How much would it cost to have a new kitchen worktop fitted?

[LynetteScavo]

I want to take out a laminate worktop and replace with oak. It would need to be cut to have hob and sink inserted, and would require two sections of worktop fitted at right angle. I’m in the midlands, if that makes a difference.

How long is a piece of string? You need to get a company in to quote you.

We had our laminate worktop taken out and replaced with quartz. That included an under counter sink and grooved drainer, cut out for the induction hob, upstands and splashback. Just shy of 3K.

Same.
ours was 2.5k but we got a great deal.

Wood will be cheaper so under 2.5k?

How big? You'll need to look at the price of the worktop plus the removal and fitting. Our oak worktop was half the price Howdens quoted through our builder and he could get a long enough worktop that we didn't need a join (ours are 1m x 4m and 1m x 3m) and Howdens couldn't so shop around

I’ve sourced the worktop- (and a new sink and hob) I’m probably going to ask a friends son who is a carpenter to fit it. I just need a rough idea first, before approaching him.

Also, DH can take off the laminate and we can dispose of it - it’s just the cutting and fitting of the oak worktop. I’ve got someone lined up to connect the hob.

Not exactly what you’re having done but we paid £300 in London for; removal of old worktop, fitting and replumbing new sink, new worktops put in and siliconed, hob disconnected and reconnected, and a wall unit hanging.

Not sure why you need a rough idea.

If you are concerned he will overcharge you get multiple quotes from different sources. Then you'll be able to refuse his quote on the basis that you can get someone else in to do it cheaper. Not on the basis that someone on here paid peanuts for someone unskilled to do a completely different job 10 years ago.

At the end of the day people here will say it cost them x,y or z. It's irrelevant though what someone else paid to get their job done and is frequently no reflection of what you might pay.

What's relevant is a quote from a person with the skills to do the job who is actually willing to do your particular job in your particular area.

It's less than a day's work to fit the worktops. I'd probably be quoted £200-£300 in my area.

@GasPanic I don’t want to get multiple quotes, as I’d just be wasting peoples time. I’m 99% sure I’m going to use friend’s son, who does high quality carpentry, and I would totally trust him not to fuck up some expensive oak worktop. It’s not about being cheapest, but I do need to be able to afford it. I’m happy to pay £200-£300 @orangedream 😊 If it was going to be nearer £1000 I’d wait before contacting him, as I’d need to set aside more money.

Fitting an oak worktop around a sink isn’t a quick and easy job. You need to get quotes.

OK, I’m going to get a quote from the only other person I’d trust, who lives in my road - either way it’s going to be awkward when I don’t use one of them.

Just tell him that then.

Tell him you have a job, but not sure whether you can afford it immediately so need a ballpark.

He'll give you an approximate price based on description and photos or he'll come round and quote if he is not too busy. Or he may decline of course.

The company we used send round someone with a very sophisticated gadget, that measures everything in minute detail. It took about two and a half hours. We have a run of worktop with cut out for the hob and then a run at right angles with the sink and drainer.

They take all those measurements, cut the quartz and bring it back to fit. It took a few hours, but quartz is really heavy and the fitting and silicone have to be perfect.

For what it's worth. Wood worktops are a lot of work. We have a walnut one and it is a nightmare. Any spills need to be wiped immediately. Around the sink is constantly wiped so it doesn't go black. The bit around the hob has to be oiled more than other areas as it's wiped so often. Wet dishes out of the dishwasher have left marks. Even though it is hard wood it dents easily. There are scratches from god knows where. Oiling it is a 24-36 hour job due to drying time. Sanding it is even longer.

I love ours and it looks amazing. But given my time again I would have laminate.

@Van34 I will try to put DH off a wooden worktop (again!) but it’s the only one he likes the look of. He has an irrational hate of thin worktops that are in fashion atm, and it’s impossible to find anything that is thick and looks nice apart from wood. The plan is to have it oiled 5 times before fitting, so it should be OK for 18 months.

If anyone knows of any nice looking laminate, square edge, thick and deep worktop I’d be very grateful!

@LynetteScavo we (read: I, DH has never done it) also oiled it 5 times. I think it lasted about 6 months in places that were wiped often before it needed another go. Currently looking at it now in all its glory thinking we should probably sand it down and have another go at it. It's been in almost 3 years.

Like I say. It is beautiful and even when worn it is still a statement but lord the work. You can only use soap and water on it to clean it too so no more sprays either. I never realised how messy a cook I was!

We went through the same debates. Laminate just looks, meh. But it is sooooo much easier to look after. My biggest worry is the black marks around the sink. If anyone turns on a tap I am there with a cloth ready to wipe up any spillage.

Have a look at Rubio Monocoat if you're thinking of wood. It's just one coat. Lots of videos online about application and durability. I use it instead of Osmo now.

Thats great price, can i know what area in London is this ?
Any contact information of the fitter who did the job please.

We have oak worktops and have no problems apart from around the sink, where we have to be careful to always wipe with a dry cloth after we’ve used it. Just a tip, you’ll no doubt end up with some ends of worktop. Ask your fitter to trim them down and rout the edges to make a couple of small butchers blocks. You can put wet things, cold things (stuff you’re leaving out to defrost can turn the oak black) and hot pans straight on them without worrying about your worktops.

@AmithSaddiSouth East Z2. I can give you the details but I’ll be honest, he was a … character