Installing the perfect kitchen worktop involves more than just thinking about the design choice, though this is still an important factor in the final decision.
You need your worktop to be durable, hard-wearing, and able to cope with the normal spills and splashes of everyday life.
There is a large range of worktop materials available on offer in the market, all with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Laminate worktops have, and continue to be, a common and popular choice with homeowners for kitchen worktops, and this cost guide delves into the reason why that is.
Our guide takes a close look at laminate worktops, including how much these types of worktops cost, what affects the cost of installing a laminate worktop, how you can save money, and the best way to find a fitter for your own laminate worktop.
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How Much Do Laminate Worktops Cost?
Laminate worktops range in pricing due to the brand of laminate you choose to have your worktop made of. These brands affect the pricing due to the quality of laminate used and the design option chosen also.
The table below breaks down the estimated costs of different types of laminate brands.
| Advantages of Laminate | Disadvantages of Laminate |
|---|---|
| -Affordable -Accessible for DIY use -Low maintenance after initial installation -Huge range of design options | -Susception to burns and scrapes -Short lifespan in comparison to other materials -May require replacement rather than repairs |
As the table above demonstrates, there are a variety of price ranges available when it comes to laminate worktops. This means that regardless of whether you’re operating to a lower or higher budget, you should be able to find a laminate worktop within your price range.
At the lower end of the price range, laminate brands such as Ikea worktops, Oasis worktops and Pro-Top worktops are estimated to cost between £20-£100, £75-£125 and £60-£90 respectively.
The more average priced worktops such as Kronodesign, Omega worktops and Options worktops cost an estimated£125-£175, £130-£250 and £90-£200 respectively.
At the high end of the price range, brands such as Duropal offers laminate worktops that are priced at up to £500 if you’re hoping to spend a little more money on your worktop.
Labour costs for this kind of job are likely to cost £100-£200 per day, or if your installer is quoting you for work by the hour, it’s likely to cost between £15-£25 per hour. Labour times for installation of a laminate worktop tends to be between three to five hours, but this can be increased or decreased depending on the complexity of the job.
If you’re hoping to have a laminate worktop installed in your home, then use HouseholdQuotes’ easy to use search function to fit the best installer for you!
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Installing a Laminate Worktop?
Several factors should be taken into account when it comes to the final cost of installing a laminate worktop.
As the table above demonstrates, there’s a wide variety of laminate types and designs within these types which means that there is also a vast amount of different costs involved in the final price.
We take a look at the most common factors affecting the cost of installation for a laminate worktop below, so you can have a good idea of what to be aware of when it comes to beginning the project of installing your own.
Size of Worktop
One of the biggest factors affecting the final cost of installing a laminate worktop will be the size of the worktop you want to be installed. The larger the worktop, the more expensive the final cost of installation will be.
Most laminate brands, such as the names listed above, will offer different worktops in different sizes – though some will offer more variety than others.
Keep your costs down by measuring the length, width and depth of your kitchen space beforehand so that you know exactly what size you’ll be looking for and won’t need to purchase any extra material during the project.
Quality of Laminate
The quality of today’s laminate has improved massively since the 1960s and 1970s when the use of this kind of kitchen worktop was most popular. Its quality may not be comparable to quartz or stone, but it definitely can provide both function and aesthetic for a more affordable price.
Wilsonart and Formica are two of the most heralded laminate brands that have great quality laminate worktops for quite an affordable price.
This means that if you opt for a product made from one of the more luxury laminate brands, you can expect the cost to be more expensive. Though all laminate manufacturing is largely similar, you can expect luxury laminate to be made as high-pressure laminates with cellulose layers to solidify their strength and resistance.
Choice of Finish
There are a variety of finishes you can apply to a laminate surface. These will mainly affect the appearance of the worktop, to give it a specific look that can add to the aesthetic of the kitchen.
Examples of the types of finishes are:
- Matte
- Gloss
- Plex
- Artisan
- Naturelle
Adding a specific type of finish to your worktop will come with additional costs.
Deciding on a type of finish may also only be possible if you’re ordering your worktop as a bespoke unit instead of ordering a prefabricated slab worktop.
Cutouts
If you’re hoping to order in a more bespoke worktop unit that will need to account for any hobs or under-mount sinks, then you may need to take into account the impact this will have on your budget.
Some types of laminate worktops are made as one single slab – particularly if they’re designed to look like stone. This means it will cost more to design the worktop with any necessary cutouts that you might need than to order the worktop as a singular slab.
Fitting Accessories
There are some great fitting accessories you can purchase with your new worktop to give the final touches to the new look and help keep the whole thing looking tidy. These accessories are things such as jointing kits, adhesives and edging tape.
Edging treatments in particular are expensive, so you can expect to be paying a lot more to have this type of treatment added to the worktop.
They can usually be purchased alongside your worktop and any professional within the supplier or manufacturer branch who are assisting you will be able to help you decide what accessories you might need.
These accessories will add to the final cost of your purchase.
Location
Where you’re located in the UK could also have a big impact on the final amount that installation could cost.
