Kitchen Remodel Sequence: Where Countertops Fit, Step by Step
A kitchen remodel doesn't happen all at once, and the countertop step is where many homeowners get surprised. Between demolition and the final install, there's often a stretch with no working counters. Knowing the order of the project helps you plan for it.
The usual order
- Design and selections
- Permits, if required
- Demolition
- Rough plumbing, electrical and any wall changes
- Cabinet installation
- Countertop template
- Fabrication
- Countertop installation
- Final plumbing, backsplash and appliances
- Paint and trim
Why templating waits for cabinets
Countertop fabricators measure from the cabinets as they're installed. In older homes, walls are rarely straight or square, so the template captures the actual shape of the space and lets the fabricator cut the stone to fit. If cabinets shift or are changed after templating, the measurements may no longer work.
Plan for the gap
Once the old counters come out, you may have no working sink or cooktop until the new stone is installed. A temporary setup, such as a small counter with a microwave and a bathroom or laundry sink for dishes, gets many families through it. Ask for an estimate of the template-to-install timeline early. [CLIENT TO CONFIRM: typical template-to-install time]
Settle sink and cooktop decisions first
The template locks in cutouts for your sink, faucet and cooktop. Changing your mind afterward may mean recutting or replacing the piece. Have exact model numbers ready before the template appointment.
Expect wall repairs behind the old top
Removing an old countertop and backsplash often damages drywall or paint behind it. Build drywall repair and paint touch-ups into the schedule, and hold the tile backsplash until after the countertops are in so it lines up with the finished surface.
Check whether the remodel needs a permit
Cosmetic changes usually don't, but moving plumbing, electrical or gas lines often does. Whether your remodel needs a permit depends on the scope and where you live, so ask your contractor or check with your town or county building department.
Make sure the cabinets can carry the load
Stone is heavy. The cabinets need to be level, well fastened and adequately supported, particularly under large islands and sink bases. Ask your cabinet installer to confirm before the template appointment.
Choosing and caring for the material
If you haven't picked a material yet, our comparison of granite, quartz, Dekton, marble and porcelain covers the basics, and our guide to maintaining granite countertops shows what upkeep looks like. The National Kitchen & Bath Association publishes planning guidelines that are useful when laying out a kitchen.
Planning a remodel in Prescott or the surrounding area? Contact Granite Innovations to talk through materials and timing.
