Calculating soapstone kitchen countertop installation expenses |
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How much does it cost to install a soapstone countertop? Cost of soapstone kitchen countertop installation determined by different factors and total expenses primary depend on soapstone prices per square foot and labor cost to complete the work. There are always additional aspects should be taken into account while calculating total expenditures for installing a new stone kitchen countertop. Contractor will calculate the cost after taking detailed measurements and analyzing work complexity. Itemized estimate will reflect all charges and fees associated with soapstone fabrication, delivery and installation as well as materials expenses. Estimating soapstone countertop installation cost
Color and country of origin will define the cost of a soapstone countertop at a first place. Unlike granite soapstone have naturally dark color with possible lighter vein movements throughout the slab. Mainly because of limited color variations price range per square foot vary insignificantly from slab to slab. Size and shape of the kitchen can affect the price you pay per square foot. If it will be possible to cut a countertop from a slab(s) with minimum waste the cost will go down.
Fabrication, delivery and actual installation are three main factors which impact the cost of labor while estimating installation expenses for a soapstone countertop. There always charges for cutting a slab, creating desire edge profile, making kitchen sink cut-out, delivering prefabricated pieces and installing a new stone counter. Prepare to pay additional fees for removal and disposal of an old countertop. Some contractors won’t charge extra for a kitchen sink installation, but connecting drains, installing garbage disposal and a kitchen faucet will be calculated as separate fees.
Soapstone countertop can be purchased from natural stone distributors, but normally it comes in larger slabs which have to be cut according to kitchen dimensions. Even though it is less popular than granite or marble many local countertop fabricators can order and install any desire color of soapstone countertops.
Installation of a 35 – 40 square feet soapstone countertop in a L-shape kitchen with a 14 – 16 sq ft kitchen island normally should be completed in 3 – 4 hours by a crew of three professional installers. It will normally include demolishing of an old countertop, installing new 1 1/4” thick soapstone, undermount kitchen sink and drilling certain diameter holes for a kitchen faucet. After taking measurements installation typically will be scheduled in 3 – 4 business days. It can take longer if prior to fabrication a slab has to be ordered and delivered from a different location or purchased from a distributor.
Soapstone countertop installation is not a do it yourself project mainly because it is an extremely heavy material and even a handy homeowners should think twice before considering cutting labor expenses and trying to install it by self. One square foot of 1 1/4" thick soapstone weight about 22 lbs and depending on kitchen layout one piece can easily exceed 300 lbs. Also special equipment should be used for transportation of this stone. It is not typical to order soapstone countertop for pickup. Local fabricators and contractors offer a full service from getting measurements to quality installation of a new kitchen counter. |
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