Business Plan Template for Countertop Fabrication Shops
A business plan forces you to answer the hard questions before you spend $300,000. Lenders, investors, and partners will all ask for one - but more importantly, writing it yourself reveals whether the numbers actually work. This template covers every section you need, with fabrication-specific benchmarks to fill in.
TL;DR
- A fabrication business plan has 8 core sections: executive summary, market analysis, operations, financial projections, marketing, management, equipment, and risk assessment
- Financial projections should cover 3 years with monthly detail for Year 1
- Target gross margins of 40-55% on material + fabrication, 20-30% net after all expenses
- Break-even point for most new shops: 10-15 kitchen jobs per month
- SBA lenders want to see 1.25x debt service coverage ratio minimum
- Include realistic startup costs ($300K-$1.2M) and 12 months of operating capital
- Your plan should address the two biggest risks: undercapitalization and slow sales ramp
Section 1: Executive Summary
Write this last, even though it appears first. It summarizes everything else in 1-2 pages.
What to Include
Business concept: One paragraph describing what you'll do. Example: "ABC Stone Fabrication will operate a countertop fabrication and installation shop serving residential builders and homeowners in the [City] metropolitan area. The shop will specialize in engineered quartz and natural granite countertops, providing templating, fabrication, and installation services."
Market opportunity: Key data points. Total addressable market in your service area, number of competing shops, growth rate of new construction and remodeling.
Competitive advantage: What makes you different. Could be: lower prices through efficiency, faster turnaround, specific material expertise, established builder relationships, or superior technology and quality control.
Financial highlights:
- Total startup investment required
- Projected Year 1 revenue
- Projected break-even month
- Projected Year 3 revenue and profit
- Funding sources and amounts
Ownership and management: Who's running the business and what relevant experience they bring.
Section 2: Market Analysis
Industry Overview
The US countertop fabrication industry generates approximately $22.1 billion annually. Key trends:
| Metric | Data Point |
|---|---|
| Market size (US) | $22.1 billion |
| Number of fab shops | 8,000-10,000 |
| Average shop revenue | $1.2-$2.8M |
| Annual growth rate | 3-5% |
| Dominant material | Engineered quartz (~40% market share) |
| Average kitchen job | $3,000-$6,000 installed |
Local Market Analysis
Fill in these numbers for your specific market:
| Metric | Your Market |
|---|---|
| Population in service area (50-mile radius) | ________ |
| Number of households | ________ |
| Existing fabrication shops | ________ |
| Shops per 100K households | ________ |
| New home permits (trailing 12 months) | ________ |
| Median home value | ________ |
| Estimated annual countertop demand (sq ft) | ________ |
How to estimate demand: Each new home averages 40-60 sq ft of countertops. Kitchen remodels (roughly 5% of existing homes annually) average 35-50 sq ft. Multiply total demand by your target market share (2-5% in year 1 is realistic).
Competitive Analysis
For each competitor, document:
| Competitor | Location | Est. Revenue | Strengths | Weaknesses | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competitor A | |||||
| Competitor B | |||||
| Competitor C |
Focus on weaknesses you can exploit: long lead times, poor reviews, limited material selection, outdated equipment, or poor customer communication.
Section 3: Products and Services
Service Menu
| Service | Description | Price Range | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop fabrication + install | Template, cut, polish, install | $40-$80/sq ft | 40-55% |
| Edge profiles (standard) | Eased, beveled, bullnose | $8-$15/LF | 50-65% |
| Edge profiles (premium) | Ogee, dupont, waterfall | $15-$25/LF | 55-70% |
| Sink cutout (undermount) | Polish + hardware | $150-$300 each | 45-60% |
| Backsplash (4") | Standard strip | $15-$25/LF | 45-55% |
| Backsplash (full height) | 18-24" with cutouts | $25-$45/sq ft | 40-55% |
| Template service | Digital laser template | $150-$300 | 60-75% |
| Removal of existing countertops | Demo and haul-away | $200-$500 | 65-80% |
Material Focus
List the materials you'll offer and your expected volume mix:
| Material | Expected % of Jobs | Supplier | Material Cost/SF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered quartz | 40-50% | MSI, Caesarstone, Cambria | $8-$25 |
| Granite | 25-35% | Local distributors | $6-$20 |
| Quartzite | 5-10% | Specialty distributors | $15-$40 |
| Marble | 5-10% | Specialty distributors | $10-$35 |
| Other (porcelain, etc.) | 5-10% | Various | $10-$30 |
Section 4: Operations Plan
Facility
| Specification | Requirement | Your Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Square footage | 3,000-8,000 min | ________ |
| Ceiling height | 14-18 ft min | ________ |
| Power | 200-400A 3-phase | ________ |
| Water | Municipal + recycling | ________ |
| Zoning | Industrial/light mfg | ________ |
| Monthly rent | $3,000-$8,000 | ________ |
| Lease term | 3-5 years | ________ |
Production Workflow
- Quote/estimate → 2. Contract signed → 3. Material ordered → 4. Template → 5. Fabrication → 6. Quality check → 7. Installation → 8. Final inspection → 9. Payment
Target cycle time: 5-10 business days from template to installation for standard jobs.
