Granite is a hard, heat-tolerant natural stone that suits busy Orlando kitchens, and a typical granite kitchen runs about $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the stone you pick. The price you pay comes down to the slab, the edge, the number of cutouts and the installation. This guide walks you through each of those so you can compare quotes with confidence and avoid surprises.
TL;DR
- Lower-range granite starts around $35 to $55 per square foot, while exotic granites can pass $400 per square foot, so the slab you choose drives the budget.
- Granite varies a lot from slab to slab. Always look at the exact slab that will be cut for your kitchen, not just a small sample.
- Most granite countertops do not need sealing, but a simple water test tells you whether yours does.
- A good quote lists the material, fabrication, edge profile, cutouts, seams, removal of old tops and installation as separate lines.
- Use a cutting board and trivets. They protect your knives and prevent cracks from sudden heat.
Table of Contents
- Why homeowners in Orlando choose granite
- How much granite countertops cost
- Choosing the right slab
- Granite or quartz: which fits your kitchen?
- How measuring, fabrication and installation work
- What to check in a granite countertop quote
- Caring for granite so it lasts
- Our perspective
- Get your countertop project started in Orlando
- FAQ
- Sources
Why homeowners in Orlando choose granite
Granite has been a kitchen favorite for decades, and the reasons are practical. According to the Natural Stone Institute's fact sheet, granite is harder than every natural stone except diamond, ruby and sapphire. Use Natural Stone also notes that granite is durable, scratch-resistant and heat-resistant, which matters in a kitchen where hot pans, daily prep and family traffic are the norm.
There is also the look. No two slabs match, so your kitchen ends up with a surface that is yours alone. Granite comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, from near-solid blacks and creams to dramatic veined and speckled stones, and it can be finished with many edge profiles and textures.
For Central Florida homes, that mix of toughness and character fits the way people actually use their kitchens: big family meals, entertaining, and plenty of cooking. If you are renovating a rental or an investment property, durability matters even more. Our guide to countertop choices for Orlando vacation rentals covers how to weigh stone options for hard-working properties.
How much granite countertops cost
The most useful numbers come from the Natural Stone Institute's consumer guidance. It puts a typical granite kitchen at $3,000 to $4,000, with lower-range granite starting around $35 to $55 per square foot. Rare or exotic granites can run above $400 per square foot. Those figures are national benchmarks, so treat them as a starting point and ask for a written Orlando quote for your exact layout.
Here is what moves the total up or down:
- The slab itself. Common colors cost far less than rare, dramatic stones. Slab thickness and finish also play a part.
- Square footage and layout. An island, a long L-shape or a waterfall end adds material and fabrication time.
- Edge profile. A plain eased edge is simpler than a layered or ogee edge.
- Cutouts. Sinks, cooktops and faucet holes each add work. An undermount sink needs an opening that is cut and polished to the sink's shape.
- Seams. Longer runs may need joining. More on that below.
- Removal and installation. Tearing out old counters, plumbing disconnects and backsplash work can be priced separately.
A quick way to keep a budget honest: measure your counters, multiply by the per-square-foot price of the slab you like, then add fabrication, cutouts and installation lines from the quote. If the total is above what you planned, a simpler edge or a more common color is usually the easiest place to save.
Choosing the right slab
This is the step many buyers rush, and it is the one that matters most. The Natural Stone Institute's guidance says color and pattern vary substantially even within a single named stone, so a small sample in a showroom only tells you part of the story. Slabs cut from the same quarry block are similar but not identical.
What to compare when you look at slabs in person:
- Color and movement. Look at the full slab, not a corner. Check whether veining or large crystals sit where your sink or range will go.
- Finish. Polished stone is glossy and shows color depth. Honed and leathered finishes are softer to the eye and hide fingerprints and water spots better.
- Small pits or holes. Natural granite can have them. They are part of the stone and do not necessarily affect how it performs, but you should decide whether you like how they look.
- Hardness. Granite varieties range from softer to harder. Ask about the specific stone you are considering.
