How Much Do New Countertops Cost? Quartz vs. Granite Pricing Guide for Sachse Residents

New countertops can completely transform the look of a kitchen, but before choosing a color or material, most homeowners want to know one thing:

How much do new countertops actually cost?

The answer depends on the material you choose, the size and layout of your kitchen, and the additional work needed to complete the installation.

Quartz and granite are two of the most popular countertop options, while butcher block can also be a great choice for certain kitchens or accent areas. Each material has a different price range, appearance, level of maintenance, and benefits.

This guide breaks down the costs and differences between quartz, granite, and butcher block countertops to help you understand your options and decide what works best for your kitchen and budget.

How Much Should You Budget for New Countertops?

Countertops are generally priced by the square foot. Here are some realistic starting ranges to help plan your project.

Actual Installed Cost for Quartz and Granite

Entry-Level Granite: $45–$55 per sq. ft.

Entry-Level Quartz: $55–$65 per sq. ft.

Mid-Range Quartz: $65–$75 per sq. ft.

Premium Quartz: $80–$95+ per sq. ft.

Butcher Block: $50–$70 per sq. ft.

These prices are based off of actual pricing sheets for 2026. The final cost can vary depending on the material selected, total square footage, kitchen layout, fabrication requirements, edge details, and additional work.

It’s also important to remember that the countertop price per square foot isn’t always the total project price.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is one of the most popular countertop materials because it combines durability, low maintenance, and a large selection of colors and designs.

Quartz is an engineered stone product. This allows manufacturers to offer everything from simple colors and patterns to designs with detailed veining that resemble natural marble.

Entry-Level Quartz: $55–$65 per Sq. Ft.

Entry-level quartz is a great option for homeowners who want the benefits of quartz while keeping the project affordable.

Carrara Marmi is a beautiful, timeless quartz that is easily accessible in North Texas and falls into one of the entry-level options. These slabs typically have simpler colors and patterns but still provide the durability and low maintenance that make quartz so popular.

You don’t necessarily have to choose an expensive slab to get a quality quartz countertop.

As you move up in pricing tiers, you're often paying more for the design, pattern, color, and brand rather than a major increase in everyday durability.

Mid-Range Quartz: $65–$75 per Sq. Ft.

Moving into the mid-range generally gives you more choices in color, movement, and veining.

This can be a good middle ground for homeowners who want the countertops to become a larger part of the kitchen design without moving into premium pricing.

Premium Quartz: $80–$95+ per Sq. Ft.

Premium quartz usually offers more detailed patterns, dramatic veining, specialty finishes, and designs that closely resemble natural stone.

A higher price doesn’t always mean the quartz is dramatically more durable. Much of the additional cost can come from the color, pattern, brand, and overall design of the slab.

Benefits of Quartz

• Low maintenance

• Does not normally require sealing

• Resistant to stains

• Durable for everyday kitchen use

• Easy to clean

• Large selection of colors and patterns

• Available at several price levels

Quartz does have some limitations. Excessive heat can damage the resins in the material, so hot cookware should generally be placed on a trivet or heat-resistant pad.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural stone, which means every slab is unique.

Granite is quarried from different parts of the world, including countries such as Spain, Brazil, India, China, and Italy. This is one reason granite is available in so many different colors, patterns, and natural variations.

Entry-Level Granite: $45–$55 per Sq. Ft.

One thing that surprises many homeowners is that granite can sometimes be less expensive than quartz.

Commonly available granite colors can provide a durable natural-stone countertop at an affordable price.

Choosing an entry-level granite doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting an inferior countertop. Often, the lower price simply means that particular stone is more readily available.

More unique or exotic granite slabs can cost considerably more because of their rarity and the cost of sourcing and importing them.

Benefits of Granite

• Genuine natural stone

• Every slab is unique

• Very durable

• Excellent heat resistance

• Available in many colors and patterns

• Options available for different budgets

Does Granite Require Maintenance?

Granite is porous and may need to be sealed periodically to help protect against moisture and stains.

This isn’t usually a major undertaking, but it is something to consider when comparing granite with quartz.

If low maintenance is the priority, quartz may have the advantage. If you prefer the natural variation and character of real stone, granite may be the better choice.

Quartz vs. Granite: Which Is Better?

There isn’t one countertop that’s best for every kitchen.

