How Long from Template to Installation?
Quick Answer
How long from template to installation is one of the most common timeline questions in countertop projects.
From template (measurement) to installation, most countertop projects take 5-15 business days. The fastest shops with open schedules can turn around a straightforward kitchen in as little as 3-5 business days. During peak season or for complex projects, expect 10-20 business days. The template appointment itself takes about 1 hour; installation takes 2-4 hours. The days in between are fabrication, programming, and scheduling.
TL;DR
- Standard timeline from template to install: 5-15 business days
- Fastest possible (rush): 3-5 business days with upcharge
- Peak season (March-August): 10-20 business days
- Template appointment: 30-90 minutes at your home
- Fabrication: 3-10 business days in the shop
- Installation: 2-4 hours for a standard kitchen
- The biggest delay is usually the shop's production queue, not the actual work
- Changes after templating can add 3-7 days to the timeline
The Complete Timeline Breakdown
| Phase | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Template appointment | 30-90 minutes | Technician measures your space with laser or digital tools |
| Template processing | 1-2 business days | Shop converts measurements to production files |
| CNC programming and layout | 1 business day | Pieces are arranged on your slab and toolpaths created |
| Queue/scheduling wait | 0-7 business days | Your job waits for its slot in the production schedule |
| Fabrication (cutting, edging, polishing) | 1-2 business days | Stone is actually cut and finished |
| Quality inspection | Same day | Finished pieces are verified against template |
| Installation scheduling | 0-2 business days | Crew schedule and your availability are coordinated |
| Installation | 2-4 hours | Pieces delivered, placed, seamed, and secured |
| Total | 5-15 business days |
The wide range (5 vs. 15 days) depends almost entirely on how busy the shop is and how complex your project is.
What Happens at Each Stage
The Template Appointment
A technician comes to your home and creates a precise digital map of your countertop layout. Modern shops use laser templating systems (like LPI or Proliner) that capture measurements within 1/16 of an inch.
During the template, the technician records:
- All cabinet dimensions and wall contours
- Sink and cooktop locations and sizes
- Backsplash height (if stone backsplash is included)
- Edge details and any special features
- Notes on site access for installation day
Your job before the template: Cabinets must be installed, level, and secured. Old countertops should be removed (or the shop will do this - confirm beforehand). Sinks and cooktops should be on-site so the technician can trace exact cutout dimensions.
Template Processing and Programming
The digital template goes back to the shop, where a CAD/CAM programmer:
- Converts the template into production files
- Lays out your pieces on the selected slab to minimize waste
- Programs the CNC toolpaths for each cut, profile, and cutout
- Runs a digital verification to catch any conflicts or errors
Shops using a 3-layer template verification process can catch dimensional problems here - before any stone is cut. This saves days compared to discovering a mistake during fabrication or (worse) at installation.
The Fabrication Queue
This is the variable most people don't think about. Your slab isn't being cut the moment the template comes back to the shop. There are other jobs ahead of yours. The queue depends on:
- Season (spring/summer = longer waits)
- Shop size (larger shops move faster through their queue)
- Your material (exotic slabs that need special ordering add time)
- Your priority level (rush orders jump the queue for a fee)
Fabrication
Actual production time for a standard kitchen is typically 4-8 hours spread across one or two days. This includes:
- Slab cutting on bridge saw and/or CNC
- Edge profiling and polishing
- Sink and cooktop cutouts
- Surface finishing and inspection
Installation Scheduling
Once fabrication is complete, the shop schedules your installation based on crew availability and your schedule. Most shops will give you a specific day and a morning or afternoon window. Expect 2-4 hours for a standard kitchen.
Why Some Projects Take Longer
Complex Layouts
Kitchens with islands, peninsula angles, waterfall edges, or multiple rooms naturally take more programming and fabrication time. Each additional seam, miter, or custom cut adds hours.
Material Availability
If your slab is in stock at the shop or local distributor, no delay. If it needs to be ordered from a regional warehouse or imported, add:
- Local distributor delivery: 2-5 business days
- Regional warehouse: 5-10 business days
- Import (specialty marble, rare quartzite): 2-6 weeks
Changes After Templating
Changing your edge profile, adding a cooktop cutout, or modifying the layout after the template is completed can add 3-7 days. The programming needs to be redone, and the change may affect your slab layout. This is why finalizing every detail before the template appointment matters.
