How Long Does Countertop Fabrication Take?
Quick Answer
How long does countertop fabrication is a frequent question from homeowners and contractors.
Countertop fabrication - the process of cutting, shaping, and polishing your stone in the shop - typically takes 3-10 business days after your template (measurement) is completed. The actual machine time for a standard kitchen is only 3-6 hours, but scheduling, programming, quality checks, and curing time for seams and finishes fill out the rest of the timeline.
TL;DR
- Fabrication itself takes 3-6 hours of actual production time for a standard kitchen
- Total shop lead time (from template to ready-for-install) is 3-10 business days
- CNC programming and layout optimization happen before any stone is cut
- Material type affects fabrication time - porcelain and quartzite take longer than granite
- Rush orders are possible at most shops for an additional fee (typically 20-50% upcharge)
- Busy season (spring/summer) can push timelines to 10-15 business days
- Quality checks between fabrication steps add time but prevent costly remakes
The Fabrication Process Step by Step
Step 1: Template Processing and CNC Programming (1-2 Days)
After your kitchen is measured (templated), the digital measurements go to the shop's programming team. They:
- Import the template data into CAD/CAM software
- Lay out your countertop pieces on the selected slab for maximum material efficiency
- Program CNC toolpaths for cutting, edge profiling, and sink/cooktop cutouts
- Verify dimensions against the original template
- Generate production files for the CNC router and/or bridge saw
This programming step is where mistakes are cheapest to catch. A 3-layer verification process can catch dimensional errors, incorrect edge profiles, and layout conflicts before any stone is cut.
Step 2: Slab Selection and Preparation (Same Day or Day 1)
If you haven't already selected your specific slab, this happens now. For materials with significant pattern variation (granite, marble, quartzite), the shop will:
- Pull your selected slab from inventory or coordinate delivery from the distributor
- Inspect the slab for cracks, fissures, or defects that could affect your layout
- Position the slab on the CNC table or saw bridge
- Set up the slab for the first cuts
Step 3: Primary Cutting (1-3 Hours)
This is where the CNC router or bridge saw cuts your countertop pieces from the raw slab.
| Cutting Method | Typical Time (Standard Kitchen) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CNC router (automated) | 1.5-3 hours | Complex shapes, cutouts, edge profiles |
| Bridge saw (manual/semi-auto) | 1-2 hours | Straight cuts, sizing |
| Waterjet | 2-4 hours | Intricate patterns, inlays, tight curves |
Most modern fabrication shops use a combination of bridge saw (for initial sizing) and CNC (for detailed shaping, cutouts, and edge work).
Step 4: Edge Profiling (1-2 Hours)
The edges of your countertop are shaped and polished to your selected profile. Common profiles and their fabrication impact:
| Edge Profile | Fabrication Time | Complexity |
|---|---|---|
| Eased (slight round) | 30-60 min | Simple - single pass on CNC |
| Half bullnose | 45-75 min | Moderate |
| Full bullnose | 60-90 min | Moderate - requires top and bottom passes |
| Ogee | 75-120 min | Complex - multiple passes |
| Mitered | 90-180 min | Complex - requires precise angle cuts and bonding |
| Waterfall (mitered) | 2-4 hours | Most complex - panel must match slab pattern |
Step 5: Cutouts and Detail Work (30-90 Minutes)
Sink cutouts, cooktop openings, faucet holes, and any notches or special cuts are made. Undermount sink cutouts require polished edges visible from below - this adds time compared to drop-in sink cutouts where edges are hidden.
Step 6: Polishing and Finishing (30-60 Minutes)
After cutting and profiling, the fabrication team:
- Polishes all exposed edges to the specified finish (polished, honed, leathered)
- Inspects seam edges for tightness and straightness
- Applies any surface treatments or sealers (for natural stone)
- Cleans and inspects every piece against the work order
Step 7: Quality Inspection (15-30 Minutes)
Before pieces leave the fabrication area:
- Dimensions are verified against the template
- Edge profiles are checked for consistency
- Surfaces are inspected for chips, scratches, or fabrication marks
- Pieces are test-fitted together (for multi-piece layouts) to verify seam alignment
What Affects Fabrication Lead Time
Your Shop's Backlog
The single biggest factor in your wait time is how many jobs are ahead of yours in the queue. A shop running 10 jobs per week will schedule differently than one running 30.
| Shop Size | Typical Backlog | Lead Time After Template |
|---|---|---|
| Small shop (2-5 people) | 5-10 jobs | 5-10 business days |
| Mid-size shop (6-15 people) | 10-25 jobs | 3-7 business days |
| Large shop (15+ people) | 20-50+ jobs | 3-5 business days |
Material Type
- Quartz and granite - Standard fabrication; no special handling beyond normal
- Marble - Softer stone; requires slower cutting speeds to prevent chipping
- Quartzite - Extremely hard; wears tooling faster and requires slower feed rates
- Porcelain slabs - Thin and brittle; requires specialized tooling and extra care
- Natural stone with heavy veining - Layout planning takes longer to align patterns
Job Complexity
Simple rectangular kitchen with an eased edge and one undermount sink? That's a half-day fabrication job. But add a 45-degree angled peninsula, a waterfall island with book-matched panels, and an ogee edge profile - now you're looking at a full day or more of machine and hand-finishing time.
Slab Availability
If your chosen slab is in the shop's yard, fabrication can start quickly. If the slab needs to be ordered from a distributor, add 2-5 business days for delivery. Some exotic materials (imported marble, rare quartzite colors) can take 2-4 weeks to arrive.
Rush Orders: When You Need It Faster
Most fabrication shops offer expedited timelines for an additional fee:
- Standard rush (1-2 days faster): 20-30% upcharge
- Priority rush (same week): 30-50% upcharge
- Emergency (next day): 50%+ upcharge - and only available if the shop has capacity
Rush fees compensate the shop for rearranging their production schedule, which affects other customers' timelines. If you're working with a contractor who has a hard deadline, discuss rush options when you sign the contract - not the week before installation.
How Technology Speeds Up Fabrication
Modern fabrication shops are significantly faster than those still running manual equipment:
| Process | Manual Shop | Digital/CNC Shop | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template to CNC program | 2-4 hours (redraw by hand) | 30-60 minutes (digital import) | 60-75% |
| Slab layout optimization | 30-60 minutes (manual layout) | 5-15 minutes (AI nesting) | 75-85% |
| Primary cutting | Similar speed | Similar speed | Minimal |
| Edge profiling | 2-4 hours (hand profiling) | 45-90 minutes (CNC) | 50-70% |
| Quality verification | Visual inspection only | Digital comparison to template | More accurate |
Shops using digital templating, AI-powered slab nesting, and CNC fabrication typically complete jobs 30-50% faster than manual operations - with fewer errors and less material waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does fabrication take so long if the actual cutting is only a few hours?
Scheduling is the main reason. Your job gets queued behind other jobs, and the shop has to balance production across all active projects. Programming, quality checks, and drying/curing time also add to the calendar days.
Can I visit the shop to watch my countertop being made?
Many shops welcome customer visits during fabrication. Call ahead to schedule - walking into a running production floor without notice is a safety concern. Seeing your slab being cut can be reassuring, especially for expensive materials.
What happens if the shop makes a mistake during fabrication?
A reputable shop will re-fabricate at their cost. This may require a new slab if the error can't be corrected, which can add 1-2 weeks to your timeline. This is why quality checks at each stage are so important - catching errors early prevents full remakes.
Does the material need time to cure or settle after fabrication?
Natural stone doesn't need curing time. However, if the shop applies sealer, that needs 24 hours to cure. Seam adhesive used during installation (not fabrication) needs 24 hours. The fabricated pieces themselves are ready for installation as soon as finishing is complete.
How does busy season affect fabrication timelines?
Spring and summer are peak renovation season. Expect lead times to increase by 50-100% during March through August. If you're flexible on timing, scheduling your project for fall or winter often gets you faster turnaround and sometimes better pricing.
Can I speed things up by providing my own slab?
Maybe slightly. If you purchase and deliver the slab to the shop, you eliminate the slab procurement step. But the shop still needs to inspect it, program it, and work it into their production schedule.
What's the difference between fabrication time and lead time?
Fabrication time is actual production hours on the shop floor (3-6 hours for a standard kitchen). Lead time is calendar days from template completion to installation readiness (3-10 business days). The gap is scheduling and queue position.
Do different edge profiles significantly affect fabrication time?
Yes. Simple eased edges add minimal time. Complex profiles like ogee or mitered edges can double the edge processing time. Waterfall edges (where the countertop runs down the side of an island) add the most time because the vertical panel must be precisely matched and joined.
Should I ask for a guaranteed fabrication date?
You should get a promised installation date, which implicitly includes the fabrication completion date. If the shop can't give you a clear timeline, that's a concern. Good shops will tell you their current lead time and give you a target installation date within a day or two.
How many square feet can a shop fabricate per day?
A well-equipped mid-size shop can fabricate 200-500 square feet per day. A small shop might produce 50-150 square feet. This depends on equipment, staffing, and job complexity.
Know What to Expect from Your Fabricator
Understanding the fabrication timeline helps you plan your renovation, coordinate with other trades, and set realistic expectations. The best thing you can do: choose your material early, finalize your layout decisions before templating, and avoid changes after programming begins.
SlabWise helps fabrication shops move from template to installation faster - with digital verification that catches errors before cutting, and slab nesting that maximizes every inch of stone.
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Sources
- Fabricators Alliance - Production Benchmarks for Stone Fabrication Shops (2024)
- Stone World Magazine - "Shop Floor Efficiency: From Template to Install" (2023)
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Countertop Project Timeline Standards
- CNC Equipment Manufacturers - Fabrication Time Estimates by Operation Type
- Marble Institute of America - Fabrication Best Practices for Natural Stone
- Consumer Reports - "Understanding the Countertop Installation Timeline" (2024)