Realistic Timeline for Countertop Projects
What You Need to Know in 60 Seconds
A typical countertop project takes 2-4 weeks from first contact to completed installation. Complex projects or rare materials can stretch to 8-12 weeks. Understanding the timeline for each phase - consultation, material selection, templating, fabrication, and installation - helps you plan your kitchen project without surprises. This guide breaks down every phase with realistic timeframes and explains what causes delays.
TL;DR
- Total timeline for a standard project: 2-4 weeks from deposit to installation
- Material sourcing adds 1-8 weeks if your chosen stone is not in local inventory
- Templating happens 3-7 days after contract signing and takes 30-90 minutes
- Fabrication takes 5-10 business days for standard projects, 2-3 weeks for complex ones
- Installation takes 2-6 hours for most residential kitchens
- Peak season (April-October) adds 1-2 weeks to most timelines
- The most common delay is the homeowner - sink not available, cabinets not ready, indecision on material
Phase-by-Phase Timeline
Phase 1: Initial Consultation and Quoting (1-7 days)
What happens: You contact fabricators, describe your project, and receive estimates.
- Getting quotes: 1-3 days per fabricator. Some shops quote within 24 hours; others take 3-5 business days.
- Compare quotes: Allow 2-3 days to collect and compare at least three quotes.
- Select fabricator: Once you have chosen, the fabricator prepares a contract for signing.
What speeds this up: Having your kitchen measurements, material preferences, and edge profile choice ready before calling. Fabricators using systems like SlabWise's Quick Quote can generate accurate estimates in 3 minutes versus the 20 minutes a manual estimate takes, which means faster turnaround on your quote.
What slows this down: Not knowing what material you want, being unavailable for follow-up calls, waiting for a general contractor to coordinate.
Phase 2: Material Selection (1 day to 8 weeks)
What happens: You choose your specific countertop material and, for natural stone, the actual slab.
- Quartz from local inventory: Same day. You confirm the color and the fabricator orders from their distributor.
- Quartz special order: 1-2 weeks for colors not stocked locally.
- Granite/marble from local slab yard: 1-3 days. You visit the yard, select slabs, and they are tagged.
- Exotic or rare natural stone: 2-8 weeks. Sourcing from distant distributors or importing from quarries takes time.
What speeds this up: Being flexible on specific color or open to materials in local inventory. Visiting the slab yard with your fabricator who already knows the local inventory.
What slows this down: Wanting a specific slab from a distant supplier, needing book-matched slabs (limiting options), changing your mind after initial selection.
Phase 3: Contract and Deposit (1-3 days)
What happens: You review and sign the contract, pay the deposit, and the project enters the fabricator's queue.
This phase is usually quick - 1-2 days once you have decided. Some homeowners take longer to review contracts or arrange financing, which is reasonable but does push the timeline.
Phase 4: Templating (1 day, scheduled 3-7 days out)
What happens: A technician visits your home to create precise measurements of your countertop areas.
- Scheduling: Most fabricators can schedule a template visit within 3-7 business days of contract signing. During peak season, this may stretch to 10-14 days.
- On-site time: 30-60 minutes for a standard kitchen, up to 90 minutes for large or complex layouts.
- Template method: Digital laser templating produces immediate, precise digital files. Physical templates take longer to produce and transfer to the shop.
Prerequisites before templating:
- Cabinets must be fully installed and level
- Sink must be on-site (or exact model specifications available)
- Cooktop must be on-site (or exact model specifications available)
- Old countertops must be removed (unless the fabricator includes this service and templates around them)
- Plumbing stub-outs should be in place
The most common delay in the entire project happens here: Cabinets not ready, sink not purchased yet, or old countertops still in place. If any prerequisite is missing, the template visit gets rescheduled, pushing everything back.
Phase 5: Fabrication (5-15 business days)
What happens: Your countertop is cut, shaped, edged, polished, and prepared for installation.
| Project Type | Typical Fabrication Time |
|---|---|
| Simple quartz (eased edge, 1-2 cutouts) | 5-7 business days |
| Standard granite (standard edge, standard cutouts) | 7-10 business days |
| Complex project (waterfall, mitered, book-match) | 10-15 business days |
| Multi-room or very large kitchen | 10-15 business days |
What happens during fabrication:
- Template data is transferred to the CNC machine
- Slab is positioned and programmed for cutting
- Individual pieces are cut from the slab
- Edge profiles are machined and polished
- Cutouts for sinks, cooktops, and faucets are made
- Pieces are inspected for quality
- Seam surfaces are prepared
- Pieces are staged for delivery
What speeds this up: Simple edge profiles, standard cutouts, readily available slab in the shop's inventory.
What slows this down: Complex edge work (ogee, dupont, mitered), waterfall fabrication requiring vein matching, shop backlog during busy seasons, issues discovered during fabrication (hidden crack in the slab, template error requiring re-template).
Phase 6: Installation (2-6 hours, scheduled 1-3 days after fabrication)
What happens: The fabrication team delivers and installs your countertops.
