How Much Do Marble Countertops Cost?

Marble Countertops Cost

Marble countertops come in a wide range of styles and qualities with prices ranging from $25 to $180 per square foot. Most homeowners on HomeGuide report spending between $40 to $100 per square foot for both materials and professional installation. Prices depend on the type of marble selected, the size of your countertops, and the local labor costs.

The word “marble” has roots in ancient Greek and comes from two words that translate to “crystalline rock” and “shining stone,” which is an accurate description of how it can look in your kitchen. Marble countertops have extreme durability and are often cheaper than other stone countertops.

Marble countertops will brighten your kitchen, are easy to clean, and are great for cooking. Continue reading to see all the costs of marble countertops, or chat with local countertop installation pros.

Table of Contents

1. Marble Countertops Cost
2. Marble Countertops Installation Cost
3. Marble Countertops Prices By Type
4. Marble Slab vs. Marble Tile
5. Marble Countertop Cost Comparison
6. Marble Countertops Cost Factors
• Soundness
• Thickness
7. Marble Countertop Finishes
8. Marble Countertops Pros And Cons
9. Marble Countertop Maintenance
10. Marble Countertop Repair Cost
11. DIY Or Hire A Pro?
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Selecting Your Contractor
14. Get free estimates

Marble Countertops Installation Cost

The majority of costs to install marble countertops comes from the materials alone. Installation and labor costs are around $10 per square foot, which makes up a minimal portion of your total cost. The average countertop installation takes 10 hours, with labor costs averaging $35-$45 per hour.

For an average kitchen with a countertop size of 40 square feet, made with a mid-range marble at $50 per square foot, and installation costs at $400, it will cost around $2,400 total.

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Marble Countertops Prices By Type

There's a wide variety of marble types to choose from. Knowing the pros and cons of each will help you decide on which style is right for your countertops.

Marble Cost Per Square Foot

Here are the most common types of marble countertops types listed by their cost in square feet:

Pink Marble Countertops Cost

Pink marble is very affordable at $25 per square foot and is found throughout India, Greece, and China. However, Pink marble from Tennessee is not actually a true marble so be sure to ask for the paperwork if you go this route.

Carrara Marble Countertops Cost

Also mined in the mountains of Italy, Carrara is very plentiful and is by far the most popular type of marble. This makes it a more affordable option for homeowners with an average cost of $40 per square foot. Carrara is used in many famous statues and buildings. Sometimes it’s found with a blue-gray hue or a less pure white, further contributing to its more affordable price point.

Statuario Marble Countertops Cost

Another marble mined in the mountains of Italy, Statuario, is considered rare and is also referred to as one of the most precious marbles quarried in Italy. The patterns visible in Statuario come from the veins of gray and gold. The visible grains in these stone are very fine and give the appearance of shimmering when they reflect light. It is not only expensive and highly sought after, but it’s becoming increasingly rare—as its uses expand from exterior embellishments, tiles, and flooring to include kitchen countertops, backsplashes, and bathroom vanities. Statuario Marble costs $50 per square foot on average.

Cultured Marble Countertops Cost

Cultured marble is a manufactured product that combines certain resins, stone particles, and pigments to produce a product that has a natural marble look. In the production process, the mixed materials are poured into molds that result in a final product such as shower pans, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, trim, backsplash, and countertops. Cultured marble costs $65 per square foot.

Since cultured marble is a manufactured stone product, there is a vast range of options available regarding the shape, size, and options on the edge treatment. Another bonus in working with manufactured stone is that once produced, it has no grout lines to be cleaned, and it never needs to be sealed like a natural stone because it is nonporous.

Once out of the mold, the resulting product will have a clear, durable, and transparent surface, which is available in a version which has been polished to result in a shiny finish, or honed to give it a matte finish.

Travertine Marble Countertops Cost

Travertine looks like and is sold as marble. When compared to marble, it is appropriately classified as another form of limestone which occurs in tan, rusty, white, and cream colors. Historically used in many famous Italian buildings, it also occurs in Iceland, Indonesia, Croatia, the Middle East, South America, as well as Colorado and Texas. Travertine countertops will cost $75 per square foot.

