Pricing FAQ
Quick Definition
Countertop pricing covers two things: what fabricators charge customers for finished countertops (retail pricing), and what fabricators pay for software, materials, and operations (business costs). This FAQ addresses both - helping fabricators price their work profitably and helping homeowners understand what they're paying for.
TL;DR
- Average kitchen countertop project: $3,000-$8,000 (material + fabrication + installation)
- Price per square foot ranges from $40 (basic granite) to $200+ (exotic natural stone)
- Fabricator margins typically run 40-70% above material cost
- SlabWise pricing: $199/month (Standard) or $349/month (Enterprise)
- No setup fees, no per-user charges, 14-day free trial
- Software ROI: $3,000-$8,000/month in typical savings
- The most common pricing mistake: not accounting for waste factor in material costs
For Homeowners: Understanding Countertop Pricing
How much do countertops cost?
Countertop pricing depends on material, square footage, edge profile, number of cutouts, and project complexity. Here are typical ranges for a standard kitchen (40-50 sqft) in 2026:
| Material | Price Per Sqft (installed) | Typical Kitchen Total |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $15-$40 | $600-$2,000 |
| Basic granite | $40-$60 | $1,600-$3,000 |
| Mid-grade granite | $55-$80 | $2,200-$4,000 |
| Quartz (engineered) | $50-$100 | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Premium quartz | $80-$120 | $3,200-$6,000 |
| Marble | $60-$150 | $2,400-$7,500 |
| Quartzite | $70-$150 | $2,800-$7,500 |
| Porcelain slab | $45-$90 | $1,800-$4,500 |
These are all-inclusive prices (material, fabrication, installation). They vary by region - prices in major metro areas (NYC, LA, SF) typically run 15-25% higher than smaller markets.
What factors affect the final price?
Beyond material choice:
Square footage - The primary cost driver. More surface area = more stone = higher price.
Edge profile - Standard eased or beveled edges are usually included. Decorative profiles (ogee, bullnose, waterfall) add $10-$30 per linear foot.
Number of cutouts - Each sink, cooktop, or faucet cutout adds $100-$300. Undermount sinks cost more to cut than drop-in.
Backsplash - A 4" stone backsplash adds $15-$30 per linear foot. Full-height backsplashes cost more.
Complexity - L-shaped kitchens, islands with waterfall edges, curved sections, and unusual geometries add fabrication labor.
Removal of old countertops - $150-$500 depending on material and size. Some shops include this; others charge separately.
Distance - Shops may charge a delivery/installation surcharge for jobs beyond a certain radius (typically 25-30 miles).
Why do prices vary so much between fabricators?
Three shops quoting the same kitchen can produce prices that differ by 30% or more. The reasons:
- Material sourcing - Different distributors, different prices. A shop buying direct from importers pays less than one buying from a local wholesaler.
- Overhead structure - A shop in a low-rent industrial park has lower overhead than one in a commercial showroom.
- Waste factor - A shop with efficient nesting wastes 8% of material. A less efficient shop wastes 20%. That 12% difference gets passed to the customer.
- Volume - High-volume shops spread fixed costs across more jobs, allowing lower per-job pricing.
- Markup philosophy - Some shops target 50% markup. Others target 70%. Both can be reasonable depending on their cost structure and market positioning.
How do I get accurate pricing quickly?
Ask fabricators for a quote based on your specific project - not just a "per square foot" estimate. Provide:
- Room dimensions or approximate square footage
- Material preference (or ask for options at different price points)
- Edge profile preference
- Number and type of sinks and cutouts
- Whether you need backsplash, removal of old tops, or plumbing disconnection
Shops using SlabWise's Quick Quote can turn this around in about 3 minutes with accurate, inventory-based pricing.
For Fabricators: Pricing Strategy
How should I set my per-square-foot pricing?
Start with your actual costs and work up:
1. Material cost per sqft - What you paid for the slab, divided by usable square feet (accounting for waste).
2. Waste factor - If you buy a 54-sqft slab for $810 ($15/sqft) but get 45 usable sqft from it, your effective cost is $18/sqft. Most shops use a 15-20% waste factor for pricing (lower with optimized nesting).
3. Fabrication labor - Your shop labor cost per sqft. Typically $6-$12/sqft for standard work.
4. Installation labor - Crew cost per sqft. Typically $4-$8/sqft.
5. Overhead allocation - Rent, utilities, insurance, office staff, vehicle costs. Typically $5-$10/sqft when spread across your monthly production volume.
6. Markup/profit - Your target margin above total cost.
Example pricing calculation:
| Cost Component | Per Sqft |
|---|---|
| Material (including waste) | $22.00 |
| Fabrication labor | $8.00 |
| Installation labor | $6.00 |
| Overhead allocation | $7.00 |
| Total cost | $43.00 |
| Markup (60%) | $25.80 |
| Selling price | $68.80/sqft |
This is a simplified model. Your actual costs will vary by material, job complexity, and local market conditions.
What's the biggest pricing mistake fabricators make?
Not accounting for true waste cost. If you price materials at your purchase cost without adding the waste factor, you're losing money on every job. A 20% waste rate means you're paying for 20% more stone than ends up in the customer's kitchen.
SlabWise's Quick Quote includes configurable waste factors that adjust pricing automatically. When your nesting optimization reduces waste from 20% to 8%, your quotes can either become more competitive (lower waste cost = lower price) or more profitable (same price, lower cost).
How do I handle pricing for contractor vs. retail customers?
