How Much Does Laminate Countertop Installation Cost?
The typical kitchen in American households is sized at about 250 square feet and is comprised of about 30 linear feet of countertops and cabinets. This makes it relatively easier to understand the average cost to install a laminate countertop.
The important thing to consider before beginning the laminate countertop installation is what it will have to withstand on a daily basis. For example, burns, scratches, and nicks are some of the things that your kitchen countertop will have to endure. Ultimately, laminate countertops are durable, stylish and relatively inexpensive.
How Much Does It Cost To Install a Laminate Countertop?
Most home service companies charge about $35 per hour and can do the laminate countertop installation in a day for eight labor hours so you can expect to spend $250 or thereabouts on labor only. Depending on the laminate you want for your countertops, you can pay from $20 per square foot up to $40 per square foot. When choosing the material to use, you should bear in mind that cheap can sometimes be more expensive. Choosing the more inexpensive option might force you to do another installation sooner than you expected.
Kitchen renovation often requires new countertops to be installed. Unless you are an experience carpenter, we recommend leaving laminate countertop installation to the pros. Compare quotes for a fair price and quality guaranteed work.
Costs To Consider
Most laminate countertops that you are going to find are already pre-fabricated, that is, they have been prepared and cut before coming to your home for the actual installation. If you decide to go with laminate countertops that need to be prepared and cut at your kitchen site, your installation costs could significantly rise. You may get a discount from your contractor if you remodel your entire kitchen in addition to your countertops.
If your kitchen’s laminate countertop installation is going to include the removal and disposal of your old countertops, then be prepared to add some more money to the total installation cost.
Improvement Costs
If you are looking to add a sink to your countertops, your installation cost is going to be slightly higher. The same applies to adding end caps and backsplash. You may have to add about $300 to your installation costs for these improvements.
What’s The Average Cost To Install a Laminate Countertop?
Depending on the area that’s going to have the laminate countertop installation, you might spend from as little as $400 to as much as $2000 especially if you are having enhancements and improvements being done in addition to the laminate countertop installation. The average cost to install a laminate countertop, however, is about $1000.
Before you go out shopping for laminate countertops, you should first measure your countertop area. Most Home service stores will provide you with a worksheet to help you calculate your countertop measurements, including all corners and allowances for sinks. A professional installer will later do the proper sizing when doing the laminate countertop installation. Doing the measuring yourself is so that you can get a rough estimate of how much it’s going to cost you.
To save up on time, view the color palates of laminate countertops from different manufacturers’ websites. Choose the color that you love most and the texture you envision for your kitchen. Remember, the countertops are the focal point of your kitchen.
How To Get a Free Quote
Because laminate countertop installation costs vary widely by region. It's best to get estimates from pros in your local vicinity. Simply enter your zip code in the space provided. Remember it’s 100 % FREE and without obligation!
Compare quotes and schedule an appointment before you agree to the terms of your laminate countertop installation.
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Laminate Countertop Costs at a Glance
- Average total cost: $20-$60 per square foot
- Professional installation: $55 per square foot
- Compare to granite: $40-$100 per square foot
- Compare to quartz: $55-$75 per square foot
- Compare to marble: $40-$180 per square foot
Choosing the right countertop for your home is a difficult — and potentially expensive — decision. Granite is one of the most popular choices for its beauty and endurance. Other popular choices include quartz for its toughness and marble for its elegance. So where does laminate fit in the mix?
This May Also Interest You: How to Install Laminate Countertops: A 6-Step Guide
Laminate countertops, popular in the 1950s and 1960s, lost their popularity over time because some saw the material as a cheap alternative better suited to a former generation. However, with recent advances in technology, laminate countertops have made a comeback. They are now engineered to be more durable and are easily customizable, giving them a competitive place among the more expensive countertop materials.
How Much Do Laminate Countertops Cost?
According to Better Homes and Gardens, laminate countertops cost between $20 to $60 per square foot. It's one of the least expensive countertop options available and is far less expensive than other countertop materials. Prices can vary based on pattern and color selection. Custom edge treatments can also drive up the cost.
In contrast, popular materials like granite will cost $40 to $100 per square foot, quartz $55 to $75 per square foot and marble $40 to $180 per square foot. This makes laminate the cost-effective choice for those on a budget.
Installation Costs
To keep costs down, you can choose to install a laminate countertop yourself. It is a realistic option, since laminate is far lighter than other countertop materials such as granite and quartz. You won't have to lug around a big slab of stone that would need two or three people to maneuver. By installing laminate yourself, you only pay for the material.
If you want to hire a professional, installation costs will rise. The professional will build and install the countertop at an average of $55 per square foot. If you want added particulars like custom edge treatments, the cost typically goes up even more. The professional option may be more expensive, but if you’re not very handy, it might be best to let someone else take care of it. Mistakes can be costly, especially if you need to replace the entire countertop.
Laminate Pros and Cons
One advantage that laminate has over other countertop materials is that it is amazingly customizable. Laminate counters can be engineered to have a pattern and finish strikingly similar to stone, so you can get the look of granite or quartz without paying the high price.
With laminates, it's easy to match your options to the style of your kitchen, including edge finishes. There are standard squared and rounded options or more creative choices such as beveled, ogee or waterfall edges. Similar options using other countertop materials like granite would significantly raise the cost of your project over that of laminate.
While laminate countertops are definitely a low-cost option, some care must be taken when using this material to ensure it lasts a long time. HGTV says laminate scratches easily, so make sure you use a cutting board when slicing or dicing. The high heat of a pot coming straight off the burner can burn or scald your laminate, leaving an unsightly mark.
Repairing a cut, chip or burn on laminate is not an easy fix. In some cases, you may have to replace the entire countertop or live with the unwanted blemish. But if you follow simple precautions, all you need to do is clean your laminate surface with mild soap, and you’ll have a countertop that will look good for years.
More Related Articles:
- How to Install Granite Countertops
- Catch a Bad Break? Fix Chips in Your Granite Countertops in 6 Simple Steps
- How Much Do Marble Countertops Cost to Buy and Install?
- Everything You Need to Know About Terrazzo
- How Much Does It Cost to Repair, Resurface or Refinish Countertops?
What Are the Top Brands of Laminate Countertops?
There are three major brands that produce laminate countertops. FORMICA is the most recognizable, and people often think of FORMICA countertops as the general term for all laminate countertops. Wilsonart produces not only laminate countertops, but also quartz and solid-surface countertops. If you’re looking for more artistic laminates, try Nevamar. Its selection includes abstracts and texture prints.