How Much Do Soapstone Countertops Cost? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights:
  • Soapstone countertop installation costs $2,100 to $7,200 for your kitchen, with color choice and edge profile complexity determining your final total.

  • Your soapstone countertop costs depend on the color you select and the edging style you choose for the finished look.

  • Budget for removing your existing countertops, custom cutouts for sinks and cooktops, and matching backsplash installation to complete your project.

  • Hiring a local countertop professional ensures your kitchen project is done well and boosts your overall home resale value.

In 2026, the national average cost for soapstone countertops is $2,850. Most homeowners spend $2,100 to $7,200 for materials and labor, with the final total driven by countertop size, color selection, and edge profile complexity.

Soapstone Countertops Cost by Size: What Affects the Price?

Soapstone countertops cost $70 to $120 per square foot for materials and labor combined, making them a mid-range natural stone option. For an average kitchen with 30 square feet of counter space, that works out to roughly $2,100 to $3,600 total. Costs vary depending on the size of your countertop area, so the table below breaks down expected price ranges by square footage.

Size in Square FeetCost Range in 2026
20 $1,400–$2,400
30 $2,100–$3,600
40 $2,800–$4,800
50 $3,500–$6,000
60 $4,200–$7,200

Soapstone Countertops Cost Breakdown

Your total cost to install soapstone counters mainly includes two factors: how much material you need and the cost of labor to create your countertop idea. Here's how it all breaks down:

Color

Gray is the most popular soapstone color and one of the most affordable, with material-only costs ranging from $26 to $50 per square foot, while green runs a similar $25 to $50 per square foot. Blue, white, and black push into the higher range at $50 to $70 per square foot, giving you a bolder look at a premium. Keep in mind that soapstone's color palette is narrower than most countertop materials, and the surface naturally darkens with use over time. Costs by color are broken down in the table below.

ColorAverage Cost in 2026
Gray$26–$50
Green$25–$50
Blue$50–$70
White$55–$70
Black$55–$70

Edging

Squared and eased edges come at no additional charge, but upgrading your edge profile adds to the overall cost, with options ranging from $8 to $35 per linear foot depending on the style you choose. The table below shows how costs vary by edging type.

Edging TypeAverage Cost in 2026
Half or Full Bullnose$10–$12
Bevel$10–$12
Pencil Round$8–$10
Chiseled$20–$25
Ogee$20–$25
French Cove$30–$35

Installation Location

Where you install soapstone counters in your home has a significant effect on the total project cost, since the amount of counter space varies widely by room. Costs by installation location are broken down in the table below.

LocationAverage Cost in 2026
Kitchen$2,100–$7,200
Kitchen Island$770–$2,340
Bathroom$280–$1,800
Outdoor Kitchen$1,400–$3,600

Labor

Professional soapstone counter installation typically takes two to four days and costs $550 to $750 for the full job, which works out to $10 to $40 per square foot for labor. When hiring a local professional counter installer, make sure they are well-reviewed and get at least three quotes before committing to a team.

Additional Countertop Costs to Consider

Here are additional costs you should keep in mind when planning your soapstone counter project.

4 additional soapstone countertop costs, including removing existing countertop, custom cuts, and backsplash installation

Drainboard

Installing a drainboard on your soapstone counters is an easy way to keep the area below your dish drying rack clean and dry. These are built into your counters with up to 1/2-inch slope toward the sink. The runnels are usually 16 to 18 inches long and are either raised or recessed. You can get custom drainboards if you'd like specific runnel lengths, slope angles, or runnel layouts. Here is how soapstone drainboard costs break down by type:

Drainboard TypeAverage Cost in 2026
Traditional$300–$450
British-Style$350–$550
European-Style$350–$550
Custom$550+

Custom Cuts or Cutouts

Sink and cooktop cutouts each cost $200, and additional custom work such as carved designs pushes labor rates to $30 to $40 or more per square foot.

Removal of Existing Countertops

Removing existing countertops costs $50 to $350 depending on the material. Before hauling them away, consider whether materials like marble or granite can be repurposed for backsplashes, baseboards, or fireplaces elsewhere in your home.

Backsplash Installation

A matching soapstone backsplash costs $70 to $120 per square foot, the same rate as the countertops themselves, and creates a cohesive, polished look. If you prefer a more budget-friendly option, standard backsplash materials run $15 to $40 per square foot.

