Is this for quartzite?

What does “book matched” mean to you? Because I think a mitered edge will always be taken from right next to the counter, so any strong veining should line up anyway.

It would be cutting the top and side edge material at 45 degree angle so that the seam would be at the corner. It's not for a waterfall counter or anything, only the counter top. This would be for quartz.

In a build where the builder controls the build and the change orders, they usually end up about double what they would cost if you would do it after closing. But that’s still cheaper than paying for basic cheap counters, and then removing them to replace after closing.

" It's not for a waterfall counter or anything, only the counter top" Your description of what is included is a bit confusing. Does this include material and labor to do the two waterfall sides? Also, I'm not a fabricator, but bookmatching quartz isn't always possible, if at all. But waterfall sides labor charges are easily $1500 for two sides which does not include the extra for square footage of the material needed to do waterfall. You also have to pay for extra polishing of the undersides. Extra man power sometimes....and the wider you go, the price goes up too. A 5' waterfall side can be pricey. The GC must add some to account for any issues that might come up. That seems high but not if a GC is overseeing it. Let us know again what that included...a bit confusing.

$3500 is for labor only to put a mitered edge on a kitchen island counter that is 8'x5', versus a flat laminated edge, which is what was in the spec. It's exactly what I had stated above. I only went back to clarify that the labor is not for a waterfall counter, just a counter on top of a wood island. Material is not included.

I'm sorry but your description is very confusing. You say it's a mitered edge versus a flat laminated edge and I don't think anyone here is following your train of thought. Draw it out since you don't seem to be explaining yourself or find a picture on the internet of what you're wishing to do

And if it's what I'm thinking, there is no way on this earth to have a book matched mitered edge along all four sides of an island counter.

Let me try again. My question is simply to ask if labor to do a mitered edge/joint should be significantly more than a standard flat edge on an 8'x5' kitchen island. I was just clarifying that I am not asking for a waterfall counter. And I am learning that the term "book matched" may be redundant since that may be done by default.

First picture, mitered edge, is what I am asking for. Second picture is what comes standard and will not incur extra labor cost to me. Builder is quoting me $3500 for labor only to have a mitered edge. I would like to assess if this is fair because it seems very costly to me. Andi G thinks this is a builder markup so I will go with that.

#1 - Mitered edge

#2 - Edge that comes standard:

Ok, so you are going for the thick edge look...how thick...are you trying to have every vein match going around the island (if your quartz has veining)?

The island has to be at least 9” smaller than the slab size all the way around to technically do this and wrap the same stone onto the miter. . Most islands these days are more aircraft carriers and would be far too large to have that detail without some of the stone not matching somewhere. Yours falls into that category on width, and possibly length, depending on brand. . One of your long sides for sure will not match. And still will not match, even if you buy another slab. The island would need to be redesigned to become narrower.

Could be that the extra slab needed to do the mitered edges at your requested size is being factored into the price. But he doesn’t understand quartz enough to tell you that it will not be bookmatched. Because stone from two different man made slabs won’t bookmatch.

That width would be challenging even with natural stone because of how granite blocks are sequenced and sold. To get a 2 piece longitudinal butterfly bookmatch requires precise selections from adjacent blocks, not the same block. You don’t get many wholesalers importing stone that way. That’s very custom.

The charge for this change order is entirely up to the builder to determine when you are dealing with a typical tract or “semi custom” builder. He could put a 20K price tag on it if he wanted to. :-/ Especially if he doesn’t want to slow the build down with specialty details that cost him time. It’s only if this is a cost plus full custom contract, then the cost of the change from the sub plus the builders fee is a document that you are entitled to view.

Consider switching to Cambria. They offer a 4cm laminated edge that is only a couple hundred $ more than 3cm solid (not laminating). Even with their plainer edges, it looks pretty darn good. Here is a 4cm Cambria top w/ Ridgeline edge profile that I did a few years ago. Really depends on the pattern of quartz and the edge. Color is Berwyn.

Second photo below was a kitchen makeover, not full remodel. She went with 4cm thickness with a more detailed edge...this hides the seam. Color is Torquay.

KraftMaid Cornell Dove White w/ Cambria Berwyn · More Info

Existing Decora Kitchen Makeover · More Info

I just received an estimate for a 12.5" island with book matched quartzite with an eased edge for $4400 (templating/fabrication/installation only). Not exactly your situation but hopefully can help as a point of reference