Countertop Question

[John Warren]

Tomorrow I am installing a used stove in one of the units of my new quad. This particular elderly tenant has been living without a working stove in the unit for quite some time. My issue is that the unit has an old built in stove and the electric range is one that drops into the countertop. There is no spot for a traditional oven. I am going to remove the cabinet the old range sits on, but I am trying to decide if I should just replace the countertop or cut it and bend some sheet metal or something at the edge where it meets the stove.

I guess I could also just replace the countertop with a cheap laminate, but I am trying not to put money into this unit until it turns over and I can easily gut the whole kitchen. "What would you all recommend? Should I just bite the bullet and put a new countertop in?

Thanks!

John