Last updated November 2026
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. Our undercover shoppers collected price quotes from companies in seven major metro areas to supply and install countertops using the exact same design. We collected prices for two options: Black Pearl granite and Silestone Motion Grey quartz. Prices varied dramatically, from less than $2,000 to more than $5,000 for each material type.
Fabrication and installation quality is just as important as price. 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.
