"How much will this cost?" is the first question almost every homeowner asks us — and it's a fair one. Countertops aren't priced off a simple sticker; the material you choose, the size and layout of your kitchen, and the details you add (waterfall edges, a farmhouse sink cutout, a mitered edge) all move the number. Here's a straightforward breakdown of what North County San Diego homeowners are paying in 2026, material by material.
Note: the ranges below reflect typical installed pricing across San Diego County fabricators in 2026. Your exact price depends on slab selection, layout, and finish details — request a free estimate for numbers specific to your project.
| Material | Installed Cost (per sq ft) | Typical 50 sq ft Kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Granite | $65 – $120 | $3,250 – $6,000 |
| Quartz | $65 – $120 | $3,250 – $6,000 |
| Quartzite | $75 – $150 | $3,750 – $7,500 |
| Marble | $75 – $150 | $3,750 – $7,500 |
| Dekton | $85 – $180 | $4,250 – $9,000 |
Most of the kitchens we fabricate for — a mid-size layout with an island — land in the $5,000 – $7,000 range once material, fabrication, and installation are all included.
Granite and quartz start at about the same price point in San Diego — entry-level options in both materials run from roughly $65 per square foot installed. From there, granite's cost climbs with how exotic or rare the veining is, while quartz's climbs with slab grade and brand. Since the starting price is a near-tie, the choice usually comes down to maintenance: granite needs periodic sealing, while quartz never does. See our Quartz vs. Granite guide for the full comparison.
Quartzite starts around $75 per square foot installed — a step above granite, quartz, and marble. The biggest factor isn't labor, it's the slab itself: even entry-level quartzite costs noticeably more than entry-level granite, quartz, or marble. On top of that, quartzite is also genuinely harder to fabricate — it wears through cutting equipment faster, which adds to the labor side of the quote too. In exchange, you get a natural-stone look with better scratch and heat resistance than granite.
Marble carries a price premium for its look, but the real cost consideration is long-term care. It etches with acidic foods and needs more frequent sealing — our marble care guide covers what to expect.
Porcelain is popular in the industry for its design flexibility, but we don't recommend it for kitchen or bathroom countertops. If you're weighing it against the materials above, ask us about it during your estimate — we're happy to explain our reasoning.
Dekton starts around $85 per square foot installed, the top of our range — and for good reason: it's the only material on this list that performs identically indoors and outdoors in San Diego's direct sun, with no sealing, ever. If you're planning an outdoor kitchen, Dekton's UV stability makes it worth the premium.
Per-square-foot pricing is only the starting point. A few things that change your final number:
The only way to get a price you can actually count on is an in-home template and quote — square footage alone doesn't capture seams, cutouts, or edge details. We template every job with our Proliner digital system, so what you're quoted is what you're built.
Rock-It Surfaces has been fabricating and installing countertops throughout North County San Diego — San Marcos, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, Escondido, and beyond — for over 23 years, and we're rated 4.8 stars by homeowners across the area. If you're ready to get real numbers for your kitchen or bathroom, request a free estimate and we'll walk you through it.