Why does nobody talk about how expensive those DIY countertop kits really are?

I tried one of those epoxy countertop kits from Home Depot last spring for my kitchen in Edmonton. Spent about $300 on the kit and another $150 on supplies I didn't know I needed like sandpaper and sealant. After three weekends of work it still looked terrible with bubbles and brush marks. Had to pay a guy $900 to grind it all off and do real granite. Has anyone else wasted money on those kits?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandrat241mo ago

Did you see that hack where they use peel-and-stick vinyl instead?

matthewkim1mo ago

The real hidden cost nobody talks about is the opportunity cost. I mean, sure, you spend the money on the kit and the extra supplies, but you also lose like three weekends of your life. As a parent I know that time is way more valuable than the actual cash. I could have been taking my kids to the park or just relaxing, but instead I was sweating over a countertop that ended up looking like a toddler's art project. Plus if you mess it up (which is super common based on what I've read in forums) you get to pay double to fix it. So really the kit is a gamble where you're betting your free time against a maybe decent result.