Your countertops help define your kitchen's style and functionality. It pays to keep them in good condition. Unfortunately, chips, scratches, burns and water damage are potential issues that harm your kitchen’s, or bathroom’s, aesthetic. Eventually, you’ll need to choose between refinishing, repair or resurfacing.

• Refinishing a countertop is one type of repair to the surface finish. It includes buffing out scratches, sanding away stains, adding a coat of epoxy and recoating the surface with a sealant.
• Resurfacing can include both the removal and replacement of a worn laminate or tiles and the addition of a new surface.

In the case of stone, resurfacing and refinishing are often used interchangeably. While these are types of repairs, they don’t include all types such as fixing a crack.

Epoxy Countertops Cost

Repairing resin epoxy countertops costs anywhere from $100 to $600 or more depending on the type and extent of the damage. Although this is a tempting DIY job, a smooth, even, professional finish requires both skill and experience.

Floors also benefit from this process. Installing concrete floor coating costs $1,500 to $3,000. It’s a similar process, though due to the high-traffic nature of floors over counters, there may be additional steps or thicker coats.

In extreme cases, a professional removes the old epoxy layer and installs a new one. This is an excellent chance to update the look of your kitchen with colored or patterned kits.

Re Laminate Countertop Costs

Re-laminating a countertop costs $200 to $650. Expect to pay $100 to $300 for materials and an additional $35 to $85 per hour for labor. You can re laminate post-formed surfaces with square edges. You’ll need to replace pre-formed types. Installing new laminate countertops costs $800 to $1,800. They have one of the lowest average replacement prices. The investment in refinishing may not be worth it given the cost to replace.

A few things to consider before choosing to re laminate or replace:

• Repairs for scratches include cleaning the damaged area with a solvent, then applying a laminate repair paste.
• Laminate scratches easily and doesn’t handle heat well.
• Reduce visible scratches by installing a matte finish laminate will help to make any scratches less obvious.
• Color matching is tough on laminate and most repairs will look obvious.
• Avoid damage by install a small tiled portion on the surface in high traffic areas.

Formica

One of the leading brands of laminate, Formica costs within the same range of $100 to $800 to repair. For glued edge failures, use contact cement at about $10 to reattach the laminate yourself. Glue failure often happens along the seams and edges. Repair as soon as possible to keep moisture from causing de-lamination.

Resurfacing Countertops Costs

Common types of repair, and the associated costs, depend on the countertop material. The highest quality materials are often the hardest wearing, but also the most expensive to resurface. Regular maintenance, and proper use, minimizes the risk of damage.

Cost to Resurface Natural Stone Countertops

Stone countertops have a high resurfacing price, averaging anywhere between $100 to $1,200. Polishing stone countertops costs $2 to $8 per square foot including sealing. It depends on the exact stone material and damage.

These types should last well over 100 years if maintained properly. They are prone to stains and scratches. Resurfacing protects your investment.

Granite Countertop Chip, Crack Repair or Resurfacing Cost

Resurfacing granite, including polishing and sealing, ranges from $200 to $1,200, depending on the damage and work needed. You may opt to repair small chips and cracks yourself using a DIY granite epoxy resin repair kit for $35 to $100. Extensive damage might warrant complete replacement or resurfacing. Installing new granite countertops costs $3,000 to $6,000 for 30 to 50 square feet.

Common issues requiring repair include:

• Chips & Cracks: It can crack and chip if struck with something hard or heavy like a cast iron skillet.
• Marring: Use a trivet as this natural stone, while heat-resistant, can suffer marring from a hot pan.
• Dulling: It can etch or dull when exposed to acidic cleaners, even natural ones like vinegar and lemon juice. Use cleaners designed for granite.
• Staining: It can stain if not sealed. Reseal at least once a year.

Cultured Marble Refinishing

Like other natural stone, marble requires polishing and sealing for $2 to $7 per square foot. Professional repair, depending on work required, may range from about $200 to $1,200+. Because marble is natural like granite, many DIY repair kits for chipping are the same, averaging about $35 to $100.

