How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost To Install?

Quartz Countertops Cost

The average cost to install quartz countertops is $2,000 to $3,900 or $80 to $150 per sqaure foot. The final cost depends on the type of quartz, the size of your counters, and labor rates.

This article will help you decide between quartz and granite. We'll cover costs, color options, and styles to help you make the best decision.

Table Of Contents

1. Quartz Countertops Cost
2. Quartz Countertops Installation Cost
• Quartz Countertops Vs. Granite Cost
• Quartzite Vs. Engineered Quartz Countertops
3. Quartz Countertop Edge Treatments
4. Quartz Countertop Finishes
5. Advantages of Quartz Countertops
6. Maintaining Quartz Countertops
7. Best Quartz Countertop Brands
8. Quartz Countertop Warranty
9. Hiring a Quartz Countertop Expert
10. Countertop Installers Near Me

How Much Does Quartz Cost?

The average cost for quartz countertops ranges from $50 to $70 per square foot, not including installation. The total cost of quartz countertops ranges anywhere from $2,000 to $3,900 for materials and professional installation. Here's the average cost of quartz countertops by grade and quality:

*Not including installation.

Quartz countertops are often used in kitchens and bathrooms because of their beauty and durability. Choosing engineered quartz for your countertops can be a great choice because it looks like natural stone, is resistant to scratches and stains, and is very easy to maintain.

Quartz Countertops Cost Per Square Foot

Most quality quartz countertops will cost about $60 per square foot depending the the type. Here is the average cost of quartz countertops per square foot installed by manufacturer:

For the ultimate luxury, have your countertop custom made from quarried quartzite and crystals, like Caesarstone’s Puro countertop from the Concetto collection, at $400 per square foot.

Contractors will then add on extra for each additional part of the installation, like cutting out a space for the sink, installing a new sink, seam cutting, beveling edges, leveling, joining seams, etc.

IKEA Quartz Countertops Cost

IKEA Quartz Conutertops cost between $45 and $77 per square foot depending on the level and thickness. Pricing includes template, delivery, fabrication, installation, all cutouts, sink placement, and all sweep or 3" radius corners. Edge styles include eased edge, bullnose, half bullnose, or bevel.

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Average Cost To Install Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops installation costs $80 to $150 per square foot, including materials, labor, and cleanup. With an average kitchen having 40 square feet of countertop space, this would bring your final quartz countertop cost from $2,000 to $4,500.

Quartz Materials

To purchase the quartz slab and installation materials, you can expect to spend $50 to $100 per square foot depending on the type of quartz selected.

Quartz Delivery

As with every home improvement material, materials can vary dramatically based on how close you are to a major city because of the difference in delivery costs. Quartz is becoming a popular choice, so it’s more likely these days that a big city near you will have what you want in stock, but if you live in a more rural area, expect to pay between $150 and $200 for delivery alone.

Labor Cost To Install Quartz Countertops

Labor costs vary in every state and urban area but average around $70 per hour. Stone installation needs to be done by a professional. It’s heavy and the right tools are needed to install it properly. Expect a team of two at $35/hr each the minimum.

Old Countertop Removal Cost

If you are remodeling your kitchen and need your old countertops removed, ask the contractor to include the cost for this in the quote. Removing your old countertops typically costs between $300 and $450. You’ll want them to do this to avoid damage to the existing cabinets and sink. They will also be able to dispose of them for you.

Additional work

Additional work that arises typically costs $500+. You’ll need the sink cut out and the new one put in, and your contractor will join seams of slab together and miter edges. Electric cables and faucets have to be reinstalled, and the crew will have to clean up all debris and dust. For example,

• Electrical outlet cutout: $34
• Radius corner or end: $202
• Sink cutout: $278
• Sink installation: $250

Backsplash – You’ll pay more if you want matching backsplash against the walls of the counter.

Cabinet sides – some higher-end projects will add a wall of quartz to the sides of kitchen islands and cabinets, marking up your final cost considerably.

As multiple contractors will tell you, a price quoted on a site can be very misleading, as it only accounts for the most basic work. You’ll always need additional services to finish out your countertops. The only way to get an accurate quote is to have the contractor come out to your house, measure your kitchens space, and include all the work necessary.

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Quartz Countertops Vs. Granite Cost

Granite countertops are typically cheaper than quartz with prices ranging from $2,185 and $4,280 installed, with most homeowners spending $80 to $110 per square foot or about half that of quality quartz. Your final cost will depend on the size, thickness, level, and type of granite installed.

Every year, engineered quartz is gaining more popularity than granite. It’s better than granite when it comes to the strength of the materials, fire resistance, flexural strength, impact resistance, low maintenance, nonporousness, and workability of the material. It’s also better with chemical resistance.

Granite countertops are better than quartz as far as options in finishes and thermal shock strength. If you want a natural stone, granite is the way to go, but it’s high maintenance.

Granite Countertops Cost

$100/sqft

Marble Countertops Cost

$60/sqft

Quartzite Vs. Engineered Quartz Countertops

According to the Mohs Scale—a scale which measures the scratch resistance of various minerals—quartz and quartzite are among the top four materials recommended for countertops. Quartz is found at a similar price point to granite and soapstone, while quartzite is the most expensive countertop material of all.

