How Much Will My Laminate Countertop Cost?

So you've decided to install a new laminate countertop in your kitchen. Whether your home improvement project is to increase the value of your home or to create the dream look you've always dreamed of, price is always a consideration. By choosing laminate for your countertop you're choosing durability, ease of maintenance and customized look and feel at an affordable cost.

Laminate sheets can range in price from $3 to $100 per linear foot based upon color, texture, manufacturer, design and location. First you must determine what type of laminate sheet you will choose for your countertop. You can then determine the material costs associated with your countertop.

Next determine the area of your countertop you will cover, one key point to this is to understand the difference between linear foot and a square foot. Countertop manufacturers build sheets that are customized to a depth of 24 inches the average depth of countertops. The average countertop is between 28-30 feet which means 28-30 linear feet if you measured by square foot your countertop would cover a 56-60 square feet. So measure the linear square feet of your countertop.

Now that you have your price per linear foot and total linear feet to be covered you can now determine your material costs.

[Price per linear foot * Total linear feet = Material Costs]

With your materials costs now known you must now make a decision, will you install the laminate countertop yourself or will you contract out the installation.

1. Costs associated with Installing the laminate countertop yourself

Tools & Supply Costs

Contact Cement ($50)

Wooden Mallet ($15)

Paint Brush w/roller ($8)

Power Sander ($30)

Work Gloves ($8)

Router ($95)

Router Special Grooving Disc ($19)

Sanding Block ($15)

Straight Edge ($17)

Utility Knife ($10)

Fine Toothed Hand Saw ($20)

Fine Toothed Back Saw ($20)

Power Saw ($50)

Power Saw Fine Toothed Blade ($15)

File ($10)

Sandpaper ($5)

Total costs will be around ($387.00) for tools and supplies, please note prices may range based upon region, manufacturer or customized need. Prices listed are the median cost of five different items researched online.

2. Contracting out the installation

Common rates are $20-30 per linear square foot this may differ based upon the rate that you agree on with your contractor or any additional costs associated to supplies or tools needed for your installation. To get a budget range for the installation use the following to get a rough idea of costs associate with contracting out your laminate countertop project.

[$25 * Total linear feet = Labor Costs]

So now that we've determined your material costs, tools & supply costs and labor costs you can now get a better idea of the cost that will be associated with your countertop home improvement project.

If you need any assistance please visit us at how to install laminate countertops. It's our goal to provide customers the best possible information regarding their home improvement project.

Article written by Richard L McCaffery,

Installing Laminate Countertops-Worktops Formica Postformed

When installing your own laminate countertop/worktops, it is vital to be equipped with the right tools and the right detailed easy to follow information as you only get one chance to perform this task. If you are confident with using DIY tools, then you should be able to install your tops yourself using the methods described below.

Laminated tops usually have a rolled laminate front edge which is known as a postform. Postformed tops are by far the most common to buy as all DIY stores stock them. The lengths however do vary from different manufactures and different DIY stores.

The most common lengths are: 4.1m - (4100mm) most stores supply half board sizes too for this length at 2050mm. 3m - (3000mm) DIY stores mainly supply these lengths. Some stores will even cut them to the lengths that you require for a small fee.

You will have to take the board sizes into consideration so you know exactly how many lengths required. Firstly measure your kitchen walls, workout which way your joint is going to be cut into the corner and measure that length for one countertop, always allowing 100mm extra if possible. Repeat for all lengths of countertop.

If you are cutting the lengths yourself from full boards, you will need to place the length on two or more trestles/workmates to support it. Measure your desired length and mark ready for cutting, remembering to always measure twice. The saying in the profession is (Measure twice and cut once). You can use a traditional fine toothed saw for this or alternatively a jigsaw.

There are two ways that postformed countertops can be installed, each way giving you a different look and a different skill level to fit. The first, easiest way and less time consuming is to use the thin metal strips that you simply place over the joint to hide the cut. This way you simply butt the first top right into the corner and the second top butts straight up to the first tops front edge. Steer well clear of this method if you do not want to see the unsightly metal strip sticking proud on the joint. They are known to be unhygienic too as food and drink often gets trapped between the strip and the top which is very hard to remove.

The second way is to cut what is known as a butt and scribe joint. This will make the joint totally invisible and gives the top a nice flow all around your kitchen as there is nothing to breakdown the surface. This is the totally professional way to cut the joint. You will need what is called a countertop/worktop jig for this to enable you to cut one top into the other in the shape of a hockey stick. If you want your tops to look totally professional with no visible joints, then this is what you should be aiming to achieve. The jigs are very reasonably priced these days so don't let that put you off. If you like a challenge, you pay close attention to detail, want to achieve recognition, satisfaction and brownie points, then this way is for you.

For a Free detailed guide to help you choose the colours for your kitchen and countertops Simply click on the link to http://www.installing-kitchen-countertops.com

You will learn everything you need to know about installing your own countertops here. With detailed easy to follow information and photos from start to finish, you will not go wrong.