Quartz countertops are an increasingly popular choice for home kitchen and bathroom renovations due to their durability, low maintenance, and stylish appearance. Though quartz is on the pricier end of countertop materials, it is possible to find quartz countertops at budget-friendly prices if you know where to look and how to shop smart. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the best options for finding affordable quartz countertops without sacrificing quality or style.
Understanding Quartz Countertop Pricing
The cost of quartz countertops will depend on several key factors:
Thickness
Quartz slabs are available in thicknesses ranging from 2cm to 4cm. Thinner slabs around 2cm will be the most affordable, while 3cm is standard and 4cm is a premium thickness best suited for heavy duty installations like kitchen islands.
Color and Pattern
Simple solid quartz colors will be the least expensive options. More complex patterns and bold colors may cost slightly more. Natural stone-look quartz tends to be moderately priced.
Brand
Popular quartz brands like Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone come at a higher cost than lesser known, value-oriented brands.
Fabrication & Installation
Getting quartz pre-fabricated and installed by big box stores or kitchen designers will be pricier than sourcing pre-fab slabs for your own contractor to install.
With the above factors in mind, here are some typical price ranges:
- Low budget: $40-$70 per square foot for 2cm slab and DIY install
- Moderate budget: $70-$120 per square foot for 3cm slab and professional install
- High budget: $120-$200+ per square foot for premium thickness/brands/patterns
Now let’s explore all the best options for sourcing affordable quartz within a more reasonable budget.
Shop Discount & Clearance Sections
Even high end quartz brands end up with extra inventory or discontinued patterns and colors that they deeply discount to move stock quickly. Be sure to check out the clearance section both in stores and online for brands like:
- Caesarstone
- Cambria
- Silestone
- Quartz Master
- Viatera
- Hanstone
- LG Viatera
You can find pre-fabricated slabs and remnant pieces of popular quartz colors/finishes for 30-50% off retail prices. This can mean paying $40-$60 per square foot vs the usual $100+ per square foot for premium brands.
The one caveat is having less selection for sizing and colors, but clearance quartz can deliver huge savings if you are flexible. Be ready to move quickly on discounted stocks as they sell out fast!
Buy Direct from Local Fabricators
Purchasing quartz slabs directly from local countertop fabricators eliminates the middleman markup from big box stores. Fabricators can offer wholesale pricing, letting you save 20-30%.
When a fabricator has excess stock, you can get even better deals on discontinued or overstocked quartz materials. Expect to pay around $50-70 per square foot vs $100+ from major retailers.
Be sure to get 3-4 quotes from different local suppliers so you can compare pricing and options. Negotiate for the lowest price if paying in cash upfront. Fab shops with a surplus of certain slabs will be most flexible on pricing.
Source Pre-Fabricated Quartz
Another budget-friendly option is to buy pre-fabricated quartz countertops online or from home improvement stores.
Rather than fabricating a full slab, pre-fab quartz comes in standard widths (25”) and lengths (up to 119”). The countertop pieces are pre-cut with finished edges. You simply clean, seal, and install the quartz pieces to fit your space.
Here are some of the top sources for pre-fab quartz deals:
- Wayfair: Budget-friendly in-stock pre-fab at under $50 per square foot
- Home Depot: Affordable pre-fab in popular colors under $100 per square foot
- IKEA: Very low cost pre-fab options around $50 per square foot
- Lowe’s: Select pre-fab on clearance for less than $75 per square foot
- Costco: Warehouse deals on pre-cut quartz closeouts for kitchens
Pre-fab limits the customization of your design and requires seams between pieces. But the trade-off is huge savings versus buying full quartz slabs. This is a simple and affordable DIY-friendly option.
Shop Discount Warehouse Stores
Big box warehouse retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often negotiate Batch deals straight from quartz manufacturers to offer exclusive discounted prices in store.
Shopping warehouse stores allows you to skip the middleman and buy high end quartz for $10-20 less per square foot compared to kitchen design showrooms. You can find popular brands like:
- Caesarstone
- Cambria
- Silestone
- Viatera
Pricing can range from $60 per square foot up to $100 per square foot for 3cm slabs. Exact deals vary by location. If not installing the quartz yourself, you’ll need to hire a separate countertop company for template making, fabrication, and install.
Choose Value Brands Over Premium
Opting for lesser known quartz brands that focus on affordability over prestige can save you $20-$50 per square foot:
- Quartz Master: High quality quartz from $55 per square foot
- ** MSI:** Budget selection under $70 per square foot
- Viatera: Value-focused brand by LG starting around $65 per square foot
- Caesarstone Metropolitan: Entry-level sub-brand of Caesarstone with prices as low as $59 per square foot
While not as well-known as Caesarstone or Cambria, these value brands offer a huge selection of stylish quartz looks at much lower prices. The quartz quality and durability match the top brands at a fraction of the price.
