Last updated November 2026
Click here for ratings of local countertop suppliers.
Countertops are usually cut from stone slabs. Granite, soapstone, and marble are popular. Other materials include wood, plastics, metal and concrete.
Quartz, the most popular option for years, recently was linked to thousands of cases of silicosis, a deadly lung disease, among workers who cut quartz for countertops. California is moving to ban production and installation of quartz countertops; other states are considering doing the same.
No matter which material you select, shop for the best price to save. The table below reports prices our undercover shoppers were quoted by local companies to supply and install countertops using the exact same design. We collected prices for two options: Black Pearl granite and Silestone Motion Grey quartz.
As you can see, prices varied dramatically, from $2,106 to $3,836 for granite and $2,910 to $5,186 for quartz.
Fabrication and installation quality is just as important as price. Click here for customer reviews of area outfits. Also ask to see examples of a company’s recent installations, and note how closely a company’s staff listens to you and how carefully they measure.
Ask retailers about their warranties. Do they cover repairing or replacing counters if they stain, chip, or crack? It’s far easier to get a warranty on quartz or another manufactured product than on granite; since manufactured countertop materials are brand-name and engineered, they usually come with 10- to 20-year guarantees against chips, scratching, or warping. Granite and natural stones are usually ineligible for such warranties.
Be sure your designer or countertop seller measures your space beforehand to prevent cutting mistakes.