Saving money on new kitchen worktop counters

sparkle76

Hi all,
We would like to change our kitchen laminate countertops and wanted to ask what the cheapest way to do this is? I know we could walk in to B&Q or Homebase and get something there, then hire someone independently to cut and install. But would we be better off buying online?

I presume we need to measure each existing segment in the kitchen as is, then work out how much it would cost for the counter. Then provide the total square meterage to a cutter/installer? We'd also like to get a new sink and torn between white ceramic and stainless steel, as it's a more country style look we currently have.

Also I guess it saves cash if we remove the current counters and dispose of them - any tips on this? Some of the counter area has been sealed with tiles :eek: which is nasty, plus the wall tiles will no doubt suffer when we remove the old counters.

Any tips much appreciated as we have never done this before, and with a baby coming in 7 months, I'd rather get it done now rather than in a few months...:o

Many thanks

sparkle76

Hi all just a bump to ask if anyone has any tips, ta

kitchencrazy

Can't really help you too much but from my own investigations for wood counters there are very big price differences from the High St to online.

example 3m Walnut
Magnet £1300
B&Q £500
Online as low as £300

Norman_Castle

When you find an installer ask them to quote to supply and fit.

^Ikea have cheap solid wood worktop

clivejohnson

you dont say wther you want a chipboard/postformed worktop, or a solid one?

tonyE1

I am in the process of replacing my worktops. Unfortunately I didn't realise that one side of the kitchen was wider than the rest and am having to replace it again(measure twice cut once!), one worktop I bought also had a split on the front which I didn't realise and was only spotted by my fitter - despite some reluctance I eventually got B&Q to supply me with an offcut from another kitchen they were fitting.
So, a couple of points that might help you: people often sell offcuts on ebay/gumtree, in theory I only needed 50cm of a 3m board and would have sold the rest, if you aren't in a great hurry you could wait until something suitable comes up;
I placed a job on mybuilder.com and although some of the offers were ludicrous I agreed a very reasonable price with an ex B&Q fitter - if you are in London area I am happy to pass his details.

sparkle76

Hi all sorry I should have mentioned we want laminate, in a pale oak effect perhaps, as it's a country style kitchen. With a baby on the way wood sounds lovely but prob not practical, and not cheap either!

SailorSam

To get rid of your old worktops check with your local Council,
i know at our 'dump' they have separate skips to put different recyclable stuff.
including wood. Although you may need to cut it into 2/3 pieces to get it into the car.
I don't think i'd buy anything like a worktop on-line, i'd prefer to see what i'm buying.

ormus

i bought mine at BQ last year. they were the cheapest then.
online maybe cheaper but the transport cost will bump that up.

i cut my old ones up into 3ft sections, with a circular saw. it only took minutes. fitted in the car and then off to the local tip.

sparkle76

Thanks all, I did order some samples from an online company, as then I could see the quality we'd be getting, they were £69 per 3m length (600mm deep). I think this is cheaper than Homebase etc and hence why I thought samples might be good.

What would I search for on Checkatrade as a person to come and do the work - would this be a carpenter?

clivejohnson

sparkle76 wrote: »

Thanks all, I did order some samples from an online company, as then I could see the quality we'd be getting, they were £69 per 3m length (600mm deep). I think this is cheaper than Argos and hence why I thought samples might be good.

What would I search for on Checkatrade as a person to come and do the work - would this be a carpenter?

Kitchen fitter ideally, but joiner/carpenter-either or wold do the job no problem at all.