Are you considering a marble countertop for your kitchen or bathroom renovation, but you’re not sure how much it will cost? Marble countertops are a classic choice because they are beautiful and unique, in addition to their stone properties such as smooth surface and heat resistance.
However, as a homeowner, I often find that the pricing is not very transparent, and always wonder how much my project will cost with the wide range of price information online.
So after countless home renovations where I bought and installed marble countertops for my kitchen and bathroom remodels, I’m now able to share and break down three options to install marble countertops to your home.
Each option is easy to achieve and will have a different price range, so you can make an informed decision for your home project. Let’s get started!
The popular options when shopping for stone countertops
Before diving in, I want to first note that this post is focused on real marble and marble-like stone countertops. So I’m using “marble” in a relatively loose term. And in the real-life examples below, I have shared real marble countertops as well as quartz stone countertops that have a marble look, but these can be applicable to granite too.
These stone countertop options are often sold together, and follow the same price and installation structure. Plus, most people who are looking for a stone countertop will often consider all three options.
Marble
If you are into a bright, airy kitchen, the best option for you would most likely be marble or quartz countertops. Marble is a natural stone that has been used for centuries in construction and home decor.
Marble is known for its unique veining and patterns, which makes it a popular choice for countertops to add luxe to your home. A marble countertop is a luxurious addition to any kitchen or bathroom, and is personally my all-time favorite countertop material.
Marble usually comes in polished or honed. I prefer honed marble because it has an aged look and a more matte finish.
Quartz
Quartz is another great option for a stone countertop, especially if you want to achieve a clean and elegant look.
Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces made from quartz crystals mixed with resin binders and pigments. Because they are man made with real stones, there’s more control in terms of how it looks. They come in a variety of popular patterns and veining, and are highly durable.
These days, some of the good quartz countertops can look almost the same as real marble! One company that jumps out is Vadara, but their products are more pricey than others. Generally cheaper ones look more fake.
Here are a couple of marble-like quartz slabs from Vadara I took in the store. The price range from $1200 to $2000 per slab.
Keep in mind that most quartz countertops are polished to enhance their aesthetic appeal. The polished finish adds a luxurious shine and smoothness, which can really mimic the glossy appearance of marble.
Granite
Granite countertops have become a lot less popular these days. Although it continues to be a high quality and durable material, its busy and speckled look is not everyone’s cup of tea. I personally am not a big fan of the look of it.
But if this is one of your choices, granite countertop still comes with its own strengths. Granite countertops have great durability and can withstand heavy use and resist scratches, making them a reliable choice.
Since granite countertops also have good heat resistance, you can place hot pots and pans directly on the surface without worrying. They can also become stain-resistant if you seal them properly, so maintenance will be much easier.
The unique colors and patterns in granite can also add personality and charm to any space, unlike other choices like marble or quartz.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Marble Countertops
When it comes to the cost of marble countertops, there are several factors that can influence the price you pay. We’ll take a closer look at some of the key factors that can impact the cost of your marble countertops before diving into 3 price tiers of marble countertops.
Marble Type and Quality
One of the biggest factors that can affect the cost of your marble countertops is the type of marble you choose. For example, Calacatta is more expensive than Carrara. General rule of thumb is that marble slabs that feature unique patterns and colors tend to be pricie.
The other factor is quality. This doesn’t mean it is less durable, but the veins and texture within the same type of marble can influence the price. Within the same type of marble, say carrara, there’s also a difference based on the look and quality. Beautiful and clean veins have a higher cost.
Size of Countertop
Of course the size of your countertop slab is another factor. Larger countertops will require more marble, which means a higher cost. Whether you buy from a stone yard or hardwares, you pay for your slab by the total square feet.
Another thing to consider is the thickness of the marble. Typically, you have the option of choosing between 2cm and 3cm thickness. If you plan to use the marble solely for the countertop, a 3cm thickness is suitable for a sturdy surface, or choosing 2cm with edges laminated .
If you also plan to add a backsplash, I personally recommend opting for a 2cm thickness. This thinner option is usually good enough for the backsplash while still maintaining a visually appealing and cohesive look.
Fabrication and Installation Costs
Finally, fabrication and installation costs can impact the overall cost of your marble, and in many cases it can even be more expensive than the marble slab itself.
The cost of installation will depend on the complexity of the project, as well as the experience of the installer. For example, if your countertop requires any special cuts, such as a curved shape or mitered edge, this can also add quite a bit to the overall cost.
Adding holes or cutouts will add the cost as well. Installers typically charge a fixed fee per cutout based on whether it is a faucet hole or sink cutout.
The edge profile of your marble countertop is another factor that can impact the cost. But for me, I like a simpler design so I generally choose the straight edge without paying extra for different edge profiles, such as bullnose or ogee.
3 Ways to get Marble Countertop at different Price Range
Although I just shared the factors above that can impact the cost of your marble or quartz countertops, I’ve also learned different ways to purchase countertops and get them installed, after countless research and trial and errors.
