What You’ll Pay for Quartz Countertop Installation
If you’re shopping for quartz countertops, you’re looking at a national average of $120 to $157 per square foot, installed. That figure includes the slab, fabrication, and labor — but not the old countertop removal or debris hauling. For a typical 30–50 sq ft kitchen, you’re in the $3,600 to $7,850 range before any extras.
But the real number depends on where you live, how complex your layout is, and whether you’re buying entry-level quartz or the stuff with veining that looks like marble. Let’s break down what actually drives the price.
Where Your Money Goes
The sticker price isn’t just the material. Here’s the per-square-foot breakdown from real contractor data:
- Quartz slab itself: $51–$63
- Basic installation labor: $39–$59
- Job supplies (adhesive, caulk, shims): $1.25–$1.38
- Removing your old countertop: $0.44–$2.07
- Debris disposal: $28–$31 (usually a flat fee, not per foot)
So the material is about 40% of the total. The rest is labor, supplies, and cleanup. That’s why a simple 20 sq ft vanity top might cost $2,400, but a 52 sq ft L-shaped kitchen with an island — like the Atlanta homeowner who got quoted $8,000 — works out to $154 per foot. That’s on the high side, but not unheard of.
Why City Matters So Much
Quartz prices swing hard by region. A kitchen that costs $3,500 in San Antonio might run you $5,000 in New York. Here’s the real spread across 20 U.S. metros:
| City | Cost per sq ft (installed) |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $143–$191 |
| San Jose, CA | $138–$183 |
| San Francisco, CA | $138–$183 |
| Seattle, WA | $135–$180 |
| Chicago, IL | $133–$176 |
| Boston, MA | $133–$176 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $130–$172 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $128–$168 |
| San Diego, CA | $128–$168 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $128–$168 |
| Columbus, OH | $118–$155 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $117–$153 |
| Denver, CO | $117–$153 |
| Atlanta, GA | $115–$149 |
| Houston, TX | $114–$148 |
| Dallas, TX | $114–$148 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $113–$147 |
| Miami, FL | $113–$147 |
| San Antonio, TX | $113–$146 |
| Austin, TX | $112–$146 |
Notice the gap: New York’s low end is higher than Austin’s top end. If you’re in a high-cost metro, expect to pay 20–30% more than the national average.
What Homeowners Actually Report Paying
Real people’s numbers tell a more nuanced story. On Reddit, a homeowner in suburban Atlanta was quoted $8,000 for 52 sq ft — that’s $154 per foot — and was told to get three quotes. A Florida contractor said he charges $100–$120 per sq ft for a simple flat-edge install. A Canadian homeowner saw a quote that seemed sky-high compared to U.S. pricing, which highlights how much borders (and shipping) change the game.
One guy with 48 sq ft in an L-shape-plus-island layout paid $4,200 installed — that’s $87.50 per foot. That’s a steal, but he noted he was “just under one slab,” so no wasted material. That’s a common money-saver: if your layout fits on a single slab (roughly 50–55 sq ft), you avoid the cost of a second slab and an extra seam.
Another homeowner in New Jersey was told a small countertop could run $2,000–$5,000 depending on the quartz color and whether the fabricator had a remnant piece. Remnants are leftovers from other jobs and can save you 30–50% on material.
How to Avoid Getting Burned
The biggest mistake people make is only comparing per-square-foot prices without asking what’s included. A “$60 per sq ft” quote might be material-only, and then you get hit with $2,000 in fabrication and installation fees. Always ask for a total installed price, including:
- Seams (long runs need them)
- Edge profile (flat is cheapest; ogee or beveled costs extra)
- Sink and cooktop cutouts
- Backsplash height (if you want a 4-inch slab backsplash)
- Tear-out and disposal of old counters
Get at least three quotes from fabricators, not just general contractors. A countertop shop that does its own fabrication will almost always beat a GC’s markup. And check reviews — one Redditor warned that some stores lowball the material price but then charge a fortune for “milling and installation.”
Is Quartz Cheaper Than Granite?
Short answer: about the same, sometimes a little more. Granite installation runs $80–$150 per sq ft, depending on the stone grade. Quartz sits in that same range, but it’s more consistent because it’s man-made — no hidden cracks or weak spots. The labor cost is similar, so your choice comes down to look and maintenance, not price.
How to Estimate Your Cost
For a quick ballpark: multiply your square footage by $135 (the middle of the national range). Then add $200–$400 for sink cutouts and $100–$200 for disposal. So for 20 sq ft, expect roughly $2,700–$3,000. For 10 linear feet of countertop (say, a 24-inch-deep run), that’s about 20 sq ft — same math.
FAQ
How much does a quartz countertop cost to install?
Nationally, $120–$157 per square foot installed. That includes the slab, labor, and basic supplies.
How much is 20 square feet of quartz countertop?
Expect $2,400 to $3,140 installed, depending on your city and complexity.
What is cheaper to install, granite or quartz?
They’re neck-and-neck. Granite can dip lower ($80/sq ft for basic stone), but mid-grade quartz and granite overlap heavily. Labor costs are nearly identical.
How to estimate the cost of quartz countertops?
Measure your countertop length × depth (in feet) to get square footage. Multiply by $135 for a rough installed cost. Add $300–$500 for cutouts and removal.
These are reference ranges, not a quote — get three bids from local fabricators before you commit.