Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
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Before
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Quartz and granite countertop installation in Fort Lauderdale typically runs $65 to $175 per square foot installed, depending on the material grade, edge profile, and whether existing countertops and backsplash tile & flooring need to come out first. Most kitchen projects in the area fall between $3,200 and $9,800 total, and the written price – scope included – is on the table before any crew member touches your kitchen. That’s not a process step; it’s Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, the same discipline that has kept Rowan projects within a few percent of the agreed number across 4,000-plus jobs since 2007.
If your kitchen countertops are cracked, stained through the sealer, or simply dated in a home that deserves better, this page explains what to expect from a kitchen remodeling countertop replacement: what the work actually involves, what Fort Lauderdale conditions affect material choice, and what the written price covers. Grant Rowan leads every project under the same documented framework – written scope, signed change orders, photo record on every visit – so there are no surprises when the fabricator shows up with slabs. Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule your free estimate.
Countertop replacement sits inside our broader Kitchen Remodeling in Fort Lauderdale service. If you’re also looking at cabinet refacing, new fixtures, or a full kitchen layout change, those scopes can be quoted together so you’re working from one written price rather than three separate contractor bids.
When You Need Quartz & Granite Countertops
- Visible cracks or chips that go past the surface. A hairline scratch on sealed granite can often be buffed out, but a crack that runs through the slab – especially near a sink cutout – is a structural failure waiting to worsen. Fort Lauderdale kitchens see this more often than owners expect, because the high-humidity environment accelerates the freeze-thaw cycle in any unsealed pore. Replace the slab; patching a structural crack in stone is a short-term fix.
- Staining that didn’t come out after resealing. Granite is porous. If a prior owner skipped annual resealing – or used the wrong product – red wine, cooking oil, or citrus acid can penetrate deeply enough that no surface treatment reverses it. At that point the damage is cosmetic but permanent, and resurfacing costs more than replacement in most Fort Lauderdale quotes we’ve seen.
- Countertops that are bowing, lifting, or no longer level. This is a substrate problem, not just a countertop problem. In homes near the Intracoastal or in older Tarpon River and Flagler Village neighborhoods, moisture intrusion into the cabinet base can warp the substrate the stone sits on. When we pull the slab we document the substrate condition with photos; if it needs repair before new stone goes in, that’s a signed change order, not a surprise invoice.
- A kitchen remodel that left the countertops behind. New cabinets with a 2004 laminate countertop is a mismatch that shows in every listing photo. If you’ve already invested in Kitchen Remodeling in Fort Lauderdale, countertop replacement is the logical next scope – and quoting it at the same time saves a separate templating visit.
- Outdated material that’s dragging down resale value. Laminate and tile-grout countertops have become hard to defend to buyers in the $600,000-and-up Fort Lauderdale market. Buyers in Victoria Park, Coral Ridge, and Harbor Beach have come to expect quartz or granite as a baseline, and appraisers are noting the gap.
- You’re replacing a sink and the cutout dimensions don’t match. Undermount sink upgrades – switching from a top-mount to a true undermount Kohler basin, for example – require a new cutout ground from the slab face. If the existing stone is older than ten years, it’s often more cost-effective to template and fabricate a new slab with the correct cutout than to re-cut and refinish the old one.
Our Quartz & Granite Countertops Process
- Free in-home measurement and written estimate. A Rowan crew member visits your kitchen, takes precise template measurements of every run – including the island, peninsula, and any returns – and photographs the existing substrate and plumbing rough-in. You receive a flat written price with a full scope before we leave. No range, no “starting at.” A number you can screenshot and compare.
- Material selection with documented specs. We work with Cambria and Caesarstone quartz lines as well as natural granite sourced through vetted fabricators. You’ll see actual slab samples – not just catalog photos – with the thickness (2cm vs. 3cm), finish type (polished, honed, or leathered), and edge profile options called out in writing. For kitchens with heavy natural light exposure, which is common in Fort Lauderdale homes with south- or east-facing windows, we note which quartz lines carry UV-stable pigments so the color doesn’t shift over time.
- Demolition and substrate inspection. Existing countertops come out carefully to preserve cabinet boxes where possible. Once the substrate is exposed, we document its condition with photos – part of the standard visit record, not an optional add-on. If the substrate needs repair (sistered blocking, moisture treatment, or leveling compound), that scope is written as a signed change order before any additional work proceeds. Fort Lauderdale’s humidity history means we find substrate issues in roughly one in four full demolitions, particularly in homes built before 1995.