Quartz may be better if you want:

• Very little maintenance

• No routine sealing

• Consistent colors and patterns

• Marble-inspired designs

• Plenty of choices at different price levels

Granite may be better if you want:

• Genuine natural stone

• A countertop with natural variation

• Excellent heat resistance

• Unique colors and patterns

• The possibility of finding an affordable entry-level stone

Both can be excellent kitchen countertops.

The better choice depends on your budget, style, and expectations for maintenance.

What About Butcher Block?

Butcher block is another countertop option that provides a completely different appearance from quartz or granite.

Because it’s made from wood, butcher block brings warmth and natural character into a kitchen. It can be used throughout the kitchen or as an accent, such as on an island surrounded by quartz or granite countertops.

Butcher Block: $50–$70 per Sq. Ft.

Pricing varies depending on the type of wood, thickness, finish, and installation.

Benefits of Butcher Block

• Warm, natural appearance

• Works well for islands and accent areas

• Can complement painted cabinetry

• Creates contrast when combined with stone countertops

• Certain surfaces can be sanded and refinished

Butcher block generally requires more maintenance than quartz or granite. Wood can scratch, stain, absorb moisture, and be affected by heat if it isn’t properly cared for.

What Else Affects the Cost of New Countertops?

The price per square foot is only one part of a completed countertop project.

Depending on the kitchen, additional services may be needed to remove the existing countertops and complete the new installation.

Typical additional costs can include:

Existing countertop removal and disposal: $250–$400

New sink: Around $200

Sink fabrication & installation: Around $200

Plumbing disconnect and reconnection: $250–$350

Faucet installation: Around $150

Cooktop cutout and installation: Around $200

Plumbing modifications: $150–$400+ when needed

A new faucet, garbage disposal, specialty edge, backsplash, or cabinet modification can also affect the final project cost.

This is why it’s important to compare the complete scope of the project, not only the advertised price per square foot.

What Does a Typical Countertop Project Cost?

For a simple example, consider a kitchen with approximately 50 square feet of countertops.

Using an entry-level quartz at around $55 per square foot, the countertops would be approximately:

50 sq. ft. × $55 = $2,750

But don’t forget to figure in the common services that are often needed during a countertop replacement:

Existing countertop removal and disposal: $200

New undermount sink: $200

Sink fabrication & installation: $200

Plumbing disconnect and reconnection: $250

Faucet installation: $150

Cooktop cutout and installation: $200

Estimated Countertop Project Total: $3,950

Your choice of a new faucet, backsplash, plumbing modifications, or other upgrades would increase the project cost from there.

This gives homeowners in Sachse a more realistic idea of what a countertop investment can cost after combining the price per square foot with the additional services commonly needed during installation.

Have a Raised or Split-Level Kitchen Bar?

Replacing the countertops can also be a good opportunity to update an older raised or split-level bar.

Many kitchens have a peninsula where the seating area sits several inches higher than the main countertop.

Instead of installing new countertops over the same two-level design, the raised section can often be cut down and converted into one large, continuous countertop surface.

This can:

• Make the kitchen feel more open

• Create more usable countertop space

• Improve seating and entertaining space

• Give an older kitchen a more modern appearance

Depending on how the existing bar was built, the modification may require carpentry, drywall repair, electrical outlet relocation, or other adjustments.

If you’re considering this change, it’s important to make the decision before the new countertops are measured and fabricated.

Should You Replace the Backsplash at the Same Time?

Countertop replacement is also one of the best times to update the backsplash.

While it may be possible to keep an existing backsplash, it doesn’t always give the best finished result. Older countertops can be a different thickness than the standard 3 cm quartz and granite commonly installed today.

Once the old countertops are removed and the new ones are installed, that difference in thickness can leave an uneven gap or awkward transition where the new countertop meets the existing backsplash.

It can also be difficult to remove existing countertops without damaging the bottom edge of an existing tile backsplash.

For these reasons, we generally recommend replacing the backsplash at the same time as the countertops. It allows the new countertop and backsplash to fit together properly and gives the kitchen a cleaner, more finished appearance.

Tile Backsplash

Tile is one of the most popular backsplash options because of the huge selection of colors, patterns, sizes, and textures available.

It can be kept simple and affordable or used to add more personality to the kitchen with mosaics, herringbone patterns, or decorative tile.

For budgeting purposes, here is an example of what a standard backsplash replacement up to approximately 45 sq. ft. can cost.

Standard Tile Installation Labor: $750

Installation of standard ceramic or porcelain backsplash tile in a straightforward pattern.

