| When you're getting ready to shop for your | | | | looking at $4,800 to $6,000. Prices listed |
| kitchen counter tops be aware that some | | | | are guidelines only so always verify prices |
| materials such as granite and quartz and | | | | for the materials you select with your |
| other natural and engineered stone materials | | | | retailer or installer. |
| are priced per square foot and other | | | | |
| materials such as laminate are priced per | | | | With laminates much of the cost of a is the |
| linear foot. | | | | labor: fabrication and installation. With |
| | | | laminate countertops, labor costs are |
| Remember this difference when you shop. Since | | | | separate from materials costs. That's why |
| most countertops are about 2 feet deep, | | | | it's important to work with a fabricator and |
| simply multiply the square foot price by 2 to | | | | installer you feel good about, who has a good |
| estimate the cost per linear foot. | | | | business reputation, and whose bid is |
| | | | realistic. |
| Typical kitchen counter tops are anywhere | | | | |
| between 28 and 30 linear feet. Most likely | | | | This isn't the case for pricing natural |
| they will be either a U-shape or L-shape | | | | stone, engineered stone and solid surfacing |
| layout. Laminate counters are sold by the | | | | materials. The square foot costs for natural |
| linear foot, but other materials such as | | | | stone, quartz countertops and solid surfacing |
| solid surfacing, natural stone, and | | | | countertop material include the fabrication |
| engineered stone are sold by the square foot. | | | | and the installation, so you have less |
| | | | opportunity to price shop or compare |
| It's all in the options | | | | installation bids from separate contractors |
| | | | or fabricators. |
| There is a vast difference in price between a | | | | |
| basic, post-formed laminate countertop, a | | | | When estimating the entire remodeling costs |
| laminate countertop with a premium edge, and | | | | be sure to include all the components |
| top-end options like solid surfacing and | | | | involved with the countertop installation. A |
| stone. | | | | total countertop job takes into account the |
| | | | material itself, profiling the edge, cutting |
| For a typical 30-foot linear countertop, a | | | | and drilling for sinks and faucets, the |
| post-form laminate top might cost as little | | | | installation itself, and often, removing the |
| as $800. For a premium laminate with a | | | | old top. |
| beveled edge, the price could go up to | | | | |
| $2,000. | | | | When calculating your remodeling costs you |
| | | | need to compare the total installed costs |
| For solid surfacing, natural stone or | | | | when shopping for new countertops to avoid |
| engineered stone, which would be priced | | | | any unpleasant surprises in your remodeling |
| between $80 and $100 per square foot, you're | | | | costs and keep from going over budget. |