Quartz countertops are a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects due to their durability, low maintenance, and stylish appearance. However, many homeowners wonder – what does a quartz countertop cost? The price of quartz countertops can vary significantly based on several factors. This article will provide a detailed overview of quartz countertop costs to help you budget and plan your next remodeling project.
What is Quartz?
Quartz countertops, sometimes referred to as engineered stone, are made from ground natural quartz crystals combined with resins and pigments. The result is a durable, non-porous surface that resists scratches, stains, and heat.
Quartz offers the look of natural stone with more consistency in color and pattern. Unlike solid surface materials, no two quartz slabs are exactly the same due to the use of natural stone in the manufacturing process.
Factors That Determine Quartz Countertop Cost
Several key factors impact the total installed price of quartz countertops in your home. These include:
Slab Price
The biggest component of overall quartz countertop cost is the price of the slab. Slab prices range from $40 per square foot on the low end, to over $100 per square foot for premium brands and rare stone patterns. The average slab price is $50-70 per square foot.
Higher priced slabs feature unique, dramatic veining and coloring. More affordable options offer an understated, uniform appearance. Price can also be impacted by thickness, with 3cm slabs costing less than 2cm.
Color and Finish
Quartz slabs come in different base colors and finish textures. White, beige, and gray are the most affordable options, while bold dark colors or unique patterns cost more.
Finishes like polished, matte, or leathered carry different price tags. Matte finishes are currently on-trend and demand a slight premium.
Brand
Well-known quartz brands like Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone command higher prices than lesser known, private-label options. You pay extra for the brand recognition, marketing, and reputation that comes with big quartz names.
Installation Costs
Fabrication and installation costs make up a significant portion of your total quartz countertop investment. Expect to pay $40-$100 per linear foot for fabrication and installation. Simple countertop layouts on new cabinetry will be at the lower end of this range. More complex projects or replacement installs cost more.
Location also impacts installation costs, with major metropolitan areas commanding higher prices. Your contractor may also tack on charges for sink cutouts, seams, edge profiles, and matching backsplashes.
Total Quartz Countertop Cost
Given the many factors involved, total quartz countertop costs per square foot installed can range tremendously:
- Economy Range: $80-$100 per sq. ft.
- Mid-Range: $100-150 per sq. ft.
- Premium: $150-$200+ per sq. ft.
To calculate your total estimated investment, measure your existing countertop square footage and multiply by your desired price point.
A 25 square foot countertop installation at $100 per square foot would cost $2,500. For a more premium 50 square foot project at $150 per square foot, budget $7,500.
How Thickness Impacts Cost
Quartz countertops come in standard thicknesses of 2cm and 3cm. 3cm slabs cost slightly more but are recommended for heavy usage areas like kitchen counters. 2cm can only be used for flat surface installations like backsplashes.
Here is how thickness impacts per square foot pricing:
- 2cm average cost: $70 per sq. ft.
- 3cm average cost: $80 per sq. ft.
In some cases, thicker 2cm material called Jumbo can be used. However, thickness doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, as premium engineering prevents 2cm slabs from warping or cracking.
Factors That Influence Quartz Price
Now that we’ve covered the major components of quartz countertop costs, let’s take a closer look at the specifics of what impacts pricing:
Appearance
As we touched on earlier, dramatic veining, patterns, and colors demand higher prices. A bright white quartz with minimal veining starts around $50 per square foot. The same brand in a bold blue maca with heavy graphics could be over $100 per square foot.
If budget is a main concern, limit your search to more uniform, lighter color slabs with less distinct veining.
Brand Reputation
Quartz countertops are produced by various manufacturers under dozens of brand names. The best-known brands like Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, MSI, LG Viatera, and Quartz Master range from $70-$120 per square foot.
Lesser known value brands like Quartzforms, Vicostone, Whitehills, and Nuvo Quartz offer significant savings, with pricing from $40-$70 per square foot.
The major brands invest heavily in marketing, research & development, and consumer education. You pay some premium for the brand reputation and recognition in selecting a Caesarstone over a generic quartz. However, quality and durability does vary across brands.
Color Consistency
Uniformity and flow between slabs is another cost factor. Dramatic patterns may not match up well from one slab to the next. This requires additional planning by your fabricator and potentially more seams.
A uniformly colored quartz offers the most consistency and often an affordable price. But some intermediate patterns offer both visual appeal and reliable matching between slabs.
Recycled vs. Natural Quartz
Some quartz contains high percentages of recycled materials. While eco-friendly, recycled quartz may have more color variation between batches. So brands using natural quartz charge slightly more for color consistency.
Fabrication
Your installer charges by the linear foot for fabricating and installing your countertops. Simple layouts with few seams or cutouts cost less. Expect to pay more for:
- Intricate cutouts for sinks or cooktops
- Mitered edges
- Multiple seams/joints between slabs
- Matching and installing a backsplash
- Accessories like trivets
You may also pay more for premium edging details vs. a standard polished finish. Upgrades like ogee, bullnose, or bevel edges increase fabrication time and requirements.