So I’ve learnt a few ways to significantly save money on those stone countertops, whether on buying the slab or installation. These are ranked by the range of total material and labor cost from high to low. You can choose based on how much customization you want and how much budget you can allocate for your kitchen or bath project.
Personally, I have used all three methods, and I’ll reveal exactly how much I paid for each method.
I live in California, so product prices and labor are higher than other regions. And I generally hire medium to low cost contractors, so take these numbers with a grain of salt.
1. Custom Marble Countertop – pay by slab or square foot (HIGH Price Point)
If you have a larger budget, this option might be best for you. There are 2 price models for this:
Price model #1: Buy a slab, then hire a fabricator to cut and install it.
This option is for when you’re buying from the marble or quartz countertop at a stone or tile store. Stoneyard has endless marble slab choices, and you have more control on the pricing that’s appropriate for your budget.
The cost really varies. It can come from as low as $20+ per sqft and go up to around $100+ per sqft. I chose one of the cheapest carrara marble at $22.5 per sqft. Some other carrara marble with longer and cleaner veins are $30+ per sqft. Calacatta marble slabs can easily go above $50 per sqft.
In this case, recommend hiring a fabricator first. Once you buy a slab, ask your fabricator to pick it up, then fabricate it for you, then they will come and install the stone countertop at your home.
When you visit a stoneyard, you can feel overwhelmed with so many beautiful stones as your countertop options. One tip I can give you is when you’re at the stoneyard, especially if it is outdoor, look on the ground for broken pieces so you can bring some home as samples.
I like to use those and place it in the room or next to my wall and cabinet paint color to make sure they go together.
Tips to save money
Buying a whole slab can be intimidating, especially when you are multiplying the unit price with how many sq ft the slab has. Here are a few tips to save money when buying slab from a stone yard:
- Get smaller sizes – Try to get the smallest size where your kitchen or bathroom countertop can fit. This applies especially for the bathroom, where we don’t usually need a huge slab.
- Use remnants – In Stoneyard, they display available remnants which are a lot cheaper. A lot of remnants can be large enough for some projects, such as a small kitchen island or bath vanity projects. Alternatively, you can also ask your fabricator whether they have remnants (most of them do) and buy from them instead.
- Look for damaged slab pieces – Marble slab pieces with damaged bits (crack or pits) are a great deal because they will only charge you for the large rectangular areas you can actually use, so you can actually pay less with this.
My cost breakdown
I had a recent project where I had to buy a slab of marble for my master bathroom vanity. I needed a 96” x 36” size. I used a 20” depth for the vanity top and a 15” high backsplash since I did a wall mount faucet. I had half of the slab left after the project was complete and was even able to sell the remaining slab for over $300.
The slab I chose is 43 sq ft, and it was $22.5 per sqft, so the total material cost reached $960 for a small sized slab. This is the lowest price carrara marble they offer. Some other carrara marble with longer and cleaner veins go up to $30+ per sqft.
The labor cost totalled up to $1000. This includes the backsplash, 2 sink cutouts, 6 faucet holes, and the mitered edge. Note that the labor is really low compared to the average price. I went with the lowest bid, but the low cost unfortunately came with a price. That’s a story for another day 😛
To give you some idea of the average cost, I also got a quote from a reputable fabricator for $1780 for the same job, so I technically saved around $800.
Price model #2: Pay the slab and installation together by square feet.
This option is available when you’re buying from Home Depot or other hardware stores, such as Floor & Decor.
You’ll have to pay by square feet for this option. For marble and marble-like quartz countertops, the cost ranges from $50 – $100+ per sq ft. The square feet price includes both the material and labor of cutting and installation. So if you need a smaller size, there’s no need to buy a large slab.
The labor includes the basic package, like cutting the slab to size, finishing the edges, etc. But you have to pay additional fees for add ons. For example, each sink hole would cost around $250, and it would be $30 per linear feet for a mitered edge instead of the standard laminated edge. Each faucet hole would also cost $40, though other stores may do it for free.
I got quotes from both stores for the same project I mentioned in price model #1, here are the 2 quotes:
- Home Depot – their white marble costs around $2000
- Floor & Decor – They only offer 3 cm options. Because I needed a backsplash and I don’t like the look of a thick slab for a backsplash piece, I gave up this option early on. Here’s an example of the quote I got from Floor & Decor with carrara white marble, 3cm slab
Buying countertop from stone yard vs hardware stores
If you have a specific design in mind, you’ll be able to choose from a broader selections at a stoneyard compared to retail stores. For example, if you’re looking for white marble, most hardware stores only have 1-2 options to offer.
Cost is harder to compare since there’s a lot of variability depending on your fabricator and the type of stone you choose.
So which price model did I go with?
Before starting my project on my master bathroom marble countertop, I’ve done quite some research and field trips, to really weigh between these methods.
In the end, I decided to go with Price Model #1, which is buying a slab and getting it fabricated by a fabricator.
