This guide is intended to enable you to make a “ballpark” estimate on the cost of installing new soapstone countertops. Actual prices will vary, but hopefully within a small range, depending on the complexity of the job, the amount of labor required, and actual shipping costs. There are fours costs involved with ordering new countertops: (1) materials, (2) fabrication, (3) crating, and (4) shipping. Each cost is explained briefly below.

1. Material Cost

Material cost includes stone cut to size and sanded on one side. The sanding is suitable for a finished counter, but you will have to sand with 180 grit sandpaper and buff with steel wool after installation to finish seams and remove any small scratches acquired during installation. Material price does not include edging, cutouts, fabrication, or delivery.

Countertop Soapstone: (1.25” thick sanded one side)…………………… $60.00 /sq. ft.
Backsplash Soapstone: (0.75” thick sanded one side)…........................... $45.00 /sq. ft.

2. Fabrication Cost

Fabrication cost is the labor charge for edging, cut-outs, faucet holes, spline supports, and other custom work. Our fabrication charges are based on a labor rate of $40.00/hour. For estimating purposes, standard charges for edging, sink cut-outs, and splines are indicated below. Splines are required where a cut-out leaves a narrow section of stone that is exposed and may be susceptible to damage if not reinforced. We reinforce these sections by routing a groove in the back of the stone and inserting steel splines. The splines are secured with epoxy.

Edging Countertop (eased edge, 1/4 ” radius or bullnose) ………………… $2.00 lin. ft.
Edging Backsplash eased edge or 1/4 ” radius)……………………………. $1.00 lin. ft.
Labor rate ………………………………………………………………… $40.00 per hour

For estimating purposes, sink cut-outs typically take from 4-6 hours, depending on the shape and complexity of the sink, whether it is overmount or undermount, the number of splines required, and the number of faucet holes.

3. Crating Charge

We charge a flat $32.00 for each shipping pallet. Countertop stone is shipped standing up on edge on a pallet, with side braces and styrofoam cushions under the stone, as well as on the sides and between pieces.

4. Shipping Charges

Shipping charges will vary according to your location and the total weight of the shipment. More recently shipping charges have also varied with gas prices (when gas prices go up, the trucking companies add a fuel surcharge to recover their additional expenses). The two tables below will give you a rough idea of what shipping your new countertops might cost. The table below will give you an idea of what different countertops might weigh:


Sample Shipping Weights

Based on the weights above, the table below offers some sample shipping costs. Obviously shipping costs vary from one area to another, but this table will give you some idea of the possible range of costs.

Sample Shipping Costs