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Serving Dauphin Island, Alabama, 36528, Mobile

 

 

We Serve All of the Continental USA.

Use our service to receive quotes in your area for countertop fabricators to installers. The service is free of charge and easy to complete.

If this is your first time to this site click here!

To receive accurate quotes the fabricators or installers we recommended that you read the following then click the link near the end of the page to start receiving countertop quotes today:

Always make sure you understand the policies and charges before starting service with a new company.  

We will go over these six steps:

 

Most of this page is geared towards granite but will apply to most types of countertop installation such as marble, quartz, laminate, concrete, tile, stainless steel, wood, and other solid surfaces.

There are many types of countertops including granite, marble, quartz, laminate, concrete, tile, stainless steel, wood, and many other solid surfaces.  You will want to read the following to have a good understanding of what you need to know before you start your countertop job.  This applies to new construction as well as remodeling.

 

Extra charges and charges to look out for.

 

Under mount sink charge.  Make sure they include the holes for the faucets. Some will include up to three holes for the faucets.  Extra holes may be an additional charge.

Drop or under mount sink cut out charge.

Any other cut out’s such as cook tops, ect.

Find out what is their standard backsplash height is (usually 4”)  Some company’s include backsplash in their pricing and some do not.  You need to check to make sure if it is included or not. Also check to see if they charge you per square foot of stone along with lineal foot of polish for backsplash.

Full height backsplash will be an extra charge.  Usually priced by the square foot of the stone.

Stone edging is usually an extra charge.  Some company’s are now including the edging in the square foot pricing.   Check to see which one applies.

There are many types of edging you can have on a granite countertop.  Here is a list of a few popular shapes.  Full bull nose, half bull nose, double round over, flat edge, ¼ bull nose and 45 degree bevel.  Every edge usually has a different price.  These are just a few edges.  If you don’t see one you like you can usually design your own edge.  (Designing your own edge can get quite expensive since it’s usually a one time use for the shop.)

If there are access issues, gates, elevator access vs. several flights of stairs, any rules that would dictate work area or parking restrictions there may be an access charge.

Most installers will not remove or hook up electric, plumbing, gas or any other appliances.  You will have to have this complete before they arrive to install your countertop.  Check with the installer to see if they offer this service some do most don’t.  If you don’t have this done when the installers come there could be an extra charge for their time and your countertop may not be installed that day.

Not having your sink, range, faucets at the time of templating could result in an extra charge.

Most companies will charge per square foot of material used and a lineal foot price for  the amount of edging that needs to be polished.

Be sure you understand exactly what your installer expects from you.  Some will include all the items needed in their final price and some will not.

 

When you hire a company to do your countertops you want to make sure that they do the job right. When the contractor is out to take the measurements for your countertop be on the look out for the following.

If you are going from Formica to granite or another product there will be a difference in thickness between the old and new.  They need to measure the difference so when they cut the back splash they add the difference between the old and new so it will cover up where the old back splash was.  Usually when switching the countertops there will be thickness difference.  In our experience you need to make the new backsplash about a 1/2 inch taller.  Each countertop will very, make sure they add the appropriate amount to the height of the backsplash so you don’t have to do extra work.  Such as painting or dry walling.

Did they include the over hang when measuring the countertops?  Usually 1 inch to 1 1/4" inches is an appropriate over hang.  This allows for a nice look while letting you open the base cabinets doors easily.  Adding in the overhang can be a very easy thing to overlook when measurement are taken.

You need to be on the look out on edges that may not be hidden usually around ranges and refrigerators.  You will want the edge to be finished so it is not rough cut.  Rough cut pieces are usually sharp; have them knock down any sharp edges.  Also look for un-finished pieces of backsplash.

Have your new or old sink ready for them to take measurements.  Most companies will cut out sink/cook top holes in shop before they ship them out to the house.

Have your new or old cook top for them to take measurements.

Have your plumbing fixtures ready (sink faucet, soap dispenser, etc.) at the time of templating.  Determine the position of each so they know where to drill the holes.

If you have a range you will need to have it there so they know what size the range is so they can have the new countertop come as close to it with out touching it or damaging it.  If you can’t have it there for some reason, look in the owners manual for dimensions.

If you have a refrigerator you will need to have it there so they know what size the refrigerator is so they can have the new countertop come as close to it with out touching it or damaging it.  If you can’t have it there for some reason, look in the owners manual for dimensions.

Ask them how they plan to reattach your dishwasher to the countertop.  If you have a stone countertop they will usually glue the dishwasher to