Cutouts are the most precise part of any countertop job. A sink opening that is a quarter inch off, or a cooktop hole cut to the wrong spec, cannot be fixed with caulk. TopStone Granite cuts and finishes sink, cooktop, range and faucet openings in granite, quartz, marble and quartzite for new countertops across Baltimore.
Our customers include homeowners installing new kitchens, people upgrading to a bigger or deeper sink, and anyone swapping in a new cooktop that does not match the old hole. We handle undermount, drop-in and apron-front sinks, plus the small holes for faucets, soap pumps and filtered water taps.
With 15+ years in stone and 650+ completed jobs, we know where cutouts go wrong and how to prevent it. TopStone Granite is licensed and insured, MHIC #145977.
Every cutout is cut to the manufacturer's template and spec, then finished to suit how it will be seen. Here is what we cut:
Most cutouts are made in the shop during custom countertop fabrication, where stone can be supported and cut cleanly. They are part of every new kitchen countertop we install, and the template step that locates them is explained on our process page. Modifications to an installed top are a separate job, covered further down this page.
Cutout pricing depends on a few specific things: how many openings and holes you need, whether edges must be polished for an undermount or zero reveal, the sink style, and the stone's hardness. Our countertop cost guide shows how cutouts fit into a full project budget.
Undermount sinks are the most common upgrade we see, because they let you wipe crumbs straight into the bowl. They also demand the most from the cutout, since every edge of the opening stays visible.
The reveal is how the stone edge lines up with the sink edge:
An undermount sink hangs from the stone, so its mounting matters as much as the cutout. Most are held with clips fastened to anchors set in the underside of the stone, plus a bead of silicone sealant.
Heavy fireclay and cast iron sinks need more, such as brackets or a support frame across the cabinet. If an older sink is sagging or pulling away, see our undermount sink repair page.
Drop-in sinks rest on the countertop with a rim that covers the cut edge. They make sense when budget matters, when you want to keep a sink you already love, or when switching from laminate to stone without changing your sink.
Some composite and specialty sinks are designed only as drop-in models. Because the rim hides the cut, drop-in cutouts do not need polished edges, which saves some labor.
The fit still matters. The opening has to be close enough to the rim size that the sink sits flat and the rim fully covers the edge. A continuous bead of sealant under the rim keeps water out of the cabinet.
Every cooktop and range comes with a manufacturer installation guide that lists exact cutout dimensions, corner radius and clearances. We cut to that spec, not to the old opening or a guess. That is why we need the model number at template.
Slide-in ranges sit between two countertop runs, and many have a cooktop lip that overlaps the counter on each side. The gap has to match the spec closely, and the countertop edges at the range must be finished to look good.
Downdraft vents need a precise slot behind the cooktop and room in the cabinet below for the blower. Wall ovens, warming drawers and built-in microwaves usually do not need a countertop cutout, but they can affect how much support the cabinet run gives the stone.
Narrow rails are the hidden risk. A thin strip of stone in front of or behind a cooktop or sink can crack in transport or under heat, so we plan cutouts and seam placement together to keep rails strong.
Faucet holes are small but permanent. The hole count, spacing and diameter all come from your faucet's spec sheet, and most single-handle faucets use a hole around 1 3/8 inches. Decide on extras like a soap dispenser, filtered water tap or side sprayer before templating, since adding a hole later is harder.
Where your local plumbing code calls for a dishwasher air gap rather than a high drain loop, the air gap needs its own hole on the countertop or sink deck. Pop-up outlets in islands need a cutout as well, and their wiring belongs to a licensed electrician.
Some upgrades are cut right alongside the sink opening. An integrated drainboard is one example: sloped grooves routed beside the bowl so dishes drip dry.
Enlarging a sink opening or reshaping a cooktop hole in an installed countertop is possible in many cases, but it carries real risk. The rails around an opening can crack while the stone is being cut, especially on older granite with natural fissures. We look at the stone, the rail widths and the new fixture's spec before agreeing to the work.
When cutting stone on site, dust control matters. We follow OSHA's respirable crystalline silica standard to protect the crew and your home.
Moving a sink to a new location or adding new plumbing usually requires a permit, which in Baltimore City comes from the Department of Housing and Community Development. Simply enlarging an opening in the same place is a fabrication job, but the reconnection is still plumbing work.
Yes, or at least their exact model numbers and spec sheets. Undermount and farmhouse sinks should be on site, because the template is made around the actual bowl. Our guide on how to prepare for countertop installation has the full checklist.
Often, yes, if the new sink fits within the cabinet and leaves enough stone in the rails around it. A drop-in sink upgrade is the simplest case, since the rim hides the cut edge. An undermount upgrade needs a freshly polished edge and secure new mounting.
Reconnecting drains, supply lines and faucets is plumbing work, which Maryland licenses through the State Board of Plumbing. Your written quote spells out whether disconnect and reconnect are included and who performs them. Ask us at your estimate so nothing is left uncovered on install day.
Most people choose undermount with stone for easier cleanup and a cleaner look. Drop-in is a sound choice for tighter budgets or to keep an existing sink. Either works well when the cutout is cut to spec and the sink is properly sealed.
Send us the model numbers for your sink, faucet and cooktop or range, plus a photo of the current countertop if you have one. We will confirm the cutout specs and walk you through next steps.
Call (667) 400-3297