Standard installation process:
- Countertop pieces are transported from the shop to your home (using A-frames or suction lifters)
- Old countertops are removed (if not done previously)
- Cabinet tops are checked for level and shimmed if needed
- Countertop pieces are set in place (using adhesive on cabinets)
- Seams are joined with color-matched adhesive
- Sink is attached and sealed (undermount)
- Backsplash pieces are set (if applicable)
- Caulk is applied where countertop meets wall
- Surface is cleaned and inspected
- Initial sealing is applied (for natural stone)
| Kitchen Size | Installation Time |
|---|---|
| Small (under 25 sq ft) | 2-3 hours |
| Standard (25-45 sq ft) | 3-4 hours |
| Large (45-70 sq ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Complex (waterfall, multiple seams, large) | 5-6+ hours |
After installation: Wait 24 hours before using the countertop to allow adhesive and caulk to cure. Plumber should reconnect sink and dishwasher connections after the countertop team leaves.
Complete Timeline Summary
Standard Kitchen (Quartz, Local Inventory)
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Quoting and selection | 3-5 days |
| Contract and deposit | 1-2 days |
| Template scheduling | 3-7 days |
| Fabrication | 5-7 business days |
| Installation scheduling | 1-3 days |
| Total | 2-3.5 weeks |
Standard Kitchen (Granite, Slab Yard Visit)
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Quoting | 3-5 days |
| Slab yard visit and selection | 3-7 days |
| Contract and deposit | 1-2 days |
| Template scheduling | 3-7 days |
| Fabrication | 7-10 business days |
| Installation scheduling | 1-3 days |
| Total | 3-5 weeks |
Complex Kitchen (Exotic Stone, Waterfall, Book-Match)
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Design consultation | 1-2 weeks |
| Material sourcing | 2-8 weeks |
| Contract and deposit | 1-3 days |
| Template scheduling | 5-10 days |
| Fabrication | 10-15 business days |
| Installation scheduling | 1-3 days |
| Total | 6-14 weeks |
What Causes Delays
Homeowner-Caused Delays
- Cabinets not ready for template: This is the number-one delay in the industry. If your cabinets are not installed and level, the template visit gets pushed back.
- Sink or cooktop not available: The fabricator needs the actual fixture or exact specifications to cut the countertop correctly.
- Indecision on material: Changing your material choice after the contract is signed restarts the selection process.
- Scheduling conflicts: Being unavailable for the template visit or installation day adds delays.
Fabricator-Caused Delays
- Shop backlog: Busy shops may have 2-3 week queues ahead of your project.
- Equipment issues: CNC machine breakdowns halt production for all projects.
- Fabrication errors: A miscut or damaged piece requires re-fabrication from a new slab (or the same slab if enough material remains).
- Template errors: Inaccurate templates cause pieces that do not fit, requiring re-template and re-fabrication.
External Delays
- Material shipping: Stone arriving from distant distributors can be delayed by weather, transport issues, or customs (for imported stone).
- Weather: Outdoor slab yards may close during extreme weather; delivery trucks may be delayed.
- Supply chain issues: Popular materials occasionally go on backorder.
How to Keep Your Project on Track
- Have cabinets installed and level before calling the fabricator - this eliminates the most common delay
- Purchase your sink and cooktop early - have them on-site before the template visit
- Decide on material before signing the contract - not after
- Respond quickly to fabricator communications - a delayed response on your end delays the whole project
- Be flexible on installation day - accepting a Tuesday instead of insisting on Saturday can save a week
- Avoid peak season if possible - January through March typically has shorter lead times
Frequently Asked Questions
Can countertops be installed in one day?
The installation itself takes 2-6 hours, so yes, countertops are typically installed in a single day. However, the full project from first contact to installation takes 2-4 weeks for standard projects.
How long after template is installation?
Typically 5-10 business days for standard projects. The template data goes to the shop, pieces are fabricated, and installation is scheduled once fabrication is complete.
Can I rush a countertop project?
Some fabricators offer rush service for an additional fee (typically 15-30% premium). A rushed standard project might complete in 7-10 days instead of 2-3 weeks. This depends on shop availability and material being in stock.
What is the best time of year for countertop projects?
November through March is typically the slowest season for fabricators, meaning shorter lead times and sometimes better pricing. April through October is peak renovation season with longer wait times.
How long do I need to wait after installation to use the countertops?
Wait 24 hours for adhesive and caulk to fully cure. After that, the countertops are ready for normal use. Natural stone should have its initial sealant coat applied and cured (another 24 hours) before heavy use.
What happens if my project is delayed?
Communicate with your fabricator immediately. Most delays shift the timeline by 3-7 days. If a significant delay occurs (material damage, fabrication error), the fabricator should provide a revised timeline and may offer compensation for extended delays.
Can I live in my home during the project?
Yes. Unlike a full kitchen remodel, countertop replacement is relatively contained. You will be without a sink for a few hours during installation and should avoid the kitchen for 24 hours after for curing. Plan to use a bathroom sink and order takeout for one day.
How far in advance should I schedule a countertop project?
For standard materials, 4-6 weeks before your desired installation date is sufficient. For exotic or rare materials, start 3-6 months ahead. During peak season, add 2-4 weeks to these estimates.
Plan Your Project Timeline
Knowing what to expect at each phase of your countertop project prevents frustration and helps you coordinate with other contractors, plan around your schedule, and keep the project moving.
Use SlabWise's project calculator to get accurate cost and timeline estimates for your specific project. Start your 14-day free trial today.
Sources
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Remodeling Timeline Guidelines
- National Association of Home Builders - Kitchen Renovation Scheduling
- Marble Institute of America - Fabrication Process Standards
- Houzz - Kitchen Renovation Timeline Survey
- Kitchen & Bath Design News - Project Scheduling Benchmarks
- Remodeling Magazine - Contractor Scheduling Practices