Changing kitchen worktops

LuckyThatMyBreastsAreSmallAndHumble · 2023-03-07T08:19:10+00:00

Have inherited black quartz tops. I really want white ones! Has anyone changed their tops without changing their cupboards etc? Is this quite easy? How much did it cost?

CellophaneFlower · 07/03/2023 09:31

I want to do the same, although mine are black laminate and although I ultimately want white quartz, it's a temporary measure until I extend so I'm having to look at cheap options at the mo!

It will be expensive, both for the quartz and the fitting I should imagine. There are places that will send them out cut to your requirements and you can fit yourself, but I suspect quartz is hard to fit due to the weight.

GasPanic · 07/03/2023 10:47

Had a quote for this recently to put quartz over mdf worktops. About 3.5m2 of worktop (old worktops knackered not whimsical colour replacement).

Was about £2.6k for worktops (fitted), new sink and hob refitted.

Felt it was a good price, salesman was very good and will probably go for it. My guess is that if you were DIY and had the same m2 then to buy would be 1-1.5K ?

CellophaneFlower · 07/03/2023 11:11

GasPanic · 07/03/2023 10:47

Had a quote for this recently to put quartz over mdf worktops. About 3.5m2 of worktop (old worktops knackered not whimsical colour replacement).

Was about £2.6k for worktops (fitted), new sink and hob refitted.

Felt it was a good price, salesman was very good and will probably go for it. My guess is that if you were DIY and had the same m2 then to buy would be 1-1.5K ?

Do you mean overlay? Can you actually buy this to diy?

GasPanic · 07/03/2023 11:17

CellophaneFlower · 07/03/2023 11:11

Do you mean overlay? Can you actually buy this to diy?

Show quote history

I assume it must be because it is fitted over the existing MDF. So I guess it is thinner than the full worktop.

Can you buy this to DIY ? I guess so, but my guess is that fitting it and especially cutting it to do a good job is hard work and the fitting charge did not seem that much to me. I'd rather pay it than spend the next 10 years looking at a bodge job.

PaulaPaola · 07/03/2023 11:19

I did. I swapped laminate surfaces for real wood. It took them a day and a half. They didn't appear to find it difficult at all.

Changed the backsplash tiles at the same time and had a new sink fitted. And then had the cupboards painted a completely different colour (were cream, now dark blue) and changed all the handles. It looks like a brand new kitchen. Cost less than £5k all in.

CellophaneFlower · 07/03/2023 11:24

GasPanic · 07/03/2023 11:17

I assume it must be because it is fitted over the existing MDF. So I guess it is thinner than the full worktop.

Can you buy this to DIY ? I guess so, but my guess is that fitting it and especially cutting it to do a good job is hard work and the fitting charge did not seem that much to me. I'd rather pay it than spend the next 10 years looking at a bodge job.

Show quote history

Oh definitely. Just didn't want OP to assume the 1k quoted for msterials would be something easy to DIY.

JimDixon · 07/03/2023 11:31

Depends where you are, but in London and presumably many other places you would be able to find an independent joiner/fitter who could do this for a lot less. I paid £280 a day in labour for one to do it, though it was just laminate for laminate. He did other tasks too but it wasn’t more than two days of his time to change over the worktops.

TizerorFizz · 07/03/2023 14:55

Laminate is very different to quartz. We had solid oak changed to quartz in London for £1500 a few years ago. Sink and hob cut outs. Not a big kitchen though! You have to be aware that removing an upstand can lead to wall damage. So try and replace like with like. Taking out granite is quite a job: it’s heavy. So quotes will reflect this. Very different to laminate. No one much works for £20 an hour in London, other than on mates rates.

Original poster

LuckyThatMyBreastsAreSmallAndHumble · 07/03/2023 15:00

PaulaPaola · 07/03/2023 11:19

I did. I swapped laminate surfaces for real wood. It took them a day and a half. They didn't appear to find it difficult at all.

Changed the backsplash tiles at the same time and had a new sink fitted. And then had the cupboards painted a completely different colour (were cream, now dark blue) and changed all the handles. It looks like a brand new kitchen. Cost less than £5k all in.

Sounds fab!

OP posts:

Original poster

LuckyThatMyBreastsAreSmallAndHumble · 07/03/2023 15:02

JimDixon · 07/03/2023 11:31

Depends where you are, but in London and presumably many other places you would be able to find an independent joiner/fitter who could do this for a lot less. I paid £280 a day in labour for one to do it, though it was just laminate for laminate. He did other tasks too but it wasn’t more than two days of his time to change over the worktops.

I'm going to have to research what material I want then find someone to fit. I'm definitely not doing it myself!

OP posts:

NehaV78 · 24/07/2023 12:45

Hi
were you able to find a fitter.
what was the material you finally chose
checking as I find myself in a similar situation.

thanks