Danby Marble Countertops Cost

For more than a century, a quarry in Vermont, Canada, has some questioning if Vermont is the new Italy, because of the eight varieties of quality marble traditionally only available from Italian mines. The Eureka Danby has medium to heavy gray veins that run through its darker gold base, and experts often liken it to Calacatta Gold, while the rarer Imperial Danby Marble features light to medium vein features and is commonly found as the countertop of choice for many homeowners. Danby marble countertops will cost around $80 per square foot.

Calacatta Marble Countertops Cost

Mined in Carrara, Italy, Calacatta is white marble and is the most expensive of all marble coming in at $180 per square foot. The marble is distinctive in its appearance with large veins running through it, which is what makes it recognizable, and the purity of the white in the stone is what sets it apart. The more uniform the vein is in its appearance, and the purer the white elements are, the more it can be sold for to the consumer.

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Marble Slab vs. Marble Tile

A marble slab is a large custom cut piece of stone to fit the dimensions of your countertop space. On the flip side, marble tiles are thinner squares that are commonly used in kitchen backsplashes and flooring. Let's compare our choices of marble tile and slab:

• Marble Slab Backsplash – Install a professional, seamless backsplash to match your countertops at an average cost of $35 to $50 per square foot.
• Marble Tile Backsplash – If a slab is a bit out of your budget, marble tile is an excellent alternative at a fraction of the cost. At $6 to $10 per square foot, marble tiles are a budget-friendly option for your kitchen or bathroom.
• Marble Flooring – Most of the time, marble flooring is made up of tiles because they are easy to install and easy to replace if they get damaged. Marble floor tiles cost between $6 to $10 per square foot, whereas a slab marble floor costs on average $10 to $20 per square foot.

Marble Countertop Cost Comparison

In addition to marble countertops, there are many other options that we can compare to that are drastically different in price. Let's take a look at what other countertop materials cost:

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Marble Countertops Cost Factors

While the cost of the marble makes up 80% of your countertop installation cost, there are a few more cost factors to keep in mind when planning your project.

• Marble Quality – As detailed in the list of marble types, the cost ranges from $25/sqft all the way to Calacatta marble that can fetch $180/sqft. The size of marble you will need, along with your color choices and whatever type of finish you want, will dictate the quality of marble you end up with.
• Kitchen Island and Backsplash – In addition to the standard kitchen layout, if you want to add a kitchen island with a marble countertop and a marble backsplash around the entire counter space, as well as a custom edge to the countertop slab, you could quickly end up doubling the cost of your project.
• Size of Kitchen – The average house today will have 40 sqft of counter space. Marble slabs come in different sizes, and full slabs are always cheaper to install than smaller pieces. Check with your contractor for a range of different sizes, as some offer a discount per square foot once you pass certain square footage.
• Old Countertop Removal – If you are replacing an existing countertop, you will need to have old countertop safely removed without any damage to the countertops or your sink. If your marble installation contractor doesn’t have a line item for that service in the quote for your project, then expect to pay between $300–$450 for the service, depending on the size and weight of your existing countertop.
• Countertop Design – Perfect rectangles are much easier to cut and install thus making your installation costs cheaper.
• Marble Thickness – Marble comes in a few different thicknesses where the thicker your slab, the more expensive it will be.
• Color & Vein – The more uniform the vein is in its appearance, and the purer the white elements are, the higher the price gets.

Marble Countertop Edge Options

If you choose a manufactured marble, you may opt to add addition edge options to your countertops which will increase the price.

Marble Countertop Soundness

Marble slabs come in four distinct classifications for soundness ranging from A to D. Soundness is primarily based on the appearance of the marble slab, and if the marble had any flaws or needed any repairs.

1. More subtle veining and very few flaws, and no repairs.
2. Contains fissures and visible pitting with a few flaws.
3. Has flaws that need to be factory repaired
4. Has extensive flaws that need to be corrected and may contain bright colors and dramatic veins.

Marble Countertop Thickness

The most popular marble kitchen countertop slab produced in bulk measures around 1 ¼ inches thick. With slabs going as small as 3/4" inches thick. In recent years, this has changed, and today we are seeing thicker marble countertops being offered by some manufacturers, with some pieces as thick as 2 inches or more.

