How much does a granite kitchen worktop cost? How the price per linear metre is formed

A granite kitchen worktop does not have a fixed price you can write on a receipt. The price is built from a few concrete factors: the type and origin of the granite, the thickness of the slab, the way the edge is finished, the number of cut-outs for the sink and hob, plus transport and installation. That is why two kitchens of the same length can end up at different amounts. Instead of giving you an invented figure, we show you the mechanism, so you understand what you are paying for and why.

The practical rule: on the Romanian market, stone worktops are most often priced per square metre of slab, but for a kitchen the estimate is made per linear metre, at a standard depth of 60–65 cm. One linear metre of worktop therefore means roughly 0.6 sqm of stone. When you ask for a quote, give the unfolded length of the units (including corners) and say whether you also want a higher front edge or an upstand (splashback) from the same stone.

Why does the material influence the price?

Granite is a hard volcanic rock, with a hardness of 6–7 on the Mohs scale. It resists scratching, the heat from pots and the usual stains in a kitchen, especially after sealing. But not all granite costs the same:

• Colour and origin. The classic sorts, grey or brown, are more affordable because they are widely available. Rare granites — absolute black, white with veining, exotic imported shades — cost more because the quarry block is more expensive and the cutting yield is lower.
• The look of the slab. A slab with a uniform pattern is easy to cut. One with pronounced veining requires matching the pattern at the joints, therefore more time and more material waste.

Granite, marble or quartz — what do you choose for a worktop?

There are three materials that are often confused, but behave differently:

• Granite — hard natural stone, ideal for heavily used work surfaces. It resists heat and, once sealed, holds up well against stains.
• Marble — also natural stone, but softer and more porous. It is visually spectacular, yet sensitive to acids (lemon, vinegar, wine) which leave matt marks. For an intensively used kitchen it needs more care.
• Quartz (composite stone) — not quarried natural stone, but a material made from quartz granules bound with resins. It is very uniform and non-porous, but does not tolerate direct heat as well as granite.

For anyone who cooks daily and puts hot pots on the worktop, natural granite remains the best-balanced ratio of durability to price.

What else goes into the final price, beyond the slab?

The raw stone is only the beginning. Processing is added to the final cost, and here the differences are real:

• Thickness. A 3 cm worktop looks more massive and is more resistant to loads than a 2 cm one, but uses more stone.
• The edge. A straight edge, simply polished, is the cheapest. Bevelled, rounded or profiled edges require additional work on the milling machine.
• The cut-outs. Every hole for the sink, hob or tap means cutting time and risk — therefore cost. A sink mounted under the worktop (undermount) requires more processing than one set on top.
• Transport and installation. Stone is heavy and fragile in transport. Installation requires a team and special tools for levelling and jointing. Over long distances, transport weighs on the quote.

How do you ask for a correct estimate?

To receive a price that does not change at installation, prepare: the unfolded length of the worktop, the desired depth, the thickness (2 or 3 cm), the type of edge, the number of cut-outs and the sink model. With this data, a serious depot can calculate exactly the square metres needed and the material waste.

At the Depozitul de Marmură we work from direct import and keep constant stock of granite and marble, so you can see the actual slabs before deciding. See the range of granite kitchen worktops, compare with the marble worktops options or discover the matching natural stone window sills.

Conclusion: the price is calculated, not guessed

A granite worktop is an investment that lasts decades, and its price reflects material, thickness, processing and installation. It is best to start from an actual slab and from the exact dimensions of your kitchen, not from an average figure off the internet.

Send us the sketch of your kitchen and we will prepare a personalised quote, with the metres calculated correctly and the stone you can see at the depot. Request a free quote now.