Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Sep 06, 2012 9:17 pm I know when you see houses for sale they say "ceasarstone benchtop. But I'm not sure whether it's eworth the extra expense. I'm puting in a new kitchen to sell. Price $680-720,000. One kitchen guy said it's only an extra $1500 but I find that hard to believe. He also said the kitchen will only be $15,000. Also sounds cheap. It's not huge but not pokey either. I put laminate in cheap rental properties but will it look too cheap if I go laminate? Re: Laminate = cheap? 4Sep 06, 2012 9:42 pm travelbug Does that affect the answer? Last time I lookec I was a woman. Well yes and no, but I think you sort of answered your own question, there's nothing wrong with laminate but if I was buying a $700,000 house i would expect a little more than laminate. Re: Laminate = cheap? 5Sep 07, 2012 8:24 am The cost of Caesarstone has come down over the past few years so $1500 difference sounds right. As for resale, I would definatley go stone. This year I've only sold 2 kitchens with laminate tops and they were for flats. Everyone who has stepped into my showroom has requested a stone of some sort. So the buyer you want to sell to may be thinking it's OK but we may have to change the benchtops in the future. Or use this to negotiate against you. Re: Laminate = cheap? 6Sep 07, 2012 12:19 pm Sure CaesarStone is a much nicer benchtop but I am not sure it would get you anymore on the sale price of a $700,000 home. There are some really nice laminates out there and it will save you around $1500-2500. If you were going to be living in it then I would say stone without question. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Laminate = cheap? 7Sep 07, 2012 1:19 pm In my opinion, if I was to buy a house for $700k - I'd want it to have quality fittings & fixtures, including a stone benchtop. The road to success is always under construction House completed April 2011 - slowly making it a home... Laminate = cheap? 9Sep 07, 2012 1:48 pm Zarli In my opinion, if I was to buy a house for $700k - I'd want it to have quality fittings & fixtures, including a stone benchtop. I agree. Building the Riva by Dale Alcock Homes. Follow our progress here: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=57075 Re: Laminate = cheap? 10Sep 07, 2012 4:34 pm MissEm Zarli In my opinion, if I was to buy a house for $700k - I'd want it to have quality fittings & fixtures, including a stone benchtop. I agree. I agree also Whether it be recon or natural when you are spending so much money on a house you expect those fine qualities. Re: Laminate = cheap? 12Sep 07, 2012 5:27 pm Thanks guys. Still waiting on a price but the 1m X 3m bench may be an issue in stone. Plus the shape which is difficult to cut. Some of the diamond cut laminates look good. Mmmm decisions, decisions. Re: Laminate = cheap? 13Sep 07, 2012 10:04 pm Leni_82 MissEm Zarli In my opinion, if I was to buy a house for $700k - I'd want it to have quality fittings & fixtures, including a stone benchtop. I agree. I agree also Whether it be recon or natural when you are spending so much money on a house you expect those fine qualities. Where is the house travelbug? If it's in a red-hot area and the buyers are likely to want to change the kitchen anyway. . . what's the point in adding stone? Re: Laminate = cheap? 14Sep 07, 2012 10:42 pm Zarli In my opinion, if I was to buy a house for $700k - I'd want it to have quality fittings & fixtures, including a stone benchtop. Well it's all relative really. In some inner city areas people would be happy to get a place for $700K even if it was unlivable. Re: Laminate = cheap? 15Sep 07, 2012 11:01 pm Doesnt it depend on what the block is worth. It may be a tear down house in which case I would go the cheapest. On the other hand if it is up the higher end of the scale for the area then I would think stone..... Re: Laminate = cheap? 16Nov 04, 2012 2:27 pm Since you're putting a new kitchen in anyway I'd go with stone benchtops, just like having tiles or wood floorboards instead of viny flooring it gives an impression of higher quality. It won't necessarily add to the sale value but it might add to the appeal hopefully making the house easier to sell. Re: Laminate = cheap? 17Nov 04, 2012 11:36 pm Stone and get prices for Marble or Natural Stone as well, can be cheaper than you think, and will look heaps better than the engineered stuff Re: Laminate = cheap? 18Nov 11, 2012 11:16 pm Got to say I have to disagree with the above answers. We built a 1mil home and I CHOSE laminate bench tops! Yup I have five bathrooms, four of them have laminate and the fifth one is wood. There are two full kitchens and one kitchenette and you guessed it LAMINATE!! Here are the reasons why I chose it over stone, marble blah blah blah 1. I love the feel of marble .... can't bear the colours / patterns 2. I have a German kitchen that is very very different and the stones just looked plain silly 3. My bathrooms all have a fabulous laminate from Italy. It is completely divine. Stone would not have given me the effect I have got in the bathrooms 4. If something chips it is easier to replace 5. Everybody has stone and it will be the easiest way to date a house in ten years! 6. If you are building to resell choose a fabulous laminate .... it will look heaps better than a cheap stone! Just my two pennies worth. I get rather annoyed when people say it gives the impression of higher quality. My kitchen has been selected to be in numerous ad shots .... laminate and all! Re: Laminate = cheap? 19Nov 11, 2012 11:27 pm Travelbug, there are laminates and there are laminates. Google Laminex FX 180 and Wilsonart HD. Laminate = cheap? 20Nov 11, 2012 11:36 pm kayandandy Got to say I have to disagree with the above answers. We built a 1mil home and I CHOSE laminate bench tops! Yup I have five bathrooms, four of them have laminate and the fifth one is wood. There are two full kitchens and one kitchenette and you guessed it LAMINATE!! Here are the reasons why I chose it over stone, marble blah blah blah 1. I love the feel of marble .... can't bear the colours / patterns 2. I have a German kitchen that is very very different and the stones just looked plain silly 3. My bathrooms all have a fabulous laminate from Italy. It is completely divine. Stone would not have given me the effect I have got in the bathrooms 4. If something chips it is easier to replace 5. Everybody has stone and it will be the easiest way to date a house in ten years! 6. If you are building to resell choose a fabulous laminate .... it will look heaps better than a cheap stone! Just my two pennies worth. I get rather annoyed when people say it gives the impression of higher quality. My kitchen has been selected to be in numerous ad shots .... laminate and all! Before I disagree with you, can we see photos of your kitchen and bathroom benchtops 1. Roof cleaning and paint - which colour do you recommend? I often see black/ dark grey in use these days but I would prefer… 0 8322 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair At a bit of a loss on this one - we're thinking the original owners never removed the protective laminate covers from their kitchen cabinets after installation and in the… 0 6330 We are doing heaps of hybrid at the moment and the cost sits between $60-65/sqm including installation. Stairs are around $90-100 each 1 4310 |