Do New Countertops Increase Home Value?
Do new countertops increase home value is a question worth answering with real data.
Quick Definition: Yes, new countertops are one of the highest-ROI kitchen upgrades you can make. Depending on the material chosen and local market conditions, new stone countertops can return 50-100% of their cost at resale and are frequently cited by real estate agents as the single most impactful kitchen improvement. The average ROI for a countertop upgrade is 60-80%.
TL;DR
- Average ROI for new countertops: 60-80% of the investment recouped at resale
- Granite and quartz provide the strongest return -- both are considered "expected" in mid-to-high-end homes
- Replacing laminate with stone countertops is one of the top 5 kitchen upgrades for resale value
- Countertops have an outsized visual impact -- they're the largest visible surface in most kitchens
- A kitchen countertop upgrade typically costs $3,000-$8,000 and can increase perceived home value by $5,000-$15,000
- ROI depends heavily on your local real estate market, the home's price range, and what comparable homes offer
- Over-improving is real: a $15,000 exotic marble installation in a $250,000 home won't return full value
Why Countertops Have Such a High ROI
They Dominate the Visual Field
Walk into any kitchen and your eye goes to three things: the cabinets, the countertops, and the appliances. Of those three, countertops occupy the largest horizontal plane and set the overall tone. Outdated laminate or damaged tile countertops make the entire kitchen feel dated, even if the cabinets and appliances are new.
Buyers Have High Expectations
In most US housing markets, stone countertops (granite or quartz) are now the baseline expectation for homes priced above $250,000. A 2024 National Association of Realtors survey found that 87% of buyers expect stone countertops in that price range. Listing a home with laminate countertops in a granite-standard market puts you at a disadvantage before buyers even schedule a showing.
It's a Finite Investment with Clear Pricing
Unlike a full kitchen remodel (which can spiral from $30,000 to $80,000+), a countertop upgrade has predictable costs. A homeowner can budget $4,000-$6,000 for granite or quartz countertops on 40-50 square feet and know exactly what they're getting. Buyers see and appreciate this specific improvement.
ROI by Material Type
| Material | Average Cost (40 SF Kitchen) | Estimated Value Added | Typical ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite (standard) | $2,500-$4,500 | $3,000-$5,500 | 70-100% |
| Quartz (mid-range) | $3,000-$5,000 | $3,500-$6,000 | 70-100% |
| Quartzite | $4,000-$7,000 | $4,000-$7,000 | 60-85% |
| Marble | $4,000-$8,000 | $3,500-$7,000 | 50-75% |
| Butcher block | $1,500-$3,000 | $1,500-$2,500 | 65-85% |
| Laminate (upgraded) | $800-$2,000 | $500-$1,500 | 50-70% |
| Porcelain slab | $3,500-$6,000 | $3,000-$5,000 | 60-80% |
Why Granite and Quartz Lead
Granite and quartz deliver the best ROI because they hit the sweet spot of cost, durability, and buyer appeal. They're premium enough to impress buyers but not so expensive that you over-improve for your market.
Marble, while beautiful, has a lower ROI percentage because it costs more and some buyers see it as high-maintenance. The absolute value added may be similar, but the higher upfront cost means a lower percentage return.
The Over-Improvement Trap
This is where many homeowners go wrong. The ROI of countertops is directly tied to your home's value relative to comparable properties in your market.
Example: Smart Upgrade
- Home value: $400,000
- Comparable homes: Have granite or quartz countertops
- Your home: Has laminate countertops
- Upgrade: Mid-range quartz at $4,500
- Value added: ~$5,000-$7,000 (buyers now see your home as comparable)
- ROI: 100%+
Example: Over-Improvement
- Home value: $250,000
- Comparable homes: Have laminate or basic granite
- Your home: Has laminate countertops
- Upgrade: Exotic Calacatta marble at $12,000
- Value added: ~$5,000-$6,000 (the neighborhood caps your return)
- ROI: 40-50%
The rule of thumb: your countertop upgrade should bring your kitchen in line with or slightly above comparable homes in your area. Going far beyond neighborhood standards has diminishing returns.
Real Estate Agent Insights
According to National Association of Realtors data and surveys from multiple real estate platforms:
- 67% of agents say a kitchen upgrade is the most valuable home improvement for selling
- Countertop replacement ranks as the #1 or #2 most impactful kitchen-specific improvement (alongside cabinet refacing)
- Homes with stone countertops sell faster (fewer days on market) than comparable homes without them
- Buyers are willing to pay a premium of 3-7% more for a home with an updated kitchen versus one without
What Agents Tell Sellers
The most common real estate advice for sellers on a budget: "If you can only do one thing in the kitchen, replace the countertops." The visual impact per dollar is higher than almost any other single improvement.
