Granite Worktops Cost

Granite is a premium material that makes for a durable and visually striking option for bathroom or kitchen worktops. Granite worktops boast longevity and heat-resistant properties, helping to make them a top choice among homeowners - despite the higher worktop prices.

Whether you're installing a new kitchen or bathroom, or looking to upgrade your existing worktops, the natural beauty of granite is a great way to improve your home and boost its value.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand granite kitchen worktops cost, the factors that can impact granite prices, and additional costs and installation details you might need to be aware of.

How Much Are Granite Worktops?

UK granite worktop prices for a standard 650mm deep by 30mm thick countertop are around £600 (not including labour fees), although the final cost can vary depending on the exact size and finish. When purchasing granite kitchen worktops by measurement, prices are often somewhere between £270 to £600 per m², depending on the brand, quality and type.

Exact granite worktop costs will vary based on factors like granite quality, thickness, and finishing. Regional variations can also influence pricing, especially when it comes to transport and delivery of the materials, as locations closer to stockists and quarries will have slightly lower fees than those based further from the site.

Granite Worktop Prices

Let’s take a closer look at the estimated supply cost of granite kitchen worktops (not including labour fees). For consistency, the following granite prices are based on a worktop that is 650mm deep and 30mm thick:

Although the average cost per square metre is around £435, premium or high-end granite can cost significantly more, as shown in the above table.

Granite Upstand Costs

Upstands are the short, vertical panels installed along the edge of where the worktop meets the wall. Often made of the same material as the counter, an upstand acts as a mini-splashback, protecting the wall against spillage, excess moisture and staining.

Using the dimensions 1250mm width x 100mm height x 20mm depth, you can expect typical total granite upstand costs for this worktop size as follows:

In summary, depending on the size and finish, granite upstands cost between £26 and £53, although exact prices may vary.

Factors That Impact Granite Worktop Costs

Fitting a granite worktop involves labour costs, but other factors can influence your project’s overall costs - as we’ll now discuss.

Granite Type and Origin

Where your worktop’s granite comes from will influence the price you pay. Granite quarried in different countries will have higher prices due to the increased cost of transporting and importing it.

Similarly, the origin of granite can impact supply costs. Granite can come from Africa, Brazil and Norway, and those countries further away from the UK will have higher transportation and import costs.

Granite Worktop Thickness

The thicker the granite, the higher the price - and the same goes for the worktop size in terms of area. The more material you need, the higher the price you can expect to pay.

If you opt for rounded edges or cutouts in thicker granite slabs, your labour fees will be considerably higher than those associated with thinner slabs due to the increased effort required to adapt the stone (polished cutouts in thicker granite will also increase your costs).

Installation Complexity

Lastly, considering the installation’s complexity - custom cutouts, rounded edges, and large or bespoke installations - can elevate your costs. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you’ll want to opt for a granite worktop with minimal adaptations to keep your costs as low as possible.

Supply and Fitting Cost for Granite Worktops

The good news is that there is no shortage of different styles, colours, finishes, and textures to choose from when it comes to granite worktops. The bad news is that this can make it incredibly hard to make a decision about what’s best for you.

When it comes to the granite worktop’s finish, there are a few options to choose from:

Choosing curved or rounded edges will cost extra, as granite worktops come with a straight, flat edge as standard. This is worth bearing in mind if you’re looking for cheap options.

Labour Cost of Granite Worktops

While exact timeframes depend on the project’s specifics, such as the complexity of the installation and whether or not any kitchen/bathroom waste removal is required beforehand, the ballpark costs for granite worktop installation are around £200 to £300 per day per contractor.

Standard granite worktop installations often take 2 to 3 days to complete, while more intricate projects can take up to 5 days. If you’re on a budget, trimming down your labour costs can be a great way of making the project more cost-effective–look to remove as much of your old bathroom/kitchen as possible beforehand and clear the space for your contractors ahead of time to save money.

If you’re having your kitchen remodelled and planning on laying new flooring as part of the project, you can look to have all your work done at the same time to help reduce overall contractor rates for your entire project.

Additional Costs of Granite Countertops

Before the work begins on installing a granite worktop, you’ll need to remove your existing fitments.

Some kitchen and bathroom cabinetry is easy to remove as a DIY project, making the replacement process far simpler, while other materials (such as other premium countertop materials) may require professional removal to ensure nothing is damaged in the process.