Purchase Location
Not surprisingly, major metro areas like New York City and San Francisco have the highest quartz countertop costs. Additional charges from suppliers and fabricators in these locations lead to prices 20-30% above the national averages we’ve quoted.
More remote rural areas may enjoy slightly lower pricing, although material transportation costs offset some of the savings.
Dealer vs. Big Box Store
Purchasing quartz slabs through a kitchen and bath dealer costs about 10-15% more than big box stores like Home Depot. You’ll pay more for the dealer’s service, expertise, and typically higher-end product selection.
Big box quartz starts around $50 per square foot installed. At a dealer you’ll rarely see pricing under $75 per square foot.
Price Comparison to Other Countertop Materials
To put quartz countertop costs into perspective, let’s compare to other popular counter options:
- Laminate countertops cost $20-40 per sq. ft. installed, making them the most affordable option. While laminate resists scratches, it can warp or stain over time.
- Granite countertops range from $80-150 per sq. ft. Natural stone offers unique visual appeal but requires more maintenance compared to quartz.
- Solid surface (Corian) costs about $70-100 per sq. ft. installed. Scratches and cuts can be repaired, but burning and staining is possible.
- Butcher block runs $60-100 per sq. ft. It requires diligent sealing but brings warmth and character to kitchens.
Quartz delivers unbeatable durability and maintenance ease at a moderate price point compared to these alternatives. The material quality and longevity make it a smart long-term investment.
Quartz Cost Saving Tips
If your budget is tight, here are a few recommendations to reduce quartz countertop costs:
- Select a 2cm thick slab instead of 3cm for less material expense.
- Choose a simple polished edge instead of decorative ogee or bullnose edges.
- Compare prices across fabricators and request discounts or specials.
- Avoid complicated layouts with excessive seams and cutouts.
- Install quartz on only the most used surfaces like kitchen counters, and use laminate or tile elsewhere.
- Shop clearance sales or remnants for the best discounts.
- Select a lower cost value brand instead of premium name brands.
- Install quartz yourself instead of paying for fabrication, if DIY savvy.
Factors That Justify Higher Quartz Prices
While you can find quartz countertops starting around $50 per square foot, paying more does come with benefits:
- Durability – Higher priced quartz is less prone to damage from impact, heat, and scratches.
- Stain resistance – Quality quartz offers unmatched stain protection. Reputable brands stand by 10 or 15 year warranties.
- Unique appearance – Dramatic patterns and colors create a truly custom look. stock white and beige finishes.
- Resale value – Upscale quartz countertops can increase your home’s value for resale.
- Low maintenance – Quality quartz never needs sealing or polishing. Just mild soap and water keeps it clean.
For busy kitchens and baths that get heavy use, investing more for premium quartz reduces hassles down the road.
Resources for Measuring and Sourcing Quartz
With the information above, you should have a solid understanding of quartz countertop costs per square foot. Use these resources to continue your research:
- Home Depot Quartz Countertop Buying Guide – Advice and prices from the home improvement giant
- Lowe’s Quartz Information Center – Compare color, edge, and thickness options
- Quartz Countertop Cost Estimator Tool – Get accurate installed pricing estimates online
- Quartz Brand Websites – Browse colors and request free samples
- Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimator – Estimate your total project budget
We hope this overview gives you the information needed to budget for a quartz countertop installation. With a wide spectrum of pricing, you can find quartz to suit any project budget by selecting the right combination of color, pattern, edges, and brand. Investing in quality quartz is sure to enhance your home’s beauty and function for decades to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quartz Costs
How much do quartz countertops cost compared to granite?
Quartz countertops range from $80-150 per square foot installed. They are priced very similarly to natural granite. High end quartz can match premium granite, while low-end quartz comes in less than economy granite.
Are quartz countertops expensive?
Quartz is moderately priced compared to other natural stone and solid surface countertops. While not cheap, quartz offers good value given its durable low-maintenance nature. More affordable than marble or soapstone.
Is IKEA a good brand for inexpensive quartz?
IKEA offers quartz counters around $50 per square foot installed. Feedback is mixed – some are satisfied with the affordable IKEA quartz quality, while others report issues like easily damaged surfaces.
What thickness of quartz countertop should I get?
3cm quartz provides the most durability and rigidity, recommended for heavily used kitchen counters. 2cm quartz costs less and works acceptably for protected surfaces like bathroom vanities.
Can I install quartz countertops myself?
Quartz fabrication and installation is best left to professionals. But DIY-savvy homeowners can sometimes install precut quartz pieces purchased from big box stores. This severely limits edge and cutout options.
Conclusion
While not the cheapest countertop option, quartz offers homeowners excellent durability and low-maintenance at a reasonable mid-tier price point. Carefully calculating total costs per square foot using the factors above allows you to budget accurately. Sourcing quartz slabs through a kitchen dealer vs. big box store also impacts final pricing. Additional services like fabrication and installation make up a significant portion of your total investment. With some savvy shopping and cost comparisons, quartz can fit within many remodeling budgets. Selecting the perfect color and pattern brings years of enjoyment, making this surface a smart long-term choice.