So you have decided to install a new laminate countertop in your kitchen. Whether your home improvement project is to increase the value of your home or to create the dream look you’ve always dreamed of, price is always a consideration. When you choose laminate for your countertop, you’re choosing durability, easy maintenance, and a custom look at an affordable cost.

Laminate sheets can range in price from $3 to $100 per linear foot depending on color, texture, manufacturer, design, and location. You must first determine what type of laminate sheet you will choose for your countertop. You can then determine the material costs associated with your countertop.

Next, determine the area of ​​your countertop that you will cover, a key point for this is to understand the difference between a linear foot and a square foot. Countertop manufacturers build sheets that are customized to a depth of 24 inches, the average depth of countertops. The average countertop is 28-30 feet, which means 28-30 linear feet. If you measure by square foot, your countertop would cover 56-60 square feet. So measure the linear square footage of your countertop.

Now that you have your price per linear foot and the total linear feet to cover, you can now determine your material costs.

[Price per linear foot * Total linear feet = Material Costs]

Now that you know the material costs, you now have a decision to make: will you install the laminate countertop yourself or will you hire the installation.

1. Costs associated with installing laminate countertop yourself

Tool and supply costs

Contact cement ($50)

Wooden mallet ($15)

Roller Brush ($8)

Electric sander ($30)

Work Gloves ($8)

router ($95)

Special Router Grooving Disc ($19)

Sanding block ($15)

Straight Edge ($17)

Utility Knife ($10)

Fine Tooth Hand Saw ($20)

Fine Tooth Back Saw ($20)

Power saw ($50)

Fine tooth power saw blade ($15)

Tail ($10)

Sandpaper ($5)

Total costs will be around ($387.00) for tools and supplies, please note prices may vary by region, manufacturer or custom need. Prices listed are the average cost of five different items researched online.

2. Hiring of the installation

Common rates are $20 to $30 per linear square foot. This may differ depending on the rate you agree with your contractor or any additional costs associated with supplies or tools needed for your installation. To get a quote range for installation, use the following to get a rough idea of ​​the costs associated with outsourcing your laminate countertop project.

[$25 * Total linear feet = Labor Costs]

So now that we have determined the material costs, tool and supply costs, and labor costs, you can now have a better idea of ​​the cost associated with your countertop home improvement project.