
- Low
- Heat
- Good
- Pattern
- Controlled
Watch forUse a trivet; resin makes extreme heat the weak point.
Choose for the life on top
The trade-off map.
Three blocks is more. For care, more means easier.
The easy-care choice.
The durable value range.
Choose the patina, too.
Hardness with natural depth.
The quote behind the slab
What moves the number.
The stone is only one line in the fabrication math.
Slab yield
Paying for a second slab can matter more than the material category.
Edge work
Build-ups, miters, and waterfall ends add fabrication hours.
Cuts + seams
Sinks, cooktops, curves, and vein matching move the shop cost.
Site access
Long carries, stairs, and oversized pieces change installation.
View every planning band as a table
| Product tier | Material | Per sq. ft. | 40 sq. ft. example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry granite | Granite | $40–$65 | $1,600–$2,600 |
| Standard quartz | Quartz | $55–$95 | $2,200–$3,800 |
| Midrange granite | Granite | $60–$105 | $2,400–$4,200 |
| Carrara marble | Marble | $70–$115 | $2,800–$4,600 |
| Premium quartz | Quartz | $85–$140 | $3,400–$5,600 |
| Premium granite | Granite | $90–$150 | $3,600–$6,000 |
| Quartzite | Quartzite | $105–$200 | $4,200–$8,000 |
| Exotic granite | Granite | $120–$220 | $4,800–$8,800 |
| Calacatta marble | Marble | $140–$250 | $5,600–$10,000 |
How to use these numbers.
Use the bands to set a material allowance before design—not to compare bids. Actual pricing is local and slab-specific. Verify the full slab, quantity, included edge, cutouts, seams, delivery, and installation in one written quote.
Already have a slab in mind?