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How Much Do New Kitchen Countertops Cost in Gainesville, GA?
Quartz, granite, butcher block, laminate and quartzite compared on price, durability and upkeep, plus what else to budget for, for homes in Gainesville, Hall County and around Lake Lanier.
Quick answer: New countertops for a typical Gainesville-area kitchen (about 40 to 60 square feet) usually cost $1,500 to $4,000 for laminate, $2,000 to $6,000 for butcher block, $2,500 to $10,000 for granite, $3,000 to $12,000 for quartz and $5,000 to $15,000+ for quartzite or marble, installed. Budget extra for tear-out, a new sink and faucet, and a backsplash. Most stone and quartz jobs take 1 to 3 weeks from measuring to install. EBD Construction LLC is a licensed and insured general contractor in Gainesville, Georgia with 15+ years of remodeling local kitchens. Call 404-925-7481 for a free consultation.
What do the different countertop materials cost?
Countertops are priced by the square foot, installed. A typical Gainesville kitchen has about 40 to 60 square feet of counter, and a kitchen with a big island can have 70 or more. Here's how the common materials compare.
| Material | Installed per sq ft | Typical kitchen | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $25–$60 | $1,500–$4,000 | Lowest cost; no undermount sink; can scorch or chip |
| Butcher block (wood) | $40–$100 | $2,000–$6,000 | Warm look; needs oiling; best on islands |
| Granite | $45–$120 | $2,500–$10,000 | Natural stone, heat resistant; seal every 1–2 years |
| Quartz | $55–$130 | $3,000–$12,000 | Non-porous, no sealing, consistent color; avoid very hot pans |
| Solid surface (Corian type) | $45–$100 | $2,500–$7,000 | Seamless, repairable; scratches more easily |
| Quartzite or marble | $80–$200 | $5,000–$15,000+ | High-end natural stone; marble stains and etches |
Within each material, the price climbs with rarer colors and patterns, thicker 3cm slabs, fancy edges, and the number of cutouts and seams. An island top on its own usually runs about $1,500 to $5,000.
Quartz vs. granite: which is better?
These are the two most popular choices in Gainesville kitchens, and both are excellent. The choice usually comes down to looks and upkeep.
- Choose quartz if you want a clean, consistent look (including marble-look whites), zero sealing and the best stain resistance. It's the most popular pick for white and light kitchens. Use trivets for hot pans.
- Choose granite if you like the movement and variation of natural stone, cook with a lot of heat, or want the most choices at the lower end of the price range. Seal it every year or two.
- Consider butcher block for an island or a coffee bar, often paired with quartz or granite on the perimeter.
- Consider laminate for a rental, a laundry room or a tight budget. Today's laminates look far better than the ones from the 1990s.
What else should I budget for?
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Tear-out and haul-away of old countertops | $300–$1,000 |
| New undermount sink | $300–$1,200 |
| New faucet, installed | $250–$900 |
| Plumbing disconnect and reconnect, disposal | $250–$800 |
| Tile backsplash | $800–$3,500 |
| Full-height slab backsplash behind the range | $800–$3,000 |
| Upgraded edge profile | $10–$40 per linear foot |
| Cooktop cutout or extra cutouts | $150–$400 each |
| Cabinet repairs or leveling before install | $200–$1,500 |
| Drywall and paint touch-up after tear-out | $200–$800 |
Tip: Old tile backsplashes almost never come off without damaging the drywall behind them. If you're replacing counters, plan on a new backsplash at the same time.
How long does countertop replacement take?
- Choose your slab (a few days to a week). Visit a stone yard to pick the exact slab for granite or quartzite; quartz can often be chosen from samples.
- Template (1 day). Once the cabinets are set and level, the fabricator measures and makes a precise template, with the sink and faucet on hand.
- Fabrication (1 to 2 weeks). The slabs are cut, the edges are shaped and the sink cutout is made.
- Tear-out and install (1 to 2 days). The old tops come off and the new ones go in the same day or the next. The sink is reconnected after the adhesive sets, usually within 24 hours.
