Pre Template Inspection Checklist for Countertop Fabricators
What Is a Pre-Template Inspection?
A pre-template inspection is a site visit conducted before the templating crew arrives. Its purpose is to confirm that the job site is ready for accurate measurements -- cabinets installed, plumbing roughed in, appliances on-site or specs confirmed. Skipping this step is the #1 reason templaters arrive on-site and cannot complete the job, wasting 1-3 hours of crew time per failed visit.
TL;DR: Pre-Template Inspection Essentials
- Confirm cabinets are fully installed and level before scheduling the template
- Verify sink, cooktop, and faucet are on-site or exact model numbers are confirmed
- Check site access -- clear pathways, parking, and door widths for equipment
- Document existing conditions with photos to prevent disputes later
- Confirm the homeowner or GC will be present for decision-making during the template
- Average cost of a failed template visit: $150-$350 in wasted labor and travel
- Shops using pre-template checklists reduce failed visits by 60-75%
Complete Pre-Template Inspection Checklist
Section 1: Cabinet Readiness
- All base cabinets are installed and secured to the wall
- Cabinet tops are level within 1/8" across the full run
- Corner cabinets are square and properly aligned
- Island cabinets are in final position and secured to the floor
- Filler strips are installed where specified
- Cabinet doors and drawers open and close freely (confirms alignment)
- Dishwasher opening matches specified appliance width
- End panels are installed on exposed cabinet sides
- Lazy Susan or corner cabinet mechanisms are installed and functional
- All cabinet hardware (hinges, slides) is installed
Section 2: Plumbing and Electrical
- Sink plumbing is roughed in to correct location
- Water supply lines are capped and accessible
- Drain location matches sink model specifications
- Garbage disposal rough-in is complete (if applicable)
- Electrical outlets for under-cabinet locations are installed
- Cooktop gas line or electrical connection is roughed in
- Dishwasher water supply and drain are roughed in
- No active water leaks at any connection point
Section 3: Appliances and Fixtures
- Sink is on-site OR exact model number is confirmed and documented
- Cooktop/range is on-site OR exact model number and cutout specs are confirmed
- Faucet is on-site OR model number with hole spacing is confirmed
- Soap dispenser, instant hot, or filtered water faucet locations are determined
- Undermount sink clips and template (if included by manufacturer) are available
- Appliance spec sheets with cutout dimensions are printed and on-site
Section 4: Site Conditions
- Clear path from vehicle to work area (minimum 36" wide)
- Floors are protected or homeowner is aware of foot traffic
- Adequate lighting in the kitchen/bathroom work area
- Room temperature is between 60-85F (affects some measurement tools)
- No other trades actively working in the same space
- Parking available within reasonable distance for template vehicle
- Door widths measured -- minimum 30" for equipment passage
- Stairs or elevation changes documented (affects future slab delivery)
Section 5: Design Decisions Confirmed
- Edge profile selected and documented (eased, beveled, ogee, mitered, etc.)
- Backsplash height determined (4", full-height, or none)
- Overhang dimensions confirmed (standard 1.5" or custom)
- Seam locations discussed and preliminary approval from homeowner
- Sink mounting style confirmed (undermount, drop-in, farmhouse)
- Corner treatment determined (straight mitered, radius, clipped)
- Waterfall edge confirmed or declined (if island present)
- Material and color selection finalized
Section 6: Documentation
- Photos taken of all cabinet runs from multiple angles
- Photos taken of any existing conditions that could affect fit
- Photos of appliance model stickers/spec sheets
- Rough measurements recorded for quoting purposes
- Contact information confirmed for on-site decision-maker
- Template appointment date and time confirmed with homeowner/GC
- Special access instructions documented (gate codes, building passes)
- Any unusual site conditions noted (uneven walls, out-of-square corners)
How to Use This Checklist
Step 1: Schedule the Pre-Template Visit
Send this checklist to the homeowner or general contractor 3-5 days before the planned template date. This gives them time to complete any outstanding items. Many shops email a PDF version with a note: "Please confirm all items are complete before we schedule the templating crew."
