[RobertScott]

I am not a Dev Basher, but it was in very poor taste for them to specify the formica type counters with a seam against the backboard, and two upward facing seams at the 45 degree slope at the front.

No matter how careful one is, water is going to pentrate that seam, and / or roll down at the bottom, and begin compromising the substrate, especially since the water does not pitch inbound. Thus begins swelling, and crumbling along the bottom.

I understand that the defaults that come with the house aren't top tier, but they shouldn't be made of something that fails fairly rapidly under normal use. We eat out a fair amount as well.

That being said, it would appear that we are going to have to replace the kitchen ones in the near future.

About how much would I be looking at, to replace the L shaped one by the sink, the big one on the island, and the one to the right of the stove. I realize this depends upon what exactly we pick, we do not want stone, would want " solid man made" I guess. I understand this is not a cheap thing to do, but I would like to wrap my mind around some ballpark figure, as I have no idea.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

I am not a Dev Basher, but it was in very poor taste for them to specify the formica type counters with a seam against the backboard, and two upward facing seams at the 45 degree slope at the front.

No matter how careful one is, water is going to pentrate that seam, and / or roll down at the bottom, and begin compromising the substrate, especially since the water does not pitch inbound. Thus begins swelling, and crumbling along the bottom.

I understand that the defaults that come with the house aren't top tier, but they shouldn't be made of something that fails fairly rapidly under normal use. We eat out a fair amount as well.

That being said, it would appear that we are going to have to replace the kitchen ones in the near future.

About how much would I be looking at, to replace the L shaped one by the sink, the big one on the island, and the one to the right of the stove. I realize this depends upon what exactly we pick, we do not want stone, would want " solid man made" I guess. I understand this is not a cheap thing to do, but I would like to wrap my mind around some ballpark figure, as I have no idea.

We are in the process of replacing the original high pressure laminate counters in kitchen and two bathrooms with quartz.

Depends upon the quartz you picked and square footage as well as the sinks and backsplash but would suggest at least $ 10,000 and possibly more depending on what you want.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

I am not a Dev Basher, but it was in very poor taste for them to specify the formica type counters with a seam against the backboard, and two upward facing seams at the 45 degree slope at the front.

No matter how careful one is, water is going to pentrate that seam, and / or roll down at the bottom, and begin compromising the substrate, especially since the water does not pitch inbound. Thus begins swelling, and crumbling along the bottom.

I understand that the defaults that come with the house aren't top tier, but they shouldn't be made of something that fails fairly rapidly under normal use. We eat out a fair amount as well.

That being said, it would appear that we are going to have to replace the kitchen ones in the near future.

About how much would I be looking at, to replace the L shaped one by the sink, the big one on the island, and the one to the right of the stove. I realize this depends upon what exactly we pick, we do not want stone, would want " solid man made" I guess. I understand this is not a cheap thing to do, but I would like to wrap my mind around some ballpark figure, as I have no idea.

Easier to contact a few companies that offer free quotes, then go from there

[villagetinker]

You might be able to get a "price estimate" on a square foot basis, if you find a vendor for the man made stone you are interested in. We did exactly that back up in PA., but i have no idea here.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

I am not a Dev Basher, but it was in very poor taste for them to specify the formica type counters with a seam against the backboard, and two upward facing seams at the 45 degree slope at the front.

No matter how careful one is, water is going to pentrate that seam, and / or roll down at the bottom, and begin compromising the substrate, especially since the water does not pitch inbound. Thus begins swelling, and crumbling along the bottom.

I understand that the defaults that come with the house aren't top tier, but they shouldn't be made of something that fails fairly rapidly under normal use. We eat out a fair amount as well.

That being said, it would appear that we are going to have to replace the kitchen ones in the near future.

About how much would I be looking at, to replace the L shaped one by the sink, the big one on the island, and the one to the right of the stove. I realize this depends upon what exactly we pick, we do not want stone, would want " solid man made" I guess. I understand this is not a cheap thing to do, but I would like to wrap my mind around some ballpark figure, as I have no idea.

