If your units are still good, you don’t need a whole new kitchen — just a new worktop. Here’s what a straight swap costs in 2026, what’s involved, and how to keep the price sensible.
The short answer: replacing the worktop with quartz or granite on an average 5–6 metre kitchen typically runs £1,400–£3,000 supplied and fitted, plus a small charge to disconnect and refit the sink and taps. Laminate is cheaper at around £300–£700. Because the units stay put, it’s a fraction of the cost of a full kitchen.
In most kitchens, yes. As long as the base units are sound and level, a fitter can remove the old surface and fit a new one without touching the cabinets, doors or flooring. The sink and taps are disconnected before removal and reconnected once the new worktop is in — so the only trades involved are the worktop team and, briefly, a plumber for the sink.
| Material | Typical replacement, 5–6 m kitchen | Sealing needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | £300–£700 | No |
| Quartz (engineered) | £1,400–£3,000 | Never |
| Granite (natural) | £1,200–£2,800 | Occasionally |
| Dekton / porcelain | £1,900–£3,500 | No |
Figures are supplied and fitted, plus a small charge to disconnect and refit the sink and taps. Add more for islands, extra cut-outs or premium edge profiles. For full per-square-metre ranges by material, see our worktop cost guide.
We template the existing layout precisely, fabricate the new worktop on our own CNC machinery in Sheffield, then return to fit. On fitting day the old top is lifted out, the new stone is set and joined, and the sink and taps are reconnected. Standard cut-outs for a new sink or hob are included in our price — and it’s worth choosing any new sink before we template so the cut-outs line up first time.
For stone, expect one to two weeks from template to fit, with the installation itself usually taking a day. Laminate can often be swapped in a single visit. Your kitchen is only out of action for the fitting day itself, not the whole period.
If the cabinets are in good order, a new worktop is one of the biggest visual upgrades you can make for the money. Swapping tired laminate for quartz or granite modernises the whole room at a fraction of the cost of a full refit — and stone lasts decades, so it’s a one-time job.
Sticking with a standard-range colour, a simple layout and a standard polished edge all bring the figure down. For smaller areas like a utility run or vanity top, a worktop offcut can be a very cost-effective way into real stone.
Usually yes. As long as the base units are sound and level, the worktop, sink and taps can be swapped without touching the cabinets — which is far cheaper and quicker than a whole new kitchen.
On an average 5–6 metre kitchen, replacing the worktop with quartz or granite typically runs £1,400–£3,000 supplied and fitted, plus a small charge to disconnect and refit the sink and taps. Laminate is cheaper at roughly £300–£700.
After templating, stone worktops are usually fitted within one to two weeks, and the fitting itself is generally a day for a standard kitchen. Laminate can often be swapped the same day.
If your units are in good order, a worktop swap transforms the look of the kitchen for a fraction of a full refit. Upgrading tired laminate to quartz or granite is one of the most cost-effective kitchen improvements you can make.
Thinking of replacing your worktops? Send a photo and rough measurements on WhatsApp for a ballpark, and we’ll give you a fixed price once we’ve templated. Get a free quote or call 0114 278 8525.
Keep your units, upgrade your worktops. WhatsApp a photo and we’ll price it up.