Wanted to get laminate countertops but NOBODY does it!!!

[Jonathan Perez]

So I’ve been looking around for a minute trying to find someone who can install laminate countertops for me. I’m geting ready to rent this thing out and the countertops are kind of shot. The estimates I got were, $800, $1200, $1000..... I got a lady who who estimated GRANITE for $1160, thats including a new sink, labor, taking hauling away the old countertops and all.

With the numbers I been getting for laminate, I might as well get that granite for $1160 put in. I just feel like granite sounds too high end. And my area is not really high end. It’s like a C+ B neighborhood... I don’t think much people have granite. Although the neighborhood Im in is mostly single family homes my side of the street along with my property are all duplexes. The street behind me is a bit rough but my neighborhood is pretty walkable (a lot of older people take walks, people walking their dogs, people walk/jog, multi cultured) And I don’t think any of the duplexes have granite.... I feel like it would be over improving by doing this...

What do you guys think?

By the way I’m in Columbia, SC in case anyone knows anybody who may do it for a fair price. Thanks in advance!

[Jim K.]

@Jonathan Perez

@Jason D.

We're in Bigger Pockets rehab-talk silly season again.

If you want laminate countertops, you build your countertop out of particle board or MDF, which is dirt cheap. You laminate it yourself with these big sheets of laminate you cut to rough size size, cost $80-$200 to do a whole kitchen. After you're done gluing the laminate to the MDF, you rout the edges.

Laminate is not a contractor job, it's a handyman or DIY job. Sure, you can buy the countertops premade, too and cut them to size, then only cut and glue the end piece on and then rout it down to size...same tools for a much smaller job.

If you're in low-income rentals you need to know how to do this and have a handyman who does it. You need topmount/drop-in stainless and composite sinks that can be replaced easily and cheaply and not premium farmouse or undermount sinks like you would have with granite.

Granite chips, and in ways where you can't always put in and shape some knife-grade epoxy to mask the chip. Cabinets often get destroyed in rentals -- you'll need to replace them and you won't be able to easily with epoxied-in granite. Don't throw your money away on looks without understanding the realities of running the place and turning it between tenants.