Is It Hard Installing Laminate Countertops Myself?
Hi Everyone! I am new here. I am a 34 year old female who lives in a suburb of New Orleans. I own my home, which is 40 years old. The countertop in the VERY small kitchen is a laminate in a VERY ugly color. I have been doing small renovation projects as time and finances permit and I am ready to tackle the kitchen counter. I measured counter today and it is approx 6' 2 long with a double sink in the middle. I had planned on buying a 6' preformed laminate top from Home Depot or Lowes(only about $70) and have my Dad remove the old countertop and sink and install the new top, but now, of course I find that there will be no easy install of a pre-cut top. I am now thinking of buying a 12' preformed section from Home Depot and using what I need, then using the rest for a small counter(approx 4') in a pass thru(which hasn't been built yet) for a breakfast bar. My Dad is pretty handy, as is my brother-in-law, as well as some friends(we've all learned to be pretty handy since Katrina). Would this be a very difficult install? I know the sink hole has to be cutout. I can use the sink as a template on the back of the laminate top right? I would just pay someone to do this for me, but aside from one quote of $980 for just the installation--I'd still be buying the laminate tops, most places around here are concentrated on granite, quartz, marble, corian etc. countertops.No one will even quote me a price for formica or laminate tops. I think $980 is a ridiculous quote for what I need. There are no weird cuts or anything--just a 6'2 length straight across with a sink. I just need someone to tell me it's not THAT big of a project and that me and my friends could do it right Anyone ever done this? What length of time am I looking at? 3-4 hours? a couple days? Thanks! I had planned on buying a 6' preformed laminate top from Home Depot or Lowes(only about $70) and have my Dad remove the old countertop and sink and install the new top, but now, of course I find that there will be no easy install of a pre-cut top. Why is that? I don't see the problem. By the preformed the size you need, if you need end caps get those too. Remove the sink and make a pattern/template from the existing cutout in the old top. Transfer that template to the new top and cut it out. Use a jig saw with a fine blade so as not to spall/chip the laminate. What's the problem? To cut an end off, cut from the back side of the top with a sharp carbide blade in your circular saw. This will reduce or eliminate chipping. Use a guide(2x4 or such) to get a straight line. Make the sink cut after installing the top, it will be fragile with the sink cutout already done. Screw the top down fram under the cabinet at the webs in the cabinet corners. Make sure the screws are not too long or you will puncture the top. Originally Posted by Bud Cline Why is that? I don't see the problem. By the preformed the size you need, if you need end caps get those too. Remove the sink and make a pattern/template from the existing cutout in the old top. Transfer that template to the new top and cut it out. Use a jig saw with a fine blade so as not to spall/chip the laminate. What's the problem? The problem, or what I forsaw as a problem, was the fact that my opening is 6'2 long, not 6' long which is how long the preformed laminate top is. I guess I thought it just would have been much easier if I could have bought a top that would have basically just slid in, no cuts necessary. Is it really just that easy as you guys have stated? Would Home Depot do the cuts for me ya think? My Dad has a saw, but I was just wondering. If it's so easy, why the $900+ quote for just installation? Thanks! It's beginning to sound like a doable project for me and my dad and friends. If it's so easy, why the $900+ quote for just installation? Because someone saw you coming a mile away You and your father should be able to handle this project, no problem. Measure twice, cut once. To make it real simple... Do you have a countertop company around? Most of them will cut your counter for you for a very small fee. Last place I lived actually had set hours where they would cut walk-in tops for $10. And place I'm going today (to get an 'oops' top for my laundry) said they do 'em as well. Guess they figure if I'm doing it myself, they may as well get a few bucks and some good will. You have been given good advice above. You can do it. Go for it! I find that 1 1/4 drywall screws work well to fasten the top down to the cabinet corner braces. How straight is your wall? You can scribe the wall and sand up to 1/4 in. off the back edge of the backsplash with a belt sander to get a tight fit against the wall. Do this before you cut the sink hole. Do a Google search on instaling preformed counter tops. Lots of step by step information. You can do it. The store should sell you any length you want. Special Order a piece 6'-2-1/2 if you want or get one 6-1/2' and cut it yourself. They aren't difficult to cut but it can be tricky. As stated, cut it upside down, use a straight edge to guide the saw. Cut the thin part first following the straightedge, then cut the balance of the backsplash that wasn't cut on the initial pass. Again, cut the splash from the back also. Be sure to either hold on to both sides of the cut being made or block up everything so that when you finish your saw cuts nothing can move/fall and break the laminate. It can happen easily! PS, That 900 $ deal is way out of line in this case, don't ever ask that guy to do anything else.
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