Granite has long been a prized material in home renovation. Its naturally rich and varied beauty, ease of care, and durability make it uniquely suitable for kitchen counters. The installation process is best handled by professionals, but you can take steps to prepare.
We’ve compiled this short guide to help make your countertop remodel and installation go smoothly.
How To Prepare for Your New Granite Countertops
Installing granite countertops presents many challenges. Granite is a dense stone that is pre-cut before transporting to the home. The final adjustments to these cuts will be made during installation, resulting in a significant amount of stone dust. Even with the preventative steps your installers take, it’s impossible to eliminate all the dust.
● Select Your Color and Style: You should know the color and style of countertop you want before the renovation begins. While you can change your mind during the process, everything goes much smoother if you’re ready ahead of time.
● Clean Out Your Kitchen: Your first step in preparing for your counters to be installed is to remove everything from your kitchen. It needs to come out if it’s in a cabinet, on a countertop, or hidden in a drawer.
● Lay Down Dust Cloths: If your kitchen opens into other rooms, the installers will hang dust curtains over these openings. However, it’s still a good idea to lay down drop cloths over your furniture and carpet in adjoining rooms. Granite dust has a tendency to spread easily and can get into the weave of your upholstery. It’s also quite abrasive, so covering other furniture, especially those that contain glass, is important. As a final note, make sure you cover your electronics as well.
● Clear Your Schedule For The Day: When the installation date comes, you should be prepared to be home and available all day. The countertop team may want to confirm your color and style or get your input on any issues that may come up. The installation process generally only takes one day but may last from two to eight hours.
The above steps are on the homeowner. The following steps are at the discretion of the installation team and the homeowner. They need to be done, but you can choose to do them yourself or discuss having the installation team complete them.
● Remove Existing Countertops: If you’re renovating, the old countertops will have to be removed first. It’s important to discuss this with the installation team, as you may have to hire another contractor to remove them.
● Remove Existing Plumbing Fixtures: Like your existing countertops, your old plumbing fixtures will have to be removed. Whether you’re putting them back or replacing them, they must be absent during installation. Make sure you have your new fittings on hand, as the installation team can ensure the countertop can accommodate them.
These tips will help you prepare for the installation and ensure everything moves smoothly. Be sure to touch base with your countertop contractors days before the service date and alert them to any changes.
Ready For Worry-Free Countertop Installation?
When the time comes to get your countertops installed, you want everything to go smoothly. Taking steps to prepare for the installation process ensures that it will be successful. When you work with our team of experts at Texas Granite Group, you’ll be able to take advantage of years of practical experience.
We’ve been providing people just like you with beautiful new kitchens and countertops throughout the Austin area that truly enrich their homes. If you’re ready to get your countertops installed, reach out to us to schedule your first consultation. Thanks to our workmanship guarantee, we’ll be there with you through the entire installation process and beyond. Call us today!