If your kitchen worktop is tired and drab, it’s time to replace it with something new. But, you don’t need an entirely new kitchen. If you choose a stylish worktop, your kitchen will have a new lease of life and be transformed. And the one to select, quartz, is among the most stylish worktops available.
The average cost of quartz worktops is about £450/m2 (fitted), from a range of £200-£700/m2. Therefore a small kitchen costs £600-£2,700. In comparison, a large kitchen, including an island, might cost at least £8,100.
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Although expensive, quartz is one of the most popular worktop materials in the UK. So, let’s look at their prices and benefits. Then, you can choose if this worktop style is for you.
This guide will look at homeowners’ various questions relating to worktop improvements. We’ll consider how much they cost and the factors affecting the prices. Finally, we’ll explain about a professional installation and how to find a specialist worktop fitter.
Main Topics
How Much Do Quartz Worktops Cost?*
The following table compares different lengths of quartz worktops with their installation costs. Use this quartz worktop price calculator by comparing the data with your requirements.
| Type of product | Product size | Estimated cost | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard quartz worktop | Per square metre | £200-£700 | £450 |
| Standard quartz worktop | 3m x 650mm x 20mm | £600-£2,100 | £1,350 |
| Standard quartz worktop | 5m x 650mm x 20mm | £1,000-£3,500 | £2,250 |
| Splashback | 1250mm x 100mm x 20mm | £20-£50 | £35 |
*We compiled this data from published sources. These products and specifications are a snapshot of the total range available from various manufacturers that use their own designs and specifications. Therefore, the prices might not be like-for-like comparable with other suppliers. Furthermore, kitchens have different layouts, which also affect the price. Always use a reputable manufacturer and an installer who is on your local authority’s competent person register. However, some manufacturers might provide their own installation teams. Alternatively, use the form on this page.
The above table shows the approximate prices of quartz worktops (supply and fit). If we apply this to real-world examples, we’ll better understand what you’ll pay.
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Small kitchen
A small kitchen has a worktop area of about 3m2. Therefore, a standard quartz worktop costs, on average, £1,350 plus extras.
Medium kitchen
A medium kitchen with a worktop area of 6m2 costs, on average, £2,700 for a standard quartz worktop, plus extras.
Large kitchen
A large kitchen with a worktop area of 9m2 costs, on average, £4,050 for a standard quartz worktop, plus extras.
Extras
Many people like to add additional features to their new kitchen worktop, such as:
-
- Splashbacks – if fitted behind the sink, can cost an additional £100. Some installations have splashbacks along the entire worktop length, costing more.
- Sinks – You can buy matching quartz sinks for an additional £250-£500.
- Windowsills – Quartz windowsills add sophistication and cost an additional £300-£500.
- Kitchen islands – Islands work well in medium to large kitchens and consist of a cluster of base units covered with a 950mm deep worktop. Standard sized islands cost £250-£750 plus the cost of an extra worktop.
Quartz Worktop Price Factors
Some factors influence the price of buying and installing a new quartz worktop. It’s a good idea to consider those now.
Size of kitchen
Obviously, the size of your kitchen and worktop dimensions affect the total price.
Island
Although it’s not compulsory to have an island in your kitchen, many people enjoy the extra workspace and informal seating they provide. Typically, a standard island costs up to £800 or more depending on size, worktop type and whether you have inset appliances like a hob or sink.
Waterfalls
“Waterfalls” continue the worktop over the edge and towards the floor. This effect is popular if you choose an island installation. But, waterfalls significantly increase the costs.
Worktop thickness
Usually, you have a choice between 20mm and 30mm. However, some manufacturers provide worktops with a thickness of 13m. Generally, thicker worktops use more material, therefore, costing more. Typically 30mm worktops cost 15%-30% more than 20mm worktops.
Curved corners
Worktops come with standard square corners. However, if you want them rounded, they cost £15 per corner.
Edge finish
All worktops have either a flat or square edge, which comes as standard or a rounded bullnose edge which costs around £15 per metre extra. Other profiles include:
- Ogee – this profile looks like an S curve and is a higher cost edge.
- Bevelled – this edge is a short slope and is a cheaper edge.
- Waterfall – the worktop flows over the side of the cupboard towards the floor. It’s very popular with islands and is one of the highest-priced edges.
Splashback
Splashbacks (or upstands) cover the join between worktop and wall. Usually, they’re 20mm thick, 100mm (or 150mm) high and 1250mm long. Typically, quartz splashbacks cost from £20-£60/length.
Drainer grooves
Choose drainer grooves moulded into the surface instead of a separate draining board. Typically, these cost £150 for five grooves.
Unpolished cutouts
Top-mounted sinks and hobs drop into cutouts in the worktop. Generally, the manufacturer charges about £180 for each cutout.
Polished cutouts
Sometimes the cutout will be seen. Therefore, the edge must be polished. Prices vary, but they’re around £190 each.
Matching pattern
The pattern won’t usually carry across the joint when two quartz worktops meet at a corner, end-to-end, or as a waterfall. However, manufacturers can spend time matching the pattern to minimise obvious visual breaks, which takes time. So, you’ll be charged extra for the service. Ask the manufacturer for price details.
Colours
Some quartz worktop colours are often difficult to obtain, resulting in higher prices. Usually, manufacturers have a chart showing their standard colours, but charge more for something different. The prices depend on the colour and availability; therefore, ask the manufacturer for the additional cost.
Installation charge
The installation charge varies with the worktop’s quality, the kitchen design’s complexity, and the fitting rates. Moreover, installers also charge more to remove existing worktops and other preparation work outside their scope. However, some manufacturers include the installation charge into the total cost when using their fitting team. It’s up to you which you choose, but ensure you know the prices before the company starts work.
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5 Benefits of Quartz Worktops
Quartz worktops come in standard dimensions, like all the rest. However, their benefits far exceed those of other worktops.
1. Non-porous and stain resistant
Quartz worktops are about 90% crushed quartz, a common mineral known for its hardness, and acrylic polymer resin. They’re moulded and cut to suit your kitchen. But, possibly the best feature is that they’re non-porous. So, as long as you wipe away spilt liquids, you shouldn’t have any problems with stains. Also, quartz/resin worktops don’t require sealing, so less maintenance.
Compare this with stone worktops like granite, which need initial sealing to prevent stains, and regular maintenance with further coats of sealer. However, stone worktops will eventually absorb fruit juices, oils, wine, blood, and other hard to remove stains. You won’t have these problems with quartz/resin worktops. Furthermore, many quartz worktop manufacturers have their products approved by NSF, a recognised body that tests compliance with food safety hygiene standards. Therefore, you can be sure that your kitchen meets the required standard.
2. Low maintenance
The non-porous properties of quartz, as we’ve mentioned previously, also means there’s minimal maintenance to keep the surface clean and sparkling like new. Stone worktops often require special cleaners to prevent abrasion, etching and surface erosion. In contrast, you can clean quartz worktops using household hard-surface cleaners already present in your home or simply detergent and water. Therefore, you won’t have to buy expensive cleaning agents.
3. High durability
Kitchen worktops take a lot of punishment from spills of staining liquids, hot pots and pans, kids playing and drawing, and even pets claws when you’re not looking. Luckily, your quartz worktop is hard and durable, and you can use it all day long without worrying about scratches, heat marks and stains. Therefore, you can get on with what you like to do.
4. Elegant and stylish
Quartz worktops don’t only have physical and practical benefits. The worktop material comes in a wide range of patterns, themes and colours. You can select a surface that mimics granite, marble, or concrete (without the porosity problems) or choose from different colours unavailable in other worktop materials.
Your quartz/resin worktop will be made to order and will fit your kitchen, even if you have:
- Strange angles and curves.
- A waterfall edge.
- Or any other special effect.
Of course, if it’s an unusual feature, you might pay a bit more. But, the manufacturer will shape your worktop exactly how you want it.
Finally, you get more choices at the polishing stage. The surface can be glossy smooth or a leather surface texture, to name but two.
5. Fewer imperfections
Looking at a natural surface like granite, you’ll see small cracks, pits and other imperfections that will expand and provide cosy places for dirt and bacteria to live and grow. In comparison, quartz/resin worktops use precisely controlled ingredients and are polished with infinite care to provide a blemish-free surface, while the manufacturing process has strict quality control procedures.
During manufacture, the constituents of a resin/quartz worktop can be an irritant and dangerous to our health. But, when completed, it’s completely harmless and is not classified as hazardous (here is a typical Material Safety Data Sheet for quartz worktops). Each worktop is moulded and cut in the factory. Thereby preventing the release of hazardous dust in your home from cutting and polishing.
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Quartz vs Granite Worktops
Although some quartz worktops look like granite and have similar performance and lifespan, the two materials are very different. So, can we shed some light on their differences and compare their advantages and disadvantages?
Natural vs synthetic
Granite is a naturally occurring rock formed deep within the Earth’s crust, which gradually rises to the Earth’s surface and cools into very hard rock. Then, it’s quarried into large chunks, sawn into slabs and polished to give us granite worktops.
Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth’s crust. It percolates through faults in rock and solidifies into veins. Although used in many industrial applications, we also make quartz worktops from the mineral. Before use, it’s crushed into a range of different sized granules and sand. Then:
- The quartz mixes with synthetic liquid acrylic resin, colouring agents and additives.
