That would be a miracle where I live.

Try finding someone locally -- not Home Depot or Lowes, to do the install. Or find someone who can build and install them for the cheapest option.

The cheap way is by buying the preformed lengths at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. The problem with that is that you are limited to a few pattern choices and you have to either cut them to size yourself or hire a contractor separately to install them for you.

Thanks for the replies. I am also wondering how much more is installation for granite/quartz vs laminate? My countertop space is going to be roughly 30sq ft. I found quartz that covers this space for $800 (materials only). Homedepot's laminate is $1200 for (materials and install).

IKEA sells counters that are even less expensive the HD and Lowes

$99 for 98" in length

The installation for granite and quartz is more expensive. It usually includes doing a really good job at the seams plus both are very heavy. Laminate can be cut with a regular circular saw and is screwed in from braces in the tops of the cabinets - much easier.

Most kitchen and bath places include the cost of the installation in the cost of the countertop which run about $60 to $120 a sq ft - for quartz - that is a rough estimate. I have 31 sq. ft. of countertop in my main kitchen. I first was interested in a lower cost quartz and was given a quote of $1500 for the countertop only at Menards, or $2500 for the countertop installed from a Kitchen and Bath store. I ended up going with a higher cost quartz which cost $1950. The installer is charging $1300 to do a digital measurement of the counters, install the counters, plus also install my farmhouse sink - which will require some work on my sink base cabinet and install the faucet.

I did not think my little kitchenette would be ready to go at the same time. When it was, I emailed my installer to ask if he could work on that too and he said sure. I did not ask how much he is going to charge. It will probably be his hourly rate.

I am surprised you were able to find quartz that inexpensive. If that is from a home center store, have you had the actual estimate figured? The fabricators charge for the cuts they have to make, cutting out the sink and drilling the faucet holes, which really adds up. The less expensive quartz I originally looked at was $35 a sq. ft. which times 31 is $1050, but the estimate with sink cut out etc., was about $1500.

Ikea...if you live in the area of an Ikea, they will have a great selection. If you have to use the on-line system then you have 2 choices....but they are cheap.

Personally I would use my 6mm cork tiles and glue them to a piece of plywood. A couple of coats of polyurethane and I'm ready...roughly the price you are looking for ($8-$10/sf including materials and installation). Its DIY so totally possible to do it for materials only.

I have looked at ikea and I really don't like the laminate they have. The "white" they offer looks terrible. I have the dark oak laminate wood from Ikea as my back up. I plan on renting this place out in a few years and I'm a pretty lazy person so butcherblock has been ruled out.

Thanks for the tip on the stock laminate at homedepot. I checked this out at the homedepot i live near and it looks pretty good. I don't like the selection so I guess I will try and find what I want online and drive to the location that stocks it? The stuff online that you preorder is where their laminate gets really pricey.