How Much Does Kitchen Worktop Replacement Cost?
New worktops are the highest-impact kitchen upgrade for the money. In 2026, kitchen worktop replacement costs £500-£3,500 fitted for a typical kitchen, driven mainly by material. Laminate is £500-£1,200, solid wood £900-£1,800, and quartz or granite £1,500-£3,500 templated and fitted. Bigger kitchens with islands cost more. This guide gives the full 2026 ladder by material, plus fitting and the extras to check.
Worktop Replacement Cost by Material
Material is the biggest driver, then the run length, number of cut-outs (sink, hob) and edge detailing. Laminate is DIY-friendly; stone is templated and fitted by specialists. Prices below are supplied and fitted for a typical kitchen.
Laminate worktops
£500-£1,200 fitted. Huge range of looks including stone and woodgrain effects. Best value and the easiest to fit. Lasts 8-12 years with care.
Solid wood
£900-£1,800 fitted. Warm, repairable and re-sandable, but needs oiling and care around water. Oak and walnut sit at the top of the range.
Quartz (engineered stone)
£1,800-£3,500 templated and fitted. Hard, non-porous, low-maintenance and consistent in colour. The most popular premium choice in 2026.
Granite
£1,500-£3,200 templated and fitted. Natural stone, very hard-wearing and heat-resistant, with unique veining. Needs occasional sealing.
Templating & fitting (stone)
Included in stone quotes: a template visit, CNC cutting, delivery and fitting. Cut-outs for sinks/hobs and upstands are usually part of the price - confirm.
Extras to check
Removing and disposing of old tops (£80-£250), re-sealing joints, plumbing disconnect/reconnect for sink and tap, and any drainer grooves or breakfast-bar overhangs.
What else lands on the worktop quote
Stone worktops are templated after the units are in, so the quote arrives in two parts and the extras below are easy to miss when comparing them.
Granite and quartz overlap heavily in price, so the choice is usually about veining and sealing rather than budget.