Buy Irregular Remnant Pieces
For small or simple installs like bathroom vanities, utilizing remnant pieces of quartz sourced from fabricators can yield big savings.
Remnants are irregularly sized leftover pieces from cutting larger slabs. You can often find quartz remnant deals for 50-75% off retail pricing, as low as $25-$50 per square foot.
Check remnant bins at stone yards, flooring stores, habitat for humanity re-store locations, and online sites like eBay, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Being flexible on sizing and color opens up much more selection of discounted remnants.
Install DIY vs Hiring Professionals
Major savings can be achieved by preparing your cabinets and installing pre-fabricated quartz yourself as opposed to hiring a professional installer or kitchen designer.
While DIY installation takes more time and effort, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in labor costs. There are several handy online tutorials on how to properly clean, cut, adhere, and seal quartz countertops at home.
The key steps include:
- Ensuring cabinets are level, plumb, and prepared for install
- Carefully measuring and cutting quartz pieces to fit with a wet saw
- Applying adhesive and sealing any seams
- Cleaning and polishing installed countertops
DIY installation works best for pre-fab quartz vs heavy full slabs. While challenging, installing your own quartz can unlock huge savings.
Be Flexible on Color Selection
More common, neutral quartz colors like whites, grays, and lighter earth tones tend to be the least expensive options from manufacturers.
Bolder, more unique colors and patterns will typically come at a higher cost. If you are flexible on color selection, sticking to cheaper popular neutrals can yield savings.
Here are some examples of affordable quartz colors to consider:
- Pure white
- Super white
- Frosty white
- Basic gray
- Soft gray
- Calacatta white
- Beach sand
- Vanilla cream
While most quartz has some movement or veining, solid colors with less pattern variation tend to be more budget friendly.
Get Multiple Estimates and Negotiate
Don’t take the first quote you receive as the final price for your project. Shopping around and getting estimates from 3-4 different vendors can give you much better insight on fair market pricing.
Whether dealing with big box stores, kitchen designers, or fabricators directly, don’t be afraid to negotiate to see if they can shave 10-20% off the initial quote or throw in extras like sinks, sinks, plumbing, or install.
Many salespeople will come down in price if it means getting your business over a competitor. Cash/check payments can also open up additional bargaining room compared to financing.
Consider Alternative Cheaper Materials
While quartz is one of the most affordable engineered stone options, natural stone alternatives like granite or marble can potentially be cheaper (though less durable).
Laminate and solid surface materials like Formica, Corian, or Avonite offer national brand deals for under $50 per square foot installed. Porcelain and ceramic slab options are also rising in popularity as lower cost quartz competitors.
Weigh out the pros and cons of alternative countertop materials based on pricing, durability, maintenance, aesthetics, and ease of installation that best fits your budget and priorities.
FAQ About Buying Affordable Quartz Countertops
How can I find quartz countertops under $50 per square foot?
Getting under $50 per square foot for quartz is rare but possible with pre-fab options, shopping clearance sections, buying remnants, and sourcing from discount brands. Flexibility on color, texture, and dimensions of pieces can help unlock lower pricing.
What thickness of quartz slab should I get on a budget?
Sticking with a 2cm thick quartz slab will provide the best value, as 3cm is standard and 4cm is a premium used for heavy duty installations. A 2cm slab will suffice for most residential kitchen installs and delivers savings.
Is it worth it to buy discounted or clearance quartz?
Yes, while color selection is more limited, huge savings of 30-50% off retail pricing make clearance quartz totally worth it. Brands like Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone stand behind the quality of their discounted remnants or closeouts.
Can I install pre-fabricated quartz myself as a DIY project to save money?
Absolutely! With proper preparation and patience, pre-fab quartz designed for DIY install can help you save potentially thousands on professional installation costs. Numerous online tutorials provide guidance on the process.
What tips do you have for getting the lowest price on quartz?
Being flexible on colors/patterns, comparing quotes across several vendors, paying cash rather than financing, buying remnants/pre-fab, negotiating prices, and doing DIY install can all help drive quartz countertop costs down significantly.
Final Thoughts
While quartz countertops are on the pricier end of kitchen and bath materials, implementing some of these budget-friendly tips can help you install beautiful, durable quartz surfaces at a fraction of the typical costs from large retailers.
Getting creative by exploring clearance sections, lesser known brands, pre-fab options, remnant pieces, warehouse deals, and negotiating pricing allows you to take advantage of huge savings opportunities. With the right approach, finding affordable quartz is totally achievable without breaking the bank!