How Much Does It Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops in 2024?

Kitchen Countertop Replacement Cost Factors

Your total kitchen countertop replacement cost will vary significantly depending on a few key cost factors—particularly the size and materials you choose. But there are price-driving factors to consider as well.

Size

Naturally, a larger countertop will cost more. On average, countertops cost about $50 to $150 per square foot, which means even a small, 20-square-foot countertop could cost as much as $3,000 for materials and labor. The larger your counters, the more you’ll pay for materials and labor to install a new kitchen countertop.

Slab vs. Tile

When picking a countertop material, you’ll often have the choice between slabs or tiles. This is especially true for natural stone materials such as quartz or granite. Generally speaking, you’ll pay 30% to 80% less for a tile countertop than you would for the same material as a slab. Tile countertops have some downsides since the grout between each tile can become stained or damaged with time, meaning you’ll eventually have to pay the cost of regrouting the tile.

One compromise between slab and tile is with precast or cast-in-place epoxy and concrete slabs. These countertops offer a slab countertop's seamless look (and lowered countertop repair costs) while being less expensive than a quartz or granite one.

Cutouts

You’ll need to have some holes cut out from your countertop material to accommodate your kitchen sink, cooktop, or electrical outlets. Because cutouts are customizations, the price will go up depending on how many you need. Also, some materials are more labor-intensive to cut, which may further increase the price per cutout.

Edge Treatment

With most countertop materials, you’ll need to pay for special edge treatments to add a finished look to your new counters. These treatments generally cost between $10 and $60 per linear foot, depending on the material and style. Corners and curves cost more than a straight edge, ranging between $50 and $150 per corner. That said, you can usually choose a straight or eased edge at no additional cost when you pay for your new countertops.

Additional Kitchen Countertop Replacement Cost Factors

Beyond size, edge treatment, and cutouts, there are a few other important cost factors to consider. 

Customizations

There are countless customization options with new kitchen countertops. For one thing, you may have an irregularly shaped counter that requires a custom countertop. Custom fabrication will always cost more than an in-stock slab. 

The other major customization is finishes and polishes, which can increase the cost of your countertops depending on your choices. Exact prices for different finishes vary depending on your chosen material, but anything that differs from the standard options will raise the price of your new kitchen countertops.

Labor

On average, labor costs to install a new kitchen counter are around $20 to $50 per square foot, making up around 30% to 40% of the total project cost. You might pay more for labor if you’re using a specialized material that’s more difficult to work with (e.g., epoxy or porcelain), or if you need other services, including:

• Countertop and cabinet leveling

• Cabinet support for heavy countertops

• Cabinet replacement

• Backsplash replacement

• Plumbing upgrades or rerouting

• Electrical installation or rerouting

Removal and Disposal

The other main cost factor of new kitchen counters is your old countertop. Unless you’re working on a new build, you’ll need to factor in the cost of removing and disposing of the old countertop. Depending on the size and material of your old countertop, it will cost between $50 and $250 to have it removed. Your local countertop contractor will probably include this cost in the estimate for kitchen countertop installation labor costs.

Kitchen Countertop Replacement by Material

One of the main cost factors for a new countertop is the material you choose. Let’s have a look at countertop prices by material.

Granite

Granite is one of the most desirable and common countertop materials. They come in a variety of colors and types, some of which are much more expensive than others. On average, granite countertops cost $80 to $150 per square foot.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious-looking material that’s actually quite inexpensive compared to other options. Most marble countertops cost between $40 and $150 per square foot, though some marble, such as Calacatta, is much more expensive.

Quartz & Quartzite

Quartz is an engineered stone made of a mixture of natural quartz, resins, and pigments. A quartz countertop costs about $50 to $200 per square foot. Quartzite, on the other hand, is made of 100% natural stone and usually costs about $65 to $100 per square foot.

Soapstone

Soapstone is a type of natural stone made mainly from talc. It gets its name because it feels like dry soap to the touch, giving it a unique look. Soapstone countertops cost around $60 to $130 per square foot.

Labradorite & Onyx

Labradorite and onyx are premium gemstone materials that offer a shimmering, luxurious look to your countertops. Brilliant green labradorite costs as much as $200 to $300 per square foot installed, while the translucent, striking onyx costs between $50 and $200.

