If you want to give your kitchen a fresh, new look, you don’t have to replace the entire kitchen. After all, a kitchen worktop replacement can make a big, visual difference. Find out what your options are when it comes to materials and what the average kitchen worktop replacement cost in the UK is here.
How much does kitchen worktop replacement cost in the UK?
The average kitchen worktop replacement cost is between £75 – £150 per linear metre in the UK. However, depending on the material chosen for the worktop, these costs can vary greatly. Costs of £450 per metre and more are possible, for example for very high quality porcelain worktops.
Average: £75 – £150 per metre including installation
However, the most popular materials are found in the price range of £20 – £90 per metre. The cost of a kitchen countertop starts at around £20 per metre for laminate and ceramic, £45 per metre for wood, around £55 per metre for stainless steel, and around £85 – £90 per metre for marble and granite.
Labor costs average around £55 – £75 per metre. Included here are the costs for transport and delivery, for dismantling and installing the old and new worktop, for cutting out and re-installing the sink and ceramic hob, the installation of all corner joints and any detail adjustments that may be necessary. All figures given here are for guidance only and may of course vary.
Overview: Material costs for kitchen worktops
Material | Per linear metre |
|---|---|
Ceramic | from £20 |
Laminate | from £20 |
Wood | from £40 |
Stainless steel | from £55 |
Marble | from £85 |
Granite | from £90 |
Porcelain | from £220 |
Concrete | from £220 |
Do not forget: In addition to the material prices, there are also the labour costs for installation. These average £55 – £75 per linear metre.
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What factors influence the kitchen worktop replacement cost?
The final kitchen worktop replacement cost can vary greatly and depends primarily on the following factors:
- Does an old worktop need to be removed and disposed of in advance?
- How many metres are to be installed?
- What material is the worktop made of?
- What is the hourly rate of the craftsman?
- How many adjustments have to be made, e.g. cutting out areas for the sink or ceran surface, but also corner joints?
- Are there additional costs, e.g. for the delivery of the worktop or travel costs, or is everything already incl. in the price?
The agony of choice: Which material for my kitchen worktop?
When it comes to choosing a material, there are a multitude of options, which do not exactly make the choice easy. To provide a better overview, we present the most popular materials for kitchen worktops here:
1. Wood
Wood is the perfect material if you want a warmer, homely aesthetic for your kitchen. One of the advantages of wood is that, as a natural material, it can be easily integrated visually into any space.
The main problem with wood is that it requires more maintenance than other materials. For example, it is necessary to apply a protective coating from time to time, as the wood becomes more fragile over time. However, special protective solutions for application help significantly to increase the longevity.
Wood is great, for example, if an island is to be placed in the kitchen and the sink is not in the immediate vicinity. The cost of a wooden kitchen worktop starts at around £45 per metre.
2. Stainless steel
While wood gives the kitchen a warmer and more rustic feel, stainless steel is perfect for achieving an industrial, contemporary and minimalist aesthetic.
Stainless steel has several advantages: It is durable, hygienic, easy to clean and maintain, heat and stain resistant. One disadvantage, however, is that it is relatively susceptible to scratches. For this reason, it is advisable to always use a cutting board or cutting plate for protection when cutting. In addition, fingerprints are more noticeable on this type of top.
The cost of a stainless steel kitchen worktop starts at around £55 per metre.
3. Marble
Marble is one of the classic options for kitchen worktops. This material is generally identified with granite, but the truth is that there are several differences between the two. First and foremost, marble is less dense and more porous than granite. Marble gives your kitchen a kind of retro flair and can be integrated into virtually any style.
Marble is very resistant to high temperatures, scratches and stains. Moreover, marble is very fashionable these days. All these qualities make marble an excellent choice for a kitchen worktop.
It should be noted, however, that marble needs to be maintained at regular intervals. As it is a slightly more porous material, a waterproofing treatment must be carried out, otherwise liquids such as vinegar can cause stains. The cost of marble worktops starts at around £85 per metre.
4. Granite
Similar to marble, granite is a natural material and very resistant to heat and scratches. Granite worktops are known for their hardness and strength. There are several options when it comes to design. From the classic, traditional worktop to newer, more eye-catching patterned versions.
Granite is easy to clean and from time to time you can also polish the material to restore its original appearance. It is not without reason that granite is one of the most popular materials for kitchen worktops. The cost of a granite worktop starts at around £90 per metre.
5. Ceramic
Ceramic is an evergreen for worktops. Ceramics score particularly well in terms of price- performance ratio. Ceramics create a warm and comfortable environment and you can customise the design according to your wishes in terms of patterns, colours, etc. Ceramic is also hard-wearing and easy to clean.
A small disadvantage is that the joints can easily get dirty. There is a possibility that they may crack when exposed to heat or become loose due to moisture. Ceramic is inexpensive and ceramic worktops can be purchased from as little as £20 per metre.
6. Other materials
This was a list of the most popular materials for kitchen worktops. However, there are many other options such as porcelain, quartz composite, concrete, laminate or glass, which also have different strengths and weaknesses.
A laminate worktop is the cheapest and starts at £20 per metre. Porcelain worktops, on the other hand, are very expensive and start at around £220 per metre. The same applies to concrete worktops. The cost of concrete also starts at around £220 per linear metre.
Choosing the right worktop for your kitchen
To make a suitable decision about which kitchen worktop is right for you, you should ask yourself the following questions before making a decision:
- Which look appeals to you the most?
- What is your budget?
- What materials can be found in your kitchen so far?
- How much time are you willing to invest in maintaining your worktop?
How can I reduce the kitchen worktop replacement cost?
Since the kitchen worktop replacement cost can vary not only by material but also by labour cost, it is crucial to find a craftsman with good value for money. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to compare quotations free of charge. Besides the costs, you can also view customer ratings of the craftsmen.
