How long does it take to install kitchen countertops? Installation of your new countertops in the kitchen breaks down as prep work, material transport, removal, installation, adjustments, and cleanup. Also contributing to the installation time frame is the size of your kitchen, the type of material, and the size of the project.
One fact is that kitchen countertop installation is lengthier than bathroom countertops because the kitchen has more countertop space to install. The other fact is a professional contractor will take less time to do this than a DIY project, yet the DIY route saves labor costs. A contractor has a qualified and insured installation team helping for the best results; a DIY job is you or you and someone else doing this with general rules and no specific outline.
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The Prep Work
The purpose of prep work is to minimize delays and speed up the installation process. A simple thing to do is to remove items from cabinets and drawers and place them in another part of the house. Remove appliances sitting on existing or old countertops along with the backsplash and move them to another area.
The plumbing underneath the kitchen sink needs to turn off during installation, so you or an expert should turn off the water valve. Remove existing overmount sinks and all faucet fixtures to ensure a smooth fitting over the sink. If a new sink arrives, do-it-yourself types (DIY’ers) need to make sink and faucet holes; an expert will know to do this.
For DIY enthusiasts, arm yourself with the right tools to complete the project. A diamond hole drill bit will make faucet and sink holes for sink installation. You will also need countertop glue, a countertop sealer, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a level.
After prep work, the first step is removing your existing countertop. While an expert knows how to take a countertop off, this may take between one and three hours. The DIY’ers must take the countertop off without damaging the electrical outlets, the sink, or the cabinets above and below.
Overmount sinks sit on top of the countertop, so uninstall the old sink and fixtures before removing the countertop. Under-mount sinks sit under the countertop, so the only uninstallation is the fixtures. Cover the undermount sink to protect it from debris falling into the drain.
Countertop Options for Small and Large Kitchens
Quartz Countertops
A popular choice for kitchen countertops is quartz or engineered stone material. The engineered stone material rivals marble and granite’s classy sophistication in appearance and durability with easy cleaning, stain resistance, and scratch resistance. Quartz upgrades date kitchen countertops like marble or granite without paying extra to get them.
A quartz countertop installation takes 2-5 hours to 2-3 days. Of course, a small piece on a kitchen island takes less time to install than a gigantic piece covering the base cabinets. The heaviness of quartz material slows down transport time, as several people must carry it from the warehouse to the job site.
Marble Countertops
A type of countertop material is durable and elegant marble, and only an experienced team can install it. That is because natural stone countertops like marble require precision and accuracy for perfect installation. Like quartz, marble is durable and heavy to transport.
The amount of time it takes to install marble countertops is 4-6 hours at the earliest to a week at the latest. Unlike quartz, a smaller slab takes longer to install than a larger one.
Granite Countertops
One of the most popular countertop materials is granite, which can handle extreme temperatures. Like marble, the stone is heavy, strong, and beautiful, coming in many colors to match existing and new cabinets. Therefore, only hire granite installers to do granite countertops installations.
A granite countertop installation takes between 4-8 hours and two days. The exact answer depends on the size of the kitchen, the number of cutouts, and the job complexity. Larger kitchens with complex installations will take longer than smaller kitchens with a straightforward approach.
Laminate Countertops
Both the experts and DIY’ers will appreciate how quickly laminate countertops get installed. You can find custom laminate countertops at a kitchen and bath company; a pre-made is available in home improvement stores. The custom version rivals the beautiful new countertops in appearance at a low cost.
A laminate countertop installation takes about 2-5 hours to install. The lightweight, store-bought version is the faster of the two to install. Custom laminates need more time to create, but the lightweight material is quick to install once the creation is complete.
Choosing a laminate countertop makes a kitchen renovation go a lot faster. Besides, laminates come in a variety of colors, which is easy to match existing and custom cabinets. It is very eco-friendly and is easy to maintain too.
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Tonya Dobson
Tonya Dobson, Senior Writer
Eleven years of writing experience and counting, Tonya is a master of the home, especially in the home improvement and interior design area. She continues to earn our respect and gets positive reviews from our readers for her writing style on all things for the home. Before her writing career, she interned at Reflect and Refresh. When she is not writing about the home space, you will find her exercising, working on Sudoku puzzles, and enjoying the outdoors.
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