How to Prepare Your Kitchen for Countertop Installation: The Ultimate Checklist
Written & Reviewed by AGS Stones Craftsmen
Master Stone Fabricators & Licensed Cabinet Contractors • Duluth, GA
Key Takeaways: Quick Summary
- ✓All base cabinets must be permanently secured to walls, leveled, and fully fastened before digital laser templating begins.
- ✓Undermount sinks, cooktops, faucets, and soap dispensers must be physically on site during your templating appointment.
- ✓Disconnect all water supply lines, drain pipes, and gas connections 24 hours prior to countertop installation day.
- ✓Clear a wide, level walkway from your driveway through the entry door to the kitchen to accommodate 200+ lb stone slabs.
- ✓Allow 24 hours after installation for silicone adhesives and undermount sink epoxy brackets to fully cure before plumbing reconnection.
Upgrading your kitchen countertops is one of the most exciting days of any home remodel. When that heavy, precision-cut slab of granite or quartz drops into place, the room is instantly transformed. However, because stone countertops weigh 15 to 20 pounds per square foot and require millimetric seam alignment, smooth installation depends on thorough preparation.
At AGS Stones & Cabinets, our in-house crews complete dozens of installations every month across Johns Creek, Suwanee, and Marietta, GA. Follow this comprehensive checklist to ensure your templating and install day go smoothly.
Phase 1: Preparing for Digital Laser Templating
Templating is where precision begins. Our technician uses digital laser scanners to capture every bow in your drywall, corner out-of-squareness, and cabinet perimeter:
Base Cabinets Must Be 100% Installed & Level
All base cabinets, corner lazy susans, end panels, and island pony walls must be anchored in their permanent positions. Slabs are cut to within 1/32 of an inch—cabinets cannot be moved or shimmed after the template is created. If you are ordering new custom kitchen cabinets, ensure they are fully set.
Have All Sinks, Faucets & Cooktops On-Site
The technician must inspect your physical undermount sink, faucet, air switch, and cooktop to calibrate the CNC machine cutouts and faucet hole drill points.
Clear Countertop Surfaces
If your existing counters are still in place during templating, clear all small appliances, dish racks, and coffee pots so the laser has an unobstructed line of sight to the walls.
Phase 2: Installation Day Checklist
- 1.Clear Entryway & Walkway: A 60-square-foot island slab can weigh 800+ lbs and requires 4 crew members to carry. Clear your driveway, front porch, hallways, and doorways of rugs, baby gates, and shoes.
- 2.Shut Off & Disconnect Plumbing: Turn off main water valves and disconnect P-traps, sink drains, and dishwasher supply lines before crew arrival.
- 3.Keep Pets & Children in a Safe Room: Doors will remain open as heavy materials enter the house. For safety, secure pets in a separate room or with a neighbor.
- 4.Observe the 24-Hour Cure Period: Our crew will mechanically fasten your undermount sink with epoxy brackets and 100% silicone. Do not run water or reattach plumbing for 24 hours to prevent seal failure.
Serving the Greater Metro Atlanta Community
AGS Stones & Cabinets provides factory-direct fabrication, laser templating, and professional stone installation across all surrounding Georgia neighborhoods:
Common Questions from Homeowners
Do I need to empty my lower kitchen cabinets before installation?+
Yes, clearing lower cabinets directly under the sink and cooktop is required. While drawers and other lower cabinets do not necessarily need to be completely empty, stone installation creates slight vibrations and fine dust, so covering or clearing your kitchenware is strongly recommended.
Who disconnects and reconnects my sink and dishwasher plumbing?+
Countertop fabricators specialize in stone cutting, leveling, and epoxy seams. Plumbing shutoff, faucet reconnection, and garbage disposal installation must be handled by a licensed plumber or competent homeowner after the 24-hour epoxy cure period.
How long does countertop installation take on the day of delivery?+
A standard 50-square-foot kitchen installation in Metro Atlanta typically takes between 3 and 5 hours. Complex layouts with waterfall islands, full-height stone backsplashes, or multi-piece seams may take 5 to 7 hours.
What should I do to protect my hardwood floors during installation?+
Our AGS Stones installation crews lay down heavy-duty protective floor runners and door jamb pads. We recommend clearing hallway rugs and shoe racks to provide a clear, slip-free pathway from your front door to the kitchen.
Ready to Experience the AGS Stones Difference?
Skip the retail middlemen. Visit our Duluth showroom to hand-select your exact full-size stone slabs, or schedule a free in-home digital laser templating estimate.
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- → Granite vs. Quartz: Which Stone Does Your Kitchen Actually Need?
- → How to Clean & Care for Custom Cabinets: Keeping Finishes Like New
- → How to Measure Countertops for a Fast & Accurate Estimate: Step-by-Step
- → How Much Do Granite & Quartz Countertops Cost in Atlanta & Duluth, GA?
- → How to Choose the Best Countertop Edge Profile: Eased, Bullnose, Ogee & Waterfall Guide
- → How to Fix a Chip in Granite or Quartz Countertops: The DIY Repair Guide
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