The short answer
Laminate is the cheapest at £20–£60 per metre run; solid wood is £40–£100 per metre; quartz typically £250–£400 per m²; and granite £200–£400 per m². Quartz and granite are the most durable and low-maintenance but need templating and specialist fitting; laminate is the best value; solid wood is warm but needs oiling. The right choice balances budget, durability and the look you want. See the pillar cost guide for how worktops fit into the overall price.
The worktop is the most-used surface in the kitchen and one of the clearest dividing lines between budget and premium. Material choice can swing the cost of a kitchen by thousands, so it pays to understand how the four common options compare on price, durability and upkeep before you decide.
Worktop costs at a glance
- Laminate £20–£60 per metre run
- Solid wood £40–£100 per metre run
- Quartz £250–£400 per m²
- Granite £200–£400 per m²
- Most durable / low-upkeep Quartz
- Best value Laminate
Laminate: best value
Laminate worktops are a particleboard core finished with a printed laminate surface. They are by far the cheapest option at £20–£60 per metre run, come in a wide range of finishes including convincing stone and wood effects, and are easy to fit, which keeps labour down. The trade-offs are that they can chip or scorch, water can damage exposed edges over time, and a damaged section cannot be repaired — only replaced. For budget and many mid-range kitchens, laminate is a sensible, durable-enough choice.
Solid wood: warm and natural
Solid wood worktops — oak, walnut, beech and others — cost £40–£100 per metre run and bring warmth and character. They can be sanded and re-oiled to remove marks, which means they age and renew rather than simply wear out. The catch is maintenance: wood needs regular oiling, dislikes standing water (especially around the sink), and can move with humidity. It suits a traditional or country kitchen and owners happy to maintain it.
Quartz and granite: the stone options
Quartz (an engineered stone) and granite (a natural stone) are the premium choices. Quartz typically costs £250–£400 per square metre and is non-porous, so it resists stains and needs no sealing; it is the most consistent and low-maintenance option. Granite costs £200–£400 per square metre, is extremely hard-wearing and heat-resistant, and each slab is unique, but it is porous and benefits from periodic sealing. Both require a template visit after the units are fitted and a specialist fitting team, which adds time and coordination to the project — see our installation timeline guide.
| Material | Typical price | Durability | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | £20–£60 / metre run | Good; can chip/scorch | Low; wipe clean |
| Solid wood | £40–£100 / metre run | Renewable; can be sanded | Higher; needs oiling |
| Quartz | £250–£400 / m² | Excellent; non-porous | Very low; no sealing |
| Granite | £200–£400 / m² | Excellent; very hard | Low; periodic sealing |
How worktop choice affects the whole project
Beyond the headline price, the worktop material shapes the project. Stone worktops need a second visit: the units are fitted first, then templated, then the stone is cut and installed days later, which extends the timeline and means living with a partly finished kitchen briefly. Laminate and wood can be cut and fitted in one go. Stone is also heavy, which is one reason an 18mm rigid carcass is recommended underneath — see units and cabinets explained. This is general information; worktop costs vary with the material, your kitchen size and the fitter you choose.
Compare kitchen quotes
Worktop choice can swing a kitchen quote by thousands. Compare itemised quotes from kitchen design and fitting specialists in your area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest kitchen worktop?
Laminate, at £20–£60 per metre run. It comes in many finishes including stone and wood effects and is easy to fit, which keeps labour down. It can chip or scorch and cannot be repaired, but for budget and many mid-range kitchens it is a sensible choice.
Is quartz or granite better for a kitchen worktop?
Both are excellent. Quartz is non-porous and needs no sealing, making it the most low-maintenance; granite is a natural stone, very hard-wearing and each slab is unique, but it is porous and benefits from periodic sealing. The choice often comes down to look and whether you prefer consistency (quartz) or natural variation (granite).
Do stone worktops add time to the installation?
Yes. Stone worktops are templated after the units are fitted, then cut and installed on a later visit, so the kitchen is finished in two stages. Laminate and wood can be cut and fitted in one go, which is quicker.
Does solid wood worktop need a lot of maintenance?
More than the alternatives. Wood needs regular oiling, dislikes standing water especially near the sink, and can move with humidity. In return it can be sanded and re-oiled to renew it, so it ages well for owners happy to maintain it.
Sources & further reading
- KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association) — guidance on worktop materials and specification
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Document P — electrical safety in dwellings
- Gas Safe Register — rules for gas hob connections
- TrustMark — finding and checking registered tradespeople
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Costs and outcomes vary with the material, kitchen size and specialist you choose.