What to Actually Expect on Countertop Installation Day: An Hour-by-Hour Guide
Last Tuesday, I got a panicked call from a homeowner in Bolton.
"Your installer is coming tomorrow, and I haven't done any of the prep work yet! Should I be ripping out my sink? Do I need to move my stove? Should I have hired someone to remove my old countertops?"
I laughed—not at her, but because this happens constantly. Homeowners read blog posts about countertop installation "preparation" that make it sound like they need to demolish half their kitchen before we arrive.
Here's the truth: Professional countertop installation requires almost nothing from you. We handle the heavy lifting—literally and figuratively. Let me walk you through what happens on installation day, what minimal prep you need to do, and what you can completely ignore despite what you've read online.
The Night Before: Your 15-Minute Prep Checklist
Forget the dramatic renovation blogs that tell you to spend days preparing your kitchen. Here's what you need to do the evening before installation:
1. Clear Your Countertops
Move everything off your existing countertops: coffee maker, toaster, knife block, fruit bowl, mail pile, everything. We need a completely clear surface to work with.
Why: We'll be removing your old countertops, and anything left on them will either get covered in dust or end up on the floor.
2. Empty Your Upper Drawers
Pull out the top drawer under your countertops. Cover the contents in the cabinet with a towel.
Why: To protect your belongings from dust and debris as the existing tops are removed.
3. Disconnect Your Plumbing Fixtures
If you have an undermount sink, disconnect the plumbing underneath. Turn off the water supply valves, disconnect the lines, and disconnect the garbage disposal if you have one. Same goes for a cooktop.
5. Create a Clear Path
Make sure we can walk from your front door to your kitchen without tripping over shoes, toys, or furniture. We'll be carrying heavy stone slabs—a clear path matters.
That's it. Seriously.
You don't need to:
- Remove your old countertops (we do that)
- Reinforce your cabinets (we check them during template)
- Move your stove or refrigerator (unless they're literally blocking access)
- Take a day off work (most installations take 1-3 hours)
Installation Day: Hour-by-Hour Timeline
Here's what happens when our team arrives to install stone countertops in Bolton:
Hour 1: Removal and Prep
What we're doing:
- Removing your old countertops carefully (we don't want to damage cabinets)
- Checking that cabinets are level and stable
- Cleaning the cabinet tops to ensure proper adhesion
What you're doing:
- Drinking coffee elsewhere in your house
- Working from home in another room
- Running errands
- Whatever you want—we don't need you hovering
Noise level: Moderate. Some scraping, prying, maybe a little sawing if old countertops are stubborn.
Dust level: Minimal during removal. We'll contain debris with drop cloths.
Hour 2-3: Installation
What we're doing:
- Carrying in your new countertop sections (stone is heavy—this takes 2-3 people)
- Setting them in place and checking fit
- Applying adhesive to secure countertops to cabinets
- Installing undermount sinks if applicable
- Seaming multiple sections together if your kitchen requires it
What you're doing:
- Still not hovering (seriously, we're professionals)
- Maybe checking in once to see progress
- Staying out of the kitchen while we maneuver heavy stone
Noise level: Moderate to high if we're cutting faucet holes.
Dust level: Higher during cutting. We use wet cutting when possible and a shop vac to minimize dust, but some is inevitable.
Finishing and Reconnecting
What we're doing:
- Sealing seams so they're nearly invisible
- Cleaning & polishing edges and surfaces
- Applying sealer coat to natural stone
- Checking for any imperfections or issues
What you're doing:
- Getting excited because it's almost done
- Maybe taking photos for Instagram
Noise level: Low. Mostly finishing work.
Dust level: Minimal. The messy part is over.
Final Inspection
What we're doing:
- Cleaning up all debris and dust
- Vacuuming inside cabinets and around work area
- Wiping down new countertops
- Walking you through care instructions
- Making sure you're 100% satisfied
What you're doing:
- Walking through with us
- Asking any last questions
- Marveling at how different your kitchen looks
- Planning that first dinner party
Noise level: Quiet. Just cleanup and conversation.
Dust level: Zero. We clean everything before we leave.
The Real Questions Homeowners Ask
"Can I use my kitchen sink during installation?"
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Your sink will be disconnected for 1-3 hours while we work and the new sink will need 24 hours to cure before reconnecting the plumbing.
"Can I cook dinner that night?"
Yes. Your new countertops are ready for immediate use.
"Can you install a new countertop over the old ones?"
In some situations, it’s technically possible to install a new countertop over old laminate or tile, but for stone countertops, we almost always remove the existing surface to ensure proper support, level cabinets, and long-term durability.