How much does it cost to seal granite countertops?
Updated
Short answer
Sealing stone countertops yourself costs $15 to $40, which is a bottle of stone sealer, and takes 30 to 60 minutes for a kitchen. A stone company charges $100 to $300 to seal the counters, and more if they polish first. For granite in good shape, the bottle is all it takes. For marble that's etched or stained, the professional visit includes the polishing that has to happen before any sealer goes on.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15 to $40 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $100 to $300 |
| Total | $15 to $40 | $100 to $300 |
The DIY cost is the sealer, and clean cloths are the only tools. A bottle covers a kitchen with enough left for the bathroom vanities. The pro price is labor, and with marble it often includes a light polish to take out etching before sealing.
What drives the cost
- The stone. Granite seals once every few years. Marble seals every 6 to 12 months, so its yearly cost is higher whatever the method.
- The area. A kitchen with an island and the bathroom vanities uses more sealer and takes longer, and a stone company prices by the square foot.
- The condition. Stone that's clean and unstained takes sealer and is done. Stained or etched stone needs cleaning or polishing first, which is the professional part.
- The sealer. A penetrating sealer made for natural stone costs more than a general-purpose one and lasts longer. The cheap sealers are what leave a haze.
- Quartz. Engineered quartz needs no sealing, so the cost for a quartz kitchen is zero.
DIY vs. pro
For granite, this is a DIY job, and the money is clear: $15 to $40 against $100 to $300 for an hour's wiping and buffing. How often to seal granite or marble countertops is every 1 to 3 years for granite and every 6 to 12 months for marble, and the water test tells you when. Buff off the excess before it dries and the result is as good as a pro's.
The stone company earns its fee on marble that's etched by acids or stained around the sink, since sealing over damage locks it in and the polishing has to come first. It's also worth it for a large kitchen with a lot of edge detail, or once every few years as a reset on counters that have been sealed by hand in between.
FAQ
How much does granite sealer cost?
$15 to $40 for a bottle made for natural stone, which covers a kitchen and more.
How much does it cost to have countertops professionally sealed?
$100 to $300 for a kitchen, and more if marble needs polishing first.
Is it worth sealing granite yourself?
Yes. It's an hour of wiping and buffing, and the only skill is removing the excess before it dries. The water test tells you when it's due.
Does quartz need sealing?
No. Quartz is bound in resin and doesn't absorb, so sealer only leaves a film. The cost is zero.