• Cracks & Chips: Like granite, marble can chip and crack if a hard, heavy object drops on its surface. The corners particularly are vulnerable.
• Heat Burns, Etching & Staining: It's susceptible to heat burns, etching from acidic liquids, and staining if not sealed properly.

Slate

Repairing slate counters costs $100 to $300+. Refinishing runs $100 to $240 for 30 square feet, or about the same as other type of stone. Durable and non-porous, it’s more expensive to install than most other natural products, but it’s easy to care for.

• Cracks: Slate corners can chip or crack, tending towards more brittleness than other materials. Consider having the corners rounded before installation to minimize this.
• Scratches: Keep it looking good by polishing with mineral oil and buffing out scratches with steel wool.

Solid Surface Countertop Restoration

Restoring solid surfaces cost $200 to $500 on average. Professionals can sand down scratches easily. It’s far more expensive to replace than repair. Installing new solid surface countertops costs $2,000 to $4,600+.

Solid surface tops may develop cracks and chips. Resurfacing involves sanding down imperfections and using a solid surface repair kit for minor damage. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to replace the damaged section.

Corian Refinishing & Crack Repair Costs

Expect professional repairs to run $200 to $500. Non-porous, Corian® countertops cost $2,200 to $5,000. They don’t need sealing, which eliminates a maintenance cost. Scratches, dents, scuffs, and even some burns can be buffed out. Fixes usually require color matched or clear epoxy and sandpaper. Total DIY cost $30.

Engineered Quartz and Caesarstone

Professional repairs may run $200 to $500. The most common repair on these surfaces are burns due to hot pots. Repairs are far cheaper than replacement.

• Most quartz replacement countertops cost $1,000 to $4,000+. They require no sealing and is resistant to chips, cracks, stains, and scratches (but always use a cutting board).
• Replacing Caesarstone costs $800 to $2,500. It’s a manufactured quartz material that does need sealing due to its porous surface.

Cost of Refinishing Other Kitchen Countertops

Less common types of countertop also require repair and refinishing and can range anywhere from $200 to $1,000 depending on the material type.

Tile

The average cost of repairing tiles runs $350 and $400 if you hire a tile contractor. In most cases, repair means removing and replacing tiles. Rarely, some homeowners choose to epoxy coat the surface.

Replacing grout, the most common type of repair, is a simple DIY project that costs around $30. This involves removing the old, failing grout and then applying the new. If any tiles do crack, professional tilers have the necessary skill to remove only the few damaged pieces, replacing them for a seamless repair. The cost to regrout tile professionally runs $150 to $2,500 total or $10 to $25 per square foot.

Wood or Butcher Block

Repairing or resurfacing wood counters costs $200 to $500. Solid wood is hard wearing, and if the surface is reclaimed wood, any minor marks and scuffs add to its character. Scratch marks and pitting are easy to repair by sanding them down and then refinishing.

Stainless Steel

Depending on the amount of damage and the size of the counter, homeowners will pay between $500 and $1,000 to fix the surface. The cost of new stainless-steel counters ranges between $80 and $225 per square foot. Steel is non-porous and very hygienic. It doesn't rust, chip, fade, or corrode. It's resistant to heat and has a lifespan of at least 25 years.

Countertop Repair Costs

The cost to repair a countertop runs from $100 to $800 but varies considerably due to a wide range of factors:

• Material: Laminate is relatively inexpensive to replace, but damages quite easily. Granite or metal worktops are more durable yet also more expensive to repair.
• Type of damage: Fixing a small scratch is such a minor task that you may be able to complete as a DIY project. A split in a wood counter, or cracked tiles, requires more time and skill.
• Hiring a pro: $35-$100 per hour. Materials, supplies and call-out or house visit charges are separate. Bigger projects take longer, which pushes up the price.
• Geographic location:Your location determines the availability of professionals, and may impact on the price of materials, especially if they are imported.

