New countertops and installation typically costs a couple to several thousand dollars, and this home improvement can give your home a new look and enhance property value. One of the biggest choices you’ll make when renovating your kitchen is what material to use for your countertops. Whether you go for a contemporary look with solid surface areas or opt for a French country feel with marble, the material you choose will depend largely on your kitchen style, needs, and budget.
Before you settle on a certain product for your kitchen, though, consider the cost of countertops and installation by material.
Key Points
• New countertops can cost anywhere from just over $1,000 to well into the five figures, depending on the material, size of the job, and market dynamics.
• Upgrading countertops can enhance the look and value of a home.
• Some of the more affordable options for countertops are laminate and wood.
• Stones like marble and granite, as well as some ceramic tiles, can be pricier options for countertops.
• Ways to afford new countertops can include saving up in advance or taking out a personal loan.
Countertop Materials and What They Cost
Depending on your kitchen style, the countertop materials you choose will set the tone for the overall look of the space. There are variables in pricing based on where you live, market prices, and the materials you choose. Here’s a look at some pros and cons of commonly used materials and estimates of what kitchen countertops cost.
Granite
Granite countertops have long been a go-to material in kitchens due to style, quality, and durability. But it’s also pricey, so if it’s your material of choice, you’ll need to budget accordingly. That said, there are a number of benefits to using granite that may warrant paying the price.
Granite is a hard stone and extremely durable. It’s both difficult to scratch and heat-resistant, so you can move hot pans directly from the stove to the counter.
And while it can stain, granite is less porous than other materials. This means errant marks and spills are less likely to permanently mar your countertops. In fact, the polish that the installer puts onto the granite burnishes the stone against all but the most extreme abuse.
Estimated cost of granite countertops: $40 to $100 per square foot, with an average cost in 2025 of $3,250, according to Angi
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Quartz
Contrary to how it may sound, quartz countertops are not a natural stone. Rather, they’re man-made from quartz particles that are held together with resin. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, so the resulting material is also extremely durable.
Because quartz countertops are engineered, they can come in many different designs, from bright solid colors to patterns that mimic natural stone. They also come in an array of textures, from glassy smooth to matte to stone finishes.
Quartz countertops are not porous due to the resin that binds them together, so they are also stain-resistant and never need to be sealed.
Estimated cost of quartz countertops: $50 to $200 per square foot, with an average cost in 2025 of $4,500, according to Angi
Laminate
Laminate is one of the cheaper countertop materials, making it a common kitchen choice, especially for homeowners on a budget. Laminate is made from layers of plastic that are glued to a base such as a particleboard. These countertops come in a variety of colors, patterns, and surface textures. In recent years, it’s been growing in popularity again, according to Formica, a major manufacturer of this material.
Laminate is much lighter in weight and lower in density than stone countertops, and it tends to be easier to cut, shape and install. This makes it a popular material for DIYers who plan on installing countertops on their own.
However, it’s worth noting that laminate countertops do not stand up to heat as well as stone, and they tend to scratch more easily. And since they’re not as durable as other materials like granite or marble, they’ll likely need to be replaced more frequently.
Estimated cost of laminate countertops: $10 to $55 per square foot, with an average cost of $1,244 currently, according to Angi
Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are made in a similar manner to quartz counters. You may recognize such names as Corian when considering this material. However, these countertops use acrylic particles bound with resin instead of stone. As another engineered product, they come in a variety of colors and patterns, including those that mimic stone.
Solid surface is non-porous, so it tends to be stain-resistant, and scratches can usually be sanded and polished off the surface. As an acrylic, it doesn’t hold up well to heat. Manufacturers warn against putting, say, a hot pot down directly on this surface..
Estimated cost of solid surface counters: $20 to $80 per square foot, according to Angi, with a total bill of $3,000
Wood
The price of wood countertops can vary widely by the type and thickness of wood. Exotic woods can cost a pretty penny, but counters made from cheaper types such as birch tend to cost only a bit more than budget options like laminate. Wood countertops are often made of butcher block, which comprises pieces of wood with their edge grain-up, glued together to form a hard, continuous surface.
As a material, wood is relatively soft, so it may get banged up a bit. However, scratches can be sanded out and the surface restored. Wood or varnish may also burn when hot pans are placed atop it. Skilled DIY home renovators can install wood counters themselves, which can help control costs.
Estimated cost of wood countertops: $18 to $38 per square foot or more, with a total of $3,750
Tile
Tile countertop is another material whose cost can vary dramatically. On the cheaper end, ceramic tiles can cost as little as a couple dollars per square foot, while a marble tile might cost many multiples of that (as much as $100 or more per square foot). Depending on the tile you choose, where it’s from, and how it’s made, the price per square foot can rise considerably.
