The price of a granite worktop in Europe depends on six things: the stone’s colour and rarity, slab thickness, surface finish, fabrication and edges, shipping and import costs, and installation. The slab itself is often less than half of the final bill, so comparing prices per square metre only works when you know what each quote includes.
This guide explains each cost driver, shows where buying direct from an Indian granite supplier changes the numbers, and tells you what to ask for before you accept a quote.
The six factors that set the price
1. Colour, rarity and origin
Colour is the biggest driver of the slab price. Common black and grey granites are quarried in large volumes and sit at the lower end. Stones with strong movement, large crystals or an unusual colour cost more because fewer blocks yield consistent slabs. Black Galaxy granite, with its gold-like sparkle, and clean white granites with fine veining usually sell above plain black. If you are choosing between colours, read our guide to kitchen granite countertop colours before you request quotes.
Origin matters too. Stone quarried and cut close to the port costs less to move, and a supplier with its own quarries and factories can control the price better than a trader buying finished slabs.
2. Slab thickness
Most worktops are cut from 20 mm (2 cm) or 30 mm (3 cm) slabs. A 30 mm slab uses half as much stone again as a 20 mm one, weighs more and costs more to ship, but it gives a solid look on thick edges and needs less support. A 20 mm slab is lighter and cheaper, and it suits a standard European base unit about 600 mm deep when fitted on a supported backing. Ask your fabricator which thickness your cabinets can carry.
3. Surface finish
Polished is the standard and usually carries no extra cost. Honed, leathered and flamed finishes need extra processing, so they are often priced higher. Leathered and honed surfaces hide fingerprints and water marks, which is why many kitchens choose them.
4. Edges, cutouts and seams
Fabrication is priced per linear metre and per cutout, not per square metre of stone. A simple eased edge costs less than a bullnose, bevel or ogee profile. Sink cutouts, hob cutouts, undermount sinks and drainer grooves each add labour. Islands and long runs may need seams, which adds templating and joining time. Every extra detail raises the price of the finished worktop even when the slab rate stays the same.
5. Shipping and import costs
Granite is heavy, so freight is a real part of the cost. A full container of slabs is priced far more efficiently than a few crates, which is why importers order by the container. Add port handling, inland transport and insurance. Duty and VAT apply on import; check the rate for your HS code (usually 6802 for worked stone) with your customs broker.
6. Installation
Templating, delivery, lifting, fitting and sealing are usually quoted separately. Installation can be a large share of the final bill in cities with high labour costs, so ask whether a quote is for supply only or supply and fit.
Buying direct from India versus local stock
A local stockist sells ready slabs and handles everything for you, so you pay for convenience, storage and their margin. Buying direct from a granite supplier in India removes that layer and lets you choose from a wider range of colours, but you take on freight, customs and timing.
| Local stockist or fabricator | Direct from an Indian supplier | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour choice | Limited to what is in stock | Full range, including Black Galaxy and Rajasthan stones |
| Slab price | Higher, includes the stockist’s margin | Lower ex-works, but freight and duty are added |
| Best for | One kitchen, fast delivery | Container orders, projects, resellers and fabricators |
| Lead time | Days to weeks | Several weeks including sea freight |
| Your responsibility | Fitting only | Shipping, customs, VAT and inspection |
For a single kitchen, a local stockist is usually simpler. For a developer, fabricator or reseller buying many slabs, importing a container is where the saving appears. Our guide on how to import granite from India to Europe walks through the documents and ports.
VAT and local costs
VAT is charged on imported stone and varies by country: 20% in the UK and France and 19% in Germany at the time of writing. Labour rates, access to the building and the cost of disposing of the old worktop also differ between cities, so a quote from Munich and one from Manchester are rarely comparable even for the same stone.
Before publishing, replace the brackets with UGM’s own current FOB rates and add the date they were last checked.
How to get an accurate quote
- Send a drawing or a list of dimensions in mm, including cutouts and edge profiles.
- State the thickness (20 mm or 30 mm) and the finish you want.
- Say whether you need slabs only, cut-to-size pieces or fully fabricated worktops.
- Give your delivery port, such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Felixstowe or Genoa.
- Ask for the Incoterm used (FOB or CIF), the payment terms, the lead time and a sample before you commit.
With these five details, a supplier can give you a price you can compare line by line.
Frequently asked questions
Is granite cheaper than marble or quartz for worktops?
Granite is usually priced below premium marble and in a similar range to mid-range quartz, but the answer depends on the colour and the supplier. Compare the same thickness and finish.
Why do two quotes for the same stone differ so much?
One may be supply only and the other supply and fit, or they may use different thicknesses, edge profiles or cutout counts. Ask both suppliers to itemise.
Does white granite cost more than black?
Often yes. Clean white slabs with consistent veining are rarer than standard black. See our guide to white granite countertops for how the shades compare.
How much extra should I allow for wastage?
Fabricators plan cuts around the slab size and pattern, so wastage depends on the layout. Ask for a cutting plan if the worktop is long or has an island.
Can I order a single slab from India?
Some suppliers accept small orders, but freight per slab is much higher than per container. Ask about minimum order and consolidation options.
Request samples and a quote
Universal Granimarmo supplies granite and marble from its own production units in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to buyers worldwide. Send your dimensions and port to sales@ugm.co.in, or download the catalogue to see the full colour range.