- Next, the slurry pours into moulds to suit the required shape and is allowed to set.
- Finally, polish the surface to varying degrees.
The combination of moulded textures, different particle size ranges, colours, and polishing method provides an almost endless number of designs.
Quartz worktop
Pros
- Quartz worktops are just as strong as granite but have the added advantage of being slightly flexible. Therefore, they’re more durable than granite and easier to install.
- A quartz/resin worktop is non-porous and needs no further sealing.
- Good quality worktops comply with food standards regulations.
- The material is virtually maintenance-free. It only needs cleaning with washing-up detergent and warm water.
- A quartz worktop can be almost any colour and includes embedded features and sparkles.
- The joint lines are hardly noticeable in a quartz worktop compared to natural rock surfaces. Mainly because of the machined edges and its contemporary design.
- Because it’s a manufactured product, the appearance is uniform and reproducible.
Cons
- Although the quartz is unaffected by UV light, it’s almost unavoidable that the resin pigments fade or discolour over time from constant sunlight. However, reputable quartz worktop manufacturers offer at least a 10-year warranty to cover this issue.
Granite worktop
Pros
- Unlike standardised quartz/resin worktops, each granite worktop is unique and a natural feature in your kitchen.
Cons
- Granite worktops naturally have cracks and imperfections on the surface, no matter how perfect the polishing. This increases the possibility of dirt and bacteria collecting in the crevices, which can produce hygiene problems over time.
- Although surface imperfections might start small, they increase in size over time until the slab eventually cracks.
- Granite worktops must be sealed after the initial polish, followed by regular resealing during their lifespan.
- Although the manufacturer initially sealed the surface, corrosive liquids can eventually dissolve the sealer and cause stains. Therefore wipe all spills immediately.
- Granite is a tough and durable rock. Nevertheless, it will chip and break if abused.
- Unlike quartz, it’s virtually impossible to hide a joint line in granite.
- Granite is a natural material. Therefore, no two pieces are the same. Each has different veins, colours, and grains, so it’s impossible to reproduce the worktop precisely. Therefore, approve the granite slab before polishing and cutting to size.
Costings
The following compares the installation costs of quartz with granite worktops. Remember, the prices can vary.
To supply and install a quartz worktop costs £450/m2.
In comparison, a granite worktop costs around £500/m2.
Therefore, quartz is slightly cheaper than granite.
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How To Fit Quartz Worktops (6 Installation Steps)
We recommend always using a professional who knows how to fit quartz/resin worktops. However, it’s worthwhile going over the process so the customer knows what to expect.
- Thoroughly clean the quartz worktop and its supporting surface.
- Use three people to carefully lift the quartz slab into position for a dry run, one at each end and one in the middle. Then, when satisfied with the fit, place to one side.
- Add special adhesive caulk to the contact surface. Either bead the caulk or spread to form a smooth layer.
- Place slab into position and remove excess caulk. Its weight will ensure good contact.
- Allow a few hours for the caulking to set completely.
- Use your new quartz worktop.
Related Questions
Are quartz worktops worth the money?
Quartz worktops aren’t cheap. So, only use this material if you want a good quality, once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Typically, if you want a cheaper worktop for a short-term fix, or your budget won’t stretch to quartz, use one of the more affordable materials available.
Can you put a hot pan on a quartz worktop?
The plastic resin in quartz worktops might be affected under extreme heat. Therefore, don’t put a pan on it, straight from the hob or oven. If possible, use a trivet or other surface protection. Generally, it’s okay to place objects on the worktop at temperatures up to 120⁰C. For example, hot drinks.
What are the disadvantages of quartz worktops?
- Extreme heat will cause damage to quartz worktops. That means pans straight from the hob or oven will cause damage.
- They are expensive. Although the price is comparable to granite surfaces, they can be up to ten times the price of cheaper laminate and timber worktops.
- They are made to your kitchen’s dimensions in a factory. Therefore, it’s complicated doing a DIY job.
Do quartz worktops crack easily?
Quartz worktops are one of the hardest kitchen surfaces around. They are strong and durable, and difficult to chip or crack. But, they’re not impossible to damage using a lot of force or dropping a heavy object onto them. Fortunately, if a manufaturing issue causes the damage, there is a warranty to cover damage, usually 10-years. However, if the warranty doesn’t cover the damage, some companies repair them, so they look as good as new.
Next Steps
Choose a specialist installer skilled with quartz worktops if you have the money to spare and want a kitchen worktop to last for years. These worktops fit your kitchen exactly and last a lifetime if maintained properly. But above all, they’re worth every penny if you want something sleek, sophisticated, and very difficult to damage.
Complete the form on this page, and we’ll ensure you receive up to four local quartz worktop quotes from installation companies near you.
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