When to Refinish vs. Replace Your Countertops: A Decision-Making Guide

Unsightly countertops getting you down? We’re here with a guide to help you decide whether to refinish or replace countertops. After years of use, countertops can become dull, stained, scratched, or even cracked. And given the wide range of countertop materials—laminate, butcher block, and granite, to name a few—the final decision will come down to several factors.

Considerations to Take into Account

When deciding to refinish vs replace your countertops, there are a number of factors to consider before you tackle a full-scale replacement project. Some countertops can be refinished or painted relatively easily, depending on the material and the condition. The amount of labor and overall cost will also determine which route to take. 

The Issue

Cracks? A dull finish? Stains? Burn marks? All of the above? The reasons to refinish or replace a countertop are wide-ranging. Depending on the issue, take some time to research possible solutions. You may be able to repair scratches in a granite countertop or fix burnt laminate countertops, but deciding to repair or replace countertops comes down to the issue of how much it will cost and the labor involved for each route. 

Material

Some countertops are easier to refinish than others. For instance, butcher block countertops that are scratched, dented, and worn can be sanded until they’re smooth again and then sealed with mineral oil. On the other hand, laminate countertops can be refinished, but it may be easier to replace, paint, or refinish them. Granite and other natural stone countertops can be buffed if they’ve turned dull, and more minor chips or cracks can be filled with epoxy, but if there’s a large crack, the whole slab may need to be replaced.  

Condition

The condition of the countertop will help you determine whether or not you should refinish or replace countertops. No matter the material, the condition will play a role in your decision because it will impact the total cost and amount of labor. 

If the countertop is in poor condition or very old, and countertop resurfacing isn’t an option, it may be time to replace it. This gives you the advantage of choosing the material yourself if the existing countertops were there when you bought the house or allows you to update your kitchen to a more modern design or one that’s more in keeping with your current tastes. Refinishing the countertop may be the best option if it is in relatively good condition and is just old with a few nicks and dings. 

Labor

Countertop repair typically costs $10 to $20 per square foot, including labor and materials, while replacing countertop costs between $10 to $30 per square foot. At first glance, this doesn’t seem to make a huge difference, but consider how large the area that needs to be repaired versus the area of the entire countertop that would be replaced. 

There is also a time and convenience factor involved. Repairing a countertop may only take a few hours of work and result in little to no disruption of the day's tasks. Replacing a countertop requires deciding on the new material and pattern, cleaning out the kitchen, removing the old countertops, and installing the new ones—a process that can take at least a few days. Calculating the total square feet of repair versus replacement can help you decide which route fits the budget and time constraints. 

If you’re doing the work yourself, you may be able to reach your kitchen countertop ideas on a budget by saving on labor costs. But make sure to factor in the time you will take to complete the project. 

Cost

Looking at your budget and factoring in the cost to repair countertops versus the cost to replace countertops will help guide your final decision. The normal range to replace kitchen countertops is between $1,865 and $4,364, while repairing or refinishing them typically costs $208 and $521. The cost can vary quite a bit depending on the material you choose. For instance, Corian countertops cost between $2,200 and $5,000 to install, while laminate countertops cost between $841 and $1,732. 

But with these costs in mind, you should dig a little deeper into your situation and get an estimate from a local countertop resurfacing company.