If you wanted quartz but couldn't afford what did you go for?

[rolvus]

And have you been happy with it?

Love the look of quartz. Quote has coming in at around £3,300 and I'm not sure I love it enough to want to spend that much. We have a pretty regular home, but very nice area. Do buyers expect it if we sell this house? Likely to sell at some point but it could be 1-10 years, not sure yet.

What alternatives are there that come in cheaper but still look great? We are having a shaker kitchen fitted in a dusk blue colour.

Thanks! Any feedback welcomed!

I wouldn't have it if you plan to sell in a year, but I would if I would be getting 5+ years enjoyment out of it myself.

You could consider a solid laminate, rather than normal laminate. It apparently looks more like quartz and is more hard wearing than traditional laminate.

You will rarely get your money back when you install things like kitchens, because often the new owner wants to fit a new one in their style. So fitting an expensive new one before you move is never a good idea, especially if it is high quality as for example no prospective landlord is going to pay a premium for a quality kitchen.

For my kitchen it was starting to look a bit tatty, but I still don't know whether I am going to stay for a long period. So I have kept the cabinet carcasses, redone the doors, had quartz overlay worktops, new sink and new appliances. I have kept the old wall tiling because it is in good shape. Floor will be click laminate over the old tiles. Total cost will be about £6-£7K and I'm hoping it will look good but time will tell.

If your cabinets are in good shape maybe you can still get the quartz on budget by just going for door replacement ?

We got a compact laminate and I really like it! It's hard wearing, will take a hit pan etc.

Can you have up stands with the compact laminate?

Yes

Yes we have upstands and a big piece for the hob splashback

Following with interest. We can’t afford a complete new kitchen so thinking of a makeover using some of the carcasses etc but fitting new doors and changing sink, oven, hob/extractor
we love quartz and waiting to get the quote back but know it may blow the budget. We have cheap looking laminate at the moment so really interested if we can make a saving anywhere

I once had Corian which was great. Really hard wearing and looked amazing. Could you also think about doing some areas in wood (like an island or some worktops well away from the sink) to lower the price?