How Much Does it Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops?

By Yurik Lozano

Published: Friday, August 11, 2025

Luxurious outdoor kitchen in Pompano Beach featuring a modern quartz waterfall countertop with striking veining, built-in stainless steel grill, warm under-counter lighting, and elegant bar seating overlooking a pool.

If you’re planning a kitchen refresh, countertop replacement is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make. In 2025, the typical U.S. kitchen countertop replacement runs about $3,100, with most projects falling between roughly $1,900 and $4,500—but the total varies widely by material, square footage, edge profile, cutouts, and local labor.

Below, Griffin Quartz breaks down real-world price ranges by material, the “hidden” add-ons that move a bid up or down, and a sample budget so you can plan with confidence.

Quick cost ranges by material (installed)

Laminate: ~$42–$64/sq ft. Budget-friendly, huge pattern selection; least durable.
Granite: ~$97–$141/sq ft (installed average; broader market ranges can run higher for exotic slabs). Durable natural stone, periodic sealing.
Quartz (engineered stone): $50–$200/sq ft nationally; many fully installed quotes land around $121–$157/sq ft depending on brand and fabrication. Low-maintenance, consistent look.
Quartzite (natural stone): Often $80–$210/sq ft; harder than quartz, usually requires sealing.
Marble: Premium looks, generally up to ~$200/sq ft; needs diligent care.
Soapstone: ~$60–$130/sq ft; matte, soft-touch feel, darkens with age.

What’s the difference between quartz and quartzite? Quartz is engineered and non-porous (no sealing), while quartzite is natural stone that typically needs sealing; quartzite is generally pricier.

What actually drives your price

Square footage & layout
More surface = more slab, more fabrication time, more seams. Typical whole-kitchen totals span the low thousands to five figures depending on size and complexity.

Material grade & brand
Within a single category (e.g., quartz), price can jump based on brand, color rarity, pattern movement, and thickness. Expect a wide $50–$200/sq ft range for quartz, with popular installed quotes clustering in the $120–$160/sq ft band.

Fabrication details (edges & finish)

Edge profiles: basic eased or straight edges may be $5–$15/lf, bullnose $10–$20/lf, and ornate ogee or custom profiles $25–$60+/lf.
Finish (polished, honed, leathered) can affect price depending on the shop and material.

Cutouts & special machining
Undermount sink cutouts commonly $200–$500; cooktop and faucet holes add smaller line items. Some fabricators list flat fees (e.g., ~$250 per kitchen sink cutout).

Removal & haul-away of old tops
Plan for $50–$400 depending on material and scope; heavier stone is pricier to remove. Some calculators show low per-piece removal minimums; ask what your quote includes.

Site conditions & extras
Tight stairwells, long carries, backsplashes, waterfall panels, and rush timelines can add labor. (Waterfall legs increase material and seam work.)

Sample budget: mid-grade quartz in a typical South Florida kitchen

Let’s say you’ve got ~50 sq ft of countertop and want a durable, low-maintenance quartz.

Material + fabrication + install: ~$121–$157/sq ft → $6,050–$7,850
One undermount sink cutout: $200–$500
Edge profile (mid-range bullnose on ~40 lf exposed): $400–$800
Tear-out & disposal of old laminate: $50–$400

Estimated total: ~$6,700–$9,600 (before tax and any backsplash or waterfall). Actual numbers depend on slab selection and shop promotions.

Local note: Miami–Fort Lauderdale labor and handling can push quotes toward the upper end of national ranges, especially for premium stones. Always compare “apples to apples” and confirm what’s included.

How quotes are built (and what to confirm)

When you request bids, ask each fabricator to itemize:

Material (brand/series, color, slab thickness) and whether overage for pattern matching is included.
Fabrication (edge type and linear feet, finish, number of seams).
Machining (sink, cooktop, faucet holes, RO tap, soap dispenser).
Installation (leveling/shimming, seam placement, adhesive color matching).
Tear-out & disposal (material, haul-away fees).
Add-ons (backsplash height, window sills, waterfall legs).
Post-install care (sealing schedule if natural stone vs. none for quartz).

Cost by project goal

Best look-per-dollar: mid-range quartz—consistent patterns, low upkeep; broad color library. $50–$200/sq ft depending on brand and install scope.
Natural-stone drama: quartzite or exotic granite—more movement and unique veining, with higher material and fabrication time. $80–$210/sq ft+.
Budget facelift or rental: laminate—fast install, modern finishes, lowest cost $42–$64/sq ft installed.

Ways to save (without regret)

Choose a standard edge & finish. Eased or small bevel edges cost less than ogee or custom laminations.
Limit cutouts. One undermount sink cutout can be $200–$500; extras add up.
Skip full-height slab splash. Consider a tile backsplash if your goal is value-engineering.
Consolidate seams. Fewer seams = less labor (and cleaner look).
Avoid rush timelines. Expedited fabrication/installation often carries premiums.

FAQ

How long does replacement take?
After template, most shops install within 1–3 weeks depending on slab availability and shop load. (Ask your fabricator for current lead times.)

Do I need to seal my counters?
Quartz: no sealing; quartzite/granite/marble: expect periodic sealing per fabricator guidance.

What about resale value?
Quality counters photograph well and can improve buyer appeal; premium, on-trend materials often perform better in listings.

Ready to price your project?

Griffin Quartz fabricates and installs premium countertops across Miami–Broward–Palm Beach. We’ll itemize everything (material, edges, cutouts, removal) so your quote is crystal-clear—and we’ll help you value-engineer to your target budget.

Get your free, apples-to-apples quote today.
Tell us your square footage, preferred material (quartz, quartzite, granite, marble, laminate), and any special features (waterfall, full-height splash, integrated drainboard), and we’ll provide options at multiple price points.

Sources: HomeAdvisor/Angi national averages; Homewyse installed pricing calculators; Fixr quartz cost ranges; Real Simple & The Spruce material comparisons; HomeGuide and shop references for removal, edges & cutouts. See citations throughout for specifics.