The differences between the two are as follows:

Quartz Countertop Edge Treatments

You’ll also pay more to have the countertop edges custom cut. There are many ways your contractor or quartz provider can finish out the ends and corners of your countertop. Some of the basic ones are:

• Straight – straight end, sharp corners
• Eased – tiny curves on the corner
• Bevel – straight angular cuts of 45 degrees on the corners
• Bullnose – rounded corners
• Ogee – wavy cuts, sharp corners

Anything other than a straight edge cut will cost $37–$64 per foot. For example, a square foot of quartz with:

• Small light chips, 3/4” square edge – $58.88
• Large dark chips, 3/4” square edge – $62.58
• 1-1/2” bullnose edge – $53.50
• 3/4” bullnose edge – $27.80
• 1-1/2” ogee edge – $63.60
• 3/4” ogee edge – $36.80

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Quartz Countertop Finishes

When it comes to surfaces with quartz, the polished surface is best because of the protection level. However, some homeowners prefer a different texture to match the rest of the kitchen.

• Polished – a smooth surface that’s a good choice for reflecting light and staying extremely durable and long lasting. The best option for kitchen food prep. The stone is honed and buffed until it is smooth and shiny.
• Honed – a satin surface with low light reflection. It looks like a matte finish rather than a shiny one from the abrasive sanding it is given. Requires additional maintenance as it will be more porous. It won’t reveal all the texture and color of the stone and is prone to staining.
• Concrete – a lightly textured surface with low light reflection that gives a kitchen more of an urban feel. Also more porous and will require additional maintenance. Shows smudges.
• Rough – rougher and more industrial than the concrete finish. More porous and will require additional maintenance.

Quartz Countertops Colors

Before you finalize your surface choice, Caesarstone says:

“We encourage you to order a sample of our products that you are considering. When you receive your sample, try treating it to a few different scenarios that you may face in your kitchen; spill something on it, touch it with greasy fingers, clean it. This will help you understand how the surface responds to your daily life and how comfortable you feel with it.”

Local hardware stores are also happy to sell you 3” x 3” x ½” samples ranging between $9.95 and $19.95 so you can be sure of your decision. However, most reviewers of the samples say that a 3”x 3” piece is far too small to give a good idea of how it will look as a full counter in the kitchen, and they recommend visiting the hardware store in person to see larger pieces.

Advantages of Quartz Countertops

As mentioned above, the main benefits of quartz countertops are their qualities of being:

• Nonporous
• Resistant to scratches and stains
• Easy to maintain
• Engineered quartz looks like natural stone

It’s also antimicrobial, so it won’t harbor bacteria and mold in the way other more porous countertops will. Another fantastic aspect of quartz is its eco-friendliness. Most of the materials in it are byproducts of other quarried or manufactured items, and a mix of artificial and natural resins.

A great feature of engineered stone is that you can order it to be made to your specifications, and you don’t have any seams in it. Even if you order slabs already in stock, the seams in quartz slab are barely noticeable because the cuts are so clean. It’s flexible too, so it can be shaped into sinks or curve on corners. You can also order it in tiles and have it on your floor or walls at prices like $3.30 per 12”x24” floor tile or hexagon mosaic tiles for $5.88 per 12”x12” piece.

Disadvantages of Quartz Countertops

One the downside, if anything abrasive or acidic is left on it, it can damage the surface; and it is not fully heatproof, not does it weather well, so it is not good in outdoor kitchen areas. The slab is very heavy, and you may have to upgrade your cabinets to be able to handle the weight.

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Maintaining Quartz Countertops

Once your kitchen counters are installed and looking stunning, it’s up to you to keep them that way, which isn’t hard considering how little actual hands-on care quartz needs.

• Cuts and scratches – Always use a cutting board for food prep to avoid disappointment.
• Cleaning – Wipe it down with a wet, soft cloth, and don’t use any abrasive cleaners on it. Wash off more stubborn dirt with warm water and soap.
• Stains and chemicals – This shouldn’t be much of an issue because quartz is nonporous, but you can apply a soda bic/warm water paste to the countertop and leave it for a half hour and then wipe off with warm water.
• Avoiding heat damage – Quartz can handle temps up to 300 degrees F, but because of sudden heat changes or sustained heat, it’s always safer to put a trivet or hot pad under very hot dishes.
• Sealing – Engineered quartz doesn’t need any sealing.

What are the Best Quartz Countertop Brands?

Once you’ve decided on a budget, it can help to look at the top brands to get a better idea of the design and color you want. Portfolios and showrooms are a great way to see the countertops with certain paint colors and cabinets, along with light similar to the amount of natural light your kitchen might have. Some top brands are:

• Silestone
• Caesarstone
• Cambria (produced in the US)
• Crystalite
• Santa Margherita Quartz
• Icestone
• Okite
• Celador
• LG Viatera
• Corian® Quartz

Availability can fluctuate depending on which brand you choose, as much of the stone is imported.

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Do Quartz Countertops Come With a Warranty?

When purchasing, keep in mind how long the warranty lasts for. All good quartz countertop providers will have a 10–25-year to lifetime warranty in place to cover any damage that may occur once the countertop has been installed. Most of the time, it will only cover manufacturing defects; and they will repair or replace the quartz if they find your damage falls under that description. Some go further to say the warranty is only valid for the person who had the quartz installed in a single-family residence.

The countertop can’t have been moved since its installation date, and it has to have been maintained in accordance with their maintenance guide. The warranty is only transferable if the original owner registered the warranty and then notified the company of the new owner of the home.

Hiring a Quartz Countertop Expert

We suggest you look for contractors who fit in as many of the following groups as possible:

• Licensed contractors
• Have a great portfolio
• Offer a warranty on labor and materials
• Are bonded and insured
• Have an A or A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
• Have excellent ratings on HomeGuide and social media sites
• Include a clause in the contract that allows you to back out before work starts with a full refund
• Include setup and complete cleanup costs in the quote
• Provide excellent communication from your first phone call or e-mail

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

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