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When planning a kitchen renovation, you may ask – how long does it take to install kitchen countertops?
Knowing how much time it this will take is an important question to ask when you’re planning to replace or put in new kitchen counters. Sure, you’ve planned well in advance and ordered your countertops, but do you know what to expect now that they’re ready for installation?
The time it takes to install kitchen countertops can vary depending on the size of the kitchen, the type of countertop material, and the complexity of your kitchen design and layout. Adding to the time, it takes to install kitchen countertops is the material of your new counters.
Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.
How Long Does It Take to Install Kitchen Countertops?
On average, the amount of time needed for the entire process of installing a new kitchen countertop is two to seven hours.
Your actual installation time depends on the size of your kitchen, with smaller kitchens taking only a couple of hours and larger kitchens taking longer. A kitchen design that has more cutouts and angles with take longer. It is a good idea to plan for extra time since this is not a project you want to rush.
Let’s look at the different types of countertop materials and see how that changes the installation time.
What is the Process of Getting New Countertops?
The countertop installation process starts with removing any existing countertops, which your installation crew may or may not take care of for you. The installers will add an adhesive around the top edge of the cabinets and then haul in your countertop slab.
The next step is applying a silicone edge where your countertop meets the wall to prevent water from dripping behind your countertop. Lastly, the installers will clean the surface, leaving you with beautiful new countertops!
Countertop Templating
One thing I should have considered when I was remodeling my kitchen was a lengthy gap between when your countertops are templated and installed.
As a single mama of two young boys, not having countertops, a working sink, or a dishwasher for longer than a day was not an option.
My kitchen remodel survival trick was to create a kitchen sink space and temporary counters over my new cabinets with plywood. This setup allowed me to have a working kitchen that was easy enough to remove and reattach before and after the templating process.
Check out this post on everything you’ll need to know about a full kitchen remodel.
Here is what I learned about the kitchen countertop installation process:
- The kitchen design must be final, meaning you must install your cabinets before they measure.
- Depending on the type of countertop you’re installing, the old countertops may need to be removed for templating.
- You must have your new sink selected and on-site during the templating appointment.
- You’ll also need to know which type of faucet you’ll want so they can drill the faucet holes correctly.
Time to Install Different Countertops by Type of Material
The type of countertop material impacts kitchen countertop installation.
How Long Does It Take for Quartz Countertops to Be Installed?
Quartz countertops installation takes a couple hours to install. Having on average 2-4 hours set aside should be enough.
Due to how heavy a kitchen slab is, it will also take two people to complete the job. The experience level of the installation crew and the size of the kitchen also affects the time it takes.
How Long Does It Take to Install Granite Countertops?
The average granite countertop installation takes a couple of hours. Giving yourself anywhere from 3-6 hours should be plenty of time.
Solid surfaces such as granite are very heavy, and it takes time to move the granite slab into your home and for the granite installers to set it in place. Also, granite installations may include sealing the surface, which adds time to the entire process.
How long Does it Take to Install Marble Countertops?
Natural stone countertops such as marble take a couple to several hours to install. Factors contributing to the time it takes are how large the slab is, how easy it is to maneuver into the kitchen and the installers’ experience.
Are Laminate Countertops Easy to Install?
Due to the type of countertop material, laminate is the most straightforward counter to install. Laminate countertops take less time because they are so light. This is a benefit because you only need one person for installation. If you’re in a rush for new countertops, grab a laminate countertop piece at local home improvement stores and install it yourself.
Custom laminate countertops are also an option. I used laminate in my kitchen remodel and was very pleased with the results. It took several weeks to have these templated and fabricated, but the actual installation only took one guy and a few hours.
How Long Does It Take to Install Stainless Steel Countertops?
Stainless steel countertops take a couple of hours to install, which is similar to installing laminate countertops. These counters consist of a stainless steel sheet attached to a wooden frame. This type of countertop offers a commercial look and durability (it’s highly stain resistant) and a heat-tolerant work surface.
How Long Does It Take to Install Concrete Countertops?
Concrete countertop installation time varies depending on if you poured the concrete directly on the kitchen counter area or elsewhere.
There are many steps involved in this process, which can take several weeks to a month to complete. Sealing the concrete is another important part of the installation and adds to the time needed to install these properly.
How Do You Install Countertops?
The general steps involved in installing countertops include the following:
- Adding the adhesive to the cabinet base
- Bringing in the slab
- Laying the slab
- Connecting the sink
- Sealing the surface (depending on the surface type)
Can You Install Countertops on Your Own?
Like with any DIY project, the first step is to educate yourself on how to do it. Researching the phases of installing a kitchen countertop is an important step to getting the job done correctly.
Installing kitchen countertops are one project most people choose to hire a professional.
If you’re interested in the DIY route, check out tutorials, blogs, and video for some general rules, tips, and tricks for installing kitchen counters.
How Are Countertops Attached?
You will need the correct product to attach the counter to your cabinets for the best results with your kitchen countertop installation.
- Natural stone countertops are secured to the base cabinets with a bead of silicone
- Laminate and butcher-block counters use screws from underneath.
- Another approach is to run a bead of silicone along the outside edge where the countertop underside rests on the cabinet.
Do Countertops Sit Directly on Cabinets?
Most countertops sit directly on top of the lower cabinets with a bead of silicone between the two surfaces. Specific areas (like around the sink) of the countertop may attach to the cabinets with clips.
Sometimes if the slab is over a large opening, you need to add additional support to hold the countertop area the cabinets do not support.
FAQs about Kitchen Counter Installation
Let’s review the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about installing kitchen counters.
How Long Do Countertops have to Sit After Installed?
For best results, you should wait at least 24 hours before using your kitchen countertops after installation. Doing so allows the adhesive to cure and prevents any accidental shifting.
For counters that did not use adhesive, you’re good to use the counters immediately.
Is Countertop Installation Messy?
If you’ve gotten this far in your kitchen remodel, you have a pretty good understanding of how messy construction can be.
After living through this dust, the countertop installation process will not seem like a lot of dust. There may be a small mess in the immediate work area, but the cabinet installers will take care of this before they finish.
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