How to Prepare for Installation Day
Preparing for countertop installation day involves 7 essential steps: disconnect plumbing and appliances, remove old countertops (or confirm your fabricator will), clear a path from the front door to the kitchen, protect your flooring, secure pets and children, confirm someone will be home for 3-6 hours, and have your final payment ready. Proper preparation prevents installation delays that cost $200-$500 per rescheduled visit.
TL;DR
- Disconnect plumbing and remove the garbage disposal the night before installation
- Clear a 4-foot-wide path from the entrance to the kitchen for slab transport
- Protect hardwood and tile floors with moving blankets or cardboard along the carrying path
- Installation takes 2-4 hours for a standard kitchen, 4-6 hours for complex layouts
- Remove everything from upper and lower cabinets near the sink area
- Have your sink, faucet, and cooktop on-site and accessible for the install crew
- Don't use the kitchen for 24 hours after installation to let adhesives cure
The Night Before: Your Pre-Installation Checklist
Disconnect and Remove Plumbing
Unless your fabricator's crew handles plumbing (confirm this in advance), you'll need to:
- Turn off water supply valves under the sink (both hot and cold)
- Disconnect supply lines from the faucet
- Disconnect the P-trap from the sink drain and place a bucket underneath
- Remove the garbage disposal if you have one - it needs to come off before the old countertop comes out
- Disconnect the dishwasher supply line and drain hose from under the sink
- Cap any open water lines to prevent drips
If you're not comfortable with basic plumbing, hire a plumber for an hour the evening before. This typically costs $75-$150 and prevents installation delays.
Clear the Kitchen Workspace
| Area | What to Remove | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Countertops | All appliances, dish racks, knife blocks, decor | Everything comes off before demo |
| Under sink | All cleaning supplies, trash cans, stored items | Crew needs access for plumbing hookup |
| Upper cabinets near sink | Heavy dishes, fragile items | Vibration during installation can shift items |
| Island area | Bar stools, decorations, pet bowls | Full access needed on all sides |
| Adjacent rooms | Anything blocking the path from front door | Slabs require wide, unobstructed paths |
Protect Your Home
Stone countertop pieces are heavy and unwieldy. A single kitchen island piece can weigh 200-400 pounds. Take these precautions:
- Lay moving blankets or thick cardboard from your front door to the kitchen along every surface the crew will walk
- Remove door stops and wedge doors open (interior and exterior) on the carrying path
- Take down wall art along the carrying path - vibration and accidental bumps happen
- Cover nearby furniture with drop cloths if the carrying path goes through living spaces
- Remove area rugs that could slip underfoot
What Happens on Installation Day
The Crew Arrives (Hour 1)
A typical installation crew consists of 2-3 people. They'll arrive in a flatbed truck with an A-frame rack holding your fabricated pieces. Here's what happens first:
- Walk-through: The lead installer inspects the workspace and confirms the carrying path
- Old countertop removal: If included in your contract, the crew removes existing countertops (30-45 minutes for laminate, up to 90 minutes for existing stone)
- Cabinet inspection: They check that cabinets are level and make adjustments with shims if needed
- Dry fit: Pieces are carried in and set in place without adhesive to check fit
Setting the Countertops (Hours 2-3)
The actual installation process follows this sequence:
- Apply silicone adhesive to the top of cabinets and any support structures
- Set the largest piece first using suction cup lifters
- Level and align the piece to the wall, checking gaps and overhang
- Set subsequent pieces and align seams
- Join seams with color-matched epoxy adhesive
- Clamp seams using specialized seam-pulling tools for a tight, nearly invisible joint
- Apply backsplash pieces if included
- Install undermount sink clips and support
- Apply silicone caulk along the wall-to-countertop joint and around the sink
Final Steps (Hours 3-4)
- Reconnect plumbing (if your fabricator handles this - otherwise your plumber comes after)
- Cut and connect cooktop wiring if applicable
- Clean all surfaces to remove installation debris
- Walk-through with homeowner to inspect seams, edges, and overall fit
- Sign-off on installation completion
- Collect final payment (most fabricators require final payment at installation)
Installation Timeline by Project Type
| Project | Typical Duration | Crew Size | Key Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom vanity | 1-2 hours | 2 people | Small, usually one piece |
| Standard L-shaped kitchen | 2-4 hours | 2-3 people | 2-3 seams, one sink cutout |
| Kitchen with island | 3-5 hours | 2-3 people | Additional pieces, possible seating overhang |
| Kitchen + waterfall island | 4-6 hours | 3 people | Mitered waterfall seam adds complexity |
| Full kitchen + full-height backsplash | 5-7 hours | 3 people | Many backsplash pieces to template and install |
| Multi-bathroom + kitchen | 6-8 hours | 3 people | Multiple rooms, multiple sink cutouts |
Common Installation Day Problems (and How to Avoid Them)
Problem: Cabinets aren't level. Even if they were level during templating, settlement, humidity, or accidental bumps can shift things. Fabricators carry shims and can make minor adjustments, but significant leveling issues (more than 1/4") may require a cabinet installer to return before countertops go in.