Step 2: Conduct the Inspection
Walk through each section systematically. Do not rely on the homeowner's verbal confirmation -- physically verify every item. A homeowner who says "the cabinets are done" may not realize the island is not secured to the floor or the corner filler was never installed.
Step 3: Document Issues
If any items fail inspection, photograph the issue and communicate it clearly to the homeowner or GC. Provide a specific list of what needs to be completed before the template crew can be scheduled.
Step 4: Confirm or Reschedule
Only confirm the template appointment when all checklist items are complete. It is far better to reschedule a template by 2-3 days than to send a crew to a site that is not ready.
Cost of Skipping Pre-Template Inspection
Shops that skip this step pay for it in multiple ways:
| Failed Visit Scenario | Direct Cost | Indirect Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets not installed | $150-$250 labor + travel | 1-2 week project delay |
| Wrong sink on-site | $150-$250 labor + travel | Re-template needed |
| No access to site | $100-$200 travel only | Customer frustration |
| Design decisions not finalized | $200-$350 partial template | Possible remake if guessed wrong |
| Other trades blocking access | $150-$250 wasted time | Scheduling disruption |
The average shop experiences 2-4 failed template visits per month. At $200 average cost each, that is $400-$800/month in preventable waste. Over a year, that adds up to $4,800-$9,600 -- enough to fund significant process improvements.
Common Issues Found During Pre-Template Inspections
Based on data from fabrication shops tracking their inspections:
- Cabinets not level -- Found on 25-30% of inspections. Requires shimming before template.
- Appliance specs not confirmed -- Found on 35-40% of inspections. Homeowner ordered sink but it has not arrived.
- Design decisions incomplete -- Found on 20-25% of inspections. Edge profile or backsplash height not decided.
- Site access issues -- Found on 10-15% of inspections. Construction zone, locked gate, no parking.
- Plumbing not roughed in -- Found on 15-20% of inspections. Drain location not yet established.
FAQ
How long does a pre-template inspection take? A thorough inspection takes 15-30 minutes. This is a fraction of the 1-3 hours wasted when a template crew arrives to an unready site.
Who should perform the pre-template inspection? Ideally, a project coordinator or the lead templater. Some shops assign this to a salesperson during the final site visit before templating is scheduled.
Can the pre-template inspection be done remotely? Partially. You can have the homeowner or GC send photos and confirm items via the checklist. But this is less reliable than an in-person visit, especially for cabinet leveling and plumbing verification.
Should I charge for the pre-template inspection? Most shops include it in their project cost. Some charge a $50-$100 site visit fee that is credited toward the final invoice. The fee discourages frivolous scheduling.
What if the homeowner pushes back on completing the checklist? Explain that template accuracy depends on site readiness. Share examples: "If we template before cabinets are level, the countertop will not sit flat. That means a remake at additional cost and a 2-week delay." Most homeowners understand when the consequences are spelled out.
How does this checklist prevent remakes? 35-40% of remakes originate from errors that should have been caught before templating -- wrong sink specs, incomplete cabinet installation, or unconfirmed design choices. This checklist eliminates those causes.
Can I customize this checklist for my shop? Yes. Add items specific to your common project types (outdoor kitchens, commercial work, multi-unit housing) and remove items that do not apply to your typical jobs.
How many failed template visits does this prevent? Shops that implement pre-template inspections report 60-75% fewer failed template visits within the first three months.
Stop Wasting Template Trips
SlabWise's Template Verification system starts working before your crew leaves the shop. Combined with pre-template inspections, you can cut failed site visits and remakes to near zero. Start your 14-day free trial at slabwise.com.
Sources
- Natural Stone Institute -- Fabrication Best Practices Guide
- ISFA -- Installation and Templating Standards
- Stone World Magazine -- Fabricator workflow surveys
- Countertop Fabricators Alliance -- Operational benchmarking data
- National Kitchen & Bath Association -- Installer certification standards
- Laser Products Industries -- Templating efficiency studies