Peak Season Impact
| Season | Typical Lead Time | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| January-February | 5-8 days | Slow season; shortest waits |
| March-May | 8-15 days | Spring renovation rush begins |
| June-August | 10-20 days | Peak season; longest waits |
| September-November | 7-12 days | Winding down but still busy |
| December | 5-10 days | Holiday slow period |
How to Speed Up Your Timeline
-
Choose your material early. Visit the slab yard before signing a contract. Having your slab selected (and ideally held) before templating eliminates waiting for material.
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Finalize all decisions before the template. Edge profile, sink model, cooktop model, backsplash height - lock these in. Changes after templating are the single biggest cause of delays.
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Have cabinets 100% ready. If the template technician arrives and cabinets aren't level, installed, or the old countertop isn't removed, the template gets rescheduled. That's an instant 3-7 day delay.
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Ask about the current lead time upfront. When you call for a quote, ask "What's your current template-to-install timeline?" This gives you a realistic expectation, not a marketing promise.
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Consider off-peak scheduling. If your timeline is flexible, booking for fall or winter can cut your wait time in half.
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Ask about rush options. Most shops offer expedited service for 20-50% more. If your contractor has a hard deadline, the upcharge may be worth it.
What Can Go Wrong (And How to Avoid It)
| Problem | Impact on Timeline | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets not ready at template | +5-10 days (reschedule) | Confirm with contractor before booking template |
| Slab out of stock | +3-14 days | Select and hold slab before template |
| Design changes after template | +3-7 days | Finalize all details in advance |
| Template measurement error | +5-10 days (re-template + re-fabricate) | Choose a shop using digital template verification |
| Fabrication defect | +3-7 days (re-fabricate section) | Choose a shop with quality control checks |
| Installation site not ready | +1-5 days (reschedule) | Coordinate with all trades beforehand |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the template and installation happen the same week?
It's possible with a rush order at some shops, but uncommon for standard projects. A 3-5 day turnaround from template to install is the fastest realistic timeline without rushing quality.
What if I need to reschedule my template appointment?
Most shops are accommodating about rescheduling with 24-48 hours notice. However, it pushes your entire timeline back by whatever delay occurs. During busy season, the next available slot might be a week out.
Do I need to be home for the template?
Yes. Someone who can make decisions about the project should be present. The technician will have questions about sink placement, edge details, and backsplash options. Don't send someone who doesn't have authority to answer these questions.
Why is there such a big range in timelines (5 vs. 15 days)?
Shop backlog is the primary variable. A shop that just cleared their schedule can get you in quickly. A shop with 30 jobs ahead of yours cannot. Material availability, project complexity, and season are the other factors.
Can I get a guaranteed installation date?
Most shops will give you a target date at the time of contract signing and confirm the exact date after templating. Ask for this in writing. If the shop can't commit to a date range, consider it a yellow flag.
What happens between the template and fabrication?
Your template data gets processed into production files, your slab layout is optimized, CNC toolpaths are programmed, and your job enters the production queue. It may look like nothing is happening, but there's significant behind-the-scenes work.
Is there a benefit to using the same company for template and installation?
Absolutely. When one company controls the entire process - template, fabrication, and installation - there's no finger-pointing if something doesn't fit. Most fabrication shops handle all three phases.
How will I know when my installation is scheduled?
Good shops communicate proactively. You should receive a confirmation with date and time window after fabrication is complete. If you're not hearing from your fabricator, call them - it shouldn't be a guessing game.
Can I track the progress of my project?
Some fabrication shops offer customer portals where you can see your project status in real time - from template received to fabrication in progress to ready for install. This transparency reduces the "when is it happening?" phone calls.
What if the installation crew finds a problem on install day?
Minor fit adjustments (scribing to uneven walls, shimming) are normal and handled on-site. Major issues (wrong dimensions, wrong cutout) are rare with digital templating but may require taking a piece back to the shop. The shop should provide a revised timeline immediately.
Plan Your Countertop Project Timeline
The template-to-install timeline is the most common question homeowners ask, and for good reason - you're planning around a non-functional kitchen. Knowing the realistic timeline helps you coordinate contractors, plan meals, and avoid the stress of an open-ended wait.
SlabWise helps fabrication shops compress this timeline with digital template verification, AI slab nesting, and customer portals that keep homeowners informed at every step.
Free to use. See realistic timelines for your project.
Sources
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Countertop Project Timeline Standards (2024)
- Fabricators Alliance - Template-to-Install Benchmarks by Shop Size (2024)
- Marble Institute of America - Digital Templating Best Practices
- HomeAdvisor - Countertop Installation Timeline Data (2024)
- Consumer Reports - "How Long Should Countertop Installation Really Take?" (2023)
- Stone World Magazine - "Reducing Lead Times in Fabrication" (2024)