Quartzite is $100 plus per square foot but you have to buy an entire slab if you are not fortunate to find a remnant from a bigger job.

How many square feet do you need?

thanks for replying!

roughly 19 square feet, L-shape counter

You probably will not find a straight "per square foot" price b/c the actual price is based on materials + the details of your job. Details such as...

• Number & size of cutouts needed

• Which cutouts need to be "finished" (like undermount sink cutouts)

• Number of holes (faucet, soap dispenser, airswitch, etc.)

• Counter edge chosen (straight, ogee, bullnose, etc.)

• Corner cuts (#, size, & angle)

• Radius cuts (diagonal corners, curved overhangs and corners, etc.)

• Etc.

Often, the "details" are what run the price up, not the materials.

To get a valid comparison, you need to get a quote using your specific countertop layout & needs, not what someone quotes you here.

thanks buehl...

that makes a lot of sense... you're right that the number of cuts/corners will make a difference, of which i have several. i'm getting a standard beveled edge, though.

so the price, which seems high, isn't just the material itself.

okay, i'm not so flipped out anymore! thanks. :)

If you're unsure even in the slightest, you should price out stone (quartzite or other) before locking in with the quartz. Go to different yards/fabricators to get comparison pricing, too.

thank you, cat_mom...

i think it's fine now. recently someone had a post with a list of countertop prices, and others chimed in. i know the Zodiaq was in the high $90s/sq ft. i'm probably closer to that if i take out the tax and some of the extras.

our local lowes charges $74/sq ft for Zodiaq category E. but a bevel edge is not standard, nor is the edge piece that overhangs and makes the counter "look" 1-1/2" thick. That's like another $1.75 per linear inch (for each?).

i probably just had a panic attack! it's one of the reasons why GW is such a great help! ;)

(for each?).

Yep, all things considered I think you are getting a fair deal.

As you have found out most fabricators require a min. of 25 sq ft or more to do a job.

I think you are paying small premium vs rock botton prices on a bigger job but that is to be expected.

thanks, deeageaux. i appreciate your feedback. :)

Ironcook - I too had sticker shock when it came to the quartz prices. My prices from Lowes and HD were similar to yours. They say $75 sq ft for level E, but when I got my quote, it really came out to more like $90 sq ft. Very frustrating.

I am also finding it frustrating b/c I had thought I could just do the island in quartz and something less expensive like butcher block on the perimeter. But everyone has the minimum sq ft requirements, except Cambria, but that was closer to $100 sq ft. It would cost $800 alone just for my island, which is more than we can spend on just that. I can't seem to win!

Yeah, but you like it. Be strong.

hi chocolatebunny... i've been thinking of you, too!

i wouldn't give up just yet. your sq footage is 8 ft, but what are the dimensions of your island? would a vanity size fit that? i am sure SOMEONE can fabricate a vanity equivalent for you, even from a remnant.

i found my fabricator totally by accident. i was googling something about cambria, and i found a forum he was posting on. he doesn't even list zodiaq on his website; i emailed and asked. so you never know.

btw... the Dupont website "dealer locator" was a waste of time! the best/nearest fabricator listed doesn't even sell zodiaq, only corian. he's talked to them, but DuPont doesn't bother to fix their listing. so you'll have to keep hunting.

quartz (composite) is expensive, but i found nothing equivalent i wanted. so i feel very fortunate this worked out. but you never really know until the stuff is actually installed... then you can breathe!

i really wish you good luck. keep us posted. :)

That's my problem....I have not found an equivalent countertop that I like as much as quartz. Trying to justify the cost is hard...DH and I grew up with very middle class backgrounds, so for me to suggest splurging on something like quartz countertops is really not sitting well with him.

The dimensions of the island are 44" x 26.5". I would like to get a bit overhang and go up to 48 x 30. I have checked with a couple of places but I cannot find anyone that does quartz remnants. Granite, yes, quartz, no. I haven't checked online yet.

Hello All,

We just had Zodiaq countertops installed via Lowe's on this past Monday . . . I want to set up my air mattress and sleep in there!!! When we purchased the countertops and the installation, Lowe's was doing the "downgrade level sale" . . . of course, we picked the most expensive level but were able to save a little with the "sale".

Our home is old . . . 1952, and has a long ways to go on renovations. I just closed my eyes and signed on the line for the countertops! This is the only professional installation we are paying for during our kitchen renovation. Look at it this way: You'll save money by doing other things yourself! ((That's what's helping me sleep at night!))

I think you should go for it!!! Ours are beautiful...no regrets here :)

Look around. You might be able to find remnants. We are using Caesarstone, shopped around and found that the price varied by as much as 25%. I was shocked because I figured they would all be about the same... There were lots of places with remnants, too...

alouwomack... thanks! we signed on the dotted line Monday! ours is diy except the zodiaq, too. i'm glad you are happy!

Congratulations ironcook! I don't think you will regret it either!

If you ask at Lowes, they will often give you 10% off, just for asking a manager. You can also try asking the post office for a change of address packet. That usually has a Lowes 10% off coupon in it as well.
With what you are spending, that could be a big difference.