concrete countertops prices

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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How Much Do Concrete Countertops Cost in a Kitchen or Bathroom?

	Low Estimate $35 – $60/s.f.	Average Cost Estimate $95 – $110/s.f.	High Estimate $115 – $130/s.f.
Number of Slabs	One or Two	One to Three	Three or More
Slab Thickness	1.5 Inches	1.5-2 Inches	2 Inches
Stained	No	Yes	Yes
Additional Treatments	No	Yes or No	Yes
Textured/Stamped	No	Yes or No	Yes
Edge	Basic	Custom	Custom
Integrated Extras	No	One or Two	Two or More
Color/Finish	Basic	Upgraded	Premium

Sections: Overview | Product Costs | Installation Cost | DIY or Pro

Overview of Concrete Counters

Concrete is the most versatile bath and kitchen countertop material available because of the unlimited possibilities for creating custom designs. This makes its price range wider too. Techniques have been developed to create concrete counters that look like granite, marble, wood, a flowing stream and much more.

Stone, tile, glass or shells can be embedded in bath or kitchen counters for visual appeal. The material can be stamped, etched and textured, tinted and acid stained.

This guide to concrete countertop prices explains how design elements affect cost. Materials, supplies and labor costs are itemized. Prices gathered from around the web and submitted by readers provide a complete picture.

Project Cost Details

Concrete Counters Cost Factors

Single-slab counters with minimal treatment cost the least. Large, multi-slap projects with several enhancements to the concrete cost the most.

The more customized your kitchen or bath counters are, the more they will cost.

• Concrete Thickness: The standard thickness is 1.5 inches. Large slabs are often cast 2 inches thick for stability. The appearance of thicker counters can be achieved by raising the slab and adding a 4” to 6” front piece.
• Number of Slabs: Using multiple slabs means joining the seams and often requires additional time to adjust the fit in corners. Those tasks add cost.
• Slab Size: Large countertop, bar top and island top slabs require 3 or 4 sets of hands when cast off-site, so labor costs go up.
• Concrete Treatment: There are too many options to list. Common ones are tinting ($), stamping ($), staining/etching ($-$$), polishing ($$), press forming and tinted to produce a wood look ($$),texturing methods ($$) and embedding aggregate, tile or shells ($$). Grinding away the top layer of concrete to expose the aggregate within ($$-$$$) is possible too, as is using a router to add a stylish edge ($$-$$$)
• Casting Extras: Fabricating unusual shapes for an island or peninsula ($$-$$$), casting a drainboard or trivet ($$) or concrete backsplash or sink ($$$) raise the price.
• Availability: If you have to go outside your local area to find an experienced concrete countertop contractor, cost will go up due to travel costs.
• Cost of Living: Like everything else, countertop cost is higher on the Coasts and in major cities than elsewhere.

Based on the factors for concrete counter costs given above, here are rough estimate prices for common projects:

• Average bathroom countertops: $720 to $1,320
• Average kitchen countertops: $1,925 to $4,375
• Kitchen countertops with island: $2,750 to $6,250

Cost of Installation Supplies

Here’s an itemized list of supplies for the rare homeowner that fabricates concrete countertops. Even if you hire a pro, this list shows where the money goes.

• $25-$28 per 80lb bag | Concrete countertop mix. One bag is needed for each 4.8 square feet for 1.5-inch counters and 3.5 square feet of 2-inch slabs.
• $6-$10 per bottle | Tint. The amount needed depends on how dark you want the color. Expect to use 2-3 bottles for a bathroom counter and up to 10 in a kitchen.
• $12-$15 per 8oz bottle | Acid stain. Each 8oz bottle covers approx. 25 square feet.
• $15-$30 | Plastic or wood and fasteners to create the forms.
• $12-$18 | Trowel for finishing the surface.
• $30-$50 rental, $200+ purchase | Concrete grinder and pads for an exposed aggregate surface. Cost is similar for a concrete polisher and supplies.
• $20-$25 per quart | Food-safe concrete sealer.
• $25-$200 | Miscellaneous supplies including stain applicators, a concrete stamp, tile or stone to embed, dust mask and goggles.

Permits, Inspection, , Related Costs and Installation Time

Permits and Inspection Cost

• $0 | No permit is required for this work.

Related Costs and Installation Time

The costs shown in the table at the top include the labor required to fabricate and install the counters. Here are the cost broken down.

• $30-$40 per square foot | Fabrication and installation labor costs for basic concrete slabs.
• $50-$100 per sink opening | One opening is typically included in the estimated cost. Forming additional openings for a second sink cost more.
• $50-$85 per hour | Additional labor cost for staining, stamping, routing an edge, polishing a sink opening edge, fabricating integrated forms like a drainboard or embedding tile or shells.
• $100-$200 | Finishing and polishing sink opening edge for an undermount sink.
• $85-$215 | Optional removal and disposal of an existing countertop.

Countertop Install Time Schedule

Concrete countertops can be fabricated in a shop and brought to your home for installation or the entire job can be done at your home.

Cast-in-place concrete counters produce a perfect fit and avoid possible damage to the slabs being trucked from a shop. Seams can be avoided too. The obvious disadvantages are having your kitchen a mess for several days for initial pouring and again later if it is stained, routed or ground.

Slabs cast in a shop, or pre-cast concrete, eliminates hassles of having your kitchen out of commission. All the fabrication and other processes are completed before installation. The disadvantage are more seams and the potential for an imperfect fit that must be adjusted.

Talk with your contactor about the best method based on the design and installation factors for your project.

Here are time schedules for both approaches.

Pre-cast countertops:

• 1 hour or less | Remove old counters
• 1-3 hours | Install a single slab
• 4-7 hours | Install two or more slabs
• 6-10 hours | Install kitchen counters and an island or breakfast bar

Cast-in-place countertops:

• 1 hour or less | Remove an old countertop
• 2-4 hours | Install frames
• 2-3 hours | Mix and pour slabs
• 1-4 hours | Form integrated items and/or embed extras

The concrete must then cure for 10-30 days before additional work.

• 1-4 hours | Grinding a surface to expose aggregate
• 3-5 hours | Acid staining

2-6 hours | Polishing and sealing the concrete

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Most of the cost of concrete countertops is in the labor required. So, the major DIY risk if it doesn’t work out is wasted time – a lot of it. And roughly $200 to $600 in materials based on the size of the counters.

Basic concrete slabs or cast-in-place counters with a smooth finish can be fabricated successfully by those with concrete experience and the right tools. The more complex the design, fabrication and treatment are, the more it makes sense to hire a concrete countertop contractor.

On balance, we recommend using a professional for the work, especially if you want customized, tightly fitting and beautiful counters.