New Kitchen Countertops: How to Budget and Prep for This Exciting Installation

Getting started on a kitchen countertop installation is exciting, and we’re glad that you’ve come this far. But choosing to go through with it is far from the only decision you’ll make, which is why Everest Stone is here to act as your resource for prepping for the installation and configuring your kitchen countertop budget.

At Everest Stone, we want to get you ready for your new kitchen countertop in every way that you need. Let’s get started.

Preparing for the Installation

There are a handful of things that you, the customer, can do to make the installation go smoothly for the installer. Here’s a list of things that will make both of your lives easier:

• Your cabinets should be permanently installed and able to handle the weight of a heavy stone countertop. Make sure this is the case before getting started—you definitely don’t want to learn the hard way that they can’t bear the weight.
• Have your sink and faucet delivered beforehand. That way, the installation team can make a template within your countertop slab that fits them.
• Make sure the height of your countertop works for everyone who lives under your roof.
• Ensure the empty space along the range and refrigerator can support the weight of a stone countertop.
• Keep small children and pets away from the installation area, and clear a path from your main entrance to where the countertop is going.
• Throw a drop cloth or plastic sheet over furniture to protect it from dust.

Budgeting for a Countertop Installation

The cost of a countertop installation depends on two things: square footage and labor cost. How much your countertop slab costs depends on the material you choose, its thickness, and the square footage of covered space. Knowing these things is how you begin to create a kitchen countertop budget.

The cost of labor is centered around the effort it takes to transport the stone, lift it, secure it, and support it during the process of installation. One thing you never want to do is skimp on the price of labor, because the quality of your installation will inevitably suffer.

Regarding labor, the act of countertop installation usually takes two to five people to complete the job. These people will carry, place, and secure the countertop in a manner that meets industry standards and is safe for your home. The shape of your kitchen and the complexity of the job will affect labor costs because those variables affect the installation time. 

Planning Your Countertop Installation

Everest Stone is here to help fabricators they work with through every step of the countertop process, and that includes giving you resources for your project. If you’d like to schedule an appointment to come tour our showroom, or if you’d like more information on the planning process, get in touch with us at our office today.