How are porcelain countertops?

If butcherblock is out of your price range, so will porcelain…by a lot.

Are you sure butcher block countertops out of your budget? Did you check Home Depot?

6' x 3'+ for $300. I don't think you're going to do much better than that. Unless you don't want solid surface... maybe check for bins of leftover tile?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HARDWOOD-REFLECTIONS-Unfinished-Birch-6-17-ft-L-x-39-in-D-x-1-5-in-T-Butcher-Block-Island-Countertop-BBCT1502574/300688695

If that's too much $$ then look at their prefab laminate:

10' of prefab for $139

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-10-ft-White-Laminate-Countertop-with-Eased-Edge-in-Drama-Marble-011349011095010/310466816

I don’t think the builder I spoke with wanted to do the butcher block because he told me that was out of my budget, but level 2 granite was in my budget

Cassie -- Builder allowances are very rarely realistic. I recall spending our home's entire lighting allowance on three fixtures. And, I'm not talking about high end fixtures either. If you have funds beyond the contracted purchase price of your home, buy the countertop you want.

^^^^There’s something very off about the contractor’s statement. Butcher block can be purchased very inexpensively. Many people get them from IKEA. In fact, IKEA just had a sale on them. Now, this contractor may not want to prepare and finish the wood (i.e., waterproof) for kitchen use. It is time consuming. And, that may be why he’s steering you towards granite. But, to say level 2 granite is cheaper than butcher block is just not true.

Maybe you can close without countertops, or just lay plywood down. then do the butcherblock on your own .

Now I just look like an idiot haha. I did not realize the butcher block was so cheap or sold in countertop blocks. Thank you for the information! I am thinking I want the butcher block countertop for the island. Good or bad idea? So how is porcelain compared to granite?

Cassie, I had a walnut butcher block quote just for my island and it was around 7K...yes, it can be expensive! Your builder might be thinking along those lines...

Best idea is to use the search bar in these forums using the terms butcher block. my understanding is its very nice, if you use Waterlox. I dont know specifics, probably has to be recoated every so often.

my previous home I ordered two custom sized butcher block tops (for two different area; now this was 15 yrs ago) -2 pieces approx 26 " deep by 30" wide - including shipping from many miles away, around $800 total. I have a new bamboo butcher block counter awaiting the cabinets right now. standard width/countertop thickness, 6 ft long - less than $200.