Best Time of Year to Buy Countertops
Quick Answer
Finding the best time of year to buy countertops can save homeowners hundreds on their project.
November through February is the best time to buy countertops. Fabrication shops experience a significant slowdown during fall and winter months, which means shorter wait times, more attentive service, and greater willingness to negotiate on price. You can save 5-15% off typical pricing during the off-season, and your project timeline may be 30-50% shorter because shops aren't backlogged. The worst time to buy is June through August, when demand peaks and shops have little incentive to offer discounts.
TL;DR
- November through February offers the best prices and fastest timelines
- Off-season savings range from 5-15% compared to peak-season pricing
- Lead times drop from 3-4 weeks (summer) to 1-2 weeks (winter)
- Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday) sometimes have promotions
- Material prices from distributors are relatively stable year-round - savings come from fabricator discounts
- Scheduling flexibility during slow months gives fabricators incentive to deal
- Spring and summer demand surges mean longer waits and less pricing flexibility
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Demand Level | Price Flexibility | Lead Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Low | High (5-15% off) | 1-2 weeks | Best pricing, fastest service |
| February | Low | High (5-15% off) | 1-2 weeks | Budget-conscious buyers |
| March | Rising | Moderate (5-8% off) | 2-3 weeks | Getting ahead of spring rush |
| April | Medium-high | Low (0-5% off) | 2-3 weeks | Spring renovation season begins |
| May | High | Low (0-3% off) | 3-4 weeks | Memorial Day promos possible |
| June | Peak | None | 3-5 weeks | Worst time for pricing |
| July | Peak | None | 3-5 weeks | Longest wait times |
| August | Peak | None | 3-4 weeks | Still peak season |
| September | Declining | Low-moderate (3-8% off) | 2-3 weeks | Post-summer slowdown begins |
| October | Medium | Moderate (5-10% off) | 2-3 weeks | Good pricing returns |
| November | Low | High (5-15% off) | 1-2 weeks | Holiday promos + slow season |
| December | Low | High (5-15% off) | 1-2 weeks | Year-end deals, fastest timelines |
Why Winter Is Better for Buyers
Fabricators Need to Fill Their Schedule
A typical fabrication shop runs its CNC equipment 8-10 hours per day during peak season. In winter, that utilization can drop to 4-6 hours. Equipment leases, rent, and payroll don't change with the seasons - the shop pays the same overhead whether they're running 20 jobs a week or 10.
This means fabricators are more willing to:
- Offer discounts to attract jobs
- Accommodate custom requests they might decline during busy months
- Provide faster turnaround (less queue time)
- Give more personal attention to each project
Shorter Wait Times
During summer peak, the time from signing a contract to completed installation can stretch to 3-5 weeks. During winter, the same process takes 1-2 weeks at most shops. Every step moves faster:
- Templating: Scheduled within 2-3 days (vs. 5-10 days in summer)
- CNC queue: 1-2 days (vs. 3-7 days in summer)
- Installation: Scheduled within 2-3 days (vs. 5-10 days in summer)
Better Slab Selection
During peak season, popular slab colors sell quickly. A slab you saw at the distributor on Monday might be gone by Friday. During winter, inventory sits longer, giving you more time to visit the slab yard, compare options, and make a thoughtful selection.
More Experienced Crews
During peak season, some shops hire temporary labor to handle the volume. These workers may be less experienced than the year-round crew. In the off-season, your project is handled by the shop's most experienced fabricators and installers - the people who work there all year.
Holiday Sales and Promotions
Black Friday / Cyber Monday (November)
Some fabricators and big-box retailers run countertop promotions around Black Friday. These are more common at Home Depot, Lowe's, and national chains than at independent fabricators. Typical offers:
- 10-15% off installed countertops
- Free sink with countertop purchase
- Reduced installation fees
- 0% financing promotions
Memorial Day Weekend (May)
Home improvement retailers frequently run Memorial Day kitchen sales. Countertop deals are often bundled with cabinet and appliance promotions. Independent fabricators less commonly run Memorial Day specials.
Labor Day Weekend (September)
Similar to Memorial Day - big-box stores run promotions. For independent fabricators, Labor Day marks the beginning of the seasonal slowdown, so some shops start offering end-of-summer deals.
End of Year (December)
Some fabricators offer year-end clearance pricing to:
- Hit annual revenue targets
- Move aging slab inventory before year-end
- Generate jobs during the slowest month
- Clear remnant inventory
Year-end deals can be the deepest discounts of the year - especially on remnants and in-stock slabs the shop wants to move.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
For a typical 40 sq ft kitchen at $70/sq ft (mid-range quartz):
| Timing | Price/sq ft | Total Cost | Savings vs. Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak season (June-August) | $70 | $2,800 | $0 (baseline) |
| Shoulder season (March-May, Sept-Oct) | $65-$68 | $2,600-$2,720 | $80-$200 |
| Off-season (November-February) | $60-$67 | $2,400-$2,680 | $120-$400 |
| Year-end clearance (December) | $56-$63 | $2,240-$2,520 | $280-$560 |
On a $5,000-$8,000 kitchen project, off-season timing can save $300-$800. Combined with other negotiation strategies (material choice, remnant use, bundling), total savings can reach $1,000-$2,000.
