Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the material and the size of the kitchen. Fixr's 2026 national figures put a typical kitchen countertop job at about $1,400 to $5,250, around $3,000 for 35 square feet of quartz. Laminate can run about $20 to $80 per square foot installed, while quartz and granite usually fall between $50 and $200 or more. We give you a written, itemized number after measuring.

Quartz is a strong choice for most kitchens, but it has limits. The resin can scorch or discolor from a hot pan set down directly, so trivets are needed, and manufacturer warranties typically exclude heat damage. It is also not meant for outdoor use where sun can fade it. If you want to set pots straight off the burner, granite handles heat better.

The term usually means engineered surfaces rather than slabs cut from a quarry: quartz (ground quartz bound with resin), solid surface such as Corian (acrylic or polyester with mineral fillers) and laminate (decorative layers bonded to a particleboard core). They offer consistent color and pattern. Granite, quartzite and marble are natural stone.

Common quartz brands include Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, HanStone, LG Viatera and Corian Quartz. HomeGuide lists installed prices for these brands in roughly the $50 to $150 per square foot range. Brand matters less than the specific color, thickness and the fabrication, and most brand warranties require a certified fabricator.

Replacing countertops does not appear on the City of Dearborn's residential renovation permit list. Moving or adding plumbing, such as a new sink location or a dishwasher, falls under the city's plumbing permit, which starts at $180. Removing or moving walls also needs a permit. Confirm your project with the city's building division before work starts.

Installation itself is usually one day for a typical kitchen. The full process, from measure to template to fabrication and install, often takes one to several weeks, depending on the material and slab availability. We put the dates in writing and schedule tear-out to keep the time without a working sink short.

Often, yes, if the cabinets are solid and can carry the weight. Stone is heavy, so we check the boxes for loose joints, water damage at the sink base and level before templating. Older cabinets sometimes need shims or added supports, and we tell you at the estimate if any cabinet should be repaired or replaced first.

The main drawback is heat. The resin in quartz can scorch or crack from a pan set down directly from the stove, and warranties typically exclude heat damage. It is also not rated for outdoor use. For most indoor kitchens with trivets in use, quartz is a durable, low-maintenance choice.

Well-known quartz brands include Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, HanStone, LG Viatera and Corian Quartz. HomeGuide lists them between about $50 and $150 per square foot installed. Ask to compare samples from more than one brand at the estimate.

Quartz is non-porous, so spices and oils sit on the surface rather than soaking in, and they usually wipe off with soap and water. Leaving strong colorants like turmeric for a long time can still mark lighter colors, so wipe spills promptly.

They overlap. HomeGuide's 2026 figures put quartz at about $50 to $200 per square foot installed and granite at about $50 to $250, with most granite between $80 and $150. Entry-level granite can be cheaper than premium quartz, and the reverse is also true.

Most kitchens use 3 cm slabs, which are strong enough for standard overhangs without a laminated edge. Thinner 2 cm slabs are sometimes used for vanities and backsplashes. Deeper island overhangs need support either way.

Angi's 2026 guide says most granite projects run $2,000 to $4,000, with an average around $3,250. HomeGuide puts the installed price at about $50 to $250 per square foot depending on grade. We price your kitchen after measuring.

Granite tolerates heat far better than quartz or laminate, and a brief hot pan will not scorch it. Repeated extreme heat in one spot can still stress the stone or the sealer, so a trivet is still a good habit.

It depends on the stone. Light, porous granites may need resealing every year or so, while dense dark granites may go much longer. If water darkens the surface within a few minutes, reseal.

Busy speckled patterns are less common in new kitchens, but granite with subtle movement, solid blacks and leathered finishes are widely used. The material's heat resistance keeps it popular in kitchens that cook a lot.

Usually, yes. If the cabinets are sound, level or can be shimmed level, and strong enough for stone, new tops can go right on them. We check at the estimate and point out any boxes that need repair first.

A straight countertop replacement is not on the city's renovation permit list. Moving the sink, adding a dishwasher or changing drain lines is plumbing work that needs a permit. Confirm with the City of Dearborn before work begins.

Tear-out and templating usually happen together, and install follows once fabrication is done, often within a few days to a couple of weeks. The install day itself is usually one day. We schedule it with you in writing.

Empty the upper cabinet shelves near the counters and the base cabinets under the sink and along the runs. Tear-out and install can shake the cabinets, and we need clear access to the sink plumbing.

HomeGuide lists a quartz bathroom vanity top at about $250 to $1,000 installed. Larger double vanities, premium colors and custom edges cost more. We give you a written price after measuring.

For most family bathrooms, quartz, because it is non-porous and does not stain from cosmetics. Granite is a good alternative. Marble looks great but etches easily, so it suits powder rooms better.

Often, yes. Most vanity tops are small enough to come from leftover slab pieces, which can lower material cost. Selection depends on what is available at the time.

Yes, for an undermount or vessel sink. The cutout is sized to the specific sink, so it needs to be chosen before the template, and ideally on site.

For a heavily used kitchen, usually yes. Quartzite is harder and does not etch from acids the way marble does. Marble works well in lower-use areas or for people who like a patina.

No. Sealer helps resist stains by slowing absorption, but etching is a chemical reaction with the surface, and acids still dull marble through sealer. A honed finish makes etching less noticeable.

True quartzite scratches glass and is not affected by a drop of lemon juice or vinegar. Stones that etch or scratch easily may be marble or dolomite sold under a quartzite name. We can test a sample before you buy.

HomeGuide lists quartzite at about $65 to $150 per square foot installed, and Angi's 2026 quartz guide puts quartzite at about $90 to $175 against $50 to $100 for quartz. Quartzite is generally the more expensive of the two.

Solid surface costs more but lasts longer, can be repaired by sanding and allows seamless integral sinks. Laminate is cheaper and fine for lighter-use spaces, but chips and burns are permanent.

No. Solid surface can scorch, discolor or crack from direct heat. Use trivets for anything from the stove or oven.

Standard laminate is not well suited to undermount sinks, because the exposed core at the cutout can absorb water and swell. Drop-in sinks are the usual choice. Solid surface handles undermount and integral sinks well.

With reasonable care, laminate can last many years, but it shows wear sooner than stone. Water getting into seams or around the sink is the most common reason laminate fails early.