How Much Does It Cost To Install Granite Countertops?

Cost of granite countertops

Granite costs between $40 to $60 per square foot from a stone slab. Most kitchen countertops cost between $2,000 to $4,500, with the average price running at $3,250. This cost is a rough average, as the size and shape of your countertops, the grade level of your granite, the pattern or color of the granite, and even the granite texture alters the total price.

Average granite countertop cost and price per square foot

How much do granite countertops cost? Granite can cost as low as $40 per square foot, or as high as $100 per square foot, depending on the level, style, and color. Granites in the higher price range tend to be rare granite types. Granite tile is typically less expensive than a slab. You can expect to pay between $15 to $45 per square foot, with scraps of tile ranging from $5 to $35.

The following table shows the average cost per square foot:

Granite is sold at various levels, ranging from level 1 to level 8. Different levels imply different colors, hardness, and thickness.

• Level 1 ($40 to $55 per square foot): Level 1 granite can come in strict black Uba Tuba (roughly $40 per square foot). It is available in brown, black, or pink (known as Tan Brown) or even white with brown, red, or black daubs throughout (Giallo Napoli). These are only some examples of level 1 granite.
• Level 2 ($50 to $70 per square foot): Level 2 granite offers Aspen White (shades of white, grays, and pink), Absolute Black, or even creams, reds, yellows, and browns.
• Level 3 ($70 to $80 per square foot): Level 3 granite might begin offering blue as a color option, though you’re more likely to find large color swaths of rust, black, red, or gold.
• Level 4 – 5 ($75 to $100 per square foot): Granite in this mid-high range tends to involve rare colors in high volumes, such as blue.
• Level 6 – 8 ($100 and upwards): these levels are extremely rare cuts of granite with vivid colors. Their cost is extremely dependent on their rarity, which rises quickly. This level of granite is rare enough that most installers won’t bother to showcase it as an option.

Places to install granite countertops

The cost of granite countertops may vary depending on where in the home you want it installed. From the bathroom to the bar, or classically in the kitchen, granite is a beautiful option that you can enjoy for a long time.

Granite kitchen counters

An average kitchen counter costs roughly $3,300, while a smaller counter, on average, costs between $750 to $1,350. A kitchen island can cost between $650 to $2,100, depending on the size.

Granite bathroom vanity

If the bathroom is small, you may pay between $300 to $500 for a granite bathroom vanity top. The cost for a large bathroom top is between $700 to $1,200.

Granite bar top

A granite bar top will cost between $300 to $500 installed, though this depends on the size of the bar top.

Granite table

For a granite slab that you can create a customized table, you might pay anywhere between $750 to $1,300.

Granite bathroom and kitchen flooring

Granite tile flooring is priced by the square foot. Bathrooms tend to be small, so your cost may be between $550 to $1,250, whereas a larger kitchen floor may cost between $1,300 to $3,100.

Granite needs to be cut to specifications, so you’ll need to hire a professional for this. They will smooth edges and cut holes needed for sinks or anything else, but this will reflect higher labor costs.

Labor cost to install granite countertops

Labor costs for installing stone countertops range from $35 to $85 per hour. For an average kitchen countertop, you can expect to pay between $600 to $1,500 for labor installation. This may take roughly 20 hours to complete. A large bathroom vanity counter may cost between $250 to $500. Most companies will charge their hourly labor rather than the square footage. These tend to take 10 hours on average to install. Labor estimates include delivery costs, granite fabrication, and disposal fees regarding your old countertops.

Granite average price by color, texture, and pattern

Granite countertops are priced based on color, texture, and patterns. Granite is completely natural, which makes it more expensive to obtain and manufacture. Certain colors and patterns are quite rare, so the cost per square foot for these styles is high.

Granite countertop costs by color

There are myriad colors and patterns to choose from regarding granite.

• White: White granite often contains undertones of gray or tan and may appear cream-colored. White granite isn’t pure and needs to be sealed to ensure it doesn’t stain. Costs for this stone are highly dependent on the granite level and can range anywhere from $30 to $75 per square foot. Rare pure-white granite can be more expensive.
• Gray: Gray tends to cost between $30 to $50 per square foot and is very common.
• Green: Green granite comes from the mineral serpentine in a wide range of shades. They run anywhere from $40 to $120 per square foot.
• Black: Black granite is called gabbro and is a different type of rock. It’s sturdy and durable and can cost between $40 to $80 per square foot.
• Gold / Brown: Gold granite is often a mix of brown and yellow and is often dolomite rather than true granite. Gold can cost between $30 to $90 per square foot.
• Red: Red granite comes in pink to orange to burgundy and everywhere in between. Red costs between $65 to $80 per square foot.
• Blue: Blue is the rarest granite color and therefore, the most expensive on average. You can expect to pay $70 to $100 for low-end blue granite and upwards of $400 per square foot for high-end blue granite.

Granite countertop costs by texture

Once you factor in texture, your granite countertops may range between $2,000 to $4,500 fully installed. Leather granite is the most expensive texture. It creates vivid colors but has low availability and takes longer to install. Honed granite is a moderately priced texture that features a modern matte finish that is also difficult to install. Honed granite needs to be sealed regularly to prevent stains. Polished granite is the standard option and is low maintenance to boot.

Granite patterns: slab vs tile vs modular

Granite patterns can affect the cost of your new countertops. Granite tile is made up of excess granite cut from slabs and is the most cost-effective option of the available patterns (between $5 to $15 per square foot). These are not as heat resistant as a slab but are usually more stain resistant.

Modular granite tends to come already sealed. Due to its larger size, modular granite has fewer seams and will install faster than tile. Like tile, you can install it over your existing countertops, which saves money in removal costs. Modular granite costs between $25 to $40 per square foot.

A granite slab is the most common option and is thicker than other granite patterns. It ranges from $30 to $100 per square foot (based on size, color, and style) and is very difficult to install. It is heavy and requires a lot of skill to cut, polish, seal, and install properly.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

For granite or any stone countertop, it's best to hire a professional. Granite slabs are weighty, and if you damage them in the process, you’ll need to replace the slab. Cutting and polishing the stone also requires a certain level of expertise (not to mention the tools), which only increases in difficulty if you’re sizing for a sink or other detailed cuts. When it comes to stone countertops, pro is the way to go.