If you aren’t interested in keeping the original cabinetry, and it’s a fairly lightweight material to break down, you can opt to do this yourself to save on labour costs. This is useful if you’re carrying out a full kitchen remodel, as you can trim down your costs considerably.

Once your granite countertop is set in place, you may find you want certain areas cut out.

Polished cutouts are needed for areas where the cutout edges will be seen, such as with an under-mounted sink. Unpolished cutouts, such as the holes needed for hobs and most regular sinks, will keep a raw edge as it won’t be seen. Polished cutouts carry higher charges than unpolished due to the extra work involved.

As granite is a heavy material, supply costs can be higher owing to the granite’s weight. The further you are from a stockist or quarry, the higher your transport fees are likely to be. To find out the exact surcharges, it’s best to speak to your stockist directly.

Opting for a polished or rounded edge can also increase your costs, as granite traditionally comes with a flat, straight edge. This can cost £15 per metre and rise for more specialised, premium grades of granite, where the risks of damaging it during the process are greater.

Types of Granite Worktops

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to granite kitchen worktops, and the good news is there are plenty of options for granite worktop colours, finishes, and price points.

Polished Granite Worktops

Polished granite countertops are the most common choice, with popular options like white granite giving a shiny, opulent finish. The reflective surface helps to bounce light around a room, giving kitchens and bathrooms a bright appearance - especially useful for rooms with little to no natural light.

When granite is polished, its porous nature is sealed in, making it resistant to stains. This process also makes the stone hygienic and moisture-repellent, making it a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens.

Polished Granite Pros

• ✔ High-shine, glossy finish
• ✔ Hygienic and easy to clean
• ✔ Moisture-repellent

Polished Granite Cons

• ✖ Smudges and marks can be more visible
• ✖ Some cleaners may dull the surface's shine
• ✖ May corrode if corrosive cleaning products are used

Honed Granite Worktops

Honed granite worktops are a great option if you like the smooth qualities that polished granite gives but want something a little more functional. Instead of being high-shine, honed granite has a matte, buffed appearance.

As a result, honed granite will be less prone to showing up fingerprints - but with the reduced shine comes reduced light bouncing, and the finish can also dull the natural stone’s appearance and colour. A honed granite finish can be a good choice if you want something less showy.

Honed Granite Pros

• ✔ Smooth surface, buffed appearance
• ✔ Helps to hide fingerprints, unlike polished granite

Honed Granite Cons

• ✖ Requires re-sealing as the surface is more porous than polished granite
• ✖ The stone's natural colouring and pattern will be dimmed somewhat due to the finish

Leathered Granite Worktops

Leathered granite countertops offer a good go-between, giving a good level of stain resistance but without the high-shine properties of polished granite. The finish is created by running an abrasive brush over a honed granite surface to mottle the texture.

As a result, you’re left with a finish that is stain-resistant and able to hide fingerprints – but, as there is no shine on the surface, your kitchen or bathroom can appear smaller because of the lack of reflective properties. Leathered granite looks less luxurious than polished granite, so if you’re after a high-shine, opulent finish, this might not be your best option.

Leathered Granite Pros

• ✔ Helps to hide fingerprints, unlike polished granite
• ✔ Enhances the natural stone's pattern and colour, unlike honed granite

Leathered Granite Cons

• ✖ The surface dimpling can make cleaning harder
• ✖ Non-reflective surface, reducing the luxury look and feel and can negatively impact the room's size

Checklist: Hiring Contractors for Granite Worktops

Before hiring a contractor to supply or install granite worktops, be sure to check the following:

• Are they qualified and properly insured? While there is no specific certification for installing granite worktops, professionals are likely to have a recognised qualification for kitchen installation, and public liability insurance to cover them working in your home is essential.
• Do they have experience working with granite worktops? Check they have specific experience with granite, especially when it comes to cutouts and custom edges, as these can be difficult to fix if done incorrectly.
• Do they have examples of their previous granite work? Take a good look at any photos and videos of their previous work, paying particular attention to the quality of the finish, especially on the edges and the cutouts.
• Do they have positive customer reviews? Check the online reviews from their previous customers. You want to see positive feedback about the quality of the finish, the way they work, and how they communicate.
• Is your quote fully itemised? Always make sure you get your quote in writing and that it is fully itemised so you know exactly what's included, this way you'll avoid any unexpected costs at the end of the project.
• Is it clear what's included? An itemised quote may cover everything for the supply and fitting of your granite worktops, but check if things like the disposal of your old kitchen, skip hire, and any prep work are included.
• Has everything been explained clearly? Make sure they have clarified the installation start dates and timescales, as well as any warranties or guarantees you will receive once the work has been completed.

