Countertop Installation Cost: Granite vs. Quartz (2026)

Quartz countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot installed in 2026, with granite running a comparable $40 to $175 per square foot depending on slab grade, edge profile, and cutouts. For a standard kitchen with about 30 square feet of counter surface, total installed cost typically lands between $3,500 and $7,500 including material, fabrication, and delivery.

Quartz countertop pricing

Quartz material alone runs $15 to $50 per square foot, with the remainder of the installed price covering fabrication, edge work, sink and cooktop cutouts, and labor. Because quartz is engineered rather than quarried, pricing is more consistent slab-to-slab than natural stone — useful when giving a customer a tighter estimate range up front.

Granite countertop pricing

Granite installed typically runs $80 to $150 per square foot for mid-grade slabs, with premium or exotic slabs pushing toward the $175 per square foot ceiling. Unlike quartz, granite pricing varies more by individual slab — availability, veining, and color rarity all move the price, which is worth explaining to customers comparing a granite quote against a flat quartz number.

What moves the price beyond the base rate

• Edge profile — a simple eased edge costs less than a bullnose or ogee edge, which requires more fabrication time.
• Cutouts — sink, cooktop, and outlet cutouts each add fabrication cost and should be itemized, not assumed included.
• Tear-out — removing existing countertops before template and install is a separate line item, commonly missed in quick verbal quotes.
• Site access — second-floor kitchens or tight stairwells can add a delivery/handling surcharge for heavy slabs.

Scoping a countertop job from photos

Counter run length, layout (L-shape, U-shape, island), and existing countertop material are all visible in kitchen photos, making a countertop job a reasonable candidate for a remote first-pass estimate — with a final template visit still required before fabrication, since exact measurements need to be precise to the fraction of an inch. Fast Snap Pro lets a customer submit kitchen photos through a link so you can send back a realistic price range using your own per-square-foot rates before committing to a template appointment. For a related project, see the bathroom remodel cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is quartz more expensive than granite?

Not necessarily — both run in a similar $40–$175 per square foot installed range; the exact price depends more on slab grade and edge profile than on material type alone.

How much does a standard kitchen countertop cost installed?

For roughly 30 square feet of counter space, expect $3,500 to $7,500 installed, including material, fabrication, and delivery.

Does the price include sink and cooktop cutouts?

Not automatically — cutouts are commonly priced as separate line items and should always be itemized on the estimate rather than assumed included.

Can a countertop job be quoted before a template visit?

A photo-based estimate can give a realistic price range, but a final in-person template visit is still standard practice before fabrication since exact dimensions must be precise.

Quote countertop jobs faster

Try Fast Snap Pro to turn kitchen photos into a priced countertop estimate range using your own rates, before scheduling a template visit.