How much should a countertop cost?

All counters are individual and your particular tastes and budget will determine which way you want to go. All costs are expressed in 'square feet'.

According to industry standards here are the different ranges.

Laminate (Formica™) is the cheapest option. $25 to $60. Limitations are the seams and repeating patterns. Custom shapes are also a challenge. No drop in sinks.

Corion® is very common but the durability is low and larger counters require seams. You can expect to pay $80 - $175. You won't get complex patterns either.

Granite is a common selection and can cost from $90 to $220. Some granite is more rare or popular and that drives the price up. Remember, with any natural product there are pores that require sealing or deep cleaning annually. Natural stone is also prone to cracking and requires your cabinets be strong and absolutely level. There can be radon issues too. Blue colors are the most expensive and can go as high as $500 or more.

Composite quartz is growing and ranges from $100 to $200. This is basically stone dust mixed with resin. The industry is struggling with new regulations regarding workers health and safety as the dust can really damage lungs.

Concrete is an old style product and can range from $75 to $200. It is durable and strong but requires creating forms on site and a cure time. It can be very heavy like natural stone and needs sealing regularly.

Tile - Just don't! It's a maintenance nightmare and never has a level surface. The bacteria level can be super high and only steam cleaning can fix that. Tile should only be used for non-food surfaces.

Epoxy (obviously my fav) is between $60 and $75. I chose this medium because it doesn't break the bank especially when you factor in the quality and diversity. It's flexible and lightweight too. To learn about the reasons for choosing epoxy, click here.

Prices can vary for several reasons. Under mount sinks (never on laminate), odd angles, large surface areas, special edges, back splashes can all increase the price.