What Is The Cost of Marble Countertops?
There is no material more graceful and sensational than marble. Over the years, it has been used for various applications and is considered a prime material for sculptures due to its translucency, richness, and durability. It has always been a great choice for flooring, bathroom, and kitchen countertops in homes, and there is no denying that it adds desired opulence and timeless elegance to our interior spaces. Below you’ll find the cost of marble countertops as well as some of the most popular types being used in new home construction and remodel projects.
Marble Kitchen Countertops are durable, easy to maintain, and stunning, but there is always a cost factor that has to be considered. Marble is not a cheap material, but remember that you are paying a price for the grandeur and lustrous beauty that it offers. Selecting marbles for countertops is more like selecting rubies as they both vary in grading, quality, and cost that come along with them.
According to the interview conducted by The Marble Cleaner, an average marble countertop can cost $50-250 per square foot, and the total cost can be $3500 – 4000. Visit this page for more information about budgeting for a kitchen remodel project.
The cost of marble countertops will depend on:
The quality of the marble used, thickness, and various colors play a role in the fluctuation of price. A polished marble will be relatively expensive than a honed piece. The average thickness of marble supplied today is 3cm, and if you opt for 2cm or 5cm, the price will fluctuate.
Installation and labor cost, which also includes removing the old countertop, cleaning, etc. Depending on the complexity of the design and installation, the average installation cost per square foot would be around $40-60.
Additional costs include cutouts, counter edging, designing, sealing the surface, etc. Standard edges would not cost that much, but a bullnose or ogee edge will raise the cost of installation by an additional $30-50, depending on the design.
Color is one of the biggest factors when it comes to stone. The whiter (yes whiter not lighter), as in the most concentrated white, purest white will be the most expensive. That same rule goes for black, the purest form will be the most expensive. From there you can get a creamier white or grayer blacks to reduce the cost of the stone.
Installation is a cost that will be a part of this project, so don’t let that slip your mind. Obviously, the thicker the marble, the more expensive it will be. Any extra cuts in it, such as a sink hole, will add to the cost.
When looking into purchasing marble a few recommended vendors are: MSI Stone, Silestone, Daltile, and Cambria. Most of these manufacturers deal with not only home and kitchen marble but also commercial marble. This can mean that their prices are a bit more cost effective due to the mass quantities that the manufacture. When they make more of the same product frequently it allows them to keep a more competitive price.
Often, when buying just a few pieces of marble, you will not buy directly from the manufacturer. For example, one may be searching on the MSI Stone website, and pick a perfect piece of marble from there, but would not actually purchase from them directly.
There are local distributors to whom they will refer you. Basically, when wanting to buy marble, one will be connected with a local stone dealer to visit and see their selection in person. This is important since, just because the piece of stone looks exactly like what the buyer wants, it does NOT mean that it is.
Computer screens show different colors on every screen, every page. No matter how many times someone holds the paint color next to the computer screen you will not get the right representation! This is why when buying stone for a project one should visit the store or even order samples online from the manufacturers’ website. Always get a physical sample.
As stated, the quality of the marble plays a significant role in determining the total cost of the countertop, and there are different qualities of marble available in the market. Although marble is found in different regions of Europe and Canada, most of it comes from the regions of Italy.
Popular Marble for Countertops
Carrara marble – This marble quarried in Carrara, Italy, is one of the most common marbles and is the least expensive due to its wide availability. Its soft, linear grayish veins can give countertops a stunning look.
Carrara White Marble
Statuario – considered as a precious marble within the high price range with milky white look with deep beautiful grey veins that frequently runs through the material.
Statuario Polished Marble
Calacatta marble– It is more costly than the Carrara range of marble as it is rare with predominant large veining pattern and slightly lighter in color than the Carrara.
Calacatta Carrara Marble
The Price of marble depends on the thickness and type of stone used. Below, you can see the variety of pricing options for a few of the most popular types of marble.
Marble Thickness/ Type
- Bianco Carrara – $37 to $70 SF – 3cm/ polished
- Calacatta (Gold or Classic) – $80 to $200 SF – 3cm/ polished
- Bianco Statuario- $100 to $300 SF – 3cm/ polished
Additional Costs to Consider
- Fabrication and Installation – Adds $30 to $100/SF (cutting, edging, sink cutouts).
- Sealing and Maintenance – Marble requires regular sealing (extra $200 to $500 over time).
- Location Differences – Urban areas (NYC, LA) often have higher prices than rural regions.
Designer Marble Buying Tips
Trying to shop around to get quotes to see different pricing. Some suppliers are known for heavily marking up their products. Check the slab quality to ensure it is free of imperfections that would indicate a lower grade quality. If budget-conscious, compare other alternatives that have a similar appearance, such as quartzite.
Although marble is relatively expensive compared to other stone countertops, if you are a fan of marble or need to add a high-end touch and wow factor in your kitchen then this beautiful material is meant for you.
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