1. 3/4" (2 cm)
2. 1 1/4" (3 cm)
3. 2" (5 cm)

Ultimately, when electing to go custom and not buy off the shelf, you could get the marble as thick as you like; but when looking for the best possible price, buy marble that is produced in bulk. Thicker marble is more suitable as a countertop in a kitchen where the homeowner is going for more of a contemporary look and feel.

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Marble Countertop Finishes

Different marble finishes impact the kitchen’s look and feel, contemporary or otherwise. Each one can either mute or highlight a feature of the marble’s color and/or texture, as well as alter the stone’s propensity to stain or its ability to conceal any surface damage.

Looking up the different finishes online, along with a visit to a local countertop store, will go a long way toward securing peace of mind in your decision process. Whenever possible, see the desired finish on a color and texture that is either the exact product or the closest match possible, because the finish selected will alter the appearance of your countertop as well as how it performs and feels.

Some of the more popular finishes possible for marble countertop include the following:

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Marble Countertops Pros And Cons

Pros

There are many practical reasons for choosing marble as your countertop material—durability, low maintenance, and temperature being the main ones. Marble is a bit more costly than other countertop options, but the beautiful, bright, shiny, natural appearance of marble goes unmatched. The cleaning of marble is simple with most stains easy to lift with a dash of soap.

Being less porous than non-polished natural stone surfaces, it is ideal for kitchens, and it works very well as a safe surface for food preparation. Marble is the perfect countertop surface for avid bakers, making kneading and rolling dough a breeze with its non-stick surface. Marble countertops are also recommended for floors and bathrooms and keep a consistently cold temperature year around.

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Cons

Marble is inherently a “soft” stone that doesn’t do well in the face of heavy traffic, daily abuse, and etching. Especially for white marble, it's complicated to maintain a like-new appearance without consistent professional maintenance.

Etching is unpreventable, and it's easy to scratch marble by dragging something heavy across the surface or to dent by dropping a heavy object on its corner. Even something as simple as the acid in a lemon can leave etching when left overnight on a polished counter. Sealing your marble and taking proper care of it will go a long way toward preventing stains from kitchen life, but both red wines and fruit are notorious offenders when it comes to marble. Polished marble with show etching more visibly than honed marble, but both are equally susceptible to etching.

Marble Countertop Maintenance

Given the porous nature of your marble countertop, maintenance is a standard and critical component of ownership to ensure your investment stays looking its very best for the longest time. Some of your favorite ingredients and food items can play absolute havoc with your marble counters. For example, the acid in vinegar and most fruits, including the humble tomato, will cause visible deterioration in your counter surface. Always using a cutting board for all food prep will save any potential heartache.

A simple maintenance plan should be provided to you by your installation contractor, and it will typically contain elements similar to the following:

Sealing Your Marble Countertops

The practice of sealing your countertop starts at the initial installation, and this will be an ongoing maintenance task. The products used in sealing help fight off stains but don’t make the countertop completely stain proof. As such, you still need to be careful with the immediate cleaning of spills, especially red wine.

A general rule of thumb for resealing your countertop is a frequency of every 3-6 months, depending on the number of people in the home and their ability to be a part of the marble care team. If you have kids under the age of 15, you may want to go with every three months, whereas one or two adults who treat the marble really well could probably get away with every six to nine months.

Depending on the amount of use the countertops get, it may become necessary to buff the counter again, or in extreme cases sanding followed by polishing to restore it to its former beauty seen right after it was first installed.

How To Seal Marble Countertops:

1. Spray the entire surface with a marble cleaner.
2. Work it with a soft cloth until the marble is dry.
3. Open some windows, and maybe using a fan to direct airflow over the marble toward the open window to help remove the fumes from the sealant.
4. Pour sealant into a large container that can accommodate a foam paintbrush and using overlapping strokes, “paint” the sealant on every inch of marble and leave it to sit for at least ten minutes.
5. Using a clean, dry, soft cloth, buff the entire marble surface using a circular movement.
6. When it is all dry, and there is no sealant left, you can stop.
7. For the sake of any remaining fumes, you can leave the fans running for another 20–30 minutes. The effects of a sealant on marble will be similar to that of Rain X on a windshield or wax on your car. In all three cases, you will see water bead up, and if you no longer see that effect on your marble, then it will be time to reseal.
8. Remember to check that your next reminder is set up.