Granite, Quartz, and Dekton are on average equally priced at $65- $85/sqft. You will not save more money if you go man-made. Can the backsplash be removed and replaced with a tile backsplash?

[RobertScott]

Hmmm I assumed man made was cheaper, but also read that some stone absorbs stains. I would think the laminate backsplash easily removed. Helpful info from all you guys.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

We are in the process of replacing the original high pressure laminate counters in kitchen and two bathrooms with quartz.

Depends upon the quartz you picked and square footage as well as the sinks and backsplash but would suggest at least $ 10,000 and possibly more depending on what you want.

I’m doing exactly the same - I’m using Roberto’s,- work starts tomorrow.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

Hmmm I assumed man made was cheaper, but also read that some stone absorbs stains. I would think the laminate backsplash easily removed. Helpful info from all you guys.

Home Depot has a nice kitchen display area. You can browse the available countertops usually with no salesperson breathing down your back. Once you have the information, search on the internet for the best prices.

[Joeint]

[QUOTE=RobertScott;2255502]I am not a Dev Basher, but

[RobertScott]

I like it very much here Joeint.

[westernrider75]

Go to Ultimate Granite on Rolling Acres Road. Take your approximate dimensions and once you pick something out you like they can give you a ballpark number. They have different grades of granite and several other options. The good thing is it’s actually much less expensive here than it was in Pennsylvania to do the same countertops.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Had builder laminate since 2014 with no issues.

[PersonOfInterest]

Depends on the amount of counter you will be replacing. What model home is it? I have never heard of anyone having an issue with Laminate leaking through to the substrate.

[Laurel Maryland]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

I am not a Dev Basher, but it was in very poor taste for them to specify the formica type counters with a seam against the backboard, and two upward facing seams at the 45 degree slope at the front.

No matter how careful one is, water is going to pentrate that seam, and / or roll down at the bottom, and begin compromising the substrate, especially since the water does not pitch inbound. Thus begins swelling, and crumbling along the bottom.

I understand that the defaults that come with the house aren't top tier, but they shouldn't be made of something that fails fairly rapidly under normal use. We eat out a fair amount as well.

That being said, it would appear that we are going to have to replace the kitchen ones in the near future.

About how much would I be looking at, to replace the L shaped one by the sink, the big one on the island, and the one to the right of the stove. I realize this depends upon what exactly we pick, we do not want stone, would want " solid man made" I guess. I understand this is not a cheap thing to do, but I would like to wrap my mind around some ballpark figure, as I have no idea.

I replaced countertops with a product called Curava. Its made from recycled glass and, IMHO, its gorgeous. Worth looking into. You can order samples on-line directly from the company. Plan to spend $80 to $90 per sq. ft.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

I am not a Dev Basher, but it was in very poor taste for them to specify the formica type counters with a seam against the backboard, and two upward facing seams at the 45 degree slope at the front.

No matter how careful one is, water is going to pentrate that seam, and / or roll down at the bottom, and begin compromising the substrate, especially since the water does not pitch inbound. Thus begins swelling, and crumbling along the bottom.

I understand that the defaults that come with the house aren't top tier, but they shouldn't be made of something that fails fairly rapidly under normal use. We eat out a fair amount as well.

That being said, it would appear that we are going to have to replace the kitchen ones in the near future.

About how much would I be looking at, to replace the L shaped one by the sink, the big one on the island, and the one to the right of the stove. I realize this depends upon what exactly we pick, we do not want stone, would want " solid man made" I guess. I understand this is not a cheap thing to do, but I would like to wrap my mind around some ballpark figure, as I have no idea.

Howzabout an overlay? < https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Granite-Countertop-Laminate-Self-Adhesive/dp/B09WCRPGNB/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1NR37VLMFPK3V&keywords=Formica%2Bc ountertop%2Boverlay&qid=1694606579&sprefix=formica %2Bcountertop%2Boverlay%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-3&th=1>