Standard practice is tiered pricing:
| Customer Type | Discount from Retail | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Retail (homeowner) | Full price | One-time customers, higher sales cost |
| Occasional contractor | 5-10% | Sends a few jobs per year |
| Regular contractor | 10-15% | Consistent monthly volume |
| Volume builder | 15-20% | Guaranteed pipeline, lower per-job sales cost |
SlabWise lets you configure contractor pricing tiers that apply automatically when quoting - no manual discount calculations needed.
Should I publish my prices?
On your website, publish ranges - not exact per-sqft numbers. Example: "Kitchen countertops: $3,000-$8,000 depending on material and size." This sets expectations without committing to prices that change with material costs.
For detailed pricing, require a quote based on specific project details. This lets you factor in current inventory costs, project complexity, and your current workload capacity.
SlabWise Pricing
How much does SlabWise cost?
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $199/month | Discounted with annual billing | All core features, single location |
| Enterprise | $349/month | Discounted with annual billing | Multi-location, advanced reporting, API access, priority support |
What's included in the Standard plan?
Everything most single-location shops need:
- Quick Quote (unlimited quotes)
- Slab Nesting optimization
- Template Verification (3-layer check)
- Customer Portal
- Contractor Portal
- Crew scheduling
- Slab inventory tracking with photos
- Remnant management
- Automated notifications (email + SMS)
- Basic reporting
- Website embed widgets (slab gallery, quote forms)
- Unlimited users
- Email support
What does Enterprise add?
- Multi-location management (separate inventories, consolidated reporting)
- Advanced analytics and custom reporting
- API access for custom integrations
- Priority phone support
- Dedicated onboarding specialist
- Advanced user permissions and roles
Are there any hidden fees?
No. No setup fees, no per-user charges, no per-quote limits, no per-notification fees. The monthly subscription covers everything listed above.
Third-party costs (like consumer financing merchant fees) are between you and those vendors.
How does SlabWise compare to competitor pricing?
| Platform | Monthly Cost | Nesting | Template Verification | Customer Portal | Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SlabWise Standard | $199 | Yes | 3-layer | Full | Unlimited |
| SlabWise Enterprise | $349 | Yes | 3-layer | Full | Unlimited |
| Moraware | $200-$400 | No | Manual | Limited | Varies |
| ActionFlow | $200-$350 | No | No | Limited | Varies |
| EasyStoneShop | $150 | No | No | No | Limited |
At comparable monthly costs, SlabWise includes features (nesting, verification, full customer portal) that competitors either don't offer or charge extra for.
What's the ROI on SlabWise?
Conservative monthly ROI for a mid-size shop (40-60 jobs/month):
| Savings Source | Monthly Value |
|---|---|
| Slab nesting (10-15% less waste) | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Template verification (fewer remakes) | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Faster quoting (more jobs closed) | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Reduced phone volume (staff efficiency) | $500-$1,000 |
| Better scheduling (fewer wasted trips) | $300-$800 |
| Total monthly savings | $5,800-$14,800 |
| SlabWise cost | $199-$349 |
| ROI multiple | 17x-75x |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 14 days, full features, no credit card required. If you don't subscribe after the trial, your account simply deactivates.
Can I switch between Standard and Enterprise?
Yes. Upgrade or downgrade at any time. Changes take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.
Do you offer discounts for annual billing?
Yes. Contact sales for annual pricing. Typical savings: 10-15% compared to monthly billing.
What payment methods do you accept?
Major credit cards and ACH bank transfer for annual plans.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If you're not satisfied within the first 30 days of your paid subscription, contact support for a full refund.
How does pricing work for very small shops?
The Standard plan at $199/month is the entry point regardless of shop size. For shops doing 10+ jobs/month, the ROI justifies the cost. For shops doing fewer than 10 jobs monthly, evaluate whether the time savings on quoting and the prevention of even one remake per quarter covers the annual cost ($2,388).
What if I only need one feature (like nesting)?
All features are bundled into the subscription. You can use only what you need, but the pricing is the same. Most shops that start with one feature end up adopting others within the first month.
Do you offer a plan for very large operations (10+ locations)?
Contact the enterprise sales team for custom pricing on large multi-location operations.
Can I pause my subscription?
Contact support to discuss options. Standard policy is monthly billing with cancel-anytime flexibility.
How does billing work if I start mid-month?
Your billing cycle starts on the day you subscribe. The first 14 days are free (trial), then your first paid month begins.
Are software costs tax-deductible for my fabrication business?
Software subscriptions are generally deductible as a business expense. Consult your accountant for specifics.
What happens to my data if I cancel?
Data remains accessible for 30 days post-cancellation. You can export everything during that window.
Transparent Pricing, Clear Value
Whether you're a homeowner understanding your countertop quote or a fabricator evaluating software, pricing should be straightforward. SlabWise keeps it simple: one price, all features, no surprises.
Start your 14-day free trial → No credit card required. See the ROI in your first week.
Sources
- Freedonia Group - U.S. Countertop Market Analysis ($22.1B market)
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Countertop Pricing Surveys (2025)
- Remodeling Magazine - Cost vs. Value Report (2025)
- HomeAdvisor - Countertop Installation Cost Guide (2026)
- Fabricators Alliance - Fabrication Cost Benchmarks (2024)
- SlabWise Platform Pricing and Feature Documentation (2026)
Internal Links
- SlabWise FAQ - General platform questions
- Countertop Software FAQ - Software comparison
- Speed Up Quoting - How Quick Quote uses live pricing
- Slab Nesting FAQ - Nesting's impact on material costs
- Countertop Materials FAQ - Material cost comparisons