The average U.S. kitchen countertop replacement cost in 2026 is $3,138, with most homeowners spending between $1,850 and $4,450 depending on material selection, kitchen size, and installation complexity. In the Columbia, SC area — which includes Manning and Clarendon County — pricing follows that national pattern closely, with stone countertops running toward the higher end of that range and laminate toward the lower.
For granite, quartz, marble, and quartzite installations specifically, the range is wider. Kitchen countertop replacement costs $50 to $150 per square foot on average for stone materials — which translates to $2,000 to $7,500 for a standard 40 to 50 square foot kitchen fully installed.
At Granite Depot of Columbia, we work with countertop installers in Manning, SC projects and throughout the Midlands region regularly. Here’s the complete cost breakdown — by material, by kitchen size, and by the line items most homeowners don’t account for until the invoice arrives.
What does material choice do to the total cost?
Material selection is the single biggest cost variable in any countertop replacement project — more than kitchen size, more than edge profile, more than labor. Here’s how the four main stone materials compare in the Columbia, SC area in 2026.
Granite is the most accessible natural stone entry point. At Granite Depot of Columbia, granite starts at $39 per square foot in 2026. Mid-range selections with interesting movement and color run $55 to $85 per square foot installed. For a standard 45 square foot kitchen, a granite replacement typically runs $2,000 to $4,500 fully installed depending on grade and complexity.
Quartz sits above granite at entry level but eliminates sealing entirely — a meaningful long-term cost advantage. At Granite Depot of Columbia, quartz starts at $50 per square foot in 2026. Mid-range brands like Silestone, Caesarstone, and MSI Quartz run $65 to $95 per square foot installed. For a standard kitchen, expect $2,500 to $5,000 fully installed.
Marble delivers the most visually impressive result at a higher price point. Marble starts at $65 per square foot at Granite Depot of Columbia in 2026, with mid-range selections like Calacatta Vagli and Arabescato Corchia running $85 to $130 per square foot installed. A standard kitchen marble replacement typically runs $3,500 to $7,000.
Quartzite is the premium natural stone option. In the Columbia, SC area, quartzite typically starts around $75 per square foot installed in 2026 for mid-range varieties, with premium selections reaching $120 to $180 per square foot. A standard kitchen quartzite replacement runs $4,000 to $9,000 depending on variety and complexity.
| Material | Starting Price 2026 | Mid-Range Installed | Standard Kitchen Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite | From $39/sq ft* | $55–$85/sq ft | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Quartz | From $50/sq ft* | $65–$95/sq ft | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Marble | From $65/sq ft* | $85–$130/sq ft | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Quartzite | From ~$75/sq ft | $95–$180/sq ft | $4,000–$9,000 |
*At Granite Depot of Columbia in 2026
How does kitchen size affect total replacement cost?
Kitchen size directly multiplies the per-square-foot cost — but layout complexity matters as much as raw square footage. Two kitchens with identical square footage can have meaningfully different fabrication costs depending on the number of corners, cutouts, and seams involved.
The average kitchen has 30 to 40 square feet of counter space. L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens tend to have more surface area. Islands add another 12 to 24 square feet.
Here’s how total replacement cost breaks down by kitchen size in the Columbia, SC area in 2026 for mid-range granite:
| Kitchen Layout | Approx. Square Footage | Estimated Total Cost (Granite) |
|---|---|---|
| Small / galley | 25–35 sq ft | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Standard L-shape | 40–55 sq ft | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Large with island | 60–80 sq ft | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Large with island + bar | 80–100 sq ft | $5,000–$9,000+ |
For countertop installers in Manning, SC projects specifically, most standard kitchen replacements we complete fall in the 40 to 55 square foot range — the most common layout in Clarendon County homes — which puts most projects between $2,000 and $5,000 for granite and quartz selections.
What additional costs does a full replacement include?
