One of the most exciting renovation projects you can do is swapping your old kitchen countertop for a natural stone one. Granite is a beautiful stone full of colors and unique veins that will make your kitchen everything you always wanted it to be. Yet, most customers do not know how long the process is for installing a new granite countertop.

If you are planning on having a granite countertop installed soon, then having realistic expectations is important. This will keep you and your family prepared. Plus, once everyone is one the same page, the contractors can do their work more effortlessly, so you can use your new counter sooner.

Before Installation Begins

First off, you should know that natural stone countertops may take two or three weeks to be completely installed. Don’t worry. You will be able to use your kitchen for most of the process. The first step after having purchased your granite is to have the fabricator visit your home. They will need to measure the entire space, so they can cut everything exactly. This will take an hour or so. The fabricator may also ask about the makes and models of any home appliances that are going to be against or house in the countertop, such as sinks and faucets.

After the template has been approved, the fabricators will take the granite and cut it according to the template’s specifications.

Once that is done, you will receive notification to schedule the installation. Before the day of installation, make sure you have done the following:

• If you’re currently having your kitchen or home remodeled, make sure the cabinets have been installed and that they are built to sustain the weight of granite.
• Have your sink prepared for installation, if you are getting a new one. Make sure the fabricators know if the dimensions of the sink are changing.
• Make sure a path to the job site is cleared. Try to remove all obstacles.
• If you have small children and pets, make sure they are out of the way.
• Multiple teams may be working on your renovation at the same time. You may need to request that certain groups stop working until the stone pieces have been moved.
• You or a contractor will need to be present during installation, and you will have to approve the work before it can be finalized.

Removing Existing Counters

Depending on the contractor, some may remove the old countertops for you. Others may ask that you remove the existing counters yourself, along with the stove and the sink.

In the event that the contractor does both installation and removal, you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. The team will carefully uninstall the existing countertop and do their best to avoid any damages to your home.

Countertop Installation Day

So, the big day has arrived. There will be at least two installers, but depending on the size of the project, there may be more technicians involved. Once the work begins, try to stay out of the way so the crew can do their jobs. Except installation to take between four to eight hours, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes, larger projects may take more than a day.

If the granite countertop is coming in as two or more pieces, the first thing that is done is filling in the seams with a strong adhesive. When the adhesive has dried, the granite countertop is then attached to the cabinetry with either caulk or silicone. If you are getting the granite installed in your kitchen, the installers may wait until that day to cut a hole for your cooktop (if you don’t have a slide-in oven).

Once the stone is setting, the team will remove excess epoxy or caulk with denatured alcohol or acetone. The last step is sealing the counters and give you instructions on how to care for your granite countertops.

After The Granite Counter Is Installed

Though the granite countertops may be in place, the work is not yet over. Now, it is you, the homeowner’s turn, to call your plumber to reconnect any water lines. An electrician may be needed to assist with reconnecting water, gas, and electrical hookups. Be sure to give the countertops about a day for them to set. If you need a backsplash installed, wait until your countertops are completed first.

Also, you will need to clean your kitchen or where the granite counters were installed. Most installers do tidy up, but you may still find dust and other debris from the installation.

After 24 hours are up, your countertops are ready for use!

Ready to Have a Granite Countertop Installed?

In short, installation usually takes 3-7 hours, depending on the size of the kitchen and involves a lot of tools and patience. Having a trusted fabricator and installation crew on your side will make the project easy. All you need to do is know how to prep the project site and how to clean up.

Interested in granite countertops for your home? Get in touch with our knowledgeable and experienced staff. We are always available to answer your questions or to give you a quote. Call us or fill out the contact form today to learn more.