You think this would look bad?

[bay]

5000 for cabinet and countertop is very doable if your kitchen is not super big. Our custom cut granite countertop (Emerald Pearl, $40 per sq ft) costs $1800. We have 1 wall counter space and a island with extra hang for sitting. The cheapest granite I saw in the store is $30 per sq ft (black one with gold tone). You can calculate how many countertop space you will need and do your own math. If you want something even cheaper, you can go for prefab granite. It's precut granite and it's not as thick as one piece granite.

[ladyvictoria]

Actually, I don't even like granite tops. I like the look of man made granite like Zodiaq and I read some great reviews about it. Is that cheaper than granite? My kitchen is 130 sq-ft. not bad. I think I should be able to save enough to remodel next spring. I just have to clean it for now and live with.

[bay]

man made stone is actually more expensive, but maintenance free. We look both, but my husband does not like man made stone (quartz) because it's plain. Quartz is around 60-65 per sq ft. Corian is around 50-60 as well. Plus it gets scratch.
The kitchen in our new house used to have corian and it looks so bad. Maybe the prevous owner got pissed off when house was foreclosed and tried to destroyed the new kitchen. The kitchen is only 2 years old. We ended up tear down everything and redo it.

[Fields of Green]

Originally Posted by JimRom

Unfortunately desertsun41 is right. Melamine will NOT hold paint for any length of time. I won't tell you not to do it, but be warned if you do that you will have to redo it in about 12-18 months at the most.

Unless I missed a post I think she stated the cabinets aren't melamine even though they look like it?

[Fields of Green]

Originally Posted by budsvtec

My neighbor recently tiled his formica counter top and it came out really good and it was inexpensive too

That was my question, as I'm considering a house that has formica kitchen and bathroom counters. So I can just tile over them and backsplash up the back over the walls? What is involved? Scuffing/sanding? TSP? Do certain adhesives stick to formica better than others?