Most countertop delays have nothing to do with the stone. They come from a sink that has not arrived, cabinets that are not level or a kitchen that is still full on install morning. TopStone Granite fabricates and installs stone countertops across Baltimore, and this checklist is what we wish every homeowner had in hand from the start.
It is built on 15+ years of installs and more than 650 completed jobs. We are licensed and insured under MHIC #145977.
Work through it in four stages: before templating, the day before installation, install day itself and the first 24 hours after.
The template is the exact pattern your countertops are cut from, so the kitchen has to be in its finished state when we measure. Anything that changes after templating can mean a new template and a later install date.
New cabinets must be fully installed, screwed to each other and to the wall, with end panels and fillers in place. Stone is heavy and rigid, so the cabinet tops need to be flat and level across their full length.
Replacing tops on existing cabinets? Empty the sink base and check for soft or water-damaged wood, which should be repaired before new stone goes on it.
We cut openings to the actual fixtures, not to a catalog drawing. Have the sink, faucet and cooktop in the house, or at least the exact model numbers and spec sheets.
Farmhouse and apron-front sinks must be set in the cabinet before templating because the stone wraps around them. Our page on sink and appliance cutouts explains what each opening needs.
Settle these before the template visit so they can be marked on the pattern:
Like-for-like replacements can sometimes be templated with the old tops still in place. Layout changes usually need the old tops off first.
Removing old countertops can crack or pull away tile backsplash. Plan on replacing the tile, or ask how it will be handled, and check your quote to see whether removal and disposal are included.
A clear kitchen lets the crew work safely and finish sooner. Use this list the evening before:
Live in a city rowhome? Our rowhome countertop guide covers narrow stairs, carry routes and street parking in more detail.
Install day is mostly about access and keeping people and pets clear of heavy stone.
For a standard kitchen, most installers set the tops in a few hours to most of a day, depending on the number of pieces and cutouts. The full sequence from estimate to final walkthrough is laid out on our process page.
New countertops look finished the moment the crew leaves, but adhesives, seams and sealants are still curing.
Seam epoxy and the adhesive under the stone need time to harden. For the first day, keep heavy items off seams and do not sit or lean on overhangs.
The adhesive holding an undermount sink typically needs about 24 hours before the sink takes real weight. Avoid filling it to the brim or piling in heavy pots until your installer says it is ready.
Your quote spells out who reconnects the faucet, drain and dishwasher. After the first run of water, check under the sink with a flashlight for drips.
Granite, marble and quartzite may be sealed at installation or need sealing soon after, while quartz does not need sealer. Ask which applies to your stone, and wait out the sealer's cure time before using cleaners on it.
For daily cleaning, use warm water with a little mild dish soap. If you want help with long-term care, see our stone sealing and polishing service.
Tile backsplash goes in after the countertops, so book your tile installer once the tops are set and the sink caulk has cured. Dishwashers under stone are fastened to the cabinet sides with brackets rather than screwed into the countertop.
Empty the sink base and any base cabinets the crew needs to reach under. Upper cabinets can stay stocked, but move fragile items from shelves right above the work area. Drawers away from the sink usually do not need emptying.
Usually not. Removing old tops can damage cabinets, plumbing and tile, and stone tops are heavy enough to cause injury. Check your quote, since removal and disposal are often part of a professional installation.
Someone who can make decisions should be there at the start and at the walkthrough. In between, you can step out as long as the crew has access to the kitchen, water shutoffs and a bathroom.
Call or email us with anything on this list you are unsure about, from sink models to parking. We would rather answer a question the week before than solve a problem on install day.
Call (667) 400-3297