Standard Tile Allowance: $200

A basic material allowance for approximately 45 sq. ft. of tile. More expensive tile would increase the project cost by the difference in material price.

Thinset, Grout & Basic Installation Materials: $100

Includes the typical setting and grouting materials needed for the installation.

Remove Existing Tile & Drywall + Disposal: $250

When an existing tile backsplash is being replaced, we typically remove the tile and drywall behind it together rather than trying to salvage damaged drywall.

New Drywall Material & Installation: $250

Includes new drywall material and installation to provide a clean, flat surface for the new backsplash.

What Does a Standard 45 Sq. Ft. Backsplash Cost?

Standard tile installation: $750

Standard tile allowance: $200

Thinset, grout & installation materials: $100

Existing tile & drywall removal/disposal: $250

New drywall material & installation: $250

Estimated Total: $1,550

This gives homeowners a more realistic idea of the complete cost rather than looking only at the price of the tile or installation.

What About Different Tile Patterns?

The tile pattern can also affect installation costs.

A standard straight or brick pattern is generally included in the basic installation price.

Mosaic Tile: Add approximately $300

Mosaic tile requires additional layout, cuts, and attention to spacing to create a consistent finished appearance.

Herringbone Pattern: Add approximately $500

Herringbone requires considerably more layout, cutting, alignment, and installation time, which is why it typically costs more than a standard or mosaic installation.

For the same approximately 45 sq. ft. backsplash:

Standard Tile Backsplash: $1,550

Mosaic Tile Backsplash: $1,850

Herringbone Tile Backsplash: $2,050

Premium tile, unusually complicated layouts, electrical outlet relocation, hidden wall damage, or other modifications would be additional.

Full-Height Quartz or Granite Backsplash

Another option is continuing the countertop material up the wall.

Instead of stopping at the countertop, quartz or granite is fabricated and installed vertically as the backsplash.

This creates a clean, continuous appearance with fewer grout lines and can give the kitchen a more custom, high-end look.

For comparison, using the same 45 sq. ft. backsplash and an entry-level quartz priced at $55 per sq. ft.:

45 sq. ft. × $55 = $2,475

A full-height quartz backsplash would therefore cost approximately $2,475 fabricated and installed, assuming a straightforward layout and an entry-level quartz selection.

That means a homeowner considering a full-height quartz backsplash may not be as far away from the cost of a detailed tile backsplash as they might expect.

For this example:

Standard Tile Backsplash: $1,550

Mosaic Tile Backsplash: $1,850

Herringbone Tile Backsplash: $2,050

Full-Height Quartz Backsplash: $2,475

The final price will depend on the quartz or granite selected, total square footage, fabrication requirements, outlet cutouts, layout, and other project-specific details.

You May Not Need a Complete Kitchen Remodel

If the cabinets are still in good condition and the existing kitchen layout works well, replacing the countertops can be part of a much smaller renovation.

Combining:

New countertops + backsplash + sink + faucet + cabinet hardware

can dramatically update the appearance of a kitchen without replacing every cabinet or changing the entire layout.

Smaller modifications, such as lowering a raised bar, can also help modernize the space without completely rebuilding the kitchen.

Keeping the parts of the kitchen that still work and updating the areas that make the biggest visual difference can be a great way to get more from your remodeling budget.

Choosing the Right Countertop for Your Budget

Start with the amount you’re comfortable investing and then compare the materials available within that range.

If affordability is the priority, entry-level granite may be a great place to start.

If low maintenance and a large selection of designs are important, entry-level or mid-range quartz may make more sense.

If the countertops are going to be a major design feature, premium quartz or granite can provide more distinctive options.

And if you’re looking for warmth or contrast, butcher block may work well in certain areas.

Most importantly, the most expensive countertop isn’t automatically the best countertop for your kitchen.

The right choice is the one that provides the appearance, durability, maintenance level, and price that make sense for your home.

Planning a Countertop Project in Sachse, Rowlett, Garland or the Surrounding DFW Area?

Once you’ve narrowed down the countertop material you like, the next step is figuring out what the complete project will cost for your kitchen.

Dalrock Construction helps homeowners with quartz and granite countertop installations along with the additional work that often goes with them, including existing countertop removal, sinks, plumbing, faucets, backsplash installation, and split-level bar modifications.

Whether you’re replacing only the countertops or combining them with other kitchen updates, they can measure your countertops and backsplash, help you compare the options and determine what makes the most sense for your space and budget.

Contact Dalrock Construction for a free estimate.