How Much Does Stone Restoration Cost in 2025?

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

Stone restoration costs homeowners an average of $841, with most spending between $428 and $1,296. Depending on several factors, total costs range from $1 to $20 per square foot. Damaged or dull stone surfaces can make your home look worn out, but a little care can restore your stone flooring and countertops to their original beauty. 

Materials like marble, granite, terrazzo, and travertine can all be revitalized through professional restoration, enhancing the natural elegance of your home. Professionally refinishing your natural stone is a worthwhile investment that can extend its life by up to 15 years. 

Granite and Stone Restoration Cost Factors

Several factors affect the cost of restoring stone in your home, including the restoration method, the type of stone, and the level of grime and wear your local stone restoration pro will handle.

Cost by Method

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

Cleaning 

Expect to pay between $0.50 and $1.50 per square foot for stone cleaning. This 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, 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

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.

Resealing

Resealing costs between $0.50 and $2 per square foot. Professional restorers finish the project by applying a sealer to the floor or counter, which helps prevent future stains and protects the shine. Multiple coats may be necessary, depending on the stone's condition and the sealing product's instructions. Ensure each coat dries fully before applying another.

Level of Grime

The amount of grime and buildup significantly affects your overall project cost. Floors that haven't been restored in decades will cost more to clean than newer ones in better condition. Countertops that haven't been sealed regularly and have multiple stains will be more expensive to restore than those that are stain-free.

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.

Labor

To achieve the best results, hire a professional mason for your stone restoration project. Labor rates vary by region, with most masons charging between $70 and $110 per hour.

Lippage

This refers to a joint between two tiles where one tile is higher than the other. Addressing lippage requires the technician to precisely grind the elevated tile until it perfectly aligns with the lower one. The service company will add a fee of $1 per square foot for each area treated with this process, or $120 to $500 in total for most uneven stone tile repair jobs.

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 who 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 costs.

Warranties

Your floor tiles and countertops might come with a limited warranty after installation. While warranties cover manufacturing or installation defects, they typically don't cover normal wear, stains, chipping, or damage from improper use. Since stone restoration addresses issues from everyday use, it's usually not covered by warranties.

Restoration vs. Replacement

It’s almost always better to restore stone rather than replace it, provided the original stone isn’t too damaged to be returned to its original state. Stone restoration is generally much less expensive than replacement. For example, new natural stone flooring costs between $6 and $20 per square foot, while new stone countertops can range from $10 to $100 per square foot. Stone is also far more durable than most other floor and countertop materials, so it simply makes more sense to repair and restore it whenever possible.

Countertop Restoration Costs by Stone Type

Prices for stone countertop restoration start at $2 per square foot, but you could pay as much as $25. 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 

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. Acidic substances like lemon or tomato juice can etch the surface and cause lasting damage.

For marble countertops, deep cleaning costs between $0.50 and $1.50 per square foot, while polishing and refinishing range from $1 to $7 per square foot. Repairing chips and cracks is more challenging and, therefore, expensive, with prices rising as high as $25 per square foot or more if sections require replacement.

Granite 

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 an average of $3,300 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. For granite countertops, cleaning costs between $0.50 and $1.50 per square foot, polishing ranges from $1 to $7 per square foot, and resealing is generally between $0.50 and $2 per square foot.

Travertine 

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 

Slate countertops cost more than many other countertops, and maintenance is similar at $3 to $8 per square foot, on average. Most people pay an average of $5.50 per square foot 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 

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 are 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 won'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.

Flooring Restoration Costs by Stone 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. This means you can probably avoid paying stone floor installation costs by prioritizing regular maintenance.

Marble 

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

Granite 

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 

Terrazzo flooring costs $1 to $2 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 with heavy foot traffic, so it requires polishing or buffing every few years.

Travertine 

Expect to pay between $3 and $7 per square foot for travertine floor polishing. Travertine, a softer limestone variety, tends to have a matte finish instead of a shine because it's prone to scuffing and dulling. However, it can easily be restored to the matte polish with a good buffing.

Slate 

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 doesn’t require 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 

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.

Budgeting for Stone Restoration

Here are some tips to help you save money on your stone restoration project:

• Tackle simple stains or minor issues yourself with DIY solutions using readily available materials.

• Cut labor costs by cleaning the stone yourself before the professionals arrive.

• Bundle services like cleaning, resealing, and leveling to reduce overall costs.

• Ask your restoration expert about yearly maintenance services that might offer discounts.

• Consider recycled materials if you need to replace parts of your stone counter or floor for a cost-effective option.

DIY vs. Hiring a Stone Restoration Professional

Stone restoration professionals have in-depth knowledge about each type of stone, enabling them to make expert recommendations on the cleaning, restoration, and polishing methods that are right for your home and budget. They also have the skill to handle your valuable stone with care so they can restore it to its original beauty without damage.

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 thousands of 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.