Cost of Granite Countertops Vs. Poured

Granite Countertop Costs

• At the time of publication, a granite tile countertop costs about $5 to $20 per square foot if you install it yourself. Buying a do-it-yourself granite tile countertop kit, which usually includes tiles and backsplashes for sections of a counter, costs about $95 to as much as $200 per section. You need a series of kits to complete an entire counter. Professional installation of a slab granite countertop -- which is a custom-cut, solid piece of granite made to fit the shape of your counter -- averages about $60 to $100 per square foot. The estimate can reach a total of as much as $3,000 depending on the color and rarity of the granite and the style of edging, such as eased, beveled or bullnose. Professional installation of a prefabricated slab granite countertop, which is available in standard lengths and widths, costs $25 to $100 per square foot.

Additional Costs

• Expect to pay for materials if you install granite tiles yourself. At the time of publication, 1 ounce of sealant -- which is used for waterproofing and can cover about 50 square feet of countertop -- costs about $15 to $20 an ounce. Thinset mortar, designed for setting tile, costs about $10 to $35. Tile cutters, which allow you to make precise cuts, cost as little as $10 to as much as $200, and table saw tile cutters cost as much as $200. Circular saws for cutting granite usually use diamond blades that cost about $20, while drill bits for cutting cylindrical holes in granite cost about $10.

Poured Countertop Costs

• At the time of publication, materials for installing a poured countertop yourself cost about $8 to $15 per square foot. Having a professional build and install a poured countertop costs about $70 to $100 per square foot. Poured countertops treated with stain-resistant sealers cost about $85 to $175 per square foot.

Additional Costs

• A concrete backsplash for a poured countertop costs about $15 to $25 a foot. Another additional cost is custom coloring, which can add about $600 to your expenses. Unusual curves or shapes, custom-shaped edges, thicker slabs and annual resealing all add to the cost of a poured countertop. Drainboards, which allow water to run off the countertop directly into the sink, and trivets, spots where you can set hot pots and pans, also add to the cost.