I also agree with Sophie, Your quartz and backsplash could cost as much as your lower cabinets. You might want to spend a little more and replace them.

Those cabinets are either going to release the tile without any major issues and be extremely sturdy and capable of handling a new quartz top. Or they will get severely damaged when you try to remove the tile. Unfortunately you wont know until you try it. its really 50/50 - nothing in between.

Even installing laminate could have its setbacks if the cabinets don't hold up after removing the tile.

You should budget for the worst.... and hope for the best.

Hmmm, this a first for me with tile on the side of the cabinets. Makes me wonder if they were trying to cover something up? Be prepared that you might be opening a can of worms if you remove that tile. If it was me, I'd only paint the walls and save your money until you can do it all at once.

Also, I have removed tile counters and replaced with quartz and there were some issues with the change in material thickness. Since that was a few houses ago, I don't remember exactly the problem so you probably want to research that with whatever material you go with.

Just do your homework and be prepared to have some extra $$'s set aside for any surprises.

You can look under the electrical outlet covers to see how thick the tile and mastic are on the backsplash. Poke your head under the sink for a view of what the tile is sitting on. It maybe be boards, plywood, or an old Formica countertop.

Please post again as the tile demo progresses.

It's not that thick, it does end at the walls so we can see the thickness. The cabinets feel pretty sturdy. Our current rental has laminate and these are definitely not laminate. Our inspection is tomorrow so I'll have access to measure and ask the inspector about the materials. My biggest issue with the tile is that is very rough and porous, not exactly hygienic for kitchen use. I work in Public Health so the thought of bacteria growing on my counters is repulsive. I would possibly consider laminate counters depending on how they looked.

Do you have any opinions on solid surface counters?

The DIY tilers may have put the rough tile over a laminate countertop.

IMO this kitchen needs more than cosmetics so I would save the time and effort spent on tile removal to rework this space and for sure if keeping the space you will need a counter depth fridge

I completely agree that the fridge is too big for the space. We'll have 30 years to remodel to our liking. The priority for us is the counters. This is our first house and we haven't even closed yet. We have some money after closing for cosmetic work, but not a full scale remodel.

I agree with Sophie. Upgrading the counters to granite may only make everything else look tired. There are some really lovely laminates now. The sides of the cabinets could simply be covered by gluing on bead board or any other covering. Paint and new laminate counters will transform this space.

I think a laminate counter top would do just fine here. Granite might be a bit over the top for what this kitchen is. You'll save thousands - which will be enough to have the damaged done to the cabinet box (from removing the tile on the sides) dealt with in a handsome way.

This is doable...but it is going to take some muscle and some finesse....and the ability to deal with the damage you create by removing the tile.

Good luck. I vote for laminate to give you 10-20 years of handsome, functional counter top.

I agree. painting those cabinets (again) and then having quartz and glass splash, will look odd. the cabinets are extremely dated. don't waste the money on the upscale items to put on 50 year old cabinets.

"Do you have any opinions on solid surface counters?"

They are terrific.

Don't waste your money, wait a year or two and change everything. When you ready, the kitchen is not that big, your boyfriend can do the demo and save some money, and the rest you can get a few estimates and get it done if you cannot DIY. This way you will get something for your money and it will be money well spent and you will have a new kitchen and enjoy it for many years to come.

Good luck

Yep. A kitchen refresh is something to think about but move in and get used to your space first. You may decide a backyard patio or privacy fence or bigger water heater is more important. Paint out the red wall and clean the tile counters; it will do for the interim while you save up money for a real remodel.

In the mean time, use an epoxy grout colorants on the grout lines, and put a two liter bottle on the counter there to put in your change at the end of the day. It adds up.

Heh heh, I was going to say just put wood panels over the tile on the end of the cabinets and paint them to match the cabinets....and do laminate countertops to save money, cause I totally get why the tile counter seems unhygienic....but then I saw this was a query from over two years ago! So now I am wondering what you ended up doing?