We have the privilege of meeting all sorts of homeowners at our various Utah showrooms. Some of our customers are going for new countertops only. Others are looking at new countertops with a plan to replace their cabinets at some point in the future.
It is that second group that gives us pause. While it is entirely possible to install new cabinets under existing stone countertops, doing so is not easy. So if there is any chance a customer is entertaining the idea of new cabinets down the road, we recommend spending the extra money now and getting everything done at once.
Stone Is Really, Really Heavy
As much as we love marble, quartzite, granite, and quartz countertops, one of the downsides of stone is its weight. Put simply, stone is really heavy. It is also fairly brittle. So installers need to be sure they provide appropriate support when installing new countertops. Disturb that support and you could crack a countertop pretty easily.
That is the big risk of installing new cabinets later on. Your cabinet installer needs to be extremely careful or he risks ruining your countertops. He needs to shore up the countertops before disassembling the existing cabinets. Then, he must slide the new cabinets in and secure them. It is fussy work that requires tight tolerances within a couple of millimeters. Any deviation could open seams or create cracks.
Existing Countertops Limit Design
Another consideration is the design limits imposed by stone countertops. Once you install granite, marble, or quartzite, you are pretty much locked in to your existing layout. You are also limited in the types of cabinets you can install. Whatever choice you make needs to be able to support the weight of the countertops above.
Design limits may inhibit certain upgrades. For example, you might not be able to get those wider drawers you were hoping for. You might not be able to upgrade your appliances either as doing so would require altering cabinets in a way this simply isn’t possible.
Labor, Liability, and Costs
Because the work is so difficult, it is often hard to find cabinet installers willing to take on the job. Installers are known to decline such work because they don’t want the liability involved. Those who will do the work usually ask customers to sign a liability waiver indemnifying them against any damage that might occur to the countertops during installation.
If all of that is fine with you, the last consideration is price. Finding an installer willing to take on the job is one thing, but paying the higher labor costs is another. Installing new cabinets under stone countertops is very expensive. The work is hard, labor intense, and requires the ultimate level of precision. It doesn’t come cheap.
Practical Alternatives to Consider
Given how difficult it is to install new cabinets under existing stone countertops, the best course of action is to either install both at the same time or commit to living with the existing cabinetry for as long as you live in the home. Let’s say you choose the second option. Are there practical alternatives for improving the look of your existing cabinets?
Refinishing is one option. A new coat of paint or stain could make an enormous difference. Some homeowners also upgrade doors, drawer fronts, and hardware.
The bottom line is this: if you are looking at new stone countertops and there is even the slightest chance that you will want to replace cabinets in the future, do both jobs together. Installing new cabinets after the fact might not be worth the cost or risk.
