I also was thinking of painting the cabinets and installing a new quartz or granite countertop. 

Laminate counter tops.

If the job doesn't fit, I will tell you straight up what you need, say someone wants to do a countertop job, I'll simply send a guy out then you work it out within yourself without my involvement, there is simply no money and not worth my time.

Now, usually we are targeting properties that rent well (sub-$300k in most markets) and most of the properties in that type of a neighborhood aren't going to demand quartz counter tops. 

I would consider replacing a formica countertop with solid surface if I thought it would add value and the existing one was detracting.  

Actual "damage", such as fist-sized holes in the walls and doors, or large water stains from a poorly maintained fish aquarium, damaged countertops, destroyed screen doors, and similar issues however, I definitely would be deducting for.At best it is a poor practice to make deductions from Security Deposit; at worst it is a violation of local LL/Tenant law.

@Tess TariI have 5 rental units, all in varying stages from lower end (laminate counter tops and stick on floor tile) to higher end (granite counters and hardwood floors).  

It maintains a more open feel, less complicated, less expensive countertops and you will have easier access/usefulness of the uppers to the left of the sink.

If all of the comps around have granite countertops and you don't - that means you won't get the right value.  

Kitchen RETRO Unique Appliances in Tiffany Teal Blue, live edge countertops shaker cabinets on bottom open concept wood shelving.