We are asked “how much per square metre” on almost every enquiry, and the honest answer is always a range, because five things move the price before we ever discuss the material itself. Here are realistic AED ranges and the variables that decide where you land in them.
Indicative price ranges by material
These are supply-and-install ranges for a standard kitchen worktop package in the UAE, including templating, fabrication and fitting. Treat them as a planning guide, not a quotation — ask for a firm price against your actual layout and slab selection.
| Material | Indicative range (AED/m²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local & imported granite | 350 – 900 | Widest range — colour rarity drives most of the spread |
| Engineered quartz | 450 – 950 | Consistent pricing across slabs, brand-dependent |
| Classic marble (Carrara, Emperador) | 500 – 1,100 | Requires sealing; not recommended near hobs without care |
| Natural quartzite | 900 – 1,800 | Granite-level hardness with a marble look |
| Sintered stone | 1,000 – 2,200 | Large-format, UV and heat stable, higher fabrication skill needed |
| Statuario / rare Calacatta | 1,600 – 3,500+ | Rarity and book-matching drive the top end |
Five things that move the price
- Slab rarity and origin. A common local granite and a rare imported quartzite can differ five-fold in raw material cost alone, before fabrication.
- Edge profile. A simple eased edge is included in most quotes; mitred waterfall edges, bullnose and ogee profiles add material and labour, sometimes 15–30% on the affected run.
- Cut-outs and complexity. Undermount sink cut-outs, hob cut-outs, drainer grooves and curved returns each add CNC time. A straight run with no cut-outs is the cheapest possible job for any material.
- Slab yield and wastage. An awkward kitchen layout can waste a large share of a slab in offcuts. Two kitchens the same total area can price differently purely on layout efficiency.
- Thickness. 30 mm reads heavier and more premium than 20 mm but costs meaningfully more in material; a 20 mm top with a built-up mitred edge gives a similar look for less.
Ask for a like-for-like comparison
When comparing quotes between suppliers, confirm each one includes templating, edge profile, cut-outs, sealing and installation — not just the raw slab. A lower headline price with fewer inclusions is not actually cheaper.
Costs people forget to budget for
- Templating visit — usually included, but confirm before signing.
- Removal and disposal of an existing countertop, if replacing one.
- Support brackets or corbels under a long overhang or waterfall island.
- Sealing at handover for any porous natural stone — ask whether it is included or billed separately. See our guide to sealing marble in the UAE climate.
- Lead time premium for imported, made-to-order slabs — expect 4 to 6 weeks beyond in-stock material.
Where to spend and where to save
If budget is tight, spend on the material for the visible island or splashback and save on edge complexity and thickness elsewhere in the run — a plain eased edge on a perimeter counter is invisible once cabinetry and appliances are in place. If durability against a busy family kitchen matters more than a specific look, granite or engineered quartz gets you most of the visual result of marble at meaningfully lower long-term maintenance cost.