- Lighting. Check the slab in daylight as well as showroom lights. Orlando kitchens often get strong natural light, which changes how a stone reads.
If you want to see full-size stone before you commit, our full-sized natural stone and quartz slabs page shows what we carry, and our Orlando showroom lets you compare materials side by side. Ask our team which natural stones are currently available.
Granite or quartz: which fits your kitchen?
Many Orlando homeowners start with granite and end up comparing it to quartz. Both are solid choices, and the right one depends on how you want the kitchen to look and feel.
| What you care about | Granite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Natural, one-of-a-kind patterns | Consistent, designed patterns and colors |
| Heat | Heat-resistant, trivets still recommended | Use trivets as well |
| Slab-to-slab variation | High, so pick the exact slab | Lower, easier to match samples |
| Sealing | Most granite does not need it, test and ask | Generally not part of routine care |
| Best for | Buyers who want a natural stone character | Buyers who want a uniform, modern look |
We sell both natural stone and engineered quartz, so you can compare them in one visit. If a consistent pattern appeals to you, have a look at our quartz countertop fabrication in Orlando page, or browse our stone countertops category to see natural options.
How measuring, fabrication and installation work
Knowing the process helps you spot a quote that skips steps.
- Design and estimate. You pick a layout and a stone. A free 3D design and estimate can help you see the whole kitchen before you buy.
- Template and measurement. Once cabinets are in place, the countertop is measured precisely. Countertops are made to fit the cabinets you actually have, so templating comes after cabinet installation.
- Fabrication. The slab is cut, the edge is shaped and the sink and cooktop openings are cut. Undermount sink edges are polished to the chosen shape.
- Delivery and installation. The pieces are brought to your home, set on the cabinets, joined at the seams and finished around the sink and backsplash.
What to know about seams
Seams are normal. Use Natural Stone describes a typical granite installation as having about two or three seams, often around 1/8 inch wide and filled with color-matched epoxy so they blend in. Where the seams go depends on slab size and your layout. Ask the fabricator to show you the seam plan on a drawing before cutting starts, and try to keep seams away from the sink and cooktop.
Sink cutouts and weak points
Cutout edges are among the more vulnerable places for chips, and the Worktop Fabricators Federation notes that unsupported areas and cutouts can be weak points. Practical takeaways: make sure overhangs have proper support, avoid leaning heavily on the stone near the sink, and confirm your sink model before the template so the opening matches.
Plan the timeline around the countertop
The countertop comes late in a kitchen project, after cabinets and before the final plumbing and backsplash. A realistic kitchen remodel timeline helps you order the stone early enough so the template and install do not hold up the rest of the job. Our own in-stock cabinets are available for rapid delivery, and ordering them first lets you schedule the template sooner.
What to check in a granite countertop quote
Two quotes for the same kitchen can look very different on paper. Before you sign, make sure each quote answers these questions:
- Which exact slab? The stone name, the supplier or showroom, and ideally a slab number or photo. Because granite varies so much, "black granite" alone is not enough.
- Square footage. Does the quote show how it measured the area and whether waste is included?
- Edge profile. Is the edge included in the price or an add-on?
- Cutouts. How many are included, and for which sink and cooktop?
- Seams. Where are they, and how many?
- Backsplash and finishing. Is a stone backsplash included, or only the countertop?
- Removal and disposal. Who takes out the old counters, and is that priced?
- Sealing and care. Does the fabricator recommend sealing, and which product?
- Timing. How long from template to installation?
- Who installs. Is installation handled by the seller or by a separate team?
The last point is easy to overlook. We offer full fabrication services and can refer you to independent installation professionals, so ask us about the path that suits your project. For details, see our full fabrication services page.
Caring for granite so it lasts
Granite is easy to live with when you follow a few habits.
Daily cleaning
The Natural Stone Institute recommends cleaning with a neutral stone cleaner or mild detergent and warm water, then rinsing and drying. Wipe up spills promptly. Too much cleaner can leave a film, and abrasive products can scratch some stones. Lemon juice, vinegar and other acids can dull or etch calcareous stones such as marble and limestone, so keep strong acidic cleaners away from your stone in general, and never use products containing hydrofluoric acid, which attacks granite.
