Kitchen counters

[Patty Bonner]

I redoing a small kitchen for a first rental.  I want to try to save some money on the countertops.  I got an estimate from lowes for laminate counters uninstalled for $1700.  It's seems really high for laminate. Does anyone have any recommendations, I'm in central Florida.  Thanks

[Justin Fox]

Thanks!  Ceramic tile.  We bought it from Home Depot.  

You'd need 3/4" plywood, 1/4" hardie backer, liquid nail for applying the hardie to the plywood, tile adhesive (was actually cheaper at ACE), Finish nailer and nails, masonry bit and small screws (secure the hardie to plywood in addition to liquid nail), backsplash tile (floor and decor in Houston) and grout (unsanded).  Oh and those little 1/8" spacers for the backsplash tile.

You can get the bullose cut at a local cabinet shop for a decent price.  You'll also need to borrow or rent a tile saw and a grinder with a masonry cutting wheel.

You'll also need a jigsaw to cut out the template for the sink, out of the plywood and hardie.

I forgot to mention that this was for the kitchen, hall bath and master bathroom.