Changing a Kitchen Worktop on the Cheap
Discussion
Basically we're just in the final stages of purchasing a new (old) home, and having undertaken a third inspection have noticed that the worktop on the existing kitchen is 'shagged' for want of a better word. It's warped, whilst the laminate surface is missing in various places, meaning it'll be near impossible to maintain hygienically.
Our long-term plan is to rip the whole kitchen out, but we won't be able to afford this in the short-term so I'm looking for a cheaper interim solution.
This has brought me round to the idea of replacing all of the worktops myself, if possible. Having never done so before, I'm keen to obtain the advice of the PH masses about how feasible it'll be to do a decent job on it.
The main area I'm worried about is the jointing between surfaces. I've had a look at a number of online guides, all of which seem to suggest a router is an essential tool to getting a clean finish, without using jointing bars and the like. Problem is, I don't own a router, and am not keen on purchasing any tools not currently in my possession at present as all funds are getting pumped into other projects already in hand.
Thoughts? Am I setting myself up for more expense than just getting a chippy in?
Our long-term plan is to rip the whole kitchen out, but we won't be able to afford this in the short-term so I'm looking for a cheaper interim solution.
This has brought me round to the idea of replacing all of the worktops myself, if possible. Having never done so before, I'm keen to obtain the advice of the PH masses about how feasible it'll be to do a decent job on it.
The main area I'm worried about is the jointing between surfaces. I've had a look at a number of online guides, all of which seem to suggest a router is an essential tool to getting a clean finish, without using jointing bars and the like. Problem is, I don't own a router, and am not keen on purchasing any tools not currently in my possession at present as all funds are getting pumped into other projects already in hand.
Thoughts? Am I setting myself up for more expense than just getting a chippy in?
I'd get a chippy in - no messing with tools, less disruption and they know what they're doing.
Having had a kitchen refit just before we moved house last year
and seen how quickly the pros do it, I wouldn't mess about. Our builder also had a good contact for getting decent worktops (Duropal) at decent prices too.
Having had a kitchen refit just before we moved house last year
and seen how quickly the pros do it, I wouldn't mess about. Our builder also had a good contact for getting decent worktops (Duropal) at decent prices too.Just get a bloke in to make the cuts and then fit it yourself. I did this with mine and it was fine - been in for 10 years now without issues.
Mind you, If i was going to rip it out anyway I'd be using the cheapest crap I could find and a joining strip.
Or live with it for a bit and just do the work once when you're ready to change it out?
Mind you, If i was going to rip it out anyway I'd be using the cheapest crap I could find and a joining strip.
Or live with it for a bit and just do the work once when you're ready to change it out?
I fitted my worktops when I installed my kitchen.
Bought a cheap router and bits and a jig for less than £100.
Never used a router before, or since, but at least I now have a router if I ever need it and the jig kind of ensures a decent cut.
However, I've also fitted worktops before using a jigsaw and the finishing strips. OK, not a professional finish, but more than good enough for a temporary fit.
Bought a cheap router and bits and a jig for less than £100.
Never used a router before, or since, but at least I now have a router if I ever need it and the jig kind of ensures a decent cut.
However, I've also fitted worktops before using a jigsaw and the finishing strips. OK, not a professional finish, but more than good enough for a temporary fit.
Really tempted to give this a go myself, and might see if I can borrow a router from somewhere. I'm usually pretty handy, and like a challenge. That said, I should probably get a chippy in anyway, just so that I can compare the costs/relative merits with my eyes open.
I should point out, when I say temporary fix, I'm probably talking around 5 years, as I have some other projects at the head of the queue for the spare cash - namely mods to the double garage I'm more than slightly excited about. As such, it needs to be decent enough as a finish, and I'm just a bit concerned that joint strips my be an irritant to clean after a while.
I would normally leave this alone, but the Mrs was adamant we had to put at least a new worktop on, or she wants the new kitchen ahead of the garage getting kitted out.
I should point out, when I say temporary fix, I'm probably talking around 5 years, as I have some other projects at the head of the queue for the spare cash - namely mods to the double garage I'm more than slightly excited about. As such, it needs to be decent enough as a finish, and I'm just a bit concerned that joint strips my be an irritant to clean after a while.
I would normally leave this alone, but the Mrs was adamant we had to put at least a new worktop on, or she wants the new kitchen ahead of the garage getting kitted out.
buy the worktops yourself from somewhere like IDS or Howdens joinery, not expensive places to buy from and if your not confident doing it yourself, ask the supplier for the names of a couple of local trades that do that type of work, a good chippy should get them fitted in a day if there isnt masses of worktops space and so around £150 for a days labour plus costs of materials, bank on around 60-90 quid a length for the worktop depending on what you go for.
HSS used to hire jigs and routers they probably still do. Easy if you take your time. Plan well and buy damaged worktops from b&q or somewhere like that if you can get away with cutting the damaged ends off. They sold me worktops for my workshop at half price because they had chipped ends
I've done a few of these now for friends and family and so ended up buying my own jig. Toolstation now seem to be selling the same jig I bought for slightly less money than I paid for it:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accesso...
You'll also need to get jointing bolts and colorfill jointing compound (although I guess you could use silicon or something instead if you're not so bothered about finish?). Last time I did it I bought everything I needed including the jig from these guys online - didn't have any problems with them but I've only used them the once so far:
http://www.kitchenfittingsupplies.co.uk/
Annoyingly having invested in my own jig my router packed up and so I ended up hiring everything from HSS anyway. You'd need to hire their worktop fitting kit which comes with the jig, router and accessories. Hiring just their router to use with your own jig wouldn't work, the router has to be fitted with a 30mm guide bush which only comes with the full kit.
Having said all that the cheap and easy option is just to use the jointing strips. I personally wouldn't, 5 years isn't that temporary really and the jointing strips always seem to end up collecting grime.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accesso...
You'll also need to get jointing bolts and colorfill jointing compound (although I guess you could use silicon or something instead if you're not so bothered about finish?). Last time I did it I bought everything I needed including the jig from these guys online - didn't have any problems with them but I've only used them the once so far:
http://www.kitchenfittingsupplies.co.uk/
Annoyingly having invested in my own jig my router packed up and so I ended up hiring everything from HSS anyway. You'd need to hire their worktop fitting kit which comes with the jig, router and accessories. Hiring just their router to use with your own jig wouldn't work, the router has to be fitted with a 30mm guide bush which only comes with the full kit.
Having said all that the cheap and easy option is just to use the jointing strips. I personally wouldn't, 5 years isn't that temporary really and the jointing strips always seem to end up collecting grime.
Sounds daft, but if its "short" short term then Id just get a couple chopping boards/worktop savers. Use these on the dodgy parts for now, save a couple hundred quid and then get the proper job done sooner.
Ultimately you are going to be preparing food on these surfaces anyway, so providing you don't get raw meat and crap on the non-laminated surfaces then there should be no hygiene issues etc.
Ultimately you are going to be preparing food on these surfaces anyway, so providing you don't get raw meat and crap on the non-laminated surfaces then there should be no hygiene issues etc.
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