Does a new countertop add value to your home? (2023)

What countertop adds the most value?

Recently quartz or manufactured stone beat out granite as the most popular kitchen countertop material. While on the surface, natural stone may seem to offer more resale value, that might be changing! As of right now, granite, marble, travertine, soapstone, and so on will typically give you bigger resale value.

Being easy to maintain, you'll find that quartz keeps its value and becomes an easy way to raise the overall value of your house. Once installed, keep it clean and a quartz worktop will provide an excellent return on investment.

If you're planning to renovate your kitchen, it is worthwhile installing granite or quality stone worktops as this not only enhances the appearance but can help to boost your home's value by up to 25%.

The cost of granite countertops ranges from $2,000 to $4,500, with the average homeowner spending around $3,000 on materials and installation. The price varies based on several factors, including the type of granite, the size and shape of your countertop, and whether you install it yourself or hire a professional.

The most popular and trending countertop for 2022 is a marble countertop. Closely trailing behind is concrete countertops and butcher block countertops. What countertop edge is in style 2022? Waterfall edge countertops have been on the come-up for years now.

Options for marble, granite, and even engineered quartz made to look like natural stone are going to remain popular heading into 2022.

Quartz is the preferred countertop surface in most homes. This is because of its many benefits including durability, ease of maintenance, wide variety of colors and ease of cleaning. It's no wonder most people prefer these countertops as opposed to wood, glass or granite.

If other homes sold in your area have quartz countertops and sold at or under your home's value, granite doesn't make sense. In this case, quartz adds the most value. Buyers will pay extra for upgrades but not if they can purchase a home similar to yours for a lower price without them.

Both countertop materials are overwhelmingly made of natural materials, but granite countertops come out slightly ahead since they are made from 100 percent stone, while quartz, includes natural materials, color pigments, and polymer resins that bond the materials together.

In general, you are looking to spend around $50-$250 per square foot depending on the countertop material you choose. Of course, the better the countertop material is, the more expensive it's going to get.

Is it worth upgrading countertops before selling?

Upgrading the countertops is never a bad idea. It is a low cost that ups the value of your house and attracts buyers. Replacing old, dated countertops and updating kitchen countertops with new granite, quartz or stone pieces adds instant appeal and pizazz.

Quartz is generally less expensive.

But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.

Laminate countertops are an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to pricey stone and solid-surface countertops, and they are available in many styles that mimic expensive surfaces such as granite or marble.

Ceramic and porcelain tile are among the most affordable varieties and come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic granite and other stone. Natural stone tiles are pricier than ceramic but are much more affordable than slab granite or marble.

Natural stone cost

$700-$2000 per square metre for a new granite benchtop. $1000-$2500 per square metre for a new marble benchtop.

Slate, soapstone, and honed granite are timeless materials for countertop and backsplash, for houses of almost any period. This marble look-alike surface material from Okite is a compound of natural quartz and resin, which complements this period-style kitchen.

Quartz countertops remain the most popular countertop trend going into 2022, with 73% of experts responding that it would be the most popular trend for homeowners this year.

While white will continue to be a popular choice for kitchens in 2023, we can expect to see kitchens get a bit more colorful in the new year. In particular, homeowners are embracing warmer tones and bold pops of color rather than monochromatic, Scandinavian-style minimalism or white and gray farmhouse-style kitchens.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

From 2021 to 2022, Shaker-style kitchen cabinets jumped 8 points, with 64 percent of home remodelers now opting for this mainstay of transitional home decor style. The second-most popular style, flat-panel cabinets, trails way behind with 17 percent.

Granite has been the number one kitchen countertop option for homeowners for several years. While it has more competition than in the past, granite remains to be a top choice among homeowners because of its natural composition, exquisite looks, and designs that cannot be replicated.

Why are people using quartz instead of granite?

Quartz is Easier to Maintain than Granite

As a non-porous stone, it is heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and bacteria-free. This countertop achieves a high level of durability without any sealant.

However, thanks to its natural beauty and properties that make every piece unique, granite consistently found its way into American kitchens over the course of the twentieth century and is still a top choice in 2022.

Price: Having one of the highest price tags of all countertop types, the luxury of having quartz countertops comes at a significant price. Vulnerable to heat damage: The resins and fillers that provide quartz's durability also make irreparable damage from hot pans a possibility.

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.

The Condition of your Old Countertops

If you're old countertops are a neutral color and in decent condition, it may not make sense to replace them ahead of putting your home on the market. However, if the countertops look dated, are stained or are in poor general condition, they can be a deterrent to selling your home.

Granite Is the Right Ingredient for Professional Kitchens

One of the largest portions of most kitchens is the countertops and worktop areas, making the material used in these areas essential to the quality of the entire kitchen. For many top chefs, the ideal quality material for their kitchens is granite.