The reason I didn’t go with the 2nd price model is Price Model #1 is cheaper for the customization I wanted – mitered edge and I was able to select a marble slab with matte finish!
Plus with Price Model #1, I get to keep the leftover marble slab that I can either sell or use for other projects. So, Price Model #1 was definitely the best option for me.
2. Semi-custom Marble Countertop – prefabricated slab and custom cutting (MEDIUM Price Point)
This is just one step away from premade countertops. These are prefabricated stone slabs from your local cabinetry/stone specialty stores.
Prefabricated means they have cut the slab to certain sizes, such as 25” x 8’ for a kitchen countertop, with one or two sides finished to an eased edge, or 36” x 8’ for an island with 3 sides finished.
Some slabs are very affordable. You can buy a 2’x8’ countertop for $299, or a 3’x8’ slab for a kitchen island with 3 laminated edges for $599.
What you do from here is have your fabricator or installer pick it up, cut it to size to fit your kitchen or bathroom, and then create a sink cutout. Because the edges are already pre-finished, you can save a ton of money.
The downside of this option is that, just like buying slabs from a hardware store by sqft, the stone slab options are limited. For example, as I was looking for a white stone countertop, I found that they only offer 2 types of marble and 3-5 types of quartz that fit in the style I wanted.
Another downside is that these slabs all come in polished finish. That’s because polish is more popular, and they only mass produce the more popular options which is why they can keep the price so low.
But if you’re like me and you prefer the honed finish, there’s a way to do that. Many installers can hone the marble for you, and it’ll cost about $5 per sq ft to hone.
One more thing I’m not a huge fan of is the laminated edge. It is a very subtle seam between the 2 slabs laminated together, to make the edge thicker. I prefer a mitered edge, which is cut at 45 degrees so it looks more like one piece.
My project breakdown & cost
I’ve already used this method twice: once for my kitchen countertop, and another for my bathroom vanity top.
For my bathroom, I have a 57” double vanity, and I spent $499 for the quartz slab and added $50 for the backsplash. The labor to fabricate and install everything cost $750. So in total, I spent around $1300.
3. Pre-Cut Ready Made Marble Countertop (LOW Price Point)
This option is referring to countertops that are premade and ready to be installed, with all edges finished and the sink and faucet holes cut.
This option is mostly for bathrooms since kitchen countertops rarely come in standard size and generally need to be custom cut, so it is difficult to buy slabs that are one size fits all.
You can buy these premade countertops from home decor stores like Wayfair, where I have seen a ton of great options. I ended up getting mine at my local floor & decor store.
The good news is these are extremely affordable since they are mass produced. For this option, you can often spend a few hundred dollars all the way to above a thousand.
These are more of one size fits all, so you can find them in standard size, such as 25” to fit a 24” vanity, 31” to fit a 30” vanity, and even all the way up to 72” for a bathroom vanity tops. You can find them made of marble, quartz and other newer materials.
As it usually is with ready-made products, you can expect there to be less flexibility. Usually, there’s only a small material selection compared to the other two countertop options I listed above.
It is also harder to go beyond the standard sink shape or faucet holes. Most marble countertops in this category come in sets of 3 faucet holes, and some options come in only 1 faucet hole. If you’re going to use a wall mount faucet, it might be harder to find a countertop that doesn’t have any faucet hole.
Another downside is when buying natural stone, you won’t be able to choose the texture or patterns because everything is premade and sealed in a box. For example, when I purchased my pre-made marble bathroom vanity top and when to a local store to get it, I found the one in the store has a slightly different pattern and more dramatic color.
My cost breakdown
For this option, I built a small bathroom vanity myself, 30” wide x 20” deep. Since the vanity is pretty small, it is a lot more affordable if I buy a ready-made vanity top for it.
I have my eyes on this carrara marble vanity top from Floor & Decor so I can pick up locally. It came with a vanity top, a sink and backsplash, and it cost $218 – pretty affordable. Also there were no additional fees for cutting the faucet holes. But like I said, with this option, there is definitely less flexibility.
Marble Countertop 3 Price Tiers Summary
With all these different ways to purchase and install marble countertops, choosing the right will option depends on your budget and preference.
If you value customization and want to choose from a wider range of options, then a custom marble countertop (high price point) is best for you. It allows you to handpick the slab and work with a fabricator to create a tailored solution.
For those who want something a little bit more affordable but would still like some customization, then the semi-custom marble countertop (medium price point) is a good choice. It comes with pre-finished edges that can be further modified by a fabricator.
And if you prioritize affordability and convenience above all, then the pre-cut ready-made marble countertop (low price point) is the way to go. With this option, you can choose from standard-sized options that are mass-produced and ready to install.
Make sure to carefully consider what’s important to you and whether or not it fits your budget before deciding on one of these methods.
I hope this post helped you in your search for marble countertops and vanity tops! Let me know how you feel about my project cost breakdown in the comments. Do you find it helpful? Did any project cost surprise you?
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