How to Compare Countertop Quotes Line by Line
How to compare countertop quotes: put them side by side and check the same lines on each: the exact stone and slab, square footage, templating, edge profile, sink cutout and installation, backsplash, tear-out of the old top, plumbing, deposit and warranty. Most price gaps come from what a quote leaves out, not from the stone itself. A lower total that skips three of these lines is usually not cheaper.
Summary
- Compare line by line, never total against total.
- Check that both quotes name the same stone and square footage.
- Look for edges, sink cutout, tear-out and plumbing on each quote.
- Compare the deposit, payment schedule and warranty as well.
The Lines Every Countertop Quote Should Show
Use this table with your quotes in hand. Anything missing from a quote is either not included or not decided yet; ask before you sign.
| Line | What to check | Common gap |
|---|---|---|
| Stone | Material, color name and finish | "Granite" with no color named |
| Square footage | Same total on both quotes | One quote leaves out the island or backsplash |
| Templating | Included or extra | Charged separately |
| Edge profile | Which edge is included | Basic edge only, upgrades extra |
| Sink | Cutout and setting the sink | Cutout extra, sink not set |
| Tear-out | Removal and disposal of the old top | Not mentioned at all |
| Plumbing | Who disconnects and reconnects | Assumed but not included |
| Payments | Deposit and when the rest is due | Full payment before installation |
| Warranty | Length and what it covers | Not stated |
What a Cornerstone Quote Includes
Our starting prices per square foot, installed, are $29.95 for Classic Granite, $58.95 for Semi-Exotic and $119.95 for Super Exotic, with Semi-Precious on request. That price includes the slab, templating, cutting, a flat polished edge, installation and setting your kitchen sink.
Tear-out and shaped edges appear as their own lines. We don't do plumbing, and we say so on the quote. To see what's included in the price in detail, visit our prices page.
Make Sure You Compare the Same Square Footage
The most common reason two quotes differ is that they measured different things. One may include the island overhang and a backsplash; another may not. Ask each company for the square footage of every piece, then compare.
Our guide on countertop cost per square foot explains how square footage is measured and what changes the price.
Compare the Deposit and Payment Schedule
How much you pay before installation matters as much as the total. At Cornerstone, countertops are paid 50% to start and 50% at completion. Our article on the countertop deposit explains what is normal and the warning signs to watch for.
Four Red Flags on a Countertop Quote
Walk away, or at least ask hard questions, if you see any of these:
- No stone color or slab named, only "granite" or "quartz"
- A total with no square footage
- Full payment required before installation
- No written warranty or proof of insurance
For the rest of the buying process, see our countertop buying guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is one countertop quote so much cheaper?
Usually because it leaves something out: tear-out, edges, sink setting or square footage.
Should templating be included?
At Cornerstone it is. If another quote charges for it, add it to their total.
Is tear-out usually included?
Not always. Our quotes list it separately so you can see the cost.
What deposit is normal for countertops?
Ours is 50% to start and 50% at completion. Be careful with full payment upfront.
Should a quote name the exact stone?
Yes. The color and finish should be on the quote so the price matches your choice.
