How Much Does It Cost to Restore and Polish Stone Floors & Countertops?

Stone Countertop Restoration Costs by Type

Prices start at $2 per square foot, but you could pay as much as $20. Stone countertops are tough, but they do require restoration and a little bit of TLC every once in a while. How much you'll pay depends on the type of stone your countertop is made of, and the extent of the damage.

Marble Countertops

Marble countertops cost an average of $12 per square foot, or between $4 and $20 to restore. Homeowners prize marble for its elegance, luxury, and strength—but it's also soft and porous. That means it's prone to staining, as it absorbs liquids readily, deep inside the stone. Additionally, marble can chip if something heavy, like a cast iron pan, gets dropped on it. Additionally, acidic substances like lemon or tomato juice can etch the surface and cause lasting damage. 

Deep cleaning to remove stains from marble is reasonably inexpensive, but also usually bundled with resealing. These two jobs cost between $4 and $12 per square foot, depending on the difficulty in removing stains. If the stone is also pitted or etched from acids, polishing is required before deep cleaning and sealing, which pushes the price to $6 to $14 per square foot. Repairing chips and cracks is more challenging and therefore, expensive, with prices rising as high as $20 per square foot or more if sections require replacement.

Granite Countertops

To restore granite countertops, expect to pay an average of $7 per square foot, with common costs between $4 and $10 per square foot. The cost of adding granite countertops to a kitchen or bathroom is about $3,000 for most homeowners. 

Granite, like marble, is somewhat porous, so it can stain if left unsealed. However, it doesn't etch with exposure to acidic foods like lemons. It resists etching but can stain if not kept properly sealed. Polishing costs $3 per square foot. Deep clean to remove stains and reseal every two to five years at the price of $4 to $6 per square foot.

Travertine Countertops

Travertine countertops cost $2 to $4 per square foot to restore. Because travertine is a limestone, it's porous and needs sealing every year or so. Plus, it's a comparatively soft stone, so it dulls quickly and is prone to scratches, scuffs, and dings. Therefore, you'll need to have it polished regularly to retain its shine and smooth surface.

Slate Countertops

While slate countertops cost more than many other countertops, they're fairly easy and budget-friendly to maintain at $3 to $8 per square foot, on average. Most people pay around $5.50 to restore their slate countertops. Slate is exceptionally durable and non-porous, so it doesn't stain, acidic foods don't etch it, and it isn't prone to scratches. However, it does get dull over time, so does require polishing every few years.

Cultured Marble Countertops

To restore cultured marble countertops, expect to pay $4 to $9 per square foot, or an average of $6.50. Cultured marble is similar to quartz, in that it consists of crushed marble bound with dyes and resins. Cultured marble countertops cost less than natural marble, and they're less costly to restore, too. 

Unlike real marble, cultured marble doesn't need sealing and isn't porous. It's incredibly durable, won't absorb liquid, and doesn't chip or crack easily. However, because it has a high resin content, it can burn or melt when exposed to too much heat, for example, from a hot pan left unattended on the surface. In which case, you'll need the countertop resurfaced to repair the damage. 

Stone Flooring Restoration Costs by Type

Stone flooring tends to cost less to restore than countertops, as often they just require polishing and a new application of sealant to bring them back to their former glory.

Marble Flooring

Marble flooring costs between $1 and $3 per square foot to restore. Pros use special acids to remove any deep-seated stains, then the floor is polished and sealed

Granite Flooring

For granite floor restoration, expect to pay between $1 and $5 per square foot. In most cases, the granite simply needs buffing to restore its original glow, but, in areas of frequent heavy foot traffic, a throughway to the outdoors, or in a wet room like a kitchen or bathroom, you may need to have it deep cleaned and sealed like marble.

Terrazzo Flooring

Terrazzo flooring costs $3 to $7 per square foot for restoration. A stone and cement composite, terrazzo is extremely durable, non-porous, and resistant to staining, however, it does get dull over time, particularly when used in areas of heavy foot traffic, so requires polishing or buffing every few years. 

Travertine Flooring

For travertine floor polishing, expect to pay between $1 and $2 per square foot. Travertine tends to have a matte finish instead of a shine because it's prone to scuffing and dulling as it's a softer limestone variety. But it's easily restored to the matte polish with a good buffing.

Slate Flooring

Costing between $2 and $3 per square foot to restore, slate flooring is a popular, durable flooring option. It doesn't stain or take damage easily, but it does eventually get a dull, chalky appearance. Some people love slate’s "lived-in," natural look, which requires no polishing. However, if you're more a fan of the high-sheen/wet-look slate, you’ll need to polish intensely from time to time.

