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We’ve already discussed the different types and styles of kitchen flooring to choose from. Today, it's time to learn about the different styles, prices, and designs of kitchen countertops.
When people talk about countertops, the first words you’ll hear is, “I want granite.” Obviously, granite is a great choice for any home and any personal style. However, granite is expensive and the installation can be a lot too.
There are many different styles of countertops, including granite, quartz, marble, butcher block, laminate, and solid surface. Each style comes with their very own pros and cons and price points. For this blog, we want to focus on the top 3 most popular countertops to install in your kitchen for 2021.
Before we get into the styles of kitchen countertops, it’s important to recognize the type of family you have.
For example, if you're a family that cooks every meal at home, you’ll want a higher end, more durable countertop. However, if you’re a family that eats many of your meals out, you can spend a little less and get a nice looking laminate or a solid surface like Terrazzo or Corian.
This is kind of a loaded question because it depends on how big the countertop is, the material used, and labor costs always fluctuate based on the market. However, according to HomeAdvisor, the average cost is just under $3,000.
Our contractors at Monumental still offer the best prices in the D.C. area, with an average price of $15-$70 per square foot. We can offer you any of the styles listed in this blog and will work with you to ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for.
Labor costs are normally very dependent on the material used because some countertops, such as marble, granite, and quartz are heavy and require multiple people to lift and install without destroying the stone.
The Average labor costs run from about $10-$25 per square foot for an overall price that can reach $120 per square foot.
Personally, my family cooks almost every meal at home and therefore we spend much of our time in our kitchen. Countertops can make a huge difference in your lifestyle because not all styles work well for heavy use.
HomeAdvisor has a great calculator that can show you the cost range for your specific project.
Granite is by far the most popular style of countertop because it’s incredibly versatile, durable, and looks beautiful, regardless of the color or pattern you choose.
Granite is the 3rd most expensive style of countertop (Marble & Quartz) because it’s incredibly heavy and difficult to install. It also requires a lot of processing to get the stone prepared to be a countertop.
You can expect to spend about $2,000-$5,000 for a really nice granite countertop. There are some great prefabricated sheets of granite that will help bring down the cost, but you get less customization.
Finding the right tradeoff between saving money and getting what you want is our specialty. Monumental has spent much of our time and money on hiring only the best contractors in our area. No matter what you’re looking for in granite, we can find the right countertop for you.
Pros
Cons
Like everything else, it depends on the countertop you want replaced, but the average cost is about $300, according to HomeAdvisor. There is a lot of other work that goes into installation and renovation, such as removal, plumbing, and electrical issues.
For example, if you’re replacing a countertop and an electrical outlet needs to be rerouted, that’s going to be much more expensive than the base price.
Corian is one of the most versatile products that you can use for a countertop and it’s made from an acrylic polymer that looks and feels like stone. Most people say Corian is a cross between laminate and granite and our contractors tend to agree with that comparison.
I like Corian a lot because it’s incredibly versatile with the number of colors, patterns, and styles to choose from.
The average cost of Corian is about $3,500-$4,000, but it can be much cheaper if you work with great contractors that know how to cut costs. For example, there are different types of Corian that allow our contractors to save money by using an Acorn or Acadia pattern.
Pros
Cons
Butcher block happen to be my favorite style of kitchen countertop. Many people don’t consider a butcher block because they assume that it’s going to be destroyed too quickly.
However, one of the best characteristics of the butcher block is the ability to repair and resurface the wood if there is a chip, dent, or scratch. Butcher blocks offer a rustic look to your kitchen that is impossible to have with any other style of countertop.
Butcher blocks offer an accent to your kitchen that allows not only your countertop to stand out, but gives that “pop” to the contrasting appliances and flooring.
To keep it as simple as possible, the butcher block countertop is about 50% cheaper than granite after installation. Even though the butcher block is solid wood and very heavy, it’s not even close to the weight and fragility of a granite countertop.
If you’re not too concerned with a lot of customization, you can get a pre-made butcher block for somewhere between $5-$15 per square foot. If you’re looking for custom woodwork, it will cost around $20-$30 per square foot.
When it comes to installing countertops or anything in your house, you want to make sure you do it right. If you’re a DIY kind of guy/girl, it could save you money to install the countertop yourself. The problem is that you need the right tools to ensure the wood is cut correctly and to the exact size. If you mess this step up, you’re going to be left with a countertop that doesn't fit your kitchen.
A solid wood block that can be upwards of 10 feet for a larger countertop and weigh well over 100 pounds. That might not seem like a lot, but when it’s something that big and awkward, it can be a daunting task to take on yourself.
Finally, our contractors install countertops almost everyday and have their timing down. If you were to do a countertop yourself, it would take at least a couple days to install and get it set into the counter. Our contractors can get this done in half a day and you could save your back, shoulders, and knees.
For around $15 per square foot of installation cost, it will be the best money you’ve ever spent.
Pros
Cons
We serve the Northern Virginia and D.C. area with contractors located all over the city. We hire and staff only the most accomplished and professional contractors.
When you call Monumental for a consultation, we will not only give you an estimate, but we will give you a written guide on what we will do for you. Our contract includes when we will do it, how long it will take, and a price breakdown. We'll also give you a warranty on products that we install.
Too many times Virginians have to deal with contractors that take little accountability in their time windows and effort. We believe that our customers come first and we will always work around your tough scheduling.
If you’re interested in learning more and would like to set up a consultation, please give us a chance and set up your appointment today!
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