How Do I Get My Kitchen Ready for New Countertops?

Stylish kitchen featuring granite countertops, white cabinets, and a tiled backsplash

Two kitchens that look ready for countertops can sit days apart in actual readiness, and the gap is usually cabinets, fixtures or access. The order of work below follows the jobsite in Spokane, WA, much as countertops spokane 9e2 seattle lays out its notes, from fixture choices through to carrying the slab in the door.

Choose the fixtures before templating

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The fabricator cuts openings from the exact dimensions or manufacturer specifications of the sink, faucet, cooktop and any other cutout item. Those cannot be finalized without knowing the fixtures. Have the sink on site or the spec sheet in hand before the template visit. Settle the edge profile and overhang at the same time, since a bullnose and an eased edge change the finished depth at the front.

Set and secure the base cabinets

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The template records where the cabinets finally sit, so they need to be fully installed, leveled and fastened to the wall and to each other first. Moving a box after templating throws off every measurement. Seam placement is also decided from the template, and a run that is out of line makes a tight seam hard to hold on granite or quartz.

Disconnect and clear

Sink plumbing, and any cooktop or range tied into the counter area, has to be disconnected before the old tops come off. Gas connections belong to a qualified person. Empty the cabinets and clear the counters. That protects belongings and lets installers reach the cabinet interiors, where they may need to fasten, shim or check supports.

Plan for the wall and for old materials

Pulling old tops can tear paint, drywall or a tile backsplash along the wall. Old tops do not always come off clean, so plan the repair before paint and backsplash are chosen. Homes built before 1978 may carry lead paint, and older building materials may contain asbestos. Suspect material should be tested before anyone cuts, scrapes or pries at it.

Clear the route for the slab

A stone slab is heavy and can snap if it flexes or twists. It takes proper carrying equipment and a crew that handles it for a living, not any two people with a good grip. Measure doors, stairs and turns for clearance, and move furniture out of the path. Spokane winters add one more step: clear snow and ice from the walkway and entry before heavy pieces are carried in, so nobody is stepping on a slick surface with a few hundred pounds of quartzite or marble.