How Much Do Replacement Kitchen Worktops Cost?

How much should I expect to pay to replace my kitchen worktops?

For a stated 3m² area, PriceYourJob estimates supply, fitting and removal at £260–£350 for laminate, £350–£650 for solid wood, £800–£1,700 for quartz and £950–£1,400 for granite. These are job estimates, not guaranteed prices; location, dimensions and the specification can change the total.

Material-only comparisons tell a different part of the story. PriceYourJob lists supply-only rates per square metre of £20–£50 for laminate, £50–£150 for solid wood, £200–£500 for quartz and £250–£400 for granite. Checkatrade instead gives supply-only prices for a 5m length: £200–£800 for laminate, £300–£900 for wood, £500–£1,100 for quartz and £550–£1,150 for granite. The formats and assumptions differ, so do not compare a per-metre figure directly with a fitted total.

Stone work adds its own cutting charges. Checkatrade lists average charges of £180 for an unpolished cut-out, £185 for a polished cut-out and £150 for drainer grooves. Its estimated fitting labour rates are £40–£60 per square metre for laminate, £80–£130 for quartz and £120–£180 for granite. As Which? notes, worktop comparisons depend on stated material and dimensions, and whether installation is included; compare like with like before treating one price as cheaper.

What is usually included in a supply-and-fit quote?

A supply-and-fit quote may cover the worktop, measuring and cutting, sink and hob cut-outs, edging, removal and fitting, fixings and sealants, according to Checkatrade. That list is a starting point, not a promise that every trader includes every task.

Ask for an itemised breakdown. PriceYourJob estimates £50–£150 for removal and disposal of old worktops and £50–£100 per sink or hob cut-out. Check whether the quote includes both removal and disposal, and whether cut-outs are priced individually. Gas-related work and plumbing may be extra; Which? also notes that related plumbing and electrical costs are listed separately from its whole-kitchen renovation breakdown.

Use a precise request: “Please show the worktop material and dimensions, measuring, each cut-out, fitting, removal, disposal, sealants, VAT, and any plumbing or gas work as separate lines.” This makes two quotes easier to compare and gives you a clearer record if the scope changes.

Can I buy the worktops myself and pay someone just to fit them?

Yes, you can ask an installer to fit worktops you have bought separately, but compare the full cost and responsibilities before choosing that route. A supply-only price looks lower because it does not include fitting; it does not tell you whether a fitter will accept the product, measure it, make the required cuts or handle a problem with its dimensions.

Ask installers whether they will fit customer-supplied material and what their labour price covers. Confirm who is responsible for checking measurements, cut-outs, delivery timing and any replacement material if the supplied top does not fit. Compare that total with a supply-and-fit quote for the same material and specification. For a related breakdown of removal and installation decisions, see How Do I Replace a Kitchen Countertop Without Costly Surprises?

Citizens Advice recommends getting written quotes from at least three traders. It distinguishes a quote, which is an agreed price, from an estimate, which is a rough guide that may change. Ask for the price type, fixed total, VAT treatment and conditions for changing the price in writing.

Will replacing the worktop damage my tiles or kitchen units?

There is no universal guarantee that removal will leave tiles and units untouched; the result depends on how the existing worktop and surrounding finishes meet. The sources do not provide a standard damage rate or a general guarantee. Treat the junctions around the worktop as a specific inspection and quote question before work starts.

Ask the fitter to explain how the old top will be detached, what happens where it meets the tiles, and whether any repair or resealing is included if the finish is disturbed. Agree who moves or disconnects the sink and hob and who protects the units. If the work could affect a gas pipe, Gas Safe Register flags accidental pipe damage during DIY or building work as a risk to consider.

Before requesting prices, give each trader the same information: approximate worktop dimensions, material preference, sink and hob positions, the existing tile arrangement and whether the old top must be removed and taken away. Then ask each to confirm in writing what is included and what would trigger an extra charge.