Backsplash TypeAverage Cost in 2026
Soapstone$70–$120
Standard$15–$40

Soapstone Countertop Cost vs. Other Countertop Materials

There are many countertop options out there for your home project. Here are some common alternatives and how they compare with soapstone prices by cost per square foot:

Countertop TypeAverage Cost in 2026
Soapstone$70–$120
Granite$50–$200
Quartz$50–$200
Marble$40–$100
Limestone$70–$150
Slate$50–$100
Concrete$65–$135
Epoxy$50–$150

Ongoing Soapstone Countertop Expenses

After your soapstone countertop installation, these are the ongoing costs you should plan for.

Maintenance

Soapstone maintenance costs very little, with mineral oil being the primary ongoing expense at $6 to $9 per bottle. Apply oil after installation and then monthly for one to two years to enhance the stone's natural color as it ages. Because soapstone is nonporous, sealing is not required, so you can skip that cost entirely.

Repairs

Soapstone's softness makes it prone to scratches from direct cutting, though shallow scratches can typically be repaired at home by sanding and applying mineral oil. Larger repairs require a countertop pro and cost around $10 to $12 per square foot.

Cost to Install Soapstone Countertops Yourself

If you are installing soapstone yourself, then you are in luck. Seasoned DIYers probably already have the tools in their shed to cut down soapstone to size at home. Soapstone is made up of 80% talc, which makes it extremely soft, under the hand, it feels like a bar of soap.

DIY Soapstone Countertop Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Woodworking tools are the perfect choice for cutting your soapstone. If you don't have these at home already, expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a tool fit to tackle the task at home. Whatever you do, cut it outside. It's a stone that creates a lot of dust because of its talky composition.

You can save around $550 to $750 on labor for this project if you do it yourself, but be mindful of how specialized it is to install soapstone. The stone is fragile, and if you have no experience cutting soapstone or other stone slabs, seriously consider leaving this job to a professional by hiring a stone countertop installer near you.

Cost of Common Soapstone Countertop Add-Ons

Here are the most common add-ons for your soapstone counters:

  • Soapstone sink: $2,000 to $3,000

  • Plumber: $45 to $200 per hour

  • Electrician: $50 to $100 per hour

  • Cooktop installation: $550 to $1,670

  • Permits: $500 to $1,500

  • Kitchen cabinets: $100 to $1,200 per linear foot

Pros and Cons of Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone has several functional and design advantages over other countertop materials, but it has its drawbacks as well. Consider the following pros and cons before purchasing soapstone countertops.

Pros

  • Durability: Soapstone is extremely durable and can withstand daily wear in even the most heavily used kitchens and bathrooms.

  • Stain resistance: While not impervious to staining, soapstone is less stain-prone than other common countertop materials such as marble or granite.

  • Heat resistance: You can safely place hot pots and pans directly on a soapstone surface without damaging it.

  • Aesthetics: Soapstone has natural, subtle veining and comes in various shades of gray. These features make it a beautiful and timeless option for many designs.

Cons

  • Surface damage: Soapstone can develop scratches and dents over time, which require sanding to remove.

  • Limited colors: Soapstone comes primarily in grays, greens, blues, black, or white, with few other options.

  • Routine maintenance: Soapstone requires regular oiling to enhance its luster and protect it from stains.

How to Save on Soapstone Countertop Installation Costs

If you're looking for ways to save on your soapstone countertop installation, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Prefabricated options are cheaper than slabs at $40 to $60 per square foot

  • Colors like gray and green are less expensive than black and white

  • Get quotes from at least three highly-rated countertop installers

  • Check the details to see which services are or are not included in each quote

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, soapstone does not crack easily. The softness of the material protects it from cracking but makes it prone to other types of damage such as scratches. Scratches may need to be buffed out occasionally using fine-grit sandpaper. You can also conceal minor scratches in your soapstone countertops by rubbing the surface with mineral oil.

Due to soapstone's non-porous nature and antimicrobial properties, you don’t need to seal it like other stone materials like marble or granite. However, even though sealing isn't required, it can enhance soapstone's natural stain resistance. Another protective option is to apply mineral oil once per month.

One of the primary benefits of a soapstone countertop is that the material is heat-resistant. You can put a hot pan on soapstone, and it won’t scorch or crack. Despite being able to handle extreme heat, soapstone is much softer than granite, quartz and similar materials. This means that it scratches easily, so you should not prepare food directly on the surface.

Soapstone countertops can last for decades, with lifespans ranging from 20 years to over 100 years, depending on care. Proper maintenance includes applying protective mineral oil, buffing out scratches, and avoiding abrasive cleaners. Although soapstone is fairly low maintenance compared to other natural stones, heavy usage and outdoor installation can reduce its lifespan.

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