Countertop ROI vs. Other Kitchen Upgrades
| Upgrade | Average Cost | Average ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Minor kitchen remodel | $25,000-$40,000 | 70-80% |
| Countertop replacement | $3,000-$8,000 | 60-80% |
| Cabinet refacing | $8,000-$15,000 | 60-75% |
| New appliances (package) | $3,000-$8,000 | 50-70% |
| Cabinet painting | $2,000-$5,000 | 65-80% |
| New flooring | $3,000-$7,000 | 60-75% |
| Major kitchen remodel | $70,000-$150,000 | 50-60% |
Countertops consistently rank as one of the best ROI kitchen investments because the cost is relatively low while the visual impact is high.
When New Countertops Won't Help
There are situations where a countertop upgrade isn't the best use of money:
- If your cabinets are falling apart. New countertops on deteriorating cabinets look wrong. Fix the foundation first.
- If the home needs major structural work. A beautiful kitchen doesn't compensate for a failing roof or foundation issues.
- If you're in a very low price range. Homes under $150,000 may not recover counter costs -- buyers in that range are more price-sensitive.
- If the current countertops are already stone and in good condition. Replacing functional granite with different granite rarely pays off.
- If you're not selling within 5 years. The ROI calculation assumes a near-term sale. If you're staying, choose what you love.
Tips for Maximizing Countertop ROI
- Match the material to your market. Research what comparable homes in your area have. Match or slightly exceed that standard.
- Choose neutral colors. Bold colors narrow your buyer pool. Whites, grays, and warm neutrals appeal to the widest audience.
- Get multiple quotes. Fabricator pricing varies significantly. Getting three quotes can save $500-$1,500 on the same material and layout.
- Skip unnecessary extras if budget is tight. A standard eased edge on quartz looks great. An ogee edge adds cost without significant buyer impact.
- Combine with a backsplash. Adding a simple subway tile or stone backsplash alongside new countertops amplifies the upgrade for a modest additional investment.
For fabricators, homeowners focused on ROI are often price-conscious and shop multiple quotes. Fast, accurate quoting is essential to winning these jobs. SlabWise's Quick Quote tool lets you generate detailed, professional quotes in 3 minutes -- allowing you to respond to inquiries before competitors do.
FAQ
Do granite countertops increase home value? Yes. Granite countertops typically return 70-100% of their cost at resale. They're considered a standard premium feature in mid-to-high-end homes.
Are quartz countertops a good investment? Yes. Quartz provides similar or slightly better ROI than granite because buyers appreciate its low maintenance. Expect a 70-100% return on mid-range quartz installations.
How much value do new countertops add to a home? On average, new stone countertops add $3,000-$7,000 to a home's perceived value, depending on the material, kitchen size, and local market.
Is it worth replacing countertops before selling? If your current countertops are laminate, tile, or damaged stone, yes. Replacing them with granite or quartz is one of the highest-ROI pre-sale improvements you can make.
What countertop material has the best resale value? Granite and quartz tie for the best resale ROI due to their combination of affordable cost, durability, and broad buyer appeal. Quartzite is close behind in higher-end markets.
Do countertops matter for home appraisals? Yes. Appraisers note countertop material as part of the kitchen quality assessment. Stone countertops support a higher appraised value than laminate or tile.
Should I upgrade to marble for resale? Only if your home is in a luxury market where marble is expected. In most markets, granite or quartz delivers better ROI due to lower cost and broader appeal.
What color countertop has the best resale value? Neutral colors -- whites, light grays, and warm beiges -- appeal to the widest buyer pool and consistently return the best ROI. Avoid bold or unusual colors for resale purposes.
How much should I spend on countertops for resale? A common guideline: budget 1-2% of your home's value for a countertop upgrade. For a $400,000 home, that's $4,000-$8,000.
Is it better to upgrade countertops or cabinets? If your cabinets are in reasonable condition, upgrading countertops first gives better ROI per dollar spent. If cabinets are damaged or extremely dated, address both -- or paint cabinets and replace countertops.
Win More Price-Conscious Homeowner Jobs
Homeowners investing in countertops for resale value compare multiple quotes. SlabWise's Quick Quote generates accurate, professional estimates in 3 minutes -- giving your shop the speed advantage to convert leads before they move on to the next fabricator.
Sources
- National Association of Realtors -- Remodeling Impact Report (2024)
- Zonda/Hanley Wood -- Cost vs. Value Report
- Zillow -- Home Improvement Features That Increase Value
- Remodeling Magazine -- Kitchen Remodel ROI Data
- HomeAdvisor -- Home Value Estimator by Improvement Type
- National Association of Home Builders -- What Buyers Want Survey