Flooring is one of those decisions that quietly shapes how your house looks, feels, and ages over time. Among premium flooring options, granite and marble are often the top contenders. They look similar at first glance, but their cost, performance, and maintenance requirements are very different.
This is also a stage where homeowners receive widely varying quotations. One contractor may quote ₹120 per sq ft, another ₹250 per sq ft, for what sounds like the same granite or marble flooring. The confusion usually comes from not separating material cost, laying charges, finishing work, and stone quality.
This guide explains granite and marble flooring cost per sq ft, including material prices, laying and polishing charges, grade differences, and practical comparisons. The aim is to help you budget realistically and choose the flooring that actually suits your house and lifestyle.
Granite and Marble Flooring: What’s the Real Difference?
Before discussing costs, it helps to understand how granite and marble differ in nature and usage.
Granite is an igneous stone, formed under high pressure, making it hard, dense, and highly durable. Marble, on the other hand, is a metamorphic stone, valued for its veining and elegance but softer by comparison.
This basic difference affects everything that follows: price, laying method, polishing effort, maintenance, and long-term performance.
Understanding this upfront prevents cost surprises later.
Granite Flooring Cost per Sq Ft (Material + Laying)
Granite is widely used in Indian homes because it offers a good balance between durability, appearance, and cost. It works well for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, staircases, and even high-traffic areas.
Granite flooring cost overview
| Component | Typical Range (₹/sq ft) | Notes |
| Granite material cost | ₹60 – ₹150 | Depends on colour, origin, and thickness |
| Laying charges | ₹40 – ₹70 | Includes fixing, levelling, and joint filling |
| Polishing & finishing | ₹10 – ₹20 | Sometimes included in the laying cost |
| Total granite flooring cost | ₹110 – ₹220 | Material + labour |
What affects granite cost?
Granite cost varies mainly due to:
- Colour and pattern (lighter and uniform colours cost more)
- Stone thickness (18–20 mm slabs cost more than thinner tiles)
- Source (local vs imported granite)
- Cutting size (large slabs increase handling and labour cost)
Granite is forgiving during installation and daily use, which is why labour costs remain relatively stable across sites.
Marble Flooring Cost per Sq Ft (Material + Laying)
Marble is chosen for its elegance and premium appearance. However, it demands more care, both during installation and in daily use. This directly reflects in its cost.
Marble flooring cost overview
| Component | Typical Range (₹/sq ft) | Notes |
| Marble material cost | ₹120 – ₹350+ | Depends heavily on quality and source |
| Laying charges | ₹60 – ₹100 | Requires skilled workmanship |
| Polishing & finishing | ₹20 – ₹40 | Essential for final appearance |
| Total marble flooring cost | ₹200 – ₹500+ | Material + labour |
Why does marble cost more?
Marble:
- Is softer and more brittle than granite
- Requires precise levelling and alignment
- Needs careful polishing to bring out veining
- Is more prone to cracks during handling
Because of this, marble labour cost is significantly higher, and mistakes during installation can be expensive to fix.
Granite vs Marble: Cost, Performance & Maintenance Comparison
Most homeowners are not choosing granite or marble in isolation. They are deciding between the two. This comparison helps clarify that decision.
| Aspect | Granite Flooring | Marble Flooring |
| Cost (installed) | ₹110 – ₹220 per sq ft | ₹200 – ₹500+ per sq ft |
| Durability | Very high | Moderate |
| Scratch resistance | High | Low to moderate |
| Maintenance | Low | High |
| Stain resistance | Good | Poor without sealing |
| Appearance | Uniform, solid | Rich veining, premium |
| Best suited for | High-traffic areas | Low-traffic, premium spaces |
In simple terms:
- Granite is practical and durable
- Marble is aesthetic and luxurious
Your budget and usage pattern should decide, not just appearance.
Laying Charges Explained: Where Costs Add Up
Many homeowners focus only on the stone price and underestimate the laying and finishing costs. This often leads to budget overruns.
Typical laying charges comparison
| Flooring Type | Laying Charges (₹/sq ft) | Why It Differs |
| Granite | ₹40 – ₹70 | Easier handling, forgiving stone |
| Marble | ₹60 – ₹100 | Requires precision and skilled labour |
Additional costs may apply for:
- Pattern matching
- Diagonal or border layouts
- Extra polishing rounds
- Floor level correction
These are often not included in initial quotations, so clarity at this stage matters.
Grades, Thickness & Finish: How They Impact Cost
The cost is not decided by material type alone. Grades, slab thickness, and surface finish play a major role in both pricing and long-term performance. Two granite or marble slabs that look similar in a showroom can have very different costs once these factors are considered.
Stone thickness
- 16–18 mm: Lower cost, more fragile
- 18–20 mm: Standard for residential use
- Thicker slabs = higher cost + higher labour
Finish types
- Polished: Most common, glossy finish
- Leather/matte: Premium look, higher cost
- Honed: Rare, mostly for marble
Each variation changes not just the price, but also the maintenance effort.
Where Granite Makes More Sense
Granite flooring is a better choice when:
- Budget control is important
- The area has heavy foot traffic
- Low maintenance is preferred
- Flooring is used in kitchens or common areas
For most Indian homes, granite delivers maximum value per rupee.
Where Marble Makes More Sense
Marble flooring works well when:
- A premium aesthetic is the priority
- Usage is light (bedrooms, pooja rooms)
- Budget allows for higher maintenance
- Long-term appearance matters more than durability
Marble is a design choice first, not a practical one.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Stone Flooring
Most flooring regrets do not come from choosing granite or marble itself, but from small decisions made during selection and installation. These mistakes often look harmless at the beginning and only become visible after the flooring is completed.
Some mistakes repeatedly increase costs:
- Choosing stone only by the showroom appearance
- Ignoring laying and polishing charges
- Mixing low-grade stone with high expectations
- Not accounting for maintenance effort
- Hiring unskilled labour for marble installation
Stone flooring mistakes are difficult and expensive to undo.
Final Takeaway: Granite or Marble – Pick with Clarity
Both granite and marble are excellent flooring materials, but they serve different purposes.
- Granite offers durability, cost control, and low maintenance
- Marble offers elegance, premium appeal, and higher upkeep
Understanding material cost + laying charges together is the only way to budget flooring costs accurately.
If you want practical guidance on flooring selection, cost planning, or execution strategy, you can get in touch with the Houseyog team for a clear, no-pressure discussion.
If this guide helped you decide better, consider sharing it with someone planning their home construction. It could save them from an expensive flooring mistake.
Popular on Houseyog Right Now!:
