Does Fabricator Come to House?
Does fabricator come to house is a question worth answering with real data.
Yes, a countertop fabricator will visit your house at least once before installation - and usually twice. The first visit is for templating (measuring your exact countertop layout), and the second is for the actual installation. Some companies send separate teams for each step, while others handle both with the same crew.
TL;DR
- Fabricators typically make two home visits: one for templating, one for installation
- The templating visit usually takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on kitchen size
- Installation day takes 2 to 4 hours for most standard kitchens
- You should have your cabinets fully installed before the templating visit
- Sinks, faucets, and cooktops should be on-site during the template appointment
- Some fabricators now use laser or digital templating for faster, more accurate measurements
- Most shops schedule the template visit 1 to 3 weeks before installation
Why Fabricators Need to Visit Your Home
You might wonder why a fabricator can't just work from the measurements your contractor or cabinet installer provides. The answer comes down to precision. Stone countertops need to fit within 1/16 of an inch in most cases, and no wall in any home is perfectly straight or square.
A fabricator's template visit captures every angle, curve, and irregularity in your kitchen layout. This is the blueprint they'll use to cut your stone - and mistakes at this stage are extremely costly. A single bad measurement can lead to a remake that costs the fabrication shop between $1,500 and $4,000 in wasted material and labor.
What Happens During the Template Visit
During a templating appointment, a technician will:
- Measure all cabinet runs - Every section of cabinetry gets measured for length, depth, and height
- Check for level - They'll identify any spots where cabinets aren't perfectly level
- Mark sink and cooktop locations - Your sink and cooktop need to be on-site so they can trace exact cutout dimensions
- Note faucet hole positions - Number of holes and spacing depend on your faucet choice
- Assess wall conditions - Walls that bow or angle affect how the backsplash fits
- Determine seam locations - If your countertop requires seams, the fabricator picks the least visible spots
Template Methods: Traditional vs. Digital
| Method | Time Required | Accuracy | Cost to Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical (strip) templates | 60-90 minutes | ±1/8 inch | Low |
| Laser templating | 30-45 minutes | ±1/64 inch | Higher equipment cost |
| Digital (LT-2D3D, Proliner) | 20-40 minutes | ±1/32 inch | Highest equipment cost |
Traditional templating uses thin strips of wood, plastic, or cardboard arranged directly on your cabinets to create a physical outline. The fabricator takes this template back to the shop and transfers it to the slab.
Digital and laser templating is faster and more accurate. A device like the Proliner or LT-2D3D captures precise measurements digitally, which can be sent directly to CNC cutting machines. This reduces human error and can cut template-to-fabrication time significantly.
Many modern fabrication shops have invested in digital templating equipment. If accuracy is important to you (and it should be), ask your fabricator whether they use digital tools.
What to Prepare Before the Fabricator Arrives
Getting your home ready for the template visit saves time and prevents rescheduling. Here's a practical checklist:
Must-Do Before Templating
- Cabinets fully installed and secured - All base cabinets should be in place, level, and anchored to the wall
- Old countertops removed - If this is a replacement project, the old surface needs to be gone
- Sink on-site - The fabricator needs the actual sink (not just a spec sheet) to trace the cutout
- Faucet selected - They need to know how many holes to drill and where
- Cooktop or range on-site - If you have a cooktop that drops into the counter, it needs to be there
- Appliance clearances confirmed - Dishwashers, refrigerators, and slide-in ranges all need specific clearances
Nice-to-Have
- Edge profile decided - Know whether you want eased, beveled, bullnose, ogee, or another profile
- Backsplash height chosen - Standard is 4 inches, but full-height backsplashes require different measurements
- Support brackets installed - If you have overhangs greater than 10-12 inches, support brackets may need to be in place
The Installation Visit
The second visit is installation day, usually scheduled 5 to 15 business days after templating. Here's what to expect:
Timeline for Installation
| Kitchen Size | Approximate Installation Time |
|---|---|
| Small (under 30 sq ft) | 1.5-2 hours |
| Medium (30-50 sq ft) | 2-3 hours |
| Large (50-80 sq ft) | 3-4 hours |
| Extra large or complex | 4-6 hours |
What Happens During Installation
The installation crew will:
- Carry in the fabricated pieces - Stone is heavy (granite weighs about 18 lbs per square foot at 3cm thickness), so expect a crew of 2-4 people
- Dry-fit the countertops - They'll place each piece to verify fit before applying adhesive
- Level and shim as needed - Minor adjustments ensure a flat, stable surface
- Apply adhesive - Silicone or epoxy secures the stone to the cabinets
- Join seams - Color-matched epoxy fills and bonds seam joints
- Install sink clips and cutout reinforcements - Undermount sinks get clipped from below
- Attach backsplash - If you ordered a stone backsplash, it goes on last
- Caulk perimeter - Silicone caulk seals the joint between countertop and wall
What to Prepare for Installation Day
- Clear the kitchen - Remove everything from cabinets near the work area
- Protect flooring - The crew will bring blankets, but extra protection doesn't hurt
- Be home - Someone needs to be present for the entire installation
- Disconnect plumbing - Your sink plumbing should be disconnected beforehand (some fabricators handle this, but confirm in advance)
- Plan for no kitchen access - You won't be able to use your kitchen for several hours
Do Fabricators Charge for the Home Visit?
Most fabricators include the template visit in the overall project cost. You typically won't see a separate line item for it. However, some things to watch for:
- Trip fees for remote locations - If you're more than 30-50 miles from the shop, some fabricators charge a travel fee ($50-$150)
- Re-template charges - If your cabinets aren't ready and the fabricator has to come back, you may be charged $75-$200 for a second trip
- Rush fees - Need an expedited template-to-install timeline? Some shops charge extra
How Fabricators Use Technology to Improve Home Visits
The countertop industry has changed significantly in how home visits work. Modern fabrication shops use software platforms that coordinate scheduling, templating data, and customer communication.
For example, platforms like SlabWise provide a customer portal that reduces the back-and-forth phone calls typically associated with scheduling these visits. Instead of the 8-15 calls per day that many shops handle for scheduling and status updates, homeowners can check their project status, confirm appointments, and view details online.
Digital templating data also feeds directly into fabrication software, which means the measurements taken in your home can go straight to the CNC machine with minimal manual data entry. This reduces errors and speeds up the time between your template visit and installation day.
What to Ask Your Fabricator Before Scheduling
Before your template appointment, ask these questions:
- Do you use digital or laser templating?
- How long between template and installation?
- Do I need my sink and faucet on-site for the template?
- Will the same team do both templating and installation?
- Is there a charge if I need to reschedule?
- Do you handle plumbing disconnection and reconnection?
Common Problems During Fabricator Visits
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets not level | Poor installation or settling | Fabricator can shim, but major issues need cabinet adjustment first |
| Sink not on-site | Homeowner forgot or it's backordered | Reschedule or risk incorrect cutout |
| Walls badly out of square | Normal in older homes | Fabricator scribes the backsplash to match wall contour |
| Access issues | Narrow hallways, tight corners | Fabricator may need to plan piece sizes around access limitations |
| Existing plumbing in the way | Old pipes not moved | Plumber may need to adjust before template |
FAQ
Does the fabricator come to my house for free?
Most fabricators include the template visit in the project price. You generally won't see a separate charge unless you're in a remote area or need to reschedule.
How many times will the fabricator visit my home?
Typically twice - once for templating and once for installation. In rare cases, a third visit may be needed for adjustments.
Can I just send the fabricator my measurements?
Most fabricators won't accept customer-provided measurements for stone countertops. The risk of error is too high, and a bad measurement means a $1,500-$4,000 remake.
Do I need to be home for the template visit?
Yes. The fabricator will need to discuss details like seam placement, edge profiles, and sink positioning with you (or someone who can make decisions).
How long does the template visit take?
Between 20 and 90 minutes depending on the kitchen size and whether the fabricator uses digital or manual templating methods.
Should my cabinets be done before the fabricator visits?
Absolutely. All base cabinets must be fully installed, level, and secured to the wall before the templating visit.
Can the fabricator install the same day they template?
No. The stone needs to be cut and fabricated after templating, which takes 5-15 business days at most shops.
Do fabricators remove old countertops?
Some do, often for an additional fee of $150-$500 depending on the material and size. Others expect old countertops to be removed before they arrive.
What if my cabinets aren't level when the fabricator arrives?
Minor leveling can be handled with shims during installation. Significant leveling issues need to be fixed by your cabinet installer before the fabricator can template.
Do I need to disconnect my plumbing before the fabricator comes?
For installation day, yes - your sink plumbing should be disconnected. Some fabricators include this service; others expect you to hire a plumber.
Will the fabricator move my appliances?
Most fabricators expect appliances to be moved before they arrive. Confirm this with your shop when scheduling.
What happens if the fabricator finds a problem during the visit?
If there's an issue (like cabinets that aren't ready), the fabricator will likely reschedule. This is better than proceeding with inaccurate measurements.
Get Accurate Quotes Faster
If you're a fabrication shop looking to speed up the quoting process for homeowner projects, SlabWise's Quick Quote tool generates accurate estimates in about 3 minutes - compared to the industry average of 20 minutes. Try it free for 14 days at slabwise.com.
Sources
- Marble Institute of America - Residential Installation Guidelines
- Natural Stone Institute - Fabrication Best Practices Manual
- OSHA - Safety Guidelines for Stone Fabrication Visits
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Countertop Installation Standards
- Countertop Fabrication Industry Report 2024 - Market Size and Practices
- Residential Construction Performance Guidelines - NAHB