Granite & Quartz Countertops in Chicago

Sealing: Once a Year Is All It Takes

Granite is porous, which means liquids can work their way in over time if the surface isn't sealed. We seal every countertop during installation, but you'll want to reseal it yourself once a year to keep that protection in place.

The test: put a few drops of water on the surface. If it beads up, you're still protected. If it soaks in within a few minutes, it's time to reseal. The product I recommend: any penetrating stone sealer from a hardware store. Apply, let it sit 10–15 minutes, wipe off. That's it — less than 20 minutes once a year.

Daily Cleaning: Keep It Simple

For everyday cleaning, warm water and a few drops of dish soap on a soft cloth is all you need. Wipe down, rinse with a damp cloth, dry with a clean towel. That's the whole routine.

Avoid: bleach, ammonia-based cleaners (like Windex), vinegar, lemon juice, or anything acidic. These won't destroy granite overnight, but they'll gradually break down the sealant and dull the surface over time.

What to Avoid on Granite

• → Acidic foods directly on the surface — use a cutting board for lemons, tomatoes, vinegar-based dishes
• → Abrasive scrubbers — no steel wool or rough pads; they'll scratch the polish
• → Standing water near seams — wipe up spills quickly, especially near the sink
• → Heavy impact on edges — corners can chip if hit hard

Heat Resistance

Granite handles heat better than almost any other countertop material. Hot pans directly from the stove are generally fine — but I still recommend trivets as a habit, because repeated thermal shock over years can eventually affect the sealant layer.

1. Clear Everything Out of Your Cabinets

This is the one most people forget. We need to remove your existing countertops, which involves working around and above your cabinets. If dishes, pots, or anything breakable is stored inside, there's risk of vibration damage during removal. Empty the cabinets completely the night before — especially anything near the sink or stove area.

2. Clear the Countertop Surface

Appliances, knife blocks, dish racks, decorations — move everything off the counters the morning of. We'll be removing the old surface and bringing in the new slab, and clear counters help us work faster and cleaner.

3. Make Sure We Have Parking and Access

Slabs are heavy and awkward to carry. We need a clear path from our vehicle to your kitchen — no cars blocking the driveway, no tight hallway obstacles. If you live in a condo or apartment, let building management know we're coming and reserve the elevator if possible.

4. Plan for the Sink to Be Out of Commission

We'll disconnect and reconnect your sink as part of the install — but there will be a window of a few hours where you won't have kitchen sink access. Fill a large pot or pitcher with water beforehand if you'll need it. Let your household know.

5. Confirm Your Stone Selection in Advance

If you visited our showroom and picked a slab, great. If there's any uncertainty about your stone choice, edge profile, or finish — call us at (312) 399-8568 the day before. Changes on installation day slow everything down and can affect scheduling for other customers. Confirming details in advance keeps your install fast and clean.

Granite: $45–$90 per sq ft installed

Entry-level granite (solid colors, simpler patterns) typically runs $45–$65 per square foot fully installed — that includes fabrication, edge work, and installation. Mid-range granite with more movement or exotic patterns runs $65–$90. The price difference is almost entirely in the stone itself, not the labor.

For a typical Chicagoland kitchen (40–50 sq ft of counter space), you're looking at roughly $1,800–$4,500 total depending on the slab you choose.

Quartz: $65–$110 per sq ft installed

Quartz generally runs a bit higher than granite because of the manufacturing process. Standard quartz (Silestone, MSI, similar) comes in around $65–$85 installed. Premium designer quartz (Cambria, Caesarstone high-end lines) pushes $85–$110+.

The no-maintenance factor makes it worth the premium for a lot of families — you'll never pay for sealing, and it holds up extremely well to daily use over 10–15+ years.

Marble: $85–$150+ per sq ft installed

Marble is the most expensive option in most cases. Classic Carrara marble starts around $85–$100 installed. Statement marbles with dramatic veining (Calacatta, Statuario) can push $130–$150+ per square foot. The stone cost itself is the main driver — fabricating marble isn't dramatically different from granite.

What Drives the Price Up or Down?

• → Square footage — the biggest factor. More counter = more stone, more labor
• → Edge profile — a simple eased edge is standard; waterfall edges, ogee, or mitered edges add cost
• → Cutouts — sink cutouts, cooktop cutouts, and outlet cutouts all add fabrication time
• → Slab grade — within any material, commercial-grade vs. premium slabs have real price differences
• → Demolition — we include removal of your old countertops in our quotes

The Honest Advice

Don't get a quote over the phone without measurements — any number you hear is a guess. At Granite Masters Chicago, we come to your home, measure the space precisely, and give you a locked-in price on the spot. No surprises, no "it depends."