Daily Production Capacity
| Equipment | Capacity per Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge saw | 6-10 slabs cut | Assumes 8-hour shift |
| CNC router | 4-8 countertop sets | Depends on complexity |
| Edge polishing | 80-150 LF | Manual or inline |
| Installation crew | 2-3 jobs | Per 2-person crew |
Monthly capacity: With one saw and one CNC, a well-run shop can produce 20-30 kitchen jobs per month. This scales linearly with additional equipment and crews.
Technology Stack
| Function | Solution | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Quoting and job management | SlabWise | $199-$349 |
| Accounting | QuickBooks | $25-$80 |
| Digital templating | Laser Products/Prodim | (capital cost) |
| CNC programming | Comes with CNC | (included) |
| Website/CRM | WordPress + plugin | $50-$150 |
| Communication | Google Workspace | $6-$18/user |
Section 5: Financial Projections
Startup Costs Worksheet
| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Your Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment (saws, CNC, crane) | $150,000 | $600,000 | ________ |
| Facility prep | $20,000 | $80,000 | ________ |
| Initial inventory | $30,000 | $100,000 | ________ |
| Vehicles | $30,000 | $80,000 | ________ |
| Tools and supplies | $10,000 | $30,000 | ________ |
| Deposits and fees | $10,000 | $30,000 | ________ |
| Working capital (12 months) | $50,000 | $200,000 | ________ |
| Total | $300,000 | $1,120,000 | ________ |
Year 1 Monthly Revenue Projection
| Month | Jobs | Avg. Job Value | Revenue | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | $3,500 | $10,500 | $10,500 |
| 2 | 4 | $3,500 | $14,000 | $24,500 |
| 3 | 5 | $3,500 | $17,500 | $42,000 |
| 4 | 8 | $3,800 | $30,400 | $72,400 |
| 5 | 10 | $3,800 | $38,000 | $110,400 |
| 6 | 12 | $4,000 | $48,000 | $158,400 |
| 7 | 14 | $4,000 | $56,000 | $214,400 |
| 8 | 16 | $4,200 | $67,200 | $281,600 |
| 9 | 18 | $4,200 | $75,600 | $357,200 |
| 10 | 18 | $4,500 | $81,000 | $438,200 |
| 11 | 20 | $4,500 | $90,000 | $528,200 |
| 12 | 20 | $4,500 | $90,000 | $618,200 |
Year 1 Monthly Expense Projection
| Expense | Monthly (Avg) | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $4,500 | $54,000 |
| Payroll + benefits (5 employees) | $25,000 | $300,000 |
| Material (40% of revenue) | Variable | ~$247,000 |
| Insurance | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Utilities | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Equipment maintenance | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Marketing | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Software | $600 | $7,200 |
| Vehicle costs | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Supplies/consumables | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Loan payments | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Total | ~$788,000 |
3-Year Summary
| Metric | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $618,000 | $960,000 | $1,320,000 |
| COGS (material + direct labor) | $370,000 | $530,000 | $700,000 |
| Gross profit | $248,000 | $430,000 | $620,000 |
| Operating expenses | $418,000 | $380,000 | $420,000 |
| Net profit (loss) | ($170,000) | $50,000 | $200,000 |
| Net margin | (27%) | 5% | 15% |
Note: Year 1 loss is expected and planned for - that's why working capital is part of your startup budget.
Break-Even Analysis
Fixed monthly costs: $30,000-$40,000 (rent, payroll, insurance, loan payments) Variable cost per job: $1,400-$2,200 (material + consumables) Average revenue per job: $4,000
Break-even jobs per month: Fixed costs / (Revenue per job - Variable cost per job) = $35,000 / ($4,000 - $1,800) = 16 jobs/month
Key Ratios for Lenders
| Ratio | Target | Your Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Debt service coverage ratio | >1.25x | ________ |
| Current ratio | >1.5 | ________ |
| Gross margin | 40-55% | ________ |
| Net margin (Year 3) | 12-20% | ________ |
| Revenue per employee | $150,000-$250,000 | ________ |
Section 6: Marketing Plan
Year 1 Marketing Budget: $24,000 ($2,000/month average)
| Channel | Monthly Budget | Expected Leads | Cost per Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Ads | $800 | 15-25 | $32-$53 |
| Google Business Profile | $0 (time investment) | 5-10 | $0 |
| Builder outreach | $200 (samples, gas) | 2-5 | $40-$100 |
| Website/SEO | $500 | 3-8 | $63-$167 |
| Houzz/HomeAdvisor | $300 | 3-6 | $50-$100 |
| Social media | $200 | 1-3 | $67-$200 |
| Total | $2,000 | 29-57 | $35-$69 avg |
Lead-to-job conversion rate target: 25-35% Monthly leads needed for 16 jobs: 46-64 leads
See our Marketing Your Business Guide for detailed channel strategies.