Cleaning Marble Countertops

Never use an acid-based or abrasive cleaning product on your counters. Instead, sweep away any crumbs or dirt and regularly wipe down with a wet sponge. For the more challenging to remove buildup, dilute some washing-up liquid in a bowl with some warm water and apply with a soft, clean cloth.

If you have some stains in the marble and warm water hasn’t been able to remove them, working up a poultice with baking soda and water and then spreading it on the stain and leaving for 24 hours should work really well. To remove the dry application, either work it loose with a plastic knife, taking care not to scratch the marble (or dampen so it is no longer caked on) and then mop up with a wet sponge or soft cloth.  If success was not achieved on your first application and removal, repeat the process.

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Marble Countertop Repair Cost

It is fairly typical for minor damage to occur to a marble countertop in a residential kitchen. In many cases, small zones of damaged marble, such as a chipped surface, can be addressed using a DIY kit from your local hardware store for an average of $60.

For more significant damage, have a professional come out and take care of it. Rates average $75 per hour and expect to pay $200–$600 for the repair, depending on the extent of the damage.

DIY Or Hire A Pro?

For the physically active individual, or for those with a few reliable, helpful friends, a DIY is “possible,” but it is not for the faint-hearted. Even with a helpful crew of friends, lifting marble with your bare hands is not an easy task. It requires a few items like an A-frame, moving blankets, moving straps, carrying clamps, and gloves that provide grip.

You could save 23% to 32% by doing it yourself; however, if you or one of your friends drops the marble and it cracks, the expense of replacing it far exceeds your savings, not to mention the potential for injury in working with stone this heavy.

Marble is roughly 18 lbs. per square foot, and an average kitchen will be approximately 40 square feet, so at least one piece will be at least 28–30 sqft = 504–540 lbs. That makes it difficult enough to get into the house, and then awkward to maneuver once inside. Don’t say we didn’t warn you...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Marble?

Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms beneath the surface of the earth under extreme heat, pressure, and chemical reactions. Since its discovery, additional processes have been refined over the years to give the stone different finishes for countertops, backsplashes, and floors.

What's The Best Type Of Marble For Kitchen Countertops?

According to Architectural Digest, classic white is the top choice in marble countertops for many homeowners, and in that category, both Italian marbles Calacatta and Statuario are excellent choices.

Additionally, Carrara marble is one of the world’s top five most desirable marbles for use in residential kitchen countertops. Other available marble color strains include beige, black, blue, brown, green, gray, gold, pink, purple, red, and yellow.

What's The Best Type Of Marble For Bathroom Countertops?

The best option for bathroom countertops is cultured marble. Cultured marble is a manufactured product that is entirely non-porous and has a natural marble look. The non-porous surface will help prevent germs and bacteria in your bathroom.

What Is The Return On Investment For Marble Countertops?

When remodeling your kitchen and bathrooms, such as countertops, flooring, cabinets, and backsplashes, you can expect around a 70% return on your investment.

What's The Difference Between Solid Surface, Engineered Stone, And Marble?

Marble is a naturally occurring stone that is quarried throughout Italy, India, Greece, and China where it is then custom fit to your countertop needs. Engineered stone countertops are made from a mixture of quartz and resin. A solid surface, such as cultured marble, is a manufactured product that combines certain resins, stone particles, and pigments to produce a product that has a natural marble look.

What's The Cost Difference Between Quartz, Granite, And Marble?

For an average kitchen countertop of 40 square feet, made with a mid-range marble at $50 per square foot, and installation costs at $400, it will cost around $2,400 total. The average price of granite countertops is $3,700, and $3,500 for quartz for a complete installation.

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Selecting Your Marble Countertop Pro

Before you narrow down your short list of contractors, see how many of the following they have:

• A copy of their certificate of insurance
• Excellent ratings on HomeGuide, Google, BBB, etc.
• Warranty for parts and labor
• Licensed, bonded, and insured—Check their licenses with the local and state jurisdiction.
• No subcontractors
• Portfolio of past projects
• Many years of experience working with marble
• Setup and cleanup included in the quote

When you're ready, get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted countertop installers:

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