How Much Do Stainless Steel Countertops Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

On average, installing stainless steel countertops costs $4,500, with homeowners spending between $1,200 and $8,400, or $70 to $225 per square foot. Factors like size, gauge (thickness), and customization options influence the overall cost. Stainless steel countertops offer a sleek, durable, and heat-resistant option for modern kitchens. By carefully planning your budget and hiring a professional installer, you can ensure a successful installation.

Stainless Steel Countertop Cost Factors

The cost to install stainless steel countertops varies depending on their size, design, cut, labor requirements, and plumbing.

Materials

The cost of stainless steel countertop material runs between $70 to $215 per square foot. Restaurant supply companies may sell cheaper, prefabricated versions. Ask your installer if you can purchase materials separately or if they prefer you buy through them or a specific retailer.

Custom vs. Prefab

Custom steel counters are priced between $140 and $215 per square foot, including the wood base that the metal encases. The amount and gauge of the steel will determine your total costs. To save on costs, consider buying your own wood base.

Prefabricated stainless steel counters with a single-basin sink range in price from $1,200 to $2,700. The basin's size and the material's quality will also affect your budget. In addition to the size, the price varies based on the edge shape and whether it comes with a matching backsplash.

Cutting & Fitting

If you purchase your stainless steel countertop separately, you'll need to pay for fabricating and cutting the sheet metal, which costs between $700 and $2,100. Quotes from national companies may be higher, so consider checking with your local independent sheet metal shop.

You'll also incur costs for additional features, such as:

• Sink cutout: $100 to $250

• Faucet cutout: $20 to $25

• Electrical outlet cutout: $25 to $30

An under-mount sink cutout is more expensive because it requires a custom hole, while a drop-in sink is cheaper since it only needs a basic opening.

After your counters and cutouts are ready, you can hire a handyperson to handle the fitting, sealing, and installation at about $30 to $100 per hour or $10 per square foot.

Plumbing

If the job requires more plumbing than reconnecting existing pipes, hire a licensed and insured professional plumber. You can expect to pay between $180 and $495 for their services. You may need to budget for the cost of putting in a kitchen faucet, which runs between $160 and $365, and installing a sink, which averages $440. 

Labor

Professional installation of stainless steel countertops costs an average of $10 per square foot or between $30 and $100 per hour in labor fees. For smaller projects like a 20-square-foot powder room, companies may charge a flat fee or price per square foot. For larger projects, such as a 100-square-foot kitchen, installers often charge by the hour.

Removal & Replacement

Removing 50 square feet of metal countertops, including debris disposal, will cost you between $70 and $225.

It may make more sense to repair or refinish the surface depending on its condition. The average price to repair a countertop falls between $210 and $545, but fixing stainless steel costs homeowners $500 to $1,000. While minor scratches are fixable with clean flapper wheels or abrasive discs, significant damage may need chemical or electrochemical work. This is a task best left to the professionals.

Stainless Steel vs. Other Countertop Materials

Stainless steel countertops average $4,500 and are more expensive than granite, but they offer unique advantages like heat, chemical, and stain resistance. Unlike granite, marble, and quartz, stainless steel is nonporous and antibacterial, making it a hygienic choice for your kitchen. 

However, stainless steel can be prone to scratches and dents, and its industrial look might not appeal to everyone. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, laminate countertops cost less but lack the durability and premium feel of stainless steel.

DIY vs. Hiring a Countertop Installer

Installing stainless steel countertops isn't an easy project to do on your own. Even if you have the skills to install a prefabricated model, leaving the sink installation and pipework to a qualified plumber is best. To ensure a flawless finish, consider hiring a professional countertop installer near you to handle the installation from start to finish.

If you're set on a DIY approach, hire a local metal fabricator to make and cut the units, even if you plan to install them yourself.

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. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.