When you’re renovating a kitchen or bathroom, one of the first items to prioritize is new countertops. You have tons of options, but if you have your heart set on granite, then you need to know what you’re getting yourself into before you find out you’ve blown your budget and have no room left for anything else. Actual renovation nightmare, right there.

So first up—why would you consider granite over marble or quartz or anything else? Granite is popular because not only does it look insanely chic, but it can also increase the value of a home, while at the same time often being cheaper than marble. It comes in many different colors and patterns, so you’ll have no end for choices when deciding what’s going to work best in your space.

Now the actual deciding factor: the cost. Granite countertops will cost you around $40 to $60 per square foot, with the total price for installation and materials coming in between $2,000 to $4,500. Comparatively, marble costs around $75 to $250 per square foot, with the average cost around $75. Quartz comes in around $55 per square foot, concrete at $70, and butcher block at $55.