How Much Does It Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops? [2025 Data]

Your kitchen is one of the key focal points in your home and a primary driver when it comes to home value, and your kitchen countertops can make or break the look and utility like no other component. Not only do your countertops make a statement about your personal style, but they also serve as the primary workspace in your home and need to stand up to constant wear and tear. Kitchen countertop cost is a key factor to understand if you’re planning on a kitchen remodel, and things like kitchen size, layout, and countertop material can all affect your costs.

On average, kitchen countertop installation costs $3,000. This price is based on a typical kitchen size of 35 square feet and reflects the cost of quartz, the most common countertop material. Most homeowners pay between $1,400 and $5,250, but prices can easily fall well outside of that range for budget or high-end materials.

Kitchen Countertop Replacement Cost

Kitchen Countertop Installation Cost Factors

The cost of kitchen countertop replacement ranges so widely because there are many factors that play a role in your total. The type of countertops you choose, the size, layout, and complexity of your kitchen, the edge profile you pick, and local labor costs are all things you need to think about to get an accurate estimate for your kitchen counters replacement.

Average Cost of Kitchen Countertops by Material 

The material you choose will have the biggest impact on your material costs, with something like budget-friendly laminate costing as little as $15 per square foot and high-end quartzite reaching $200 per square foot.

While the cost of different kitchen countertop materials is always going to be a major consideration, be sure to think about durability, too. Your countertops will see constant use and abuse, including impact, spills, and exposure to heat and moisture. Certain materials will stand up better to direct heat, sunlight, abrasion, impact, and staining, which can affect the look of your kitchen long-term and the value you get from your countertops.

Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops by Size & Complexity

In addition to the material you choose, you’ll need to think about the square footage of countertop you need installed, which will affect both material and labor costs. The average kitchen has between 30 and 40 square feet of countertop, and with an average cost per square foot of $40 to $150, you’re looking at a replacement cost of between $1,200 and $6,000 for a typical kitchen.

The layout of your kitchen will have a big impact on the square feet of countertop you need, as galley kitchens won’t need as many edges lined with countertops as a U-shaped kitchen, and any style with an added kitchen island will have additional square footage to cover. The complexity of your kitchen also affects your pricing. Custom shapes, additional cutouts for extra sinks or water dispensers, and curved designs can all drastically increase your total cost.

You can get a more accurate estimate by measuring the linear feet of countertop you need and multiplying by the countertop depth to get the total square footage. Then, use the table below to get an idea on pricing, with ranges accounting for different material options.

Edge & Corner Treatments

The edge profile you select impacts the final cost, with more complex designs increasing the price per linear foot.

The eased edge is the standard, most affordable option and is often included at no extra charge. This profile has a minor roundover on the top for a clean and comfortable look. 

Beveled, half bullnose, and full bullnose edges typically add $10 to $15 per linear foot. A beveled edge has a flat plane that intersects the top and face of the countertop. The half bullnose has a more prominent roundover on the top edge, while the full bullnose is rounded on both the top and bottom. 

Ogee and Dupont edges combine roundovers with other groove shapes for a more decorative appearance. Ogee edges will add between $20 and $25 per linear foot, and Dupont edges will add between $20 and $40 per linear foot. These are more popular on high-end materials, like marble countertops, for a truly luxurious and elegant look. Finally, mitered edges, which have the beveled cut on the underside for a modern look, will add between $20 and $25 per linear foot. 

Labor Cost to Install Kitchen Countertops

Countertop material costs often get the most attention, but labor is a significant part of the process, too, accounting for between 15% and 30% of your total, on average. For the typical kitchen countertop replacement project, labor alone will cost between $450 and $900. This includes the cost of delivering your materials, moving them into place, and installing them. Some contractors will also include the cost of removing your old countertops, but others will charge separately for that.

Labor costs vary based on your location and the local cost of living, but also based on the material you choose. Materials like laminate are lightweight and easy to cut, which means an easier installation that drives labor costs much lower. Concrete countertops, on the other hand, sometimes require building a mould and then pouring the countertops in place. The concrete itself is very affordable, but the time-intensive installation means much higher labor costs. Tile countertops are similar in that the custom tile work takes a long time, so labor can account for a much higher percentage of your total.

Kitchen Countertop Cost by Method

To that same end, the installation method your countertop demands will affect how easy the installation process is and how high your labor costs climb. The installation methods available for your countertops depend mostly on the material you choose.

Hauling a slab into your home and installing it is only possible for natural stone materials, like granite, marble, and quartzite. Pre-cast countertops and modular countertops are possible for human-made materials, like solid surface and quartz, while cast-in-place is more popular for concrete countertops. Tiling is only possible if you want countertops made from ceramic, stone, or porcelain tiles.

Tile Countertop

The cost of a tile countertop ranges from $20 to $100 a square foot installed. This is a labor-intensive installation, although customization is a bit more affordable than with other methods because you can experiment easily with texture, pattern, and color. Tile countertops are possible with ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles.

Modular Countertops

The cost of modular countertops is between $50 and $75 a square foot. Human-made materials are the most commonly available ones for modular countertops, so quartz, acrylic, and Corian (solid surface) are usually the only options. Modular countertops are easy to fit into an existing space without having to pay high prices for customization, but you’re likely to have seams across the surface.

Cast-in-Place Countertops

A cast-in-place countertop costs $50 to $125 a square foot installed. Cast-in-place countertops are most common for concrete countertops. Casting in-place is a labor-intensive process that involves building a frame to hold the material in shape while it sets. This is a good method for unique shapes or layouts because it’s inherently customizable.

Pre-cast Countertops

The cost of a pre-cast countertop is $60 to $150 a square foot. This method is common for concrete countertops, but also quartz and solid surface countertops. Your professional will come measure your kitchen for countertops, create the countertop off-site, and then deliver the material and install it in large sections.

Kitchen Slab Cost

The cost of a kitchen slab countertop ranges from $40 to $200 a square foot. Slab countertops are possible for natural stone materials, including marble, granite, quartzite, soapstone, limestone, travertine, and slate. A slab is cut from natural rock, shaped, and then delivered to your home and installed in one or more large pieces.

Additional Costs and Considerations

There are some other things that can affect the average cost of new kitchen countertop installation, although these will have a more minor impact on your total. For the most accurate estimate possible, though, be sure to consider all of the following.

• Geographic & location factors: The final cost of your project is heavily influenced by your geographic location and the installation site. Expect higher costs in major metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living. Additionally, labor costs can increase if your kitchen is on an upper floor, has difficult access, or requires materials to be moved long distances, as these factors add time and complexity to the installation.

• Prep work & upgrades: Before professional installation can begin, your old countertops need to be removed, which can cost an additional $50 to $300 if not included in the quote. If you're upgrading to a heavier material like granite, you may also need to budget a few hundred dollars for structural reinforcement to ensure your cabinetry can support the added weight, especially if they are made from particleboard or MDF.

• Cutouts: You’ll need cutouts in your countertop for sinks, water dispensers, soap dispensers and even some cooktops. Expect to pay $100 to $200 for each additional cutout, with the higher end of the range being for custom-size sinks.

• Additional plumbing or electrical work: You will almost always need to hire a plumber to disconnect and reconnect your sink, which can cost anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour. While electrical work is rarely required for the countertop itself, if you are also replacing your backsplash, you may need to budget for an electrician to move or replace outlets. You may also want to upgrade your faucet or add another one to increase functionality.

• Garbage disposal: Another popular upgrade during a kitchen renovation is adding a garbage disposal. This provides increased utility and convenience and costs $150 to $650 in most cases, with higher-end models costing as much as $1,000.

• Adding new backsplash: A new backsplash alongside your countertops can really breathe new life into your kitchen space. Expect to pay $500 to $1,500 for backsplash installation, depending on the size, complexity, and material.

• Integrated lighting features and smart technology integration: Finally, you may want to consider adding custom lighting or kitchen smart features, like undermount lights, smart home devices, and smart lights. These kitchen and countertop trends can add hundreds to your total, but can make your kitchen more user-friendly and inviting.

How to Save Money on Your Countertop Project

Replacing your kitchen countertops can quickly get expensive, especially if it’s a part of a bigger kitchen remodel that involves new cabinets, flooring, and appliances. There are a few things you can do to help keep your countertop costs down.

• Choose your material carefully: You could pay anywhere from $13 up to $200 per square foot for your countertops, depending on the type, so be sure to choose your materials wisely. Consider laminate, acrylic, or travertine countertops if you’re on a tight budget, as these are the most affordable.

• Think about the long term: Budget might be your first priority, but you should also consider countertop durability and longevity. Your kitchen countertops are going to see constant use, so think about long-term value in addition to upfront affordability. You should also consider characteristics like being heat-resistant, stain-resistant, or non-porous for better functionality. You may end up replacing laminate far more often than you would more durable kitchen countertops, like granite, so the cheaper materials could end up costing more over time.

• Remember that color might matter: For natural stone countertops, the color and grain pattern can affect your costs. More unique patterns and colors will drive up material costs due to rarity.

• Go simple and understated: When it comes to the edge profile, go with an eased edge, which is usually the most affordable. Avoid high-end finishes like Dupont and Ogee, which can add hundreds to your total.

• Get at least three estimates: Finally, get quotes from at least three contractors in your area to compare and find the best value for the money.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

The labor alone for countertop installation averages between $370 and $740, and while this isn’t overly costly compared to some other remodeling costs, many homeowners may consider DIYing the work to maximize savings. While you will save money with a DIY job, it’s best to hire a professional.

Kitchen countertops are very heavy, and moving them into your home can be dangerous, especially if your kitchen is up a set of stairs or around tight corners that make moving the materials more challenging. This opens you up to injury, but it’s also possible to damage the materials during the process.

Even if you have multiple friends or family members to help you move the countertops, it’s easy to make mistakes when measuring and customizing the countertops to fit your kitchen, and choosing the wrong materials could cause structural damage to your cabinets. If you DIY, you’ll be liable for any mistakes, which could end up costing you more than you’d save.

FAQs