TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Updating your kitchen countertops with the latest look might seem like a great - and relatively easy - remodeling project. But you need to be careful. Some new trends might not stand up to the way you use your kitchen and others might be a waste of money.
In this Angie's List report, what to ask before investing in a culinary makeover.
Countertops can transform the look of your kitchen, whether you want something more traditional:
"We still see most people in that granite and quartz world," said remodeling contractor Geoff Horen.
Or a bit trendier…
"Concrete and wood and recycled glass tend to be what I kinda call our HGTV products," he said.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is not just much you're willing to spend -- but how much you should spend.
"You don't want to over invest in your house because you won't get the return. So, for example if you have a rental property that you rent out for $1,000 a month, installing countertops that are $80 per square foot is way too much money to invest," explains Angie Hicks of Angie's List.
Remember to do your research, and be honest about if you're going for style or substance.
"Sometimes people will say things like, 'I want to be able to put hot pans right on my counter top.' Well, then those people, generally speaking, need to go toward a granite product because granite has a heat tolerance of like 900 to 1,200 degrees," said Horen.
If you can't decide what you want, if can be best to pick a material that fits with the rest of your home's style and feel. And you don't always have to spend more to get a certain look.
"I can take a couple of laminate samples and literally set them on our granite samples and show people... they look exactly the same," said Horen.
Angie's List says be honest with yourself about how much maintenance you can handle. For example, porous materials like limestone and marble need sealing once a year.
Remember you can catch the latest Angie's List report every Tuesday morning on WTXL Sunrise.