Tile materials, which can range from ceramic to glass to stone, tend to be durable and both heat- and scratch-resistant. That said, tile countertops could chip if something heavy is dropped on them.
Tiles can be easy to install yourself; however, if you don’t have a lot of experience setting tiles, mixing grout and finishing the seams, you could end up with an uneven surface.
Estimated cost of tile countertops: $1 to $120 per square foot, with an average cost currently of $2,250
Marble
Marble has a long history as an important art material and is commonly used as a design statement in upscale or trendy restaurants and bars. With a price similar to granite, marble is an elegant choice for home countertops.
The material is heat-resistant, meaning you can put hot pots and pans right on it. And if you’re a baker, you may be drawn to marble for its use as a surface to make pastries on, as it is prone to staying cool in the summer months.
Marble is relatively durable, though it’s softer and more porous than granite. This makes marble countertops more susceptible to scratches and stains, particularly from acidic foods like fruit and wine, which can interact with the stone’s chemical makeup and leave marks. You can seal the stone to help prevent some of these issues, but you’ll need to repeat the process regularly. Also, marble is heavy, so it may be difficult for a homeowner to install on their own.
Estimated cost of marble countertops: $12 to $180 per square foot, with the average cost in 2025 being $3,000
Stainless Steel
Long used as a countertop of choice in commercial kitchens, stainless steel is popular for counters in residential homes, too.
Metal countertops made have a lot of advantages. They are easy to clean, and they don’t burn, rust, or stain. They are usually recyclable should you ever change your mind and remodel your kitchen again.
There are some disadvantages to the materials, though. Metal countertops can be loud (think pots and pans clattering against metal). And though durable, the material does have a tendency to scratch or dent. The thicker the stainless steel, the less likely it is to be damaged. The gauge (or thickness) will also affect the material price.
Estimated cost of stainless steel countertops: $70 to $225 per square foot, with an average cost of $4,500, according to Angi’s 2025 data
Cost of Countertop Installation
The cost of new countertop materials isn’t the only expense associated with upgrading your kitchen counters. There’s also the cost to install the countertops, which will typically vary by material and square footage.
For example, having laminate professionally installed can add about $10 per square foot to the price of the countertops, whereas professional installation of quartz countertops can add $60 or more per square foot. Installation alone can cost thousands, depending on the material and project specifications.
Installing countertops yourself is a great way to reduce costs, but it can be challenging depending on the material. You’ll also need to consider what types of modifications to the materials are needed. Cutting a hole in a granite countertop for a sink, for example, can add to the overall cost and in many cases requires the use of specialized tools with diamond-tipped bits.
One way to control the costs of kitchen countertops is to mix materials. If you have your heart set on a granite countertop, for instance, consider using granite for a small portion of the kitchen — such as a prominent feature like the island — and a cheaper material like tile for the larger counter spaces.
Recommended: How Much Does It Cost to Remodel or Renovate a House?
Financing Your Kitchen Countertops
As soon as you decide what kind of countertop material to use — and you consider the average cost of a kitchen remodel — then you’ll likely want to think about how to pay for the work.
If you need to finance the project, it can make sense to explore an unsecured home improvement loan to help you get the work done. Because this is a kind of personal loan, you don’t need to have home equity nor do you need to use your home as collateral.
That said, there are pros and cons to personal loans. Be sure you understand all your options so you can find what best suits your financial and personal needs.
Recommended: How to Apply for a Personal Loan
The Takeaway
New countertops can enhance your home’s look and value, whether you opt for marble, tile, or another material. However, you can expect to pay at least a couple of thousand dollars for this kind of project and considerably more if you opt for a luxurious material, like marble, or if large surfaces are involved. To finance new countertops, you might consider a personal loan.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
How much should I budget for new kitchen countertops?
How much to budget will depend on such factors as the size of the kitchen, the material you want to use for countertops, and the local market’s pricing. Prices could be as low as under $2,000 to many multiples of that.
Which is cheaper, granite or quartz?
In general, quartz is usually thought to be cheaper than granite when it comes to countertops. However, the latest data from Angi shows them in a virtual tie, with costs between $50 and $100 per square foot being common.
What’s the best countertop for your money?
Which countertop is best for your money depends on variables such as the size of your kitchen, color and care preferences, and other factors. Many people think quartz, which won’t get etched the way some popular stones can, is a great buy, having natural beauty and durability.
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