Laminate remains the most budget-friendly countertop material on the residential market, yet pricing still varies wildly from one kitchen to the next. As the leading AI estimating platform for builders and remodelers, CountBricks is asked every day, “What will a laminate countertop really cost me?” The answer depends on square footage, edge treatments, local labor, and—most importantly—how accurately you measure. In this guide we break down every factor, show real-world numbers pulled from the CountBricks pricing engine, and explain how our voice-driven estimating workflow keeps your bids profitable and transparent.
Laminate tops are usually sold by the linear foot, but fabrication shops calculate from total square footage. A straight 10-foot run costs less per foot than an L-shaped kitchen with sink and range cut-outs because waste is lower and install time is faster.
• Straight run averages: $22–$28 per sq ft installed
• L-shape with one cut-out: $28–$34 per sq ft installed
• U-shape or island combos: $32–$40 per sq ft installed
Most homeowners picture classic matte laminate, but CountBricks catalogs over 300 premium options. High-definition prints, integrated backsplashes, and textured finishes can raise material cost by 10–25 percent.
The square “self-edge” remains cheapest, yet modern homes often demand crescent, beveled, or full bullnose edges. Each additional routing pass adds labor minutes that appear on your CountBricks quote line.
• Self-edge: negligible upcharge
• Crescent or bevel: plus $3–$5 per linear foot
• Full bullnose or ogee: plus $6–$9 per linear foot
Laminate is still a craft. CountBricks syncs with regional wage databases nightly, so your quote in Louisville differs from one in Los Angeles even when material specs match. Typical residential install labor sits between $6 and $11 per square foot.
Existing countertop removal can add 1–3 labor hours. Multiply that by prevailing wage and add dumpster fees, and you have another $2–$5 per square foot. CountBricks automatically prompts you for removal tasks so this cost never gets forgotten.
Below is a real example from CountBricks.com/services generated through a 90-second voice conversation with a remodeler on site.
• 42 sq ft laminate, mid-grade textured finish: $1,190
• Crescent edge on 28 linear feet: $112
• Labor install (regional average $8.25 / sq ft): $347
• Sink cut-out and faucet drill: $85
• Removal of existing tops: $130
Total turnkey cost: $1,864 or $44.38 per square foot
Home kitchens rarely have perfect right angles. Measuring tape errors of one-eighth inch expand to pricey fabrication mistakes. With CountBricks AI blueprint takeoffs, you upload a PDF or snap a site photo and let our computer-vision engine capture every dimension. The result: millimeter-level accuracy without manual math.
1. Open the CountBricks mobile app and start a Voice Estimate.
2. Say, “Create laminate countertop quote, 12-foot L-shape, premium marble print, beveled edge.”
3. The AI suggests average regional labor, then asks follow-up prompts: demolition needed? backsplash height? sink model?
4. Approve or adjust each line item in real time.
5. Tap “Generate Document” and a branded PDF arrives in your inbox and your client’s.
• Always include a 10 percent overage in material to cover seam alignment
• Offer two edge profile options so homeowners see value instead of price alone
• Add a line for caulk and sealant—even small supplies eat margin when omitted
• Schedule template and install within the same week to avoid jobsite damage storage
• Use CountBricks.com/portfolio images to visually upsell premium finishes
CountBricks users often need quick talking points when a client asks, “Why not granite?” Here is the high-level comparison we embed in our estimate notes:
• Laminate: $25–$40 / sq ft turnkey, one-day install, moderate heat resistance
• Solid Surface: $50–$80 / sq ft, seamless sinks possible, repairable scratches
• Quartz: $70–$110 / sq ft, high resale value, heavier cabinet requirements
• Granite: $65–$100 / sq ft, natural variation, annual sealing needed
Laminate remains the quickest path to a stylish kitchen on a starter-home budget, and with modern textures many buyers can’t spot the difference.
Traditional spreadsheets force you to guess overhead. CountBricks lets you pre-load company margin targets, labor rates, and markup percentages. The AI applies them automatically, locking in profitability on every laminate countertop quote. Because numbers pull directly from live material pricing, the system flags you when supplier costs spike—so you can update bids before they bite.
Laminate countertop jobs may look simple, but fast-changing material catalogs and tight labor schedules can quickly erode profit. Whether you are a custom homebuilder or a remodeler tackling ten kitchens a month, CountBricks delivers the speed and precision you need.
Get started now at CountBricks.com/services and experience the only voice-enabled estimating platform built exclusively for residential construction pros.
A regional builder approached CountBricks needing a bid for twelve identical starter homes. Each kitchen required a 14-foot straight laminate run with integrated backsplash and basic sink cut-out.
• Blueprint PDFs were uploaded at 9:00 AM and processed automatically by CountBricks takeoff AI in under three minutes per unit
• The estimator used voice commands to set grade-B matte laminate, square edge, and regional labor at $7.80 / sq ft
• CountBricks applied the builder’s 22 percent margin and auto-generated individual client-ready PDFs plus a master schedule sheet
• By 9:30 AM, twelve complete estimates totaling $14,112 were out for electronic signature
The builder secured all twelve contracts the same afternoon, citing the professional layout of the CountBricks documents and the transparent cost breakdown as key client trust factors. Actual installs finished 6 percent under budget because waste allowances were dialed-in by the AI.
• Rapid, repeatable designs are perfect for laminate—lean on CountBricks templates to slash admin time
• Voice commands prevent manual entry errors, especially when scaling to multi-unit quotes
• Live material feeds let you lock pricing for a development phase before suppliers adjust rates
If you tackle volume residential work, laminate countertops can be a high-margin service when estimated precisely. Sign in to CountBricks.com/consultation to schedule a free workflow audit. Our team will import your existing price book and demonstrate how to shave 30 percent off office hours while boosting bid accuracy. Your clients get clearer numbers, and you get more signed contracts—fast.
• Negotiate with suppliers for bulk sheet pricing and load those tiers into CountBricks so AI selects the best break point
• Offer same-day template and install slots during slow seasons and advertise the turnaround inside every quote
• Bundle countertop install with cabinet touch-ups; CountBricks can add multi-trade tasks in one voice session, increasing average ticket value
Join thousands of residential pros who trust CountBricks to turn laminate countertop questions into predictable, profitable projects.