- Backsplash (1 to 3 days). Tile goes on after the counters are in.
All in, plan on 1 to 3 weeks from the first visit to a finished kitchen, with the sink out of service for about 1 to 3 days.
Can I just replace countertops, or should I redo the whole kitchen?
If your cabinets are solid wood, level and laid out the way you like, new counters on the existing cabinets are one of the best-value kitchen updates there is. Pair them with painted or refaced cabinets, new hardware, a backsplash and lighting, and the kitchen looks new for a fraction of a full remodel. See our cabinet guide for what painting, refacing and new cabinets cost.
If the cabinets are sagging, water damaged or particleboard, or you want to change the layout or add an island, it usually makes sense to replace cabinets and counters together, because stone can't be reused once it's installed. See our kitchen remodeling cost guide for full-remodel prices, and our remodeling ROI guide if you're updating before you sell.
Not sure which color will work with your cabinets and floors? Eric can show you AI mockups of your own kitchen with different countertops at the consultation. See how AI remodel mockups work.
Do I need a permit to replace countertops?
Swapping countertops on the same cabinets usually doesn't need a permit in Gainesville or Hall County. If the job includes moving the sink, adding outlets, running a new gas line for a cooktop or moving walls, it may. Eric pulls any permits himself. See our building permits guide.
Where does EBD Construction install countertops?
- Gainesville
- Flowery Branch
- Oakwood
- Buford
- Braselton
- Chestnut Mountain
- Murrayville
- Lake Lanier homes
- All of Hall County
- Towns north of Gainesville
Why hire EBD Construction for new countertops?
- 15+ years in local kitchens. Based in Gainesville, licensed and insured, all work guaranteed.
- The whole job, not just the slab. Tear-out, cabinet repairs, plumbing, backsplash, drywall and paint, managed by one contractor.
- See it first. AI mockups of your own kitchen at the consultation.
- You talk to the owner. Eric Bubniak is your point of contact from the first visit to the final walkthrough.
- The same crew every time. Three full-time builders who have worked together for over a decade, with 5-star reviews on Thumbtack.
Kitchen countertop FAQs
Is quartz or granite cheaper?
Entry-level granite is often a little cheaper than entry-level quartz, but the ranges overlap. Both run roughly $45 to $130 per square foot installed around Gainesville, depending on the color, the thickness and the edge. Premium quartz and exotic granite cost the most.
Which countertop is the most durable?
Quartz and granite are both very durable. Quartz is non-porous, so it never needs sealing and resists stains, but it can be damaged by very hot pans. Granite handles heat well but should be sealed every year or two. Laminate and butcher block are more easily scratched or burned.
How long does it take to replace kitchen countertops?
For stone or quartz, plan on about 1 to 3 weeks from measuring to install. The fabricator makes a template once the cabinets are ready, cuts the slabs in about 1 to 2 weeks, and installs in a day. Your sink is usually out of service for 1 to 3 days. Laminate and butcher block can be faster.
Can I replace countertops without replacing cabinets?
Yes, if the cabinets are solid and level. New stone or quartz tops can go on existing cabinets, and many homeowners pair new counters with painted or refaced cabinets for a big change at a fraction of the cost of a full remodel.
Do I need a permit to replace countertops?
Replacing countertops alone usually does not need a permit in Gainesville or Hall County. If the job includes moving the sink, adding outlets or changing gas or plumbing lines, a permit may be needed. Eric pulls any permits himself.
How much does a kitchen backsplash cost?
A tile backsplash for a typical kitchen usually costs about $800 to $3,500 installed, depending on the tile and how much wall it covers. A full-height slab backsplash behind a range costs more.
Is EBD Construction licensed and insured?
Yes. EBD Construction LLC is licensed and insured, all work is guaranteed, and references are available on request.
Ready for new countertops?
Call Eric Bubniak at 404-925-7481 or fill out the form below. Tell us what you have now and what you're thinking about, and we'll set up a free consultation and written estimate.
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