This Kitchen Upgrade Is A Total Waste Of Money, According To HGTV's Mike Holmes

Nobody likes spending tons of cash on home improvements, and deciding which home upgrades are a waste of money and which ones are sound investments can be a real balancing act between how much the project costs and how much return on investment (ROI) it can generate. Kitchen upgrades, in particular, can actually boost your home's resale value and provide a great ROI, overall. According to The Journal of Light Construction's 2024 Cost vs Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel in a midrange home could bring about a whopping 96% ROI, while a major one could yield you around 50% in returns. As for an upscale home, the Journal estimated a major upgrade could provide a 38% ROI.

On his website, HGTV's Mike Holmes agrees that kitchen remodels can add value to the home, but he cautions against upgrading to marble countertops. Holmes acknowledges the material's beauty, but the marble upkeep he described may be too rigorous for the typical homeowner. Marble is relatively soft and needs regular sealing to protect from scratching and staining. Instead, Holmes recommends quartz, which doesn't need resealing. In 2024, GW Surfaces compared marble and quartz's durability and costs. It priced marble between $80 and $250 per square foot with moderate durability, and quartz between $80 and $180 per square foot with higher durability. Though, as far as installation's concerned, marble wins out: GW Surfaces cites average installation costs of $3,000 for marble and $4,500 for quartz.

Marble countertops aren't the only kitchen upgrade requiring cost analysis. For example, many people may regret the open-shelf budget kitchen cabinet trend. Countertops made of marble, though, come with an added factor in decision making: the time and money investment of regular resealing. Experts suggest resealing marble countertops every six to 12 months. And, according to the home improvement site Angi, marble refinishing costs range from $0.50 to $2 per square foot. Depending on its condition, the countertop could require more than one coat. When that happens, the resealing professional may need to come back multiple days — one for each coat — because the sealant must dry fully before the next layer's applied. Angi estimates polishing and refinishing costs can range from $1 to $3 per square foot. Meanwhile, HomeGuide estimates repairs cost between $10 and $40 per square foot, compared to the typical $10 to $15 for quartz repairs. 

When looking at durability, both are strong materials. Marble resists heat well, but because of its porous nature, it's susceptible to staining. Vinegar, lemon juice, and other acids can etch into its surface, too, which could cause homeowners to replace the countertops altogether. Quartz can't withstand heat as well, and it can get burned by a hot cooking utensil. But since quartz is a non-porous manmade material, it doesn't stain. Both materials have their pros and cons, so it's up to you to discern what you prioritize about your countertops to decide which is right for you.