Countertop installation cost: laminate, granite and quartz side by side, by state
Granite, 35 sq ft: about $3,050 to $3,950, typically $3,400. That's new countertops on 16 feet of base cabinets, about 35 square feet of top, with the old tops taken off, plus the contractor's overhead, profit and sales tax. Laminate is priced by the foot; granite and quartz by the square foot. The sink, faucet, backsplash and cutouts are extra.
Anthony Hicks30+ years in construction. Updated November 5, 2026.
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What it costs
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| Laminate, 16 ft of counter | $1,200 to $1,450 |
| Granite, 35 sq ft | $3,050 to $3,950 |
| Quartz, 35 sq ft | $3,500 to $4,400 |
Totals include the contractor's overhead and profit (20%) and the state's average sales tax. Prices as of November 2026.
What’s in these numbers
Each total is a typical job, priced the way a contractor’s estimate is priced:
- A mid-size kitchen’s tops: 16 feet of base cabinets, about 35 square feet of countertop, the old tops taken off.
- The material shown: post-formed laminate, granite, or quartz.
- Overhead and profit: 20%, the standard markup on a contractor’s estimate.
- Sales tax on the materials, at the state’s average rate.
Not in them: the sink and faucet, cutouts and edge upgrades, a backsplash, plumbing hookup, and new cabinets.
Three materials
| Top | How it’s priced | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | By the linear foot | A plastic laminate surface over a particleboard core, the edge formed in one piece |
| Granite | By the square foot | Natural stone slabs, cut to the cabinets |
| Quartz | By the square foot | Engineered stone: crushed quartz bound with resin |
A countertop is about 25 inches deep over standard base cabinets, a little more than 2 square feet for each foot of cabinet.
What moves the price
- Material and grade. Higher-grade stone and quartz cost more by the square foot.
- Size and shape. An island, an L or U, and extra seams add square feet and labor.
- Cutouts and edges. Undermount sinks, cooktops and fancy edges add work.
- Where you live. Pick your state in the box above.
Common questions
How much are quartz countertops installed?
About $3,500 to $4,400 for about 35 square feet, a mid-size kitchen, typically $3,850.
How much are granite countertops installed?
About $3,050 to $3,950 for the same kitchen, typically $3,400.
How much are laminate countertops?
About $1,200 to $1,450 for 16 feet of counter.
What does a whole kitchen remodel cost?
The kitchen remodel cost guide adds the cabinets, sink, faucet, floor and paint to quartz tops for three kitchen sizes.