Cultured Marble Flooring

Cultured marble flooring costs between $16 and $20 to restore. Because it combines resin and stone, it can wear down, crack, scratch, and chip when used for flooring, but you can't polish it like stone. Instead, a local flooring pro must apply a new layer of resin, which is a comparatively costly process.

Stone Restoration Costs by Method

Several different methods of stone restoration exist, including cleaning, polishing, refinishing, and resealing. Which method you choose depends on what problem you're facing with your stone flooring or countertops. 

Stone Cleaning Cost

Expect to pay between $1 and $2 per square foot for stone cleaning. It involves professional restorers cleaning the stone to remove any traces of existing sealant and built-up dirt and grime. Additionally, for porous stones with staining issues, a penetrating chemical, which is usually an acid base, penetrates the stone to remove deep stains, oil, and grime. Ammonia may also be used to tackle biological staining, such as mold or mildew.

Polishing & Refinishing Stone Prices

Polishing and refinishing stone averages $1 to $7 per square foot. Particularly damaged or worn floors and countertops should be professionally polished or refinished. This consists of using a combination of sanding discs, polishing pads, and abrasive chemicals to remove a thin layer of stone to create a like-new look. Pros use different types of polishing depending on the amount of damage and the type of stone.

Average Cost of Resealing Stone

The price of resealing costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot. Professional restorers finish the project by adding a sealer to the floor or counter. The sealant helps prevent future stains and protects the shine. It may need multiple coats, but this depends on the condition of the stone and the instructions included with the sealing product. Dry each coat fully before applying another coat.

Other Factors That Affect Cost

How much you'll pay for restoring your stone floors and countertops depends on a few other factors, too. The extent of the wear, how heavy the dirt buildup and staining, and the necessary repair type all impact the cost.

Level of Grime

The level of cleaning and buildup is a key factor in figuring out the cost of the overall project. Floors that have gone decades without restoration will cost more than the cost associated with restoring a floor that is in new condition and is only a couple of years old. Countertops that haven’t been sealed regularly and have multiple areas of staining will be more expensive to clean than stain-free ones.

Level of Wear

Floors with high traffic and counters that see a lot of use usually have more wear and, therefore, require more steps to restore. The more steps needed to polish the stone to a smooth surface, the pricier the job.

Lippage

This refers to a joint between two tiles where one tile is higher than the other. To correct it, the technician grinds down the higher tile to match the lower one. The service company will add a fee of $1 per square foot for each area treated with this process.

Slab or Tile Replacement

In some cases, a tile may crack or chip to the point where restoration is difficult, and it makes more sense to replace it. The specialist that assesses your restoration will let you know which tiles should be replaced and the extra cost associated with that work. If the slab countertop has irreparable damage, you will likely need to budget for new countertop installation.

Warranties

In some cases, floor tiles and countertops may be under a limited warranty after installation. The warranty will cover defects in the manufacturing or installation of the product, but will not cover normal wear, stains, chipping, or breakage due to improper use. Since surface restoration is usually due to everyday use, a warranty does not cover it.

Prevention Tips

To avoid the expense of restoring stone floors and the considerable time commitment associated with restoration, homeowners can take several steps to reduce their likelihood of having to restore their floors.

• Frequently sweep floors to remove abrasive sand and dirt

• Add mats at entrances for wiping shoes

• Clean spills quickly

• Use coasters on counters and tables to prevent damage from acidic beverages

• Use trays for health and beauty products stored on bathroom counters

• Use cleaners specifically designed for the stone

• Avoid abrasive cleaners

• Regularly wipe floors and counters with neutral pH cleaners

• Avoid soap to reduce streaks and buildup

DIY Stone Restoration vs. Hiring a Pro

You can likely DIY small restoration or polishing jobs. The materials are not expensive; labor adds to the price, so you may save a lot. However, for large areas or heavily worn or damaged surfaces, we recommend you hire a flooring pro. They have equipment as well as specialized knowledge that will allow them to do a better job.

DIY Kits & Tools

To restore a stone surface yourself, you’ll need: 

• Polishing compound or powder

• Sealant

• Polishing wheel with a backer to attach to a polisher or grinder

• Power polisher or grinder

Available kits include all the materials, but not the power tools. These kits cost $80 to $100 and will polish a 200-square-foot area. A power polisher will cost between $100 and $200.