How long will the countertop installation take?

For a standard kitchen, the crew is usually in and out in 4 to 6 hours. If it's a large or complex job, especially with a seam, it could take a full day. Having the site prepped properly is the key to keeping it on the shorter side.

Do I need to be home during the entire installation process?

Yes, absolutely. You don't have to watch every move they make, but someone who can make a final decision needs to be on the property. If they have a question about faucet placement or an overhang, they need an answer right then and there.

Who is responsible for disconnecting and reconnecting the plumbing and electrical?

That's on you, the homeowner. The countertop installers are not licensed plumbers or electricians. Your contract will state that all utilities must be disconnected before they arrive and reconnected after they leave, either by you or by professionals you hire.

What if my cabinets are not perfectly level when the installers arrive?

If it's a minor issue, they can usually fix it with small wood shims to create a level surface. However, if your cabinets are significantly out of level or structurally unsound, they will stop work and require you to hire a carpenter to fix the problem before they can proceed.

How much dust and debris should I expect, and how do I protect my home?

Expect a fair amount of dust, even if most cutting is done outside. It's a construction site. The best way to protect your home is to seal off the kitchen with plastic sheeting, cover all floors with Ram Board or heavy-duty drop cloths, and move furniture out of the path. A good crew cleans up, but you'll still need to do a thorough cleaning afterward.

What should I do with my old countertops after they are removed?

Check your contract. Some companies include haul-away service, others charge extra, and some leave it for you to deal with. If it's up to you, you'll need to arrange for disposal, which might mean a trip to the dump or hiring a junk removal service.

Failure to adequately prepare the kitchen space and existing infrastructure before the arrival and installation of new countertops, leading to delays, complications, and potential additional costs. Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide)

Quick Answer

Okay so here's the quick version. You spent a boatload of money on beautiful new quartz or granite, and the day the installers show up, they take one look and tell you they can't do the job. Why? Because the kitchen isn't prepped. This happens ALL the time. The fix is simple, but you gotta do it *before* they arrive: clear everything off the old counters, get the sink and cooktop disconnected, and make sure your cabinets are level and solid. Doing this yourself saves you a couple hundred bucks in surprise labor fees and a whole lot of frustration.

Failure to adequately prepare the kitchen space and existing infrastructure before the arrival and installation of new countertops, leading to delays, complications, and potential additional costs. Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide) visual diagram — Visual guide for diagnosing key fob issues

Common Symptoms

Installers arrive and can't start work, leading to delays or rescheduling.

You get hit with additional charges for site preparation that the installers had to do.

Damage happens to your walls, floors, or cabinets because they weren't protected.

After the countertop is in, you can't hook up your sink or cooktop right away.

The final fit and finish of the new countertops looks bad because the base cabinets weren't level.

The install crew struggles to get the countertops into the kitchen without hitting things.

Possible Causes

Homeowner didn't read or understand the pre-installation checklist provided by the countertop company.

Failure to completely clear existing countertops, sinks, and personal items from the work area.

Plumbing for the sink and garbage disposal, and electrical/gas for the cooktop, were not disconnected beforehand.

Base cabinets were not checked to ensure they were level, secure, and strong enough for the new, heavier countertops.

The path from the front door to the kitchen was blocked with furniture or other obstructions.

An adult decision-maker was not present during the installation to answer questions from the crew.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

Step 1

Find the installer's pre-installation checklist and read it line by line.

Step 2

Walk into the kitchen and visually confirm that all old countertops, sinks, and cooktops have been completely removed and the area is empty.

Step 3

Get on your knees and verify that the water lines are capped, the drain is cleared, and any electrical or gas lines for appliances are safely disconnected and turned off.

Step 4

Use a long level (4-foot minimum) to check if the base cabinets are perfectly level from front-to-back and side-to-side.

Step 5

Walk the path from the home's entry to the kitchen to make sure it's wide, clear, and unobstructed for the crew to carry heavy materials.

Step 6

Confirm that floors, nearby cabinets, and any furniture are covered and protected with drop cloths or Ram Board.

Step 7

Make sure an adult who can make decisions will be on-site for the entire scheduled installation window.

DIY vs Professional Costs

Repair Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost	Time Required
Clearing the work area & path	$0	$50-200 (by installers)	1-2 hours
Removing old laminate counters	$50-200	$150-500	2-4 hours
Disconnecting sink/disposal	$20-50	$150-300 (Plumber)	1-2 hours
Disconnecting electric cooktop	$10-30	$150-300 (Electrician)	1 hour
Disconnecting gas cooktop	N/A - Don't do it.	$150-350 (Plumber/Gasfitter)	1 hour
Leveling base cabinets	$10 (shims)	$100-300	1-3 hours

Clearing the work area & path

DIY$0

Pro$50-200 (by installers)

Time1-2 hours

Removing old laminate counters

DIY$50-200

Pro$150-500

Time2-4 hours

Disconnecting sink/disposal

DIY$20-50

Pro$150-300 (Plumber)

Time1-2 hours

Disconnecting electric cooktop

DIY$10-30

Pro$150-300 (Electrician)

Time1 hour

Disconnecting gas cooktop

DIYN/A - Don't do it.

Pro$150-350 (Plumber/Gasfitter)

Time1 hour

Leveling base cabinets

DIY$10 (shims)

Pro$100-300

Time1-3 hours

When to Call a Professional Countertops

If your existing countertops are made of heavy stone, concrete, or tile, making DIY removal unsafe.
If you have any hesitation or lack the experience to safely disconnect plumbing, gas, or electrical lines.
When your base cabinets are visibly unlevel, wobbly, or need significant structural repair before installation.
If you are physically unable to clear the work area, protect the floors, or move furniture to create a clear path.
If you suspect your very old countertops or the adhesive used could contain hazardous materials like asbestos.

Prevention Tips

Thoroughly review and understand every item on the pre-installation checklist from your countertop company.
Call your installation team a week ahead of time to confirm the plan and ask any questions you have.
Schedule any necessary plumbing, electrical, or demolition work well in advance of the installation day.
Completely clear the kitchen of all items and protect the floors, walls, and surrounding furniture.
Make sure your base cabinets are level, secured to the wall, and ready to support the weight of the new tops.
Designate a clear, wide path for installers to carry materials from their truck to the kitchen.
Ensure an adult decision-maker is present during the entire installation to address any issues that come up.

Frequently Asked Questions

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