- Digital templating and fabrication. Our fabricator uses CNC digital templating to map every angle, notch, and cutout precisely – sink openings, cooktop cutouts, and outlet notches included. This step eliminates the fit gaps and seam misalignments that show up when templating is done by hand. Lead time from template to fabricated slab is typically 5 to 10 business days depending on material availability.
- Installation, seam placement, and plumbing reconnection. Slabs are set, seams are placed at structurally sound locations (never over a cabinet void), and the stone is bonded to the substrate. Sink and faucet reconnection is included in the scope – we don’t hand you back a kitchen with capped pipes and a note to call a plumber. Granite gets an initial sealer application the same day; quartz doesn’t require sealing but gets a final surface inspection before sign-off.
- Photo documentation and 365-Day Done Right Promise. Before the crew leaves, every finished surface is photographed and the record is delivered to you. If anything isn’t right within 365 days – a seam that lifts, a chip from installation, a seal that failed – the Haven Standard says we make it right. That promise is printed on your project paperwork, not an asterisk on a website footer.
Before
AfterQuartz & Granite Countertops Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
Countertop pricing in Fort Lauderdale is affected by four variables: material grade, total square footage, edge profile complexity, and whether the substrate or plumbing needs additional work once the old countertops come off. Here are the honest ranges we see on Fort Lauderdale jobs, based on projects completed in neighborhoods from Lauderdale Isles to Coral Ridge.
| Scope | Typical Range (Installed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level granite (Level 1-2) | $65 – $85 per sq ft | Consistent movement, limited color range; good for rental-grade and budget remodels |
| Mid-grade granite (Level 3-4) | $85 – $120 per sq ft | Wider vein patterns, stronger resale appeal; most common choice in Fort Lauderdale primary homes |
| Premium exotic granite | $120 – $175 per sq ft | Quartzite, leathered finish, rare color runs; popular in Harbor Beach and Rio Vista renovations |
| Cambria or Caesarstone quartz (standard) | $80 – $115 per sq ft | Consistent color, non-porous, no annual sealing; preferred in high-humidity coastal kitchens |
| Cambria or Caesarstone quartz (designer) | $115 – $165 per sq ft | Large-format slabs, thick book-matched patterns, waterfall edge options |
| Demolition and disposal (existing countertops) | $300 – $700 | Varies by material weight and attachment method |
| Substrate repair (if needed) | $150 – $600 | Quoted as a separate signed change order after inspection; not assumed in base price |
| Sink/faucet reconnection | Included in scope | No separate plumber call required for standard undermount reconnection |
A typical Fort Lauderdale kitchen with 45 to 55 square feet of countertop surface – standard galley or L-shaped layout, one undermount sink, no island – comes out between $3,200 and $6,800 installed for mid-grade granite or standard quartz. Small & partial kitchen remodels with islands, waterfall edges, or exotic stone can reach $9,800 to $14,000. Those numbers are the installed total: material, fabrication, delivery, installation, sink reconnection, and initial sealing where applicable.
One thing worth knowing about Fort Lauderdale specifically: the coastal humidity accelerates the degradation of lower-grade sealer on natural granite. We spec a penetrating silicone-based sealer rated for high-humidity environments as the default – not the spray-on product that comes in a box. That’s part of the scope, not an upsell.
The written estimate is free. Call (754) 254-7676 and we’ll schedule the in-home visit at a time that works for you. If you already have a written bid from another contractor, bring it – Rowan offers a free second opinion on any written estimate, reviewed line by line at no charge.
What Drives Cost Up or Down
- Square footage: More surface area means more slab material, more fabrication time, and more installation labor. Islands add meaningful square footage that isn’t always obvious until the template is done.
- Edge profile: A straight eased edge is the most affordable. Ogee, waterfall, or mitered profiles require more machine time and finishing labor. Budget an additional $15 to $40 per linear foot for complex edges.
- Seam count and placement: Kitchens with multiple runs, L-shapes, or U-shapes require seams. Seam placement affects both the look and the structural integrity of the installation; we document the planned seam locations in the written scope so there are no surprises.