Section 7: Management Team
Organizational Structure (Year 1)
- Owner/General Manager: Sales, estimating, customer relations, financial management
- Shop Manager: Production scheduling, quality control, safety program
- Saw/CNC Operator: Equipment operation, maintenance, programming
- Fabricator: Hand finishing, edge polishing, quality prep
- Installation Crew (2): Templating, delivery, installation
Advisory Resources
- Accountant/CPA: Monthly bookkeeping, tax planning, financial review
- Attorney: Business formation, contracts, liability review
- Insurance broker: Coverage optimization, claims management
- SCORE mentor: Free business mentoring from retired executives (score.org)
- Industry association: Natural Stone Institute membership (training, networking, standards)
Section 8: Risk Assessment
Top Risks and Mitigation
| Risk | Probability | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow sales ramp | High | High | 12 months working capital; pre-launch builder relationships |
| Key employee departure | Medium | High | Cross-train all positions; document procedures |
| Equipment breakdown | Medium | High | Maintenance schedule; emergency repair fund ($10K+) |
| Material cost increase | Medium | Medium | Diversify suppliers; include escalation clauses in quotes |
| Worker injury | Medium | High | Safety program; proper insurance; training |
| Economic downturn | Low-Medium | High | Focus on repair/remodel (counter-cyclical); maintain cash reserves |
| Competitive pressure | Medium | Medium | Differentiate on quality and service; control costs |
| Regulatory changes (silica) | Medium | Medium | Stay ahead of regulations; invest in dust control |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a business plan to start a fab shop?
If you're seeking any external financing (SBA loan, equipment financing, investors), yes. Even if you're self-funding, writing a plan forces you to confront the real numbers rather than guessing. The financial projection exercise alone is worth the effort.
How long should a fabrication business plan be?
20-40 pages including financial appendices. The main narrative should be 15-20 pages; supplemental documents (equipment quotes, lease terms, resumes, market data) can be in appendices.
What's the most common mistake in fab shop business plans?
Overestimating Year 1 revenue and underestimating expenses. Be conservative on revenue projections and generous on expense estimates. If the business still works with pessimistic numbers, you're in good shape.
Should I include specific equipment brands and quotes?
Yes. Lenders want to see that you've done your homework. Include actual quotes from equipment dealers, not just estimated ranges. This shows you've researched specific machines and understand real costs.
How do I project revenue if I've never run a fab shop before?
Use industry benchmarks: an average kitchen job is $3,000-$6,000, and new shops typically process 3-5 jobs/month in month 1, scaling to 15-25 by month 12. Talk to other shop owners (not in your market) for reality-check conversations.
What financial documents do SBA lenders want?
Business plan with 3-year projections, personal financial statements for all owners with 20%+ ownership, 3 years of personal tax returns, business tax returns (if existing), equipment quotes, lease agreement, and a list of collateral.
How often should I update my business plan?
Annually, at minimum. Update financial projections quarterly against actuals in your first year. The plan is a living document - use it to track performance and adjust strategy.
Can I use this plan template for an existing shop expansion?
Yes, with modifications. Replace startup costs with expansion costs, use actual financials instead of projections for the base year, and focus the narrative on growth strategy rather than market entry.
Run the Numbers Before You Run the Shop
Your business plan sets the foundation. Once you're operational, you need systems that keep the business running at the efficiency levels your plan assumes. SlabWise's Quick Quote system generates estimates in 3 minutes instead of 20, and the Customer Portal reduces phone calls by 70% - giving you back the hours you need to focus on growth.
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Sources
- SBA - Business Plan Writing Guide and Loan Requirements
- IBISWorld - Stone & Marble Countertop Manufacturing Market Report (2025)
- SCORE - Financial Projection Templates for Manufacturing Businesses
- Natural Stone Institute - Industry Benchmarking Data
- Kitchen & Bath Business - Annual Market Report 2025
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Producer Price Index for Stone Products
- Federal Reserve - Small Business Credit Survey (2025)