How to Install Kitchen Countertops
Countertop installation is one of the most transformative moments in your kitchen renovation. After weeks of demolition, cabinets, and waiting, your new surfaces finally arrive and your kitchen starts to look finished. Here's what to expect on installation day and how to prepare for a smooth, professional installation.
Quick Summary
Time needed
3-5 hours
Crew size
2-3 installers
When to schedule
1-2 weeks after template
Preparing for Installation Day
Proper preparation makes installation day smoother and faster. Professional installers bring heavy equipment and slabs weighing hundreds of pounds—help them help you by getting your space ready.
Schedule plumbing for the same day: Your installer can set the sink in place, but you'll need a plumber to reconnect water lines and the drain. Schedule this for installation day or the next morning so you can use your sink as soon as possible.
✓Pre-Installation Checklist
- •Clear all items from existing counters and surrounding areas
- •Empty base cabinets near work zones (vibration can knock items over)
- •Remove old countertops if still present
- •Disconnect sink and have old sink removed
- •Create clear path from driveway/street to kitchen
- •Protect or remove any fragile items near the work area
- •Secure pets in another room or outside during installation
- •Have your new sink, faucet, and cooktop on-site and accessible
Tip: Ask your installer ahead of time if they'll remove and dispose of old countertops, or if you need to handle that separately. Some fabricators include removal; others charge extra or expect you to have it done beforehand.
The Installation Process Step-by-Step
1. Arrival and Setup (30-45 minutes)
The installation team arrives with your fabricated countertop slabs on a truck or trailer. They'll bring slabs inside carefully, protecting floors with cardboard or moving blankets. Expect 2-3 installers for most jobs.
What They Check First:
- • Cabinet level and stability
- • Wall straightness and any irregularities
- • Clearances for appliances and sinks
- • Access routes for moving heavy slabs
2. Dry-Fit and Verification (30-60 minutes)
Before applying any adhesive, installers place slabs on cabinets to verify fit. This is your opportunity to confirm everything looks right: seam locations, overhang depth, and cutout positions.
Important: Speak up now if anything looks off. Once adhesive is applied and counters are secured, changes are nearly impossible. Check seam alignment carefully and verify sink cutout position.
3. Support and Leveling Preparation (20-30 minutes)
Installers add support where needed—extra blocking for areas with large overhangs, shims to level any uneven cabinets, or plywood buildup to ensure proper support for heavy stone.
Common Support Additions:
- • Corbels or brackets for overhangs exceeding 12 inches
- • Dishwasher support to prevent countertop from sagging
- • Extra bracing near cooktop cutouts
- • Shims to level cabinets that are slightly out of level
4. Adhesive Application and Setting (45-90 minutes)
Installers apply a bead of silicone adhesive along the top edges of cabinets, then carefully lower each slab into position. Heavy slabs require precise placement—there's no repositioning once they're down.
During This Phase:
- • Stay clear of the work area—slabs are heavy and dangerous
- • Don't distract installers during precision placement
- • Keep kids and pets completely away from the kitchen
- • Installers may use clamps and temporary supports at seams
5. Seam Joining and Finishing (30-60 minutes)
If your layout requires multiple pieces, installers join seams with color-matched epoxy. They clean excess epoxy, check seam alignment, and may apply clamps to hold pieces together while epoxy cures.
Seam Quality Check: Seams should be tight with minimal visible gap. Run your finger across the seam—it should feel smooth with no lip or height difference. Epoxy should match the stone color closely.
6. Sink and Appliance Installation (30-45 minutes)
Installers set the sink into its cutout with silicone adhesive and mounting clips (for undermount sinks). They may also set the cooktop if it's part of their scope. However, plumbing and gas connections require licensed professionals.
Next step: Have your plumber on standby to reconnect water supply, drain lines, and install your faucet. Similarly, a licensed gas technician should handle cooktop gas line connections.
7. Final Caulking and Cleanup (20-30 minutes)
Installers apply silicone caulk along the backsplash edge (if applicable), around the sink, and anywhere countertop meets wall. They clean the surface, remove protective film, and polish the stone.
Final Walkthrough Items:
- • Inspect all seams for quality and alignment
- • Check that sink sits properly in cutout
- • Verify overhang depths match what you requested
- • Look for any chips, cracks, or damage to edges
- • Ask about care and maintenance for your material
- • Discuss when you can put weight on counters (usually 24 hrs)
After Installation: First 48 Hours
Your counters need a brief curing period before they're ready for full use. Follow these guidelines to ensure adhesive and epoxy cure properly.
Safe to Do
- • Light cleaning with damp cloth
- • Using counters for light prep work
- • Admiring your beautiful new counters
- • Taking photos for social media
- • Planning your backsplash installation
Avoid for 24-48 Hours
- • Placing heavy objects on counters
- • Leaning or putting weight near seams
- • Using the sink (until plumber connects it)
- • Putting weight on large overhangs
- • Cooking or using cooktop
Common Installation Issues
Visible Seams or Lippage
What it is: Seam edges don't align perfectly, or there's a slight height difference between pieces.
What to do: Minor lippage (less than 1/16 inch) is normal and acceptable. If seams have noticeable gaps or height differences exceeding 1/16 inch, point this out before installers leave. They can usually adjust or re-join seams on the spot.
Chips or Cracks in Stone
What it is: Small chips on edges or hairline cracks in the slab surface.
What to do: Inspect edges carefully during final walkthrough. Small chips can sometimes be filled with epoxy. Cracks are more serious and may require slab replacement. Document any damage immediately and discuss with your fabricator.
Sink or Cooktop Fit Issues
What it is: Cutout is too large, too small, or sink doesn't sit flush.
What to do: Test-fit sink before installers leave. A small gap is normal for undermount sinks (filled with silicone), but large gaps or sinks that don't fit at all indicate a templating or fabrication error. Address immediately while the team is on-site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does countertop installation take?
Professional countertop installation typically takes 3-5 hours for an average kitchen. Simple layouts with one or two slabs may take 2-3 hours, while complex kitchens with islands, multiple seams, or intricate cutouts can take a full day. The installation team will give you a time estimate when they arrive.
Can I use my kitchen the same day countertops are installed?
You can use most of your kitchen immediately, but avoid putting weight on the counters for 24 hours while adhesive cures. Don't use the sink until the plumber reconnects it (usually same day or next day). Avoid placing heavy objects near seams for the first 48 hours while epoxy fully cures.
What should I do to prepare for countertop installation day?
Clear all counters, backsplash areas, and surrounding spaces. Remove everything from base cabinets near the installation area. Disconnect and remove your old sink if still present. Create a clear path from your driveway to the kitchen—stone slabs are extremely heavy. Have pets secured away from the work area.
Will countertop installation damage my floors or walls?
Professional installers take precautions to protect floors with cardboard, drop cloths, or protective film. However, stone is extremely heavy and can potentially damage floors during transport. If you have delicate hardwood or tile, discuss extra protection measures with your installer beforehand. Minor wall touch-ups near backsplash areas may be needed.
How visible will seams be in my countertops?
Seam visibility depends on material and installer skill. Granite seams are often less visible due to natural variations in the stone. Quartz seams may be more noticeable, especially in solid colors. Experienced fabricators minimize seams by careful slab layout and place them in less conspicuous locations like corners or near the sink. Seams are always visible up close but should be tight and professional.
Ready for the Next Step?
With countertops installed, it's time to plan your backsplash design to protect walls and complete your kitchen's look.