David Lupberger: Hi! I am David Lupberger, Home Improvement Expert for ServiceMagic. I am talking about the countertop upgrade options available for under $1,500 when renovating your kitchen.

There are numerous countertop materials, such as Formica or Laminate, this will be custom manufactured by a Formica Fabricator to fit your kitchen. Ceramic tiles, these are installed over a plywood base and cut to fit your cabinets. Granite tiles, like ceramic, these are installed over a plywood base and cut to fit. Now costs are all over the board with each type of countertop material, but there are exceptions. For example, you can find discounted materials, discontinued lines, close-out materials and remnants. Let's talk about remnants and close-out granite slabs. Size will be the biggest limitation with granite remnants and slabs. Stone fabricators who provide these countertops will have left over remnants, but sizes will vary and may not be the right fit for your project. Check with the local supplier and ask them what's available? You can also ask them if you can call their wholesaler and ask about leftover materials. Wholesalers have remnant slabs and while they don't sell to the general public, they will be open to a walk-in consumer, who may purchase leftover granite remnants. If your kitchen has a separate countertop and island, consider a countertop accent. Blending separate colors on the countertop and island can let you use distinct remnant or close-out materials and save you a lot of money. There are always discounts, repeat, there are always discounts, you just have to take the time to look. With the right design it can be beautiful.

You are trading your time to save money by acting as your own material procurer. If you can provide all materials, you can then hire an installer or granite fabricator to complete the installation. So those are the some of the countertop options you have available when renovating your kitchen.