The end product of a countertop installation is something that many look forward to. What they don’t tend to look forward to is the process of installation.
The process itself can be overwhelming, confusing, and daunting with all of its moving parts. Even if you’re not the one doing it and you’ve hired professionals to take care of the job, it can be harrowing not to understand what’s going on in your kitchen or bathroom.
Having a good idea of what the installation process looks like can help tremendously to put your mind at ease. It can help you feel like you’re in control of the project—you know what’s going on, and you have a good idea of what the final product will look like. Installation shouldn’t be a guessing game for the customer!
Here is what a professional will need for a flawless installation: the right tools and equipment, an experienced team, and the strength for some heavy lifting. From there, it’s pretty simple, and this article is here to outline just how simple the process of countertop installation actually is.
Keep reading if you’re interested in learning exactly what to expect during your countertop installation.
Installation Preparation
As with anything, your countertop installation will need to be prepped. To do this, the old countertops must be removed so the new ones have a place to be laid. A skilled team of professionals will know how to take care of this, so you don’t have to worry about lifting heavy slabs or finding a place for them to go. They’ll make sure to remove them without damaging the material or anything inside your home.
During this removal process, the team will also disconnect any plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom to make sure that it doesn’t interfere with the installation or get damaged during it.
There are also ways that you can help the team prep the room. You can remove what you’ll need throughout the day (food, electronics, silverware, for example) because it’s likely that an installation will take up a good chunk of the day. You can also clear a path to the remodeling room from the entryway and keep all children and pets out from underfoot.
Installation and Timing
We understand that you’re excited about your new countertop—we are, too! But in order for the job to get done right, the team has to take their time. No two installations are alike, meaning that it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact amount of time they’ll take. Natural stone countertop installations take anywhere from four to eight hours and depend on several factors:
- Project size
- Countertop design
- Countertop material
- Room accessibility
- Level of difficulty of removing the old countertop
The Installation
The installation itself is pretty straightforward. Before the installers come to your property, they’ll cut the slab of the countertop and make cutouts for sinks, cooktops, and any custom edges. Once they get to your home, the process looks like this:
- The team will place new countertop slabs on top of the bare counters.
- They will then level the new slabs.
- They will make sure they’re securely put in place.
- They will join the seams with epoxy that matches your countertops, making the joint nearly invisible.
Post-Installation
Although the countertop installation process is straightforward, you still want to make sure that you have a skilled team completing the job. In order for your countertops to last for years to come, they have to be installed correctly.
When your countertops have been placed, sealed, leveled, dried, and quality-control checked, then your installation is officially complete.
The team will go through the care and maintenance of your new countertop with you to make sure that you understand how to make it last and keep it looking fresh.
Your New Countertop
At Marble Granite World, customer satisfaction matters to us more than anything else. We want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the process of countertop installation and that you know what to expect. If you have questions regarding the process or would like to schedule a free consultation.