Alternative Types of Worktops

If the cost, finish or appearance of granite isn’t for you, you’re in luck - there are plenty of other work and countertop materials to choose from.

Quartz Kitchen Worktops

Quartz worktops are made from an engineered stone and come in a wide range of options, with different colours and patterns to suit your home’s aesthetic. Unlike granite, quartz kitchen worktops are not a fully-natural material, and you might want to consider the following pros and cons if you're choosing between a quartz or granite worktop.

Pros

• ✔ Wide variety of colours and patterns
• ✔ More affordable than marble or granite
• ✔ Durable and low maintenance
• ✔ Non-porous and resistant to stains

Cons

• ✖ Quality can vary, with low-quality quartz relatively common
• ✖ Requires purchasing from reputable brands to ensure high-quality
• ✖ Potentially can be damaged by high heat
• ✖ Not a natural stone, which some homeowners may prefer

Marble Worktops

Marble is one of, if not the most, luxurious worktop material. Being an entirely natural stone, no two cuts are the same.

Pros

• ✔ Luxurious, unique natural veining and colouring
• ✔ Elegant and timeless, aesthetically pleasing
• ✔ Heat resistant to some extent
• ✔ Adds high-end value to your kitchen

Cons

• ✖ Porous surface prone to moisture damage
• ✖ High maintenance, requires resealing
• ✖ Prone to scratches and staining
• ✖ More expensive than many alternatives

Concrete Worktops

Moving away from the high-shine, glossy appearance of marble and granite, concrete worktops offer something slightly less common.

Pros

• ✔ Strong and highly durable
• ✔ Unique texture, with rustic appearance
• ✔ Cracks are easier to repair than other stones
• ✔ Can customise shape and colour

Cons

• ✖ Prone to staining without sealing
• ✖ Requires sealing and maintenance
• ✖ Can develop hairline cracks over time
• ✖ May require reinforced cupboards due to weight

Composite Worktops

Composite worktops are engineered surfaces made up of stone particles and resins. This combination gives you a finish that looks like natural stone but with several added benefits.

Pros

• ✔ Tough, non-porous surface
• ✔ Low maintenance and easy to clean
• ✔ Resistant to stains and scratches
• ✔ Available in various colours and designs

Cons

• ✖ Sensitive to heat, can be easily damaged
• ✖ Professional repair needed if chipped or scratched
• ✖ Doesn't have the natural look as other materials
• ✖ Can be more expensive than laminate

Corian worktops are a great example of composite worktops.

Laminate Worktops

Laminate worktops are a budget option where a printed decorative layer is bonded to a robust substrate such as particle board.

Pros

• ✔ Budget-friendly material
• ✔ Wide variety of colours, patterns and textures
• ✔ Lightweight and easy to install
• ✔ Low maintenance and easy to clean

Cons

• ✖ Less resistant to heat, scratches and impact
• ✖ Can easily chip or suffer burns over time
• ✖ Not as durable or long-lasting as other options
• ✖ Doesn't look as premium quality as natural materials

Removing Existing Worktops: Considerations and Costs

Before your new granite countertops are installed, your existing cabinetry and worktops must be removed. If you have the right equipment, you can complete this step yourself if you are undertaking a whole kitchen remodel where everything is being scrapped.

If your existing worktops are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, you can dismantle your existing kitchen suite to trim extra contractor costs for professional removal. However, if you already have natural stone worktops or simply want to keep the kitchen set intact to sell or upcycle it, it will be best to enlist professional help to ensure nothing is damaged during the removal process.

Remember that you may have to pay for waste removal with specialised services for some materials if they’re considered hazardous. If you have asbestos or areas with lead paint, for example, you’ll need to pay for this specialised removal service.

Hiring a skip will be an additional cost, typically £220 for a mid-sized skip.

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