Slate

Slate (and other natural stone countertops) are a relatively low-cost option that adds a natural feeling to a kitchen. Most slate and other natural stone countertops cost between $50 and $150 per square foot installed.

Travertine

Travertine is a popular countertop stone formed from limestone. Travertine countertops cost about $70 to $150 per square foot. You can expect similar numbers for other limestone countertop costs, such as dolomite.

Caesarstone

Caesarstone is an engineered material made of a mixture of minerals, glass, resin, and pigments. It’s an inexpensive option, with Caesarstone countertop costs sitting around $50 to $100 per square foot installed.

Concrete

Concrete is a very popular option because of its lower material costs. Concrete countertops cost between $50 and $150 per square foot installed, with 90% of that amount going toward labor.

Corian

Corian is a type of solid-surface material for countertops, made with a blend of natural minerals and resin. Corian countertops cost about $50 to $150 per square foot.

Epoxy

Epoxy countertops are made with a mixture of resin and a chemical hardening agent. The materials are inexpensive, though the labor makes up for it. Epoxy countertops cost about $50 to $150 per square foot installed.

Laminate & Formica

Most laminate countertops cost between $20 and $80 per square foot installed, though they offer less durability compared to other options. Formica, a brand of laminate made of thin plastic layered on top of plywood, is even less expensive, around $20 to $60 per square foot.

Porcelain

Although porcelain is a relatively budget-friendly countertop material, it’s very delicate, meaning labor rates are higher. This material is non-porous and resistant to UV fading, making it an especially great choice for outdoor kitchens. Porcelain counters cost about $50 to $120 per square foot.

Recycled Glass

This material is made by melting glass pieces into a slab (or combining them with a resin) to create a unified surface. Recycled glass countertops cost between $60 and $250 per square foot.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a relatively inexpensive countertop material, though it doesn’t last as long as other types. Bamboo, like other simple wood countertops, costs between $50 and $125 per square foot installed.

Butcher Block

Butcher block countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot for materials and labor, depending on the type of wood you use and the thickness of the slab you buy.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is hard-wearing, easy to clean, non-porous, and, naturally, resists staining. Stainless steel countertops cost about $80 to $200 per square foot installed, depending on the steel gauge you choose.

Copper 

Copper countertops are luxurious, durable, attractive, and easy to clean, though they can be expensive. Copper countertops cost about $100 to $200 per square foot.

Kitchen Countertop Replacement vs. Repair

Depending on the type of problem you’re having with your kitchen countertop, it might make more sense to repair it instead of replacing it. For instance, if your countertop has small scratches, stains, or minor chips, it should be quite simple (and inexpensive) to repair—even if it’s a slab countertop. However, if your countertops have extensive damage, such as deep cracks, large discolored patches, or major structural problems, it’s probably more practical (and safer) to replace the countertops entirely.

Does Replacing Kitchen Countertops Increase Home Value?

Of all the kitchen renovations you can do to boost your home’s value, countertop replacement is one of the best. Compared to other major upgrades, such as switching out appliances or redoing cabinets, replacing kitchen countertops is a fast and low-cost way to get as much as a 98.5% ROI. This is especially true if you’re replacing a drab laminate countertop with something more modern, such as granite, quartz, stainless steel, or even concrete.

Budgeting for Replacing Kitchen Countertops

Replacing kitchen countertops doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are a few ideas to make this project more budget-friendly:

• Research all available material options to pick one that strikes a balance between low upfront cost and durability for the future, ensuring you pick a material that will remain durable for years to come.

• If you have the tools and ability, consider removing your old countertops yourself—assuming they’re easy to handle, such as laminate or Corian. We don’t recommend removing heavy granite or concrete countertops yourself.

• Shop around when purchasing new sinks and faucet fixtures—you may find more inexpensive options than those offered by the company you buy your countertop from.

• Stick with simpler edge detailing to reduce the cost per linear foot—square and eased edges often come at no extra cost with new kitchen countertops.

• Reduce odd shapes and customizations—if you can buy an in-stock countertop slab, it will always be cheaper than having a custom one manufactured.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.