Laminate Countertop Cost

• Custom laminate countertops--with the laminate cut and glued to the base in a factory to custom specifications--cost $7 -$30 per square foot, depending on the brand, color, finish and edge style. A typical kitchen with 30 square feet of countertop area costs $210 -$900, not including professional installation.
• With professional installation, laminate countertops cost $40 -$65 per square foot; $1,200 -$1,950 for a typical kitchen.
• Home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot sell prefabricated sections of laminate countertop for $50 -$200 per section. Sections typically come in different sizes such as 4-foot and 8-foot lengths, and corner pieces, with backsplashes attached. Installation is not included in this price.
• Sheet laminate costs $30 -$150 per sheet, depending on the size of the sheet and the color and style of the laminate. Laminate sheets in many sizes, from 30-60 inches wide and 36-144 inches long are sold at Lowe's.

• Laminate countertops from reputable manufacturers usually come with a 1-year warranty.
• Custom laminate countertops are created based on the homeowner's kitchen or bathroom measurements, and include the particle board base attached to the colored or patterned laminate sheet surface layer.

• Endcaps that match the color of the laminate and seal the raw particle board edges of a laminate counter are not include with countertop sections, and cost about $15. Endsplashes that include a cap for the backsplash cost around $21, and are sold at retailers that sell laminate countertops.
• Creating home-built laminate countertops can require a number of building materials, including silicone glue and plywood. Home Depot provides information about constructing a laminate countertop.

• A skilled DIYer can install a complete laminate countertop, either doing custom work or installing prefabricated sections of countertop.
• Sheet laminate can be installed on top of an existing laminate countertop, which saves the cost of tearing out existing countertops and of preparing the counter base. Less materials are needed, and less DIY skill is required to glue down a new sheet of laminate than to install complete new countertops.

• Before beginning to price laminate countertops, measure the countertop area. Home Depot provides a worksheet to help calculate the measurements, including corners. The installer or contractor will do an official measurement later, but a good estimate can give a rough sense of the costs.
• To save time, explore the color palates of various laminate countertop manufacturers online. Check the websites of manufacturers such as Formica or Wilsonart and note color families, textures, and other favored features to bring to the store. ThisOldHouse.com and Reader's Digest list reputable manufacturers of laminate countertops as well as describing the basics of purchasing and installation.
• Call ahead to schedule an appointment for a consultation at a kitchen & bath or home improvement store.
• This Old House offers a buying guide that describes many different styles and brands of laminate countertops, and provides links to manufacturers.

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