Refinish vs. Replacement vs. Repair

It's more cost-effective to repair or refinish countertops rather than replace them. The best option often depends on factors such as the material and the nature of the damage. Consider all options carefully before hiring a contractor.

When to Resurface/Refinish

It's possible to restore countertops made of tile, marble, wood and laminate. Either of these processes is quicker than replacement, so it's less disruptive to your family life. It’s also up to 60 percent cheaper. Here are some common and cost-effective repairs to countertop replacement.

• Rust-Oleum® resurfacing product costs about $100 to $250. It resurfaces your existing one, giving it the look of granite. Available in 30- or 50-square feet kits.
• Peel-and-stick vinyl coverings that look like granite run about $20 to $60 per roll. They are easy to use.
• Install ceramic tiles over old laminate. Costs vary depending on countertop square footage and the type and size of tile.
• Painting over laminate is an easy-to-moderate DIY job. Choose a satin or semi-gloss for a strong, acrylic shine. Prep work will include sanding and two coats of primer. Costs vary depending on countertop square footage and paint choice.

When to Replace

Replacing countertops costs $1,800 to $4,000. It’s a better option if the damage is so severe that a repair would leave the counter structurally weakened. It’s also a good idea if the cost to resurface would meet or exceed the cost of replacement.

It's also a good option if there is a risk you are going to be unhappy with the quality of the repair. For example, matching up laminate colors isn't easy. You may find that after paying for the repair, you decide to replace the counters anyway.

Can You DIY This Project?

DIY countertop repair kits for minor scratches and other marks are readily available for $25 to $50, but in most cases it's better to call in a professional to ensure a high-quality finish with no visible signs of repair.

However, not all types of damage are easy to repair, and if you are in any doubt, it's better to hire a specialist to finish the work for you.

Many types of repair are suitable for DIY projects:

• Replacing grout or tiles on tiled counters.
• Filling and sanding scratches and chips in wooden counters.
• Refinishing laminate with a repair kit.
• Filling cracks in granite with epoxy and then sealing.
• Cleaning stains on natural stone with commercial cleaning products.
• Repairing scratches in Corian with polishing compound and countertop wax.
• Buffing scratches on stainless steel with vegetable oil.
• Removing stains from metal surfaces with baking soda and dish soap.

Additionally, bear in mind that invisible repairs require skill, and the finish you get with a DIY repair may be inferior to the finish a professional achieves.

FAQs

How much does Miracle Method cost?

According to Miracle Method, it’ll be a fraction of the cost of replacing the counter.

What’s the price of Leggari products?

Leggari custom countertop kits cost $400 to $600.

How much does Stone Coat cost?

Stone Coat Countertops start at $30 per square foot but go up from there depending on the material.

• Granite: $65-$150 per square foot.
• Cultured stone, like Silestone: $55-$120 per square foot.
• Solid surface like Corian: $45-$90 per square foot.
• Laminates, like Formica: $30-$65 per square foot.

How much is a new granite overly per square foot?

Granite tile overlays cost $5 to $15+ per square foot. A fraction of the cost of a slab. Granite overlays range in square foot price depending on where you live. While they may save money, talk to a professional about options before you start.

Hiring Professional Countertop Contractors

Countertop professionals charge $35 to $100 per hour depending on location. For some repairs, try a handyman for $20 to $30 per hour. If you want to make sure you get the best finish possible, consider paying extra to employ someone with the necessary skill set, especially for refinishing or resurfacing projects.

Questions to Ask

When you are shopping for quotes, get at least three quotes, and ask as many questions as possible. This makes it easier to assess which contractor is offering the best value. Questions to consider include:

• What professional accreditation (if any) does the contractor have?
• Does the contractor specialize in countertop repairs or specific materials?
• Does the quotation include all materials and additional fees?

Find a countertop repair professional near you to look at the counter before settling on a price, to ensure you know exactly what work is required. For example, you may think you only need a simple refinish, but the contractor may be able to identify additional problems. Countertop specialists have the skills to review the work involved, advise you on the best way to proceed, and complete the work in a timely manner.