Granite, marble and engineered solid surface stone are the best quartz alternatives as far as durability and cost.

Granite takes new finishes very easily. Getting your countertops refinished can give them a whole new look. Because it's so easy to revitalize your countertops, they'll never go out of style.

Timelines for Countertops and Cabinet Installation

After a period of substantial use, cabinets and countertops are subject to the same wear and tear as the rest of your kitchen's features. They are not meant to last forever and depending on the material, they may require a full revamp every 10 to 15 years.

Your Countertops Look Outdated

While you'll incur an additional expense you may not have budgeted for, it will save you time and can even make you money in the long run. In general, kitchen countertops should be replaced every 10-15 years, which is roughly the lifecycle of interior trends.

How much does it cost to put a new kitchen countertop in?

Cost range: $40 to $100 per sq. ft. Average cost: $58 per sq. ft.

Buyers like the elegant, earthy look of natural stone counters. Although granite is still the most popular material, many homeowners are gravitating toward other stones like marble, limestone and soapstone, which offer a wider range of colors and a more upscale look.

Finally, once walls are done, it's cabinet time. It's easier to install the top cabinets when you don't have to lean over the bottom ones, so start there. Countertops come next, then lighting, appliances and floors. Now that you're aware of the correct order, you can plan your renovation properly.

Appliances Should Be Installed First

If possible, appliances such as the stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator should be installed before the countertops. Having them in place will ensure that they're taken into account for the measurements of your counters.

Quartz and granite are both excellent choices for bathroom or kitchen countertops. Granite has a more natural look but is often more expensive, while quartz is more budget-friendly but looks a little more artificial. Granite is more resistant to heat, while quartz is more resistant to staining.

Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern. Sometimes quartz is more expensive due to the treatments it receives during manufacturing.

Man-made materials like laminate or stainless steel countertops rank among the easiest countertops to maintain in the short term, as they may simply require wiping down with mild dish soap and warm water.

You'll typically find that tan and black granite slabs are the least expensive, and that white granite tends to be higher in cost. Yet, black and white are both the two most popular choices in granite colors.

Nearly any type of counter can be overlaid, as long as it is strong enough to support the overlay: tile, laminate, stainless steel, granite, quartz, concrete, and wood.

Can I just change my kitchen countertop?

Here's the short answer: Yes, absolutely. You can replace your countertops without having to renovate all your cabinets. However, there are a few implications and questions you may want to consider before you decide to go that route.

Cons for Granite Countertops

If homeowners are lax in their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up oils, juice, and wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly. As Americans utilize their kitchens more, there are more chances for accidents to happen.

Ceramic tile is undoubtedly one of the most affordable stone countertops you will be able to find in the contemporary market. You will be able to avail an excellent quality ceramic tile countertop for a price of merely $5 to $7 per square foot.

Durable: Granite countertops resist damage from heat and scratch better than almost all other types of countertops. They'll also last longer than most. Resale value: A home seller can expect to recover around 25% of the retail cost of recently installed granite tops.

In general, granite has a higher resale value than quartz. Granite can increase the value of your home by as much as 25 percent of the countertop's retail value, according to Robert Measer, of Hunt Real Estate.

Quartz countertops remain the most popular countertop trend going into 2022, with 73% of experts responding that it would be the most popular trend for homeowners this year.

The Condition of your Old Countertops

If you're old countertops are a neutral color and in decent condition, it may not make sense to replace them ahead of putting your home on the market. However, if the countertops look dated, are stained or are in poor general condition, they can be a deterrent to selling your home.

Updating kitchen countertops

Upgrading the countertops is never a bad idea. It is a low cost that ups the value of your house and attracts buyers. Replacing old, dated countertops and updating kitchen countertops with new granite, quartz or stone pieces adds instant appeal and pizazz.

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.

Both countertop materials are overwhelmingly made of natural materials, but granite countertops come out slightly ahead since they are made from 100 percent stone, while quartz, includes natural materials, color pigments, and polymer resins that bond the materials together.

Is it worth replacing granite with quartz?

Which Countertop is Better? Sales for quartz is rapidly outpacing granite, making this material a prime option for many homeowners. Due to its durability, easy maintenance, a vast assortment of customizable colors, and more, it's easy to see why choosing a quartz countertop may be a good decision for your home.

Upgrading the countertops is never a bad idea. It is a low cost that ups the value of your house and attracts buyers. Replacing old, dated countertops and updating kitchen countertops with new granite, quartz or stone pieces adds instant appeal and pizazz. You really cannot lose.

“I have seen cabinets successfully painted shades of white, gray, navy, deep green, and even black,” Lozada says. She says light neutrals are generally the best colors for resale because they appeal to most people, but she advises against painting cabinets taupe or beige.