If you’re located in central London and the southeast, you can expect the prices for a worktop installation project to be pricier than for a property located in the Midlands, northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How Can I Save Money on a Laminate Worktop for My Kitchen?
When deciding on what kind of laminate worktop you want to be installed in your home, consider choosing one of the less complex and more durable laminate designs to save you on purchase costs and also to ensure that you won’t need to replace the worktop for some time once it’s installed.
You should also opt out of any additional touches – such as edging treatments – which will also spike up the supply costs.
Luckily, laminate is one of the easier materials to work with when it comes to potentially doing the installation job yourself instead of hiring a professional fitter.
If you’re purchasing a pre-cut worktop, then with the right experience and tools, you could potentially install this type of worktop yourself which could save you money on labour costs. It’s a good idea to be completely sure of what’s involved in the process though – you don’t want to make mistakes that will cost you all the money you’ve saved to fix!
Bespoke laminate worktops may need to be installed professionally, however, as you don’t want to risk damaging the craftsmanship with amateur mistakes.
It’s a good idea to get between three to four quotes from different installers if you’re hoping to hire a professional to fit the worktop for you. HouseholdQuotes’ quick and easy search function allows you to compare quotes from reputable traders and find the best fit for you!
Click To Get QuotesAre Laminate Worktops the Best Choice for My Kitchen?
There’s no right answer to this question as individual preference and budget will largely dictate what kind of material is right for any homeowner’s kitchen. Saying that, it’s important to recognise that laminate has passed through the phase where it was considered a cheap and even ‘tacky’ kitchen material, and the laminate produced by today’s standards are of much higher quality.
Laminates come in hundreds of different designs and can even emulate the texture and appearance of other materials, sometimes at a much more affordable cost.
The table below takes a look at the advantages and disadvantages of laminate as a material choice for the kitchen to help you decide whether or not it’s the right fit for you.
| Advantages of Laminate | Disadvantages of Laminate |
|---|---|
| -Affordable -Accessible for DIY use -Low maintenance after initial installation -Huge range of design options | -Susception to burns and scrapes -Short lifespan in comparison to other materials -May require replacement rather than repairs |
What’s Involved in Fitting a Laminate Worktop?
Firstly, the old worktop will need to be removed from the counter or cabinets. The electrics and water in the home should be shut off at this point, particularly if the countertop is to be placed near the sink or hobs.
If new cabinets or counters are being installed, they should be installed at this point. If not, the countertop should be removed by detaching it with a hammer. It should easily pull away from the counter or cabinet.
If the laminate worktop is not pre-cut to size, you will need to mark out the measurements with masking tape to be efficiently cut. Then the worktop will need to be cut as necessary and any rough patches on the laminate will need to be filed down.
Any support strips should now be added to the countertop with nails and a hammer. The worktop should then be slotted into place and the bolts tightened to secure the laminate worktop into place.
How Do I Find and Hire a Kitchen Worktop Fitter?
It’s always a good idea to seek recommendations from friends, family or neighbours. This way you’ll feel comfortable trusting the tradespeople or company they’ve recommended and may even be able to see first-hand the quality of the work that company has done to see if it fits your own standards.
You should also consider using HouseholdQuotes’ easy to use search function! This search function allows you to source quotes from three to four different fitters to find the best deal for your budget.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
It’s a good idea to make sure you have a list of questions ready to verify that the fitter you want to hire is the right fit for you. Use the questions below to make sure your fitter is up to the job:
- Ask them for a written quote. This way you will get to see exactly what is included in the price.
- Ask for their experience. You’ll want to choose a fitter who has plenty of experience in installing kitchen worktops.
- For their references. If they can provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- For any photos of their previous jobs, particularly if you’re opting for a bespoke design. This will offer you the opportunity to see the quality of their work and could also provide you with some good references for your own project design.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist:
Use the below checklist to make sure you’ve got everything to hire the best fitter for your laminate worktop installation:
- Measure up your kitchen so you know the exact size of worktop you’ll be looking for before you make any purchases.
- Browse the range of laminate brands available and decide which one suits your checklist the most.
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find a reputable and vetted installer and potentially save yourself 40% off your project quote!
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions:
How Long Do Laminate Worktops Last?
Although they may not be as durable as other materials such as stone or composite materials, they can still offer good longevity and ease of life.
What’s the Difference Between Laminate and Solid Laminate Worktops?
Whilst this may be more aesthetically pleasing, the benefit of opting for a laminate worktop with a larger thickness is the durability of these products and resilience to scratches or scrapes.
How Do I Maintain My Laminate Worktop?
Do keep in mind that laminate is not a suitable worktop to chop or cut any food items on – it’s recommended you use a cutting board, as knives and sharp objects could potentially scrape and damage the worktop.
Stains should be cleaned up quickly to prevent deep stain damage to the material.
Can You Put a Hot Pan on a Laminate Worktop?
For this reason, it’s always best to use a hot plate on top of the laminate if you intend to keep hot pans on the worktop for long periods.