Things You'll Need:
- Samples
- Home improvement catalogs
- Paper
- Pencil
- Measuring tapes
- Existing cabinetry
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Step 1
Explore your options. Check out the types of materials, styles and equipment available for use to remodel kitchen counters. High-end building materials for countertop remodels often include materials such as granite, which can cost anywhere from $40 to $120 per square foot plus the cost of installation. These prices are affected by the quality of the granite slabs and the area where you are purchasing them. Laminate is on the other end of the price scale and provides a much more affordable option that is better suited to projects where you will be installing the countertops yourself. Don't forget to check out granite tiles, ceramic tiles, marble and soapstone as options in between the two extremes for price.
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Step 2
Establish a budget for your kitchen countertops and set a goal of coming in under budget. Do this to allow for wiggle room should something be forgotten, overlooked, broken, or damaged during the project---this also leaves a little money left over to buy something nice once you've managed to remodel kitchen cabinets successfully. An acceptable budget will vary greatly depending on the current housing economy. Consider it an investment in the value of your home when you remodel kitchen countertops because you generally can recover a good portion of the cost with a higher resale value or greater appreciation of your kitchen while you enjoy your home.
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Step 3
Measure the existing cabinets and countertops with a tape measure. Include any overlap that exists or that you may want to add to your new countertops in your notations. To measure the countertops, begin at the wall and pull the measuring tape along the surface of the counter (this keeps the measurement level) to the end of the counter. If you have plans of extending the counter to create a table or add any type of decorative trim on the counters while remodeling, be sure to make note of those and add extra materials to cover this.
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Step 4
Decide if you will be working over the existing counters or removing them and beginning from scratch. Draw a scaled representation of the finished product you want when the remodel is complete. Decide on colors, materials and the overall style you want for your remodeled countertops.
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Step 5
Purchase the materials that will be needed according to your measurements and remodel kitchen countertops with these supplies according to the design you've selected.
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Step 6
Get to work by removing the existing countertop (if you aren't laminating or tiling over it). Disconnect or turn off water and gas lines that may be running to the sink and cooktop if there is one built into your existing countertop.
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Step 7
Exercise great caution when removing your countertop in preparation to remodel kitchen counters in your home. Remove any items that may be standing on the counters, as well as any fixtures (sinks, faucets, etc.). Also remove any screws that are holding the counter to the cabinets. Lift off the countertop and remove it.
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Step 8
Install the new post-form laminate countertop carefully because this particular building material for countertops is not forgiving of bumps and bruises. It is, on the other hand, one of the simplest to install on your own. Measure the counter and make the required cuts so that the countertops will meet in the corners and leaving room for 1 inch of overhang. Attach countertops to base cabinets. Then make cuts for sinks and cooktops.