Do you need to seal granite?
The Natural Stone Institute says most granite countertops do not need sealing, though a sealer can reduce moisture migration and make the stone more resistant to everyday dirt and spills. Sealing improves stain resistance but does not make granite stain-proof. Ask the stone supplier or sealer manufacturer whether your slab needs it.
To check, Use Natural Stone suggests a simple water absorption test to decide whether resealing is needed. If you do seal, many quality sealers have an expected life of 10 to 15 years, and the Institute recommends an oil-repellent product suited to your particular stone.
Protecting the surface
- Use a cutting board. Granite is around 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, and cutting directly on it can dull your knives.
- Use trivets under hot pans. The Worktop Fabricators Federation advises them because thermal shock can crack stone.
- Avoid standing or sitting on unsupported overhangs.
Those few habits are the difference between a countertop that looks new after years of use and one that picks up avoidable chips and marks.
Our perspective
We see the same pattern with Orlando homeowners every week: they choose a stone from a small sample, then are surprised when the installed slab looks different. Granite is a natural product, so the only reliable way to buy it is to look at the real slab, in good light, with your layout in mind.
That is why we built our showroom and design center around seeing and comparing materials in person. You can walk through natural stone and quartz options, ask about edges and cutouts, and get a free 3D kitchen design and project estimate before you spend on materials. We aim to keep pricing competitive and factory-direct, because we think a renovation should be within reach for homeowners, contractors, designers and investors alike.
Our advice is to settle on cabinets and layout first, pick the slab second, and get every line of the countertop quote in writing. When those pieces line up, the countertop goes in smoothly and the kitchen comes together on schedule.
Sunshine Home Material
Get your countertop project started in Orlando
If you are ready to compare stone options, visit our Orlando showroom or start online. We carry natural stone and engineered quartz, offer fabrication services, and provide free 3D kitchen design and estimates so you can see your kitchen before you commit. We can also pair your countertops with RTA or assembled cabinets, and delivery and pickup are available.
Explore our stone countertops or contact Sunshine Home Material to plan your project.
FAQ
How much do granite countertops cost in Orlando?
National guidance from Use Natural Stone puts a typical granite kitchen at $3,000 to $4,000, with lower-range granite starting around $35 to $55 per square foot. Rare granites can exceed $400 per square foot. Your Orlando price depends on the slab, layout, edge, cutouts and installation, so ask for an itemized written estimate.
Do granite countertops need to be sealed?
The Natural Stone Institute says most granite countertops do not need sealing. Sealing can make the stone more resistant to everyday spills, but it does not make granite stain-proof. Ask your stone supplier whether your slab needs it, and use a water absorption test to check over time.
Will I see seams in my granite countertop?
Usually, yes, but they are subtle. Many installations have two or three seams, often about 1/8 inch wide and filled with color-matched epoxy. Ask to review the seam layout before fabrication starts.
Can I choose my granite from a sample?
A sample helps you narrow down options, but granite varies a lot even within one named stone. The Natural Stone Institute guidance is to inspect the exact slab you are buying, ideally in person and in natural light.
Can hot pans go on granite?
Granite is heat-resistant, but sudden temperature changes can crack stone, so the Worktop Fabricators Federation recommends trivets. Keep one beside the stove and you will not have to think about it.
Sources
- Facts About Granite, Limestone, Marble, Sandstone and Slate (Use Natural Stone)
- Natural Stone versus Manmade Materials for Interiors (Use Natural Stone)
- Pros & Cons of Granite (Use Natural Stone)
- How to Care For Your Granite Countertops (Use Natural Stone)
- Learn About Cleaning Products for Natural Stone (Natural Stone Institute)
- Sealing Natural Stone Countertops (Natural Stone Institute)
- Man-Made & Natural Stone Surface Guide (Worktop Fabricators Federation)
- Kitchen remodel timeline