The Material Price vs. Labor Price Distinction
It's worth understanding what goes on sale and what doesn't:
Material prices (slab cost): Relatively stable year-round. Stone distributors don't typically run seasonal sales on standard inventory. Exceptions:
- Overstock colors that aren't selling well
- Discontinued product lines
- Remnants from the fabricator's own inventory
Fabrication and installation (labor cost): This is where seasonal pricing flexibility exists. During slow months, the fabricator's labor cost per job is effectively higher (because overhead stays the same with fewer jobs to spread it across). To offset this, they discount to attract volume.
So when a fabricator offers a "winter special" of 10% off, most of that discount comes from reduced labor margins, not cheaper stone.
Timing Your Kitchen Renovation for Countertop Savings
If you're planning a full kitchen renovation, here's how to time the countertop purchase within the larger project:
| Renovation Phase | Typical Timeline | Countertop Action |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and design | 2-4 months before construction | Research materials, get preliminary quotes |
| Cabinet ordering | 6-8 weeks before install | Narrow material selections |
| Cabinet installation | 1-2 weeks | Finalize countertop material and sign contract |
| Countertop template | After cabinets are set | Schedule immediately when cabinets are done |
| Countertop fabrication | 1-2 weeks after template | Fabrication happens while you wait |
| Countertop installation | 1-2 days | Final step |
If you start planning in August for a winter renovation, your cabinets install in November or December, and your countertop order falls right in the prime off-season window. This isn't always possible - renovation timelines shift - but aiming for winter completion is the ideal scenario for countertop pricing.
When Timing Doesn't Matter
Urgent Replacements
If your countertop is damaged, cracked, or unsafe, waiting for off-season pricing doesn't make sense. Get quotes immediately and proceed with the project.
New Construction
New home construction follows the builder's timeline, not seasonal pricing. Countertops are installed when the kitchen cabinets are ready, regardless of the month.
Commercial Projects
Commercial countertop pricing is driven by competitive bidding and contract terms, not seasonal demand. The seasonal dynamics described in this article apply primarily to residential direct-to-consumer work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Friday a good time to buy countertops?
It can be, especially at Home Depot and Lowe's, which often run countertop promotions. Independent fabricators are less likely to run Black Friday specials, but the timing falls in the slow season, so pricing flexibility is good regardless.
Do countertop materials go on sale?
Stone slab prices are relatively stable year-round. What fluctuates is the fabricator's installation and fabrication pricing. Some distributors offer clearance on discontinued colors or overstock, but standard materials don't have "sale seasons."
How far in advance should I book my countertop project?
During peak season (May-August): 3-4 weeks minimum. During off-season (November-February): 1-2 weeks is often sufficient. Booking earlier gives you more scheduling flexibility regardless of season.
Will a fabricator tell me if I should wait for better pricing?
Most won't proactively suggest you wait - they want the job now. But if you ask directly whether pricing would be better in a few months, an honest fabricator will give you a straight answer.
Are remnants cheaper during certain times of year?
Remnant inventory is always priced below full slabs. However, winter months often have more remnant inventory available because fewer customers are buying, and the fabricator has accumulated remnants from the busy season.
Do material prices increase annually?
Stone prices generally increase 3-8% annually due to import costs, transportation, and demand. Locking in a price by signing a contract and paying a deposit protects you from mid-project price increases.
Is January truly the cheapest month?
January and December typically tie for the lowest demand and best pricing. January has a slight edge because holiday distractions are over and shops are eager to start the new year with a full schedule.
Can I get a better deal if I pay during the slow season but schedule installation for spring?
Some fabricators will agree to this - sign the contract and pay the deposit at off-season pricing, then schedule fabrication and installation for later. Ask if they'll honor the winter pricing with a spring install date.
Close More Deals During Slow Season
For fabricators, the off-season is when every lead matters. SlabWise's Quick Quote helps you respond to inquiries faster - generating professional estimates in about 3 minutes so leads don't go cold while you're building a quote manually.
Start your 14-day free trial to convert more off-season leads into signed contracts.
Sources
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Kitchen renovation seasonal trends
- Remodeling Magazine - Annual Cost vs. Value report (renovation timing data)
- Home improvement industry data on seasonal demand patterns
- Stone World Magazine - Fabrication shop utilization benchmarks by season
- Consumer Reports - Best times to buy home improvement services
- National Association of Home Builders - Residential construction seasonal patterns