If you follow our blog, you know that we recommend professional installation for all countertops. You also know that we install everything we sell. Professional installation is the best way to guarantee a timely and high-quality project. Speaking of timeliness, have you ever wondered how long installation takes?
People frequently ask us about installation times. It is a reasonable question. Homeowners need to pretty much drop everything on installation day. So our installers try to do things as quickly as possible without compromising on quality and safety.
As for total time, it depends partially on what you consider installation. If it’s just the actual time installers spend on bringing slabs into your home and setting them in place, you’re looking at one number. But if you’re also considering the preliminary steps that take place before actual installation, you’re looking at more time.
Actual Installation Only
The actual installation time for a stone countertop is 2-7 hours. The first variable is the material installers are working with. Quartz countertops are the easiest to install. They require the least amount of effort and modification. Granite, marble, and quartzite take a bit longer.
Other considerations include the size of the kitchen, the number of slabs installers are working with, the number of cutouts (for sinks, appliances, etc.), and layout complexity. A simple installation with minimal cutouts could take as little as two hours to complete. A more complex project with multiple cutouts and slabs could easily take 6-7 hours.
Additional Pre-Installation Time
It’s fair to say that most of our customers are primarily concerned about the time they will need to set aside on installation day. But for us as fabricators, there are some pre-installation factors that contribute to the amount of time we put into a project. Here are some things to consider:
- Templating – Prior to any fabricating, digital templating must take place. A technician visits the customer’s house to take exact measurements and create digital templates. This generally occurs 2-3 weeks prior.
- Fabrication – Fabrication is more or less the process of measuring and cutting slabs from a larger block of stone. It’s complicated work that takes time. In addition, there may be scheduling delays based on how busy a fabricator is. Customers should expect to wait 2-3 weeks.
- Transportation – Fabricated slabs must be transported to the customer’s home prior to installation. This is usually done on the same day to avoid unnecessary risk. But again, there may be scheduling delays based on how busy installers are.
A general rule of thumb suggests installation will take place within six weeks of purchase. Most jobs are done in less time. A minority are stretched out for the entire 6 weeks because of a combination of factors.
On-Site Time Considerations
Before wrapping things up, we should note a number of on-site considerations that contribute to total installation time. For example, adjustments may have to be made once the slabs are set in place. The more adjustments necessary, the more time installation will take. This is why accurate digital templating is so important.
Securing the countertops can also contribute a little extra time. Doing so with adhesive is pretty quick. But if countertops need to be physically affixed with brackets, a little extra time is necessary. And of course, it takes time to seal seams and add any finishing touches.
Installing quartz, marble, granite, and quartzite countertops tends to take more time than installing laminates. But just like the financial investment, the time investment is well worth it once the installers leave and you can take it all in.
