How much does it cost to fabricate and install countertops?
The cost of fabricating and installing countertops vary based on the project specifics and the contractor selected for the work. Generally, a smaller residential contractor can fabricate and install countertops for $25-30/sqft but these contractor often don’t carry insurance and have limited capabilities. Larger insured contractors with more comprehensive capabilities will charge $15-25/sqft for fabrication and an additional $15-25/sqft for installation, totaling $30-50/sqft. The exact cost depend on a variety of factors including the material selected, the design and details of the countertop, the site conditions for installation.
What is the difference between Marble, Granite, Quartz and Porcelain?
- Marble, Granite, and other natural stones like limestone and quartzite have unique metamorphic characteristics that vary significantly between material type. Generally, natural stone is softer and more porous materials than artificial materials such as quartz and porcelain. Natural stones are going to have very unique color tones and patterns such that each slab is unique from another. Natural stones are quarried from the earth in Blocks and those blocks are cut down into slabs.
- Artificial materials like quartz and porcelain are generally harder and more durable than natural stones. The slabs are manufactured one-by-one by specialty machines that produce the exact same pattern over and over, such that each slab is identical to the next slab. Quartz and Porcelain differ from each other by the manufacturing process. Quartz is produce by mixing a slurry of natural quartz powder with various color tones mixed with an adhesive. Porcelain is produced using silica particles and heated to extreme temperatures producing a glass like slab material. Porcelain is extremely hard like glass so it doesn’t stain or scratch but is also brittle so it can chip or shatter easily if hit by something hard. Quartz and Porcelain are often preferred for kitchen and bathroom countertops because they are more protected against stains or scratches. They are also are often used in apartment environments because the exact same pattern can be produced across 100’s or 1000’s of apartments.
What is the difference between Quartzite and Quartz?
Quartzite is an abundant metamorphic rock located throughout the world. The more popular quartzites come from India and Brazil but occur naturally elsewhere. Quartzite forms naturally when sandstone or chert rich in quartz experiences heat and high pressure. Quartzite has a glassy appearance and resembles marble in some cases due to similar colors, veining, and patterns.
What is a mitered edge vs a laminated edge?
- Mitered edge is when the ¾” thick slab material is desired to have a face with a continuous pattern from the top of the countertop and is thicker than 1-1/2”. The slabs are cut at 45 degree angles and glued together such that the seam is located at the corner of the countertop.
- Laminated edge is more often used with granite or monochromatic materials. It is when multiple ¾” pieces are glue together to make the face of the countertop. This method will produce seamlines that run horizontally along the face of the countertop
What is the process for getting countertops?
- Hire a designer to produce drawings of the desired countertops to include as many details like edge profile, thickness, back splash height, appliances, and many other details. Now calculate the sqft area of the countertops include edge and back splashed in your calculation
- Make sure you understand your budget for this scope of the project. If you are working backward you will be adding your various cost components together and multiple this value to the sqft area of the countertops you have designed
Material: Set a material cost/sqft add 20-40% waste (20% for monochromatic color material and 40% for a material with veins and patters that you want to flow) add 25-30% markup. Fabrication and Installation: Review your design and try to estimate the complexity of the work relative to a very simple countertop with flat edge profile and no sink holes. You want to pick a number between $30-50/sqft such that $30 is a basic countertop. These numbers are inclusive of mark-up. Delivery and Other Fees: Assume there will be a few additional charges for delivery, sink installation, credit card processing. - Go to several material showrooms to review available materials and make a few selections of preferred materials. Have the showroom show you materials that are within you cost/sqft previously determine
- Select a contractor(s). Send them your design, the material you selected, and your budget they will work up a proposal for you to complete the work.
How long does it take to fabricate a countertop?
The lead time for a countertop depends on the size and complexity of the design as well as the type of material. A simple countertop can take a few days to cut and fabricate. A more complex countertop can take up to 2 weeks to cut and fabricate. The lead time usually is driven more by the backlog of other work in a given facility.