Countertops in El Dorado, KS

Countertops in El Dorado should fit the value of the home they go into. The median owner-occupied home here is valued at $120,300 in Census estimates, and about 40% of homes are rentals. That calls for honest advice: sometimes quartz is the right call, and sometimes a good laminate or solid surface does the job for a fraction of the cost. We install all of them and give every customer a free written estimate.

An oil town's housing stock

El Dorado was platted in 1868. The El Dorado Oil Field was found in 1915, and by 1918 it was the largest single oil field producer in the country. The city's population went from 3,466 in 1900 to 10,995 in 1920 and reached 12,523 by 1960. A big share of the houses here date from those boom decades and the postwar years. Expect plaster walls, older plumbing under the sink and cabinet boxes that have been painted more than once. All of that affects how we remove the old tops and fit the new ones.

For landlords and investors

Census figures show a 60.0% owner-occupancy rate, which leaves a large rental market. Rental kitchens need surfaces that survive tenant turnover and cost little to repair. Our suggestions:

• Laminate with a square or beveled edge for the lowest cost and quick replacement
• Solid surface in bathrooms, where scratches can be sanded out instead of replaced
• Quartz in a standard color for a unit you want to rent at the top of the local market
• Granite remnants for small vanities, often at a lower price than a full slab

For owners staying put

If you plan to stay, it makes sense to spend on the surface you touch every day. Quartz is our usual suggestion because it needs no sealing and stands up to the coffee rings and grease that build up in a working kitchen. Granite is a solid choice if you prefer natural stone. For an older El Dorado home, we pay close attention to cabinet strength before recommending heavy stone, because a 70-year-old base cabinet may need reinforcing.

El Dorado permit rules

The city's Building Department at 226 N. Vine St. handles building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes. El Dorado's FAQ says permits are required to construct, alter, repair or move work, and that separate permits are required for electrical and plumbing. It also notes that minor repairs, such as fixing a leaking pipe, generally do not need a permit if no new piping is added. The city says the person doing the work should obtain the permit, and a homeowner can get one only for work they will do themselves. For countertop work, a sink reconnected in place is usually simple; new supply lines or a moved drain are plumbing work.

Weather and the house

On June 10, 1958, an F4 tornado struck El Dorado, killing 13 people. The city put up a memorial in Graham Park in 2008. Butler County still sees severe spring storms, and homes here have been repaired and rebuilt over the decades. When a house has had storm repairs, it is common to find kitchens patched together from different eras. A new countertop is a chance to make the room look like one piece again.

Next step

Call (316) 710-8260 to book a visit. We measure, show samples at your table and send a written quote you can compare against any other bid.

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