- Existing substrate condition: This is the variable that other contractors often leave off the estimate until demo day. Our process inspects and documents substrate condition before finalizing the written price wherever the substrate is accessible; where it isn’t visible until demolition, the change order process covers it without renegotiating the entire job.
- Material lead time: Certain Cambria and Caesarstone patterns are in-stock at Florida distribution centers; others ship from out of state. Lead times affect project scheduling, not price, but it’s worth knowing if you’re working toward a move-in date or a planned event.
FAQs – Quartz & Granite Countertops in Fort Lauderdale
Is quartz or granite better for a Fort Lauderdale kitchen?
For most Fort Lauderdale homes, quartz is the lower-maintenance choice. Quartz – brands like Cambria and Caesarstone – is non-porous and doesn’t need annual resealing, which matters in a coastal kitchen where humidity and salt air are present year-round. Granite offers more natural variation and can cost less at entry grades, but it does require resealing every 12 to 18 months to stay stain-resistant. If you entertain frequently, cook with acidic ingredients, or simply don’t want to track a maintenance schedule, quartz is the practical pick. If you want the look of natural stone and are willing to maintain it, granite at Level 3 or above performs well in Fort Lauderdale homes when properly sealed. Call (754) 254-7676 and we can walk through the tradeoffs for your specific kitchen layout and use pattern.
How long does countertop replacement take from start to finish?
From the initial estimate visit to finished installation, most Fort Lauderdale countertop replacements take 10 to 18 business days. The estimate and material selection usually happen within the first week. Fabrication after digital templating runs 5 to 10 business days depending on material availability. The installation itself – demolition, slab set, sink reconnection, sealing – typically takes one full day for a standard kitchen, two days for larger layouts with an island or complex edge work. We document the project timeline in the written scope so you know what’s scheduled before work starts.
Does Rowan Construction Group handle the sink and plumbing disconnection?
Yes, sink and faucet disconnection and reconnection are included in the standard countertop scope. We disconnect existing plumbing before demolition and reconnect it after the new slab is set and cured. Garbage disposals, filtered water lines, and soap dispensers are reconnected as part of the same scope. If the rough-in plumbing has a separate issue – a corroded shutoff valve, a supply line that’s beyond its service life – that’s documented in photos and quoted as a signed change order, not added to the invoice without notice.
What is the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and does it cover countertops?
The 365-Day Done Right Promise means that if anything about the installation isn’t right within 365 days of project completion – a seam separation, a chip attributable to installation, a sealer failure – Rowan makes it right. The promise is written on your project paperwork and backed by the Haven Standard, not a verbal assurance. It covers workmanship and installation quality; it doesn’t cover damage from misuse or impact after handoff, which is consistent with how any material warranty works. The terms are on a dedicated page and written in plain language. If you have a specific scenario you want to check before signing, call (754) 254-7676 and Grant Rowan can walk through it with you directly.
Key Takeaways
- Quartz and granite countertop installation in Fort Lauderdale typically costs $65 to $175 per square foot installed; most full kitchen projects run $3,200 to $9,800.
- The written price – with full scope, seam plan, and material specs – is delivered before any work begins. That’s not a policy; it’s Clause 1 of the Haven Standard.
- Fort Lauderdale’s coastal humidity makes non-porous quartz the lower-maintenance option; granite is viable but requires consistent resealing every 12 to 18 months.
- Substrate condition under the existing countertops is the most common source of scope changes – we document it with photos at demolition and process any additions as signed change orders, not verbal add-ons.
- Sink and faucet reconnection is included in the standard scope. No separate plumber call for a standard undermount installation.
- The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation for a full year – in writing, on your project paperwork.
- Bring a competitor’s written estimate and Rowan will review it line by line at no charge, before you commit to anything.
Get Your Written Countertop Estimate in Fort Lauderdale
If your kitchen countertops are cracked, stained past the point of sealing, or simply the last dated element in a kitchen that’s otherwise been updated, the next step is a precise measurement visit and a flat written price. No “call for a quote” – the number is delivered at the visit, scope included, before any work is scheduled.
Grant Rowan leads every Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale project under the same documented framework that has kept 4,000-plus jobs within a few percent of the agreed price since 2007. Call (754) 254-7676 to book your free estimate. If you’re comparing bids, bring the other contractor’s written estimate – Rowan reviews it line by line at no charge so you’re making the comparison with full information. You can also learn more about the full scope of what we do at home.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner at Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2007.