New countertops change a kitchen more than almost any other single item, and the process has more homeowner decisions than people expect: which slab, where the seams go, which edge, what happens to the sink and how long you're without a kitchen. This page covers countertop installation from the homeowner's side. Material comparisons and fabrication are on our main quartz countertop and slab installation page. Builders, hotels and multifamily owners should see commercial countertops and slabs. J. Perry & Sons is a licensed Florida general contractor working in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade.
Countertop Installation and Slab Costs for a Home
Organized by the projects homeowners bring us, at the same unit prices as our main slab page.
| Home project | Typical scope | Installed range |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen counters in quartz, 45–70 sq ft | Template, fabricate, install, undermount sink cutout | $95–$150 per sq ft |
| Kitchen counters in quartzite, common colors | Same, natural stone sealed | $100–$140 per sq ft |
| Island with a waterfall end | Mitered panel down the side | add $2,000–$3,000 per side |
| Bathroom vanity top swap | Old top out, new top, sink reset | $1,500–$3,500 each |
| Slab backsplash behind the range or sink | Full-height slab, outlets cut | $5,000–$7,500 |
| Porcelain slab shower walls, you supply slabs | Three walls to 8 ft | $5,500–$9,000 per shower |
| Porcelain slab shower walls, supplied and installed | Three walls to 8 ft | $9,500–$16,000 per shower |
At those rates, a typical quartz kitchen of 45–70 sq ft lands around $4,300–$10,500 before a waterfall or slab backsplash.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Send a photo of the kitchen and rough counter lengths and we'll reply with a range the same day.
Choosing Material, Edge and Layout for How You Live
Match the material to the household. Quartz is the choice for families who cook a lot and don't want to think about sealing; it resists stains but doesn't like a hot pan set straight on it. Quartzite is natural stone that handles heat better and has real veining, and it needs sealing. Porcelain slab is very thin, heat- and UV-resistant, and a good choice for a sunny kitchen or an outdoor bar. Our quartz vs quartzite vs granite guide compares them side by side.
Pick the slab, not just the color. Natural stone and veined quartz vary slab to slab. Seeing the actual slabs at the yard lets you choose where the veining falls on the island.
Seams. Most kitchens need at least one. We place them away from the sink and cooktop and show you the layout before cutting.
Edges. An eased square edge is the current standard and the easiest to keep clean. Mitered edges make a thin slab look thick. Full bullnose suits older traditional kitchens.
Sinks and faucets. Choose the sink and faucet before templating; cutouts are made to the exact model.
HOA, Condo and Permit Questions
Countertop replacement doesn't need HOA approval, and in most cases no building permit, because nothing structural or new in the plumbing is being installed. If the counters are part of a larger kitchen remodel, they fall under that remodel's permit, which we pull.
Condos need planning for the slabs themselves. A long island piece may not fit in a passenger elevator, so we check elevator size and the building's delivery rules first, reserve the service elevator and send our insurance certificate to management. Some buildings limit installs to weekday mornings.
Living in Your Home While Counters Are Replaced
The kitchen is out of service for less time than most people think. If we template on your existing cabinets, the old tops stay in place and usable until install day. On install day, the old tops come off in the morning and the new ones go in the same day; the sink is reconnected by the plumber the next day in most cases, once the adhesive has set. Plan one or two days without a working kitchen sink.
Cutting is done at the shop, so there is little dust in the house; small field adjustments are made with water or vacuum. Empty the upper and lower cabinets near the counters, since installers lean into them. Vanity swaps take a few hours per bathroom.
Week-by-Week Timeline for New Kitchen Counters
- Week 1: estimate visit, material and edge chosen, slab picked at the yard, sink and faucet selected.
- Week 2: templating on site, layout and seam placement approved by you.
- Weeks 2–3: fabrication at the shop: cutting, edges, sink and cooktop cutouts.
- Week 3 or 4: install day, then plumbing reconnection and caulking. A slab or tile backsplash follows within a few days.
Special-order colors or quartzite from a specific lot can add a week or two.
Five Countertop Mistakes Homeowners Make
- Templating before cabinets are level and fixed. New tops on uneven boxes crack at the seams.
- Not picking the sink and faucet first. Changing them after templating means a new cutout or a new slab.
- Choosing by a small sample. A 4-inch chip doesn't show how veining runs across a 10-foot island.
- Forgetting the backsplash plan. A full-height slab backsplash changes outlet positions and should be measured with the counters.
- Skipping overhang support. Islands with seating overhangs need brackets or steel; ask how the overhang will be supported.
What to Prepare and What the Estimate Visit Covers
Have your cabinet layout, sink and faucet model, cooktop or range specs and any appliance changes ready. If you're in a condo, ask management for elevator dimensions and delivery rules.
At the visit we measure counter runs, check that cabinets are level, look at the wall behind the backsplash, discuss seams and edges, and note access from the street or elevator to the kitchen. The written estimate lists material, fabrication, edges, cutouts, removal of old tops, installation and plumbing reconnection. Workmanship warranty on every job; materials carry the manufacturer's warranty. Terms are in your written contract.
Residential Countertops and Slabs by City
- Stone slab installation in Boca Raton
- Stone slab installation in Weston
- Stone slab installation in Parkland
- Stone slab installation in Coral Gables
- Stone slab installation in Palm Beach Gardens
- Stone slab installation in Delray Beach
- Stone slab installation in Wellington
- Stone slab installation in Hollywood
Planning guides: Quartz countertop cost installed · Countertop replacement process and timeline · Porcelain slab shower walls cost
The main quartz countertop and slab installation page covers materials and fabrication; commercial countertops and slabs covers hotels, offices and multifamily.
Residential Countertops — FAQ
How much do new quartz kitchen countertops cost? $95–$150 per sq ft installed. A typical 45–70 sq ft kitchen lands around $4,300–$10,500 before a waterfall end or slab backsplash.
How long will I be without a kitchen sink? Usually one to two days. Old tops come off and new ones go in the same day, and the plumber reconnects the sink once the adhesive has set.
Can I keep my existing cabinets? Yes, if they're sound and level. We check them at the visit and shim or reinforce where needed before templating.
Do I need to choose my own slab? For natural stone and veined quartz, we recommend it. You'll see exactly what you're getting and can mark where the best veining should go.
Do countertops need a permit or HOA approval? Replacing counters normally needs neither. When they are part of a permitted kitchen remodel, we pull that permit.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com with photos and rough counter lengths. After measuring on site, we send a written estimate, typically within 24–48 hours.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.