Laminate or Quartz for a future investment property?

Question

My husband and I are just getting on the real estate bandwagon. We are in the process of buying a brand new townhome that we will live in for 2-3 years until he retires from the military. After that we will be renting it out. My gut tells me not to spend the $6000 to upgrade all laminate countertops (kitchen and 3 baths) to quartz but thought I’d ask the experts as I don’t have experience with laminate to know if it’s something that will need to be replaced often and quartz wouldn’t.

Thanks for any feedback! We are excited to start our real estate investing journey!

Account Closed · Answer

If you only get two options for a quartz pattern stick with the laminate for now and consider upgrading when it comes closer to retirement - IF the comps justify it.  Then you will have more choices since you won’t be stuck with what the builder offers, and can even do just the kitchen if you want.

David M. · Answer

@Beth Wade

Why not use granite?  For my area, granite starts at $35 sqpft installed.  Meanwhile, quartz starts at $80 sqft.

Otherwise ihabenr had a problem with my personal quartz tops. As many other posts have said, really depends on what the neighborhood has and what is expected in your market.

Good luck

Beth Wade · Answer

Thank you all for the advice!  I talked to a local builder friend there and we have decided to go with the laminate as she said the builder is likely using "builder quartz" and we will get more bang for our buck by upgrading later.

Peter Anderson · Answer

Good quartz is extremely durable and definitely worth the investment in any A, B, or C class home in my opinion. We pay about $55/foot installed in an overall expensive market.

Dominique Pradel-Lewis · Answer

What is the price of this property?  If it's less than 200k laminate but since someone mentioned quartz being soft I would consider granite.  Installed mine 8 years ago and love it.  Also can you get credit from the builder and shop around for your own? Unless you have a massive kitchen 6k sound like a ripoff.  Bought mine @$27 sq ft but generally 30-45 will give you nice options if you shop around.

Kapena Otare · Answer

@Beth Wade

I always use quartz on my projects, according to my appraiser￼ it’s a better resale.￼

Beth Wade · Answer

@David M. Unfortunately we aren’t given many options by the builder - laminate or quartz and two options for pattern. I will ask find out if it makes a difference in the area as far as expectation but I’d lean towards no. It is a heavy military population with limited rentals available (one reason we jumped on the opportunity as our mortgage is well below the allowance we get and should at least break even after expenses when renting it out).

Theresa Harris · Answer

Put in a nice laminate if it is a $6K difference.

Nora Spangler · Answer

That's a tough one. I love quartz and have it in my 2 yr old home, but I've already nicked the edge of my countertops in a few places. Quartz is actually quite SOFT. Good quality laminate w/a bullnose (one-piece) edge might hold up better.

Laminate or Quartz for a future investment property?

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