Problem: Sink or faucet not on-site. If the installer can't mount your undermount sink during installation, they'll have to return. Return visits cost $150-$300 and delay your ability to use the kitchen by days.
Problem: No clear path into the kitchen. Countertop pieces can be 8-10 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds. If the crew can't make a turn in your hallway or fit through a doorway, installation stops. Measure your doorways (minimum 30" for most pieces) and hallway corners beforehand.
Problem: Flooring isn't finished. If you're replacing kitchen flooring, it should be done before countertop installation. Countertop height is measured from the finished floor level. Installing flooring after countertops creates a gap under the toe kick and can affect appliance heights.
Problem: Old countertops harder to remove than expected. Tile countertops with mortar beds can take 2-3 hours to remove. If your old countertops are glued, nailed, and screwed in ways that weren't visible during the template visit, removal time increases.
After Installation: The First 24 Hours
Your countertops are in, but the job isn't quite done. Follow these guidelines:
- Don't use the sink for 24 hours - the silicone caulk around the sink and along the wall needs time to fully cure
- Don't place heavy items on seams for 24 hours - the epoxy at seams needs to reach full strength
- Don't clean with chemicals for 48 hours - use only a damp cloth if needed
- Do inspect everything - check seams, edges, sink fit, and backsplash alignment. Report any concerns to your fabricator within 48 hours
- Do seal granite if your fabricator didn't do it (most do during installation)
- Schedule your plumber if plumbing reconnection wasn't included in your installation
What Installation Should Cost
Installation labor is typically bundled into your per-square-foot price, but here's what the labor component looks like separately:
- Standard installation labor: $10-$20 per square foot
- Old countertop removal: $4-$8 per square foot (or $200-$500 flat)
- Plumbing disconnect/reconnect: $150-$300 (if not included)
- Additional sink cutout: $150-$350 each
- Return visit fee: $150-$300
For a 40 sq ft kitchen, installation labor runs $400-$800, with removal of old countertops adding $200-$500.
FAQ
How long does countertop installation take? A standard kitchen with an L-shaped layout takes 2-4 hours. Kitchens with islands add 1-2 hours. Complex projects with waterfall edges or full-height backsplashes can take 5-7 hours. Bathroom vanities take 1-2 hours each.
Do I need to be home during installation? Yes. Someone authorized to approve the work and make decisions needs to be present. You'll need to do a final walk-through and sign off on the completed installation.
Should flooring be done before countertops? Yes. Countertop height is measured from the finished floor. If you install flooring after countertops, you may have gaps under the toe kick and your dishwasher might not fit under the countertop.
Do installers move the stove and refrigerator? Most fabricators will move appliances enough to access the countertop area, but they're not responsible for reconnecting gas lines. Confirm this with your fabricator before installation day.
What if I find a problem after the crew leaves? Contact your fabricator within 24-48 hours. Reputable fabricators will send someone back to address issues like loose seams, uneven caulk lines, or minor fit problems at no charge. Major issues like cracked pieces are covered under the fabricator's warranty.
Can I use the kitchen the same day? You can use areas away from the sink and seams. Full use of the sink area requires 24 hours for silicone to cure. Your fabricator should give you specific guidance based on the adhesives they used.
Do the installers clean up after themselves? Professional crews should remove old countertops (if included), clean all new surfaces, and take their trash. They should not leave silicone residue, dust, or debris. Any cleanup issues should be addressed before you sign off.
Who reconnects the plumbing? Some fabricators include plumbing reconnection; others don't. Confirm this before installation day. If plumbing isn't included, schedule a plumber to come 24 hours after installation once the sink caulk has cured.
What if my new countertop doesn't fit? Properly templated and fabricated countertops should fit precisely. If there's a fit issue, it's typically the fabricator's responsibility to correct. This is one of the key reasons professional templating and fabrication are worth the investment.
Will installation damage my cabinets? Professional crews take care to protect cabinets, but minor scratches on cabinet tops (hidden under the countertop) are normal. Visible cabinet damage should be reported immediately.
Estimate Your Installation Costs
Planning a countertop project and want to know what to budget for installation? Our cost calculator factors in material, fabrication, installation labor, and removal of existing countertops.
[Try the SlabWise Cost Calculator →]
Sources
- Natural Stone Institute - Residential Installation Standards, 2024
- Marble Institute of America - Countertop Installation Best Practices
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Kitchen Planning Guidelines
- OSHA - Residential Construction Safety Standards
- SBA - Consumer Protection in Home Improvement
- IBIS World - Countertop Installation Labor Analysis, 2025