The per-square-foot material price is the starting point, not the complete picture. Several additional line items affect the final number on any full replacement project.
Old countertop removal runs $100 to $300 for most standard kitchens depending on material and how the existing surface is attached. At Granite Depot of Columbia, removal of existing countertops is included as part of our standard installation service — confirm this when requesting your quote.
Edge profiles add cost beyond the standard eased or beveled edge included in base pricing. Bullnose and half-bullnose edges add $5 to $15 per linear foot. Ogee and decorative profiles run $15 to $30 per linear foot. For 20 to 25 linear feet of exposed edges, a premium profile adds $300 to $750 to the total.
Sink cutouts add $150 to $250 per opening for a standard undermount configuration. Cooktop cutouts fall in a similar range. A kitchen with both a sink and a cooktop cutout adds $300 to $500 to the fabrication cost.
Sealing at installation is applied as standard on every natural stone installation at Granite Depot of Columbia. Ongoing resealing for granite and quartzite costs $200 to $350 professionally applied, or $20 to $50 in product for a DIY application every one to two years. Quartz requires no sealing — ever.
Does a full countertop replacement add home value?
Consistently yes — and the return is stronger than most homeowners expect. Replacing kitchen countertops is a fast and relatively low-cost way to achieve as much as a 98.5% return on investment, especially when replacing laminate with granite, quartz, or another premium material.
In the Columbia, SC and Midlands market specifically, granite and quartz countertops are increasingly the expected standard in mid-range and above homes. A kitchen with laminate or tile counters reads as dated in a way that affects perceived value regardless of everything else in the home. A kitchen with well-chosen, well-installed stone reads as complete and move-in ready — a shift that matters both at sale and in daily quality of life.
The materials that deliver the strongest value signal in the South Carolina market are granite and quartz — accessible, recognizable, and durable enough that buyers perceive them as long-term assets rather than short-term finishes.
At Granite Depot of Columbia, we serve Manning and Clarendon County from our Columbia, SC location and complete full kitchen countertop replacements throughout the region in all four materials. Most projects are completed within two to three weeks from template to installed countertops. For anyone working with countertop installers in Manning, SC, reach us at (803) 956-4555 or visit us at 71 Berkshire Dr, Columbia, SC 29223.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a full kitchen countertop replacement in 2026?
Kitchen countertop replacement costs $1,500 to $6,500 for most kitchens in 2026, with a national average around $3,200. In the Columbia, SC area, stone countertop replacements run $2,000 to $7,000 for most standard kitchens depending on material. At Granite Depot of Columbia, granite starts at $39 per square foot, quartz at $50, and marble at $65 in 2026.
What is included in a full countertop replacement at Granite Depot of Columbia?
Our full replacement service includes old countertop removal, templating, stone fabrication, standard edge profile, sink cutout, sealing at installation, and installation. Specialty edge profiles, additional cutouts, and plumbing reconnection are priced separately. We also offer granite and quartz packages that bundle the full scope of work at a more favorable overall price point than line-item pricing.
How long does a full kitchen countertop replacement take?
Most projects at Granite Depot of Columbia are completed within two to three weeks from first contact to installed countertops. Fabrication runs seven to ten business days after the template appointment, and installation is completed in one to two days for most standard kitchens.
Does countertop replacement add home value in South Carolina?
Yes — consistently. Stone countertops are one of the highest-ROI kitchen upgrades in the South Carolina market, moving kitchens from dated to move-in ready in buyers’ perception. Granite and quartz deliver the strongest value signal for the investment in the Columbia and Midlands market.
Does Granite Depot of Columbia serve Manning, SC?
Yes. We operate from one location — 71 Berkshire Dr, Columbia, SC 29223 — and serve homeowners looking for countertop installers in Manning, SC and throughout Clarendon County regularly. We have no separate office in Manning, but our team completes projects there consistently. Call us at (803) 956-4555 to schedule a visit or get a quote.