quartz waterfall price

11 years ago

Started doing a major kitchen renovation and talking to the contractor we asked about doing a waterfall on both sides of the island. I'm not sure of the exact dimensions but it would use around 7.5 sq ft on each side. He gave me a price of $95 sqft if we did one side, $85 sq ft if we did the waterfall on both sides. So $1275 to do both sides - should be less than $300 in material. So $900 in labor???

This seems a LOT more expensive then I would have thought. I've looked at some quartz slabs and they ranged in price from $10 sq ft to $15 sqft. How much labor is involved in installing these? Isn't it basically the same as installing a countertop? It'll come precut and they just glue it in place?

Featured Answer

PRO

BRC Remodeling Group

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

There are a few things that go into the pricing for a natural stone countertop. Especially when dealing with Quartz. First are you getting a Quartz slab or a Quartzite. Many people don't realize there is a difference in the 2. For a simplistic breakdown Quartz is a man made countertop and Quartzite is naturally found. Because Quartz is manmade it can be dyed and there are more color variations than Quartzite. The fabricator has to polish and seal the slab so that it maintains the nice shiny look that you want which goes into the standard labor cost which is around $15-$20sqft.

Both are very durable. Quartzite, because it's naturally found, is less manipulable and has to be cut with a diamond saw which also means it chips easier. So for a more complicated edge, like the waterfall, it is more time intensive and the fabricator has to be very skilled and take their time to not chip the slab. Waterfall is one of the more expensive profiles for countertops and just the edge will add about $40-$60 a linear foot wherever it takes that edge.

Also, the places that I buy my slabs of Quartz or Quartzite range closer to $40-$60sqft for Level 1; the pricing can go up to over $200sqft for just material, depending on the color you choose and thickness. Then for every cut there will be an additional cost so if you have a cooktop, or sink in your island that will be an additional cost as well.

If you are working with a General Contractor and he is subbing out the work there is also going to be a 10-20% margin for the GC. The labor I mentioned above is what the GC is paying his worker to do so he has to make a profit off the job as well or he would go out of business. I would say that the pricing is in the correct price range. You might be able to find it cheaper, depending on what slab you pick out. I hope that helps.

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Comments (9)

Jennifer Vance
11 years ago
$85 a square foot times (7.5+7.5) is $1275. That does not include any labor. I don't know where you are getting $300. Nor have I seen any Quartz at $15 a square foot. Where are you seeing this?
Ian Lipsky
Original Author
11 years ago
$1275 was the total price including labor. I checked two places around here and prices varied from $10sq ft to $15sq ft

There's a local tile place in SF that had a 8x4 slab for $318 and a place in san jose had a slab (dont know the size of the slab) but the price was $16.58 sq/ft

And i believe actually installing the slab should only take them 20 minutes or so, assuming I'm correct about the installation process.

i've never done this before personally, so if i am way off on something please let me know. It's just from what i've seen, that price seems pretty high.
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Ian Lipsky
Original Author
11 years ago
thank you very much for the info.There would be 4 sides that need that cut, each side being about 3 feet.

What does level 1 indicate?

And this was quartz - the one thing i did know is the difference between quartz and quartzite :)
PRO
BRC Remodeling Group
11 years ago
Not a problem, natural stones are rated in price ranges depending on the supply and demand. Level 1 is the lowest level going up to on average level 6 but you will have some really rare stones that are in their own price range due to material, Mostly precious stones. The pricing varies depending on the stone. For example a level 1 granite ranges between $8-$12sqft. Whereas a level 1 Quartz is about the same as a level 3 granite on average $40-$60 sqft, maybe $25 or $30 if the thickness is less than standard 3in. but I have never seen a quartz as low as $10sqft, unless it is left over from a previous job and it was really already paid for and they are reselling the leftover pieces. Or maybe you found a really great deal in CA that is not here in TX.
Ian Lipsky
Original Author
11 years ago
i found two places - one had a 4x8 white quartz slab for $318 and another place in san jose had a similar type quartz - little more sparkle flecks in it - for $16.58 a sq ft - i assumed those were typical prices.
cindychao
9 years ago
Hi Merk, how did your kitchen remodeling project go? I am thinking about doing the waterfall edge also and I had the same question like you did. Can you share the final cost and your kitchen remodeling experience for this waterfall edge? Thanks!
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
"And i believe actually installing the slab should only take them 20 minutes or so, assuming I'm correct about the installation process."

These are some of the most frightening words a contractor can hear. When potentials call me telling me what to do or how long they think it would take, they don't even get to double secret probation; I drop them immediately.

You may or may not be right about the time it takes, however, you've not calculated the risk involved. If you don't send the right guys with the right experience and tools (not cheap) not only will it not be done in twenty minutes, the very delicate mitered edge may get chipped and now you've lost not only the time, but even the perfectly good other end is junk if there was matching "movement" in the slab.

Try managing and paying these guys and getting this stuff installed perfectly in 20 minutes consistently while making a profit. It ain't as easy as we make it look.
Ian Lipsky
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi cindy, Sorry i didnt reply sooner. I wouldn't ask how my experience went - the contractor i hired was a total scam artist and completely unqualified to be a contractor. https://www.houzz.com/activities/user/ianjl/reviews

You can read my review there if you want, or do a google search for everlast construction sucks and you can get all the details.