How Much Do Laminate Countertops Cost?
Typical Range:
$790 - $1,625
Typical Range:
$790 - $1,625
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 1,519 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
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Updated March 22, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.Laminate countertops cost $10 to $40 per square foot for materials alone. With installation labor, the total cost is $40 to $80 per square foot. Laminate counters offer durability and style while costing less than other countertop materials.
Your total project cost depends on the type of laminate, labor costs in your area, and the size of your kitchen. You can find laminate that resembles wood, granite, and marble countertops.
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
National Average | $1,207 |
Typical Range | $790 - $1,625 |
Low End - High End | $400 - $2,500 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 1,519 HomeAdvisor members.
When budgeting for laminate countertop installation, there are a few aspects to consider.
Though they have the same sleek, clean, and modern appearance, laminate countertops are not plastic. Laminate is composed of several paper layers covered with a protective melamine resin top layer. These countertops are light, wallet-friendly, and easy to work with.
Prefabricated sections of laminate range from $10 to $40 per square foot before installation. The price depends on the brand, style, pattern, and quality. If you want a specialty edge, such as a mitered edge, there’s usually an upcharge along with the cost of the extra laminate material.
Expect to pay between $30 and $60 for supplemental materials, including silicone glue and mounting screws. If you hire a countertop installer near you, they typically include the cost of these materials in their estimate.
If you’re installing kitchen countertops yourself, you’ll need to prepare the countertop area and a few tools, such as a jigsaw, drill, straight edge, clamps, chalk gun, belt sander, screwdriver, and tape measure. If you don’t have these already, you can borrow, rent, or buy them.
The length and width of your countertops impacts the price of the material and the time it takes to install. If you have a complex design, such as a kitchen with many corners or turns, the cost of labor goes up since it takes more time to cut and install the laminate.
Expect to pay $30 to $40 per hour to hire a pro for laminate countertop installation.
If you need to remove your old kitchen countertops before installing your laminate, expect to add $500 to $800 to the total countertop installation cost for a pro to handle removal and disposal.
It costs $40 to $80 per square foot to install laminate, including materials and labor. Higher-end laminate and complex kitchen layouts cost more.
The cost to install laminate countertops ranges depending on the local material costs and labor prices in the region where you live.
Detroit: $700–$1,000 ($800 average)
New York: $1,100–$2,300 ($1,700 average)
Chicago: $700–$1,300 ($1,000 average)
Raleigh, NC: $700–$1,000 ($900 average)
Denver: $900–$2,200 ($1,500 average)
Dallas: $1,000–$1,700 ($1,300 average)
Phoenix: $900–$1,600 ($1,200 average)
Los Angeles: $800–$1,600 ($1,200 average)
The type of laminate you choose and the size of your kitchen can help you determine what you can get for your budget.
For a kitchen with 30 square feet of countertop (the average kitchen size), you can get basic laminate and install it yourself.
You can buy standard laminate for 30 square feet of countertop and have it installed by a pro.
Have a pro install high-end laminate for 30 square feet of counter space.
Enjoy 40 square feet of mid-grade laminate countertop that’s professionally installed.
You can have a pro install 40 square feet of luxury laminate countertops.
If you’re an experienced DIYer, you may be able to install laminate countertops yourself. It will take a day or two, and it can be helpful to have another adult assist you. You’ll need tools, including a jigsaw, drill and drill bits, straight edge, clamps, chalk gun, belt sander, screwdriver, and tape measure. You’ll also need additional supplies like silicone glue and mounting screws.
Countertop installation requires careful measuring and accuracy when installing. It’s best to pay for the delivery of your countertops, as any countertop can break if you transport it incorrectly. Delivery costs depend on the vendor and how far they need to travel.
You’ll save about $30 per hour if you do the installation yourself. But hiring a local laminate countertop installer can save you time and ensure accurate installation. Countertops that are even and level will last longer and look better in the long run.
Installing laminate countertops is moderate in difficulty and takes one to two full days for an experienced DIYer. You’ll need the right tools and enough time to correctly measure and install the countertops.
Yes, you can put laminate over laminate countertops, but it requires preparing the surface and carefully applying the new laminate. Precision and time are essential to installing laminate countertops that look beautiful and last with everyday use.
Yes, laminate countertops are cheaper than granite countertops by about $30 to $60 per square foot. The cost of labor to install granite is also more expensive due to the weight of the material. Installing granite countertops costs $35 to $85 per hour while installing laminate countertops ranges from $30 to $40 per hour.
Formica is a brand of laminate countertops. Premium edges like Formica IdealEdge and premium finishes like Crystal and Natural Grain can increase the price of materials. Formica has two top-selling lines: the 180FX, which is a marble pattern, and the PremiumFX that’s available in five finishes. Other popular manufacturers of laminate countertops include Pionite and WilsonArt.
You can paint, tile, or put a layer of concrete over your laminate countertops if you don’t want to remove them. Take caution with these projects to ensure the final result is smooth and holds up to everyday wear and tear.
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