Whats the most amazing inexpensive countertop on the planet?

[Account Closed]

Hello BP! :)

Just closed, with a group of investors and myself, on a 50+ unit apartment building.

We have to rehab the whole thing over the next 18 months and my GC and I have a small bet on the counter-tops.

I believe the best bang for the buck is butcher block counter-tops because I can get them very cheap and when the guys install them they look amazing.

My GC says he has a subcontractor that can make concrete counters that look amazing and high end.

Anyone have any options?

What have you guys used for flipping, rehabbing, etc. that is a relatively inexpensive counter-top that still adds value to a unit or home?

Thanks for the help,

- James

[Mike F.]

Umm.... really hard to believe that no one has mentioned Formica which is by definition THE most amazing bang for your buck counter top material that fits all the criteria for medium priced rentals  : Durable, versatile, economical, long wearing, economically replaceable, low maintenance.  I would find it hard to believe that butcher block will beat Formica on the maintenance or economical  front. Concrete will not beat it on the maintenance or economical front, granite will not beat it on the economical front...

It's good to explore options but I would not discount what works and try to reinvent the wheel on something that will turn into a huge mistake because it's multiplied by 50 times. Formica has and will continue to be the most versatile, economical product you can install for counters that stands up to wear and tear and is economically replaceable, is readily available, and readily installable by a large pool of tradesman. Formica isn't as sexy as granite or concrete but rentals aren't about stroking an owner's ego but what works on the balance sheet.  Exploring the new patterns, colors and finish styles makes the difference of Formica looking like your grandfathers counter and a counter top material that people look at and can't believe it's Formica.