Spare wrote:
I have just finished installing new cabinetry in our home office. Now
I'm ready to order the laminate counter top, but I don't know the best
source. Should I just go with Home Depot, or should I try to contact a
specialist? What's the best way to find a specialist?

Home Depot charges a measuring fee and an installation fee, will also
allow me measure and install myself, but of course I accept more risk
(bad measurements, etc.) Is this difficult? I'd like to keep costs
low.

The key issue I'm concerned about is that one wall that the counter top
will be mounted against is not very straight. It backs up to the
laundry room, and carries plumbing to the upstairs bathrooms, and is
'wavy' as a result. Is this as simple as getting several measurements
along several points along the wall? What are some techniques for
compensating for the wavy wall? We don't plan to use a backsplash. I
prefer to not have to use quarter round trim.

Thanks!

I doubt you will get a counter from home depot that will 'fit' your
wavy wall no matter who measures it. If you want a custom fit you have
two options:
1 Have a custom countertop company come out and make a template.
Be very clear that you want it to fit the wall exactly. They will
probably need to sand it onsite to get a good fit
2 DIY. Not really that difficult if you have a belt sander. Put
the straight counter in place with masking tape along the top. Run a
compass along the wall so the pencil will transfer the contour to the
masking tape. Sand away!

Make sure you account for how much material needs to be removed vs how
much overhang you'll have left in the front. Me? I don't like 1/4
round either but shoe molding looks very nice and can be painted to
match the wall.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/betterfit