Kitchen Product and Installation Options: Which Company Is Best for Quartz, and Costco Cabinet Refacing

Updated October 20264 min readBy the KitchenScope team

Kitchen shoppers often ask two brand questions early: which company is best for quartz, and what Costco cabinet refacing costs compared with other options. The honest answer to the first is that there is no single best quartz company. The major brands make engineered stone from a high share of crushed quartz bound with resin and pigments, and they perform similarly in a kitchen. What separates them for most homeowners is the color and pattern, slab size, local availability through fabricators and the warranty.

For the second, Costco offers cabinet refacing to members through an outside refacing company in participating areas, and the cost is set by an in-home quote. This guide explains how retail and warehouse-club programs generally work, what drives the price of refacing and quartz, and how to compare those programs with an independent contractor. We are an independent kitchen contractor, not affiliated with any brand or retailer named here, and terms change, so confirm details with each company.

Which company is best for quartz?

Pick the look and the fabricator first, then the brand. Well-known quartz brands sold in the Chicago area include Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone by Cosentino, MSI, HanStone, LG Viatera and Corian Quartz, along with many smaller importers. All of them make non-porous surfaces that do not need sealing, resist staining well and are sensitive to direct high heat and strong chemicals. None is a clear winner across the board.

A good fabricator with a local shop matters more to the finished counter than the brand, because templating, seam placement, cutouts and edge work are done by them. Most fabricators carry several brands and can show full slabs, which is important for veined patterns.

How to compare quartz brands

When two quartz options look alike, the details below usually decide it. None of them requires taking a brand's marketing at face value; each can be checked on the spec sheet, the warranty document or a full slab.

Quartz vs quartzite

The names are close, but the products are not. Quartz is engineered from crushed quartz, resin and pigments. Quartzite is a natural stone cut from quarried blocks; it needs sealing and each slab is unique.

What to compare between quartz brands

Factor	What to ask or check	Why it matters
Warranty	Length, transfer, registration rules	Some require an approved fabricator
Slab size	Standard or jumbo slabs	Fewer seams on islands
Pattern	Through-body or surface veining	Edges and cutouts look natural
Finish	Polished, honed or textured	Fingerprints and scratch visibility
Care guidance	Approved cleaners, heat limits	Protects the warranty
Availability	Stocked locally by your fabricator	Faster, easier to match later

Cabinet Refacing — before — Cabinet Refacing, before and after: new flat slab doors with a thin edge in light greige on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.

Cabinet Refacing — after — Cabinet Refacing, before and after: new flat slab doors with a thin edge in light greige on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.

Costco cabinet refacing: how the program generally works

Costco lists cabinet refacing among its home improvement services for members. Like most retail programs, the work is carried out by an outside refacing company rather than by Costco employees.

Questions to ask before you sign

Which company will do the installation?
What exactly is included, item by item?
Who backs the warranty, and for how long?
Which membership perks or promotions apply right now?

In-home consultationA consultant measures the kitchen and you choose door styles and finishes.
Written quoteThe price is set for your kitchen, with options listed separately.
InstallationDoors and drawer fronts are replaced, visible frames are covered with matching veneer, and new hinges and hardware go on.
OptionsCrown molding, soft-close drawers and pull-outs may be offered.

Planning this in your kitchen?We measure, explain the options and send a written quote.

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What drives Costco cabinet refacing cost, or any refacing cost

Refacing is quoted per kitchen, so the only real number is your written quote. The cost factors are the same whether the work comes through a warehouse club, a home center or an independent shop.

The number of doors and drawer fronts.
Door material and style: thermofoil, laminate, wood veneer or solid wood.
Linear feet of frame to veneer and the number of exposed ends and panels.
Add-ons: crown molding, new drawer boxes, soft-close hardware, organizers and extra cabinets.
Repairs to damaged boxes, such as a swollen sink base, found during the measure.
Membership benefits or promotions that apply at the time you buy.

What drives the cost of quartz countertops

Quartz is usually quoted by the fabricator per project, based on the slabs needed. The brand name is only one factor; the same brand can range widely by color and pattern.

Color group: simple solids and speckles usually cost less than bold veining or marble looks.
Square footage and how many slabs the layout needs, including waste from veining and seams.
Thickness, edge profile and any mitered or waterfall edges.
Cutouts for undermount sinks, cooktops and faucets.
A full-height quartz backsplash versus a short splash or tile.
Tear-out and disposal of old counters, plus plumbing disconnection and reconnection.

Retail program or independent contractor?

Neither route is right for every kitchen; they suit different priorities. Warehouse-club and home-center programs offer a familiar company to deal with, set product lines and member or customer service channels. Independent contractors and cabinet shops can offer a wider range of door makers and finishes, adjust the scope on site, and combine refacing with related work such as counters, backsplash, lighting and plumbing.

Whichever you consider, ask each for an itemized written scope, the name of the company doing the work, proof of insurance and the warranty terms, and compare them line by line.

Other kitchen product choices worth comparing

The same approach works for other kitchen products: compare construction and installation requirements, not just names.

Cabinets

Compare framed or frameless construction, plywood or particleboard boxes, drawer hardware and finish warranties rather than brand names alone.

Appliances

Check cutout and ventilation requirements in the installation manual before you buy, especially for built-in refrigerators, wall ovens and range hoods.

Sinks and faucets

Confirm the cabinet size and countertop cutout the sink needs. Our resources page lists where to find manufacturer installation instructions and planning documents.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cambria better than Caesarstone or Silestone?

Each has loyal fans, and all three are established quartz brands. Differences are mostly in colors, patterns, slab sizes and warranty terms rather than durability in normal kitchen use.

Is cheaper quartz worse?

Not necessarily. Lower-priced quartz often comes from less-known brands or simpler patterns. Ask the fabricator about the maker, look at a full slab and read the warranty before deciding.

Does quartz need to be sealed?

No. Engineered quartz is non-porous and does not need sealing. Clean it with mild soap and water and avoid harsh chemicals and direct heat from pots.

Is Costco cabinet refacing worth it?

It can be if your cabinet boxes are solid, the layout works and the quote compares well with others. Get at least one quote from an independent refacing company or contractor to compare scope and price.

Is quartz the same as quartzite?

No. Quartz is an engineered product made from crushed quartz, resin and pigments. Quartzite is a natural stone cut from quarried blocks; it needs sealing and each slab is unique.

Who installs Costco cabinet refacing?

Costco's refacing service is carried out by an outside company, not by Costco staff. Your agreement should name the company responsible for the work and the warranty.

Can I buy quartz from one company and have another install it?

Usually the fabricator that cuts the slab also installs it, and some brand warranties depend on that. If you buy slabs elsewhere, confirm the fabricator will work with them and how the warranty is affected.