Replacing Kitchen Worktops

Hopeless_Case

I've got a couple of questions about kitchen worktops please - our worktop is covered in what I guess is a plastic veneer, it's a marble effect and smooth and shiny, like vinyl I guess (sorry I'm not a great DIYer ) and it's getting quite worn.

I've just noticed that it has actually lifted and torn behind the sink drainer, so that you can see the wood underneath, and it obviously needs replacing.

Neither of us are good at DIY so we'd need someone to replace the work surfaces, and I don't really know where to begin. Do people buy the replacement worktops themselves, and if so, where is the best place to find them and any tips on what to look out for etc please, and also what other knock-on jobs there are likely to be - there is a single sink unit and gas hob, and I'm wondering if the tiles are likely to be ok and not need replacing (I know the sealant joining them to the work surface would need replacing but hopefully not the tiles themselves!)

Also, I need to cover the hole in the meantime with something waterproof and which will take the fact that it will get wet. It's only a little hole, and looks don't really matter as it's behind the sink drainer so can't really be seen, and I think some sort of tape would do in terms of size, but I'm not sure what's the best thing to use, so any advice would be really welcome please

ggpowell2

I am not very knowledgeable myself and like you would need someone to fit my worktop but I am probably going to use a site called Worktop Express (sorry I cannot post the link as am a new member).

I can get all the pieces cut to the sizes I need and have them finished off nicely (with joints etc.) and have the extras like hot rods for what I think are quite reasonable prices (and can have the offcuts cut into chopping board sizes so nothing is wasted) then only pay someone to secure it in place, which I think will save money based on the labour time of cutting and sanding things to get a nice finish (as I will be buying wood) but you could get two quotes from a builder, one for it all and one just fitting, and then design what you want on the site to get a price and compare the overall costs to make your decision.

roger-w5

Leave all the new worktop installation to an experienced installer,that includes obtaining the worktops,removing old worktops,fitting new worktops,gas,water,sealing (protection if necessary) and disposal of all the trash.
Just chose the worktops you like in a store/warehouse but not online (woodblock is very popular these days). The store will have accredited kitchen installers or trade account installers.

to temporary repair your existing,it depends on how badly its damaged but product like colourfill laminate floor/worktop join kit could work.We use a coloured 2 part epoxy wood filler (same as car body filler) this needs a lot of practice to get it correct on the first attempt.You dont want to be sanding it !.

Hopeless_Case

Thanks for the replies - the only thing we will definitely do ourselves is a patch-up now, but I'm trying to get ideas of cost and how to go about it etc so that we can get a budget and work out a plan for saving for it - if we can get it waterproof there's no great hurry, which is just as well money-wise!

no1catman

Whereabouts in the country do you live?
Most places aren't too far away from a B & Q or a builders merchants e.g. Travis Perkins - for you to have a browse to get an idea what you like.
Or, you may have a specialist similar to - http://llandafflaminates.co.uk/products/ - based in Cardiff.

While they may not be able to help you, the website I think you will find quite informative e.g. size lengths that they are sold in.

Used them several years ago, with restoration work on the kitchen after water damage - leaking pipe. Went the 'extra mile' new worktops and tiles (used the bigger 'bathroom' tiles) - still sometimes stand and just admire it.

phill99

I do this kind of thing for a living.


My advice is as follows.


Get someone in to do a 'supply and fit' on the whole project ie they supply the worktops etc. this means that they are responsible for the worktops if they are defective etc. They will also arrange for a plumber / gas safe engineer (mandatory for removing and reinstalling the gas hob). A decent kitchen fitter / maintenance company will arrange this for you. They will have swatches of worktop colours for you to look at.


This is typically a days work for two guys (the worktops are very heavy and one man will struggle on his own to lift them), with the gas fitter coming in first thing to disconnect the hob, and returning late afternoon to refit.


The fitter wont guarantee that there will be no damage to the tiles - we have done them with no damage to tiles or occasionally you get the odd tile that is damaged.


With a decent quality worktop like Duropal or Axiom , expect to pay up to £1000 supply and fit including the gas fitter.

Hopeless_Case

no1catman wrote: »

Whereabouts in the country do you live?
Most places aren't too far away from a B & Q or a builders merchants e.g. Travis Perkins - for you to have a browse to get an idea what you like.
Or, you may have a specialist similar to - http://llandafflaminates.co.uk/products/ - based in Cardiff.

While they may not be able to help you, the website I think you will find quite informative e.g. size lengths that they are sold in.

Used them several years ago, with restoration work on the kitchen after water damage - leaking pipe. Went the 'extra mile' new worktops and tiles (used the bigger 'bathroom' tiles) - still sometimes stand and just admire it.

Thanks - we're in Worcester, so near quite a few big centres so we should be able to find somewhere similar

phill99 wrote: »

I do this kind of thing for a living.


My advice is as follows.


Get someone in to do a 'supply and fit' on the whole project ie they supply the worktops etc. this means that they are responsible for the worktops if they are defective etc. They will also arrange for a plumber / gas safe engineer (mandatory for removing and reinstalling the gas hob). A decent kitchen fitter / maintenance company will arrange this for you. They will have swatches of worktop colours for you to look at.


This is typically a days work for two guys (the worktops are very heavy and one man will struggle on his own to lift them), with the gas fitter coming in first thing to disconnect the hob, and returning late afternoon to refit.


The fitter wont guarantee that there will be no damage to the tiles - we have done them with no damage to tiles or occasionally you get the odd tile that is damaged.


With a decent quality worktop like Duropal or Axiom , expect to pay up to £1000 supply and fit including the gas fitter.

Ouch that's a lot of money! I think we need to do a temporary repair for now and start saving!

MX5huggy

£1000 is probably a bit much, how many meters of worktop do you have, how many joins ( corners), cut ends on show? Sinks and hob cut outs.

phill99

MX5huggy wrote: »

£1000 is probably a bit much, how many meters of worktop do you have, how many joins ( corners), cut ends on show? Sinks and hob cut outs.

Having done this dozens of times, £1000 is not far off the mark.


You'll need two men (£400), gas fitter for two call outs (£120), pus materials, plus VAT.


You do the maths.

Hoploz

A suggestion for the short term ... Fablon!

Hopeless_Case

MX5huggy wrote: »

£1000 is probably a bit much, how many meters of worktop do you have, how many joins ( corners), cut ends on show? Sinks and hob cut outs.

It's about 8m with 3 joins, a single sink and hob, 2 ends and a bit of it is on a unit which is a mini divider between the kitchen and dining room sections of the room so the back and front sides are on show

Hoploz wrote: »

A suggestion for the short term ... Fablon!

Thanks good idea