Unlike tile or stone, sheet metal is unforgiving. Fabricators usually work from templates made on site. They locate cuts exactly so installers don't run into unwelcome surprises.
Costs quickly climb with the number of obstructions fabricators have to work around.
With the exception of unusually pricey tile, a sheet-metal backsplash is probably the most expensive option available. Stainless Steel Kitchens, a specialty fabricator in Elkhart, Indiana, charges considerably less than that for stainless steel. Aside from scratching, stainless steel is impervious to all but intentional abuse. These metals oxidize, producing a patina of uneven coloring. Whether metals are allowed to age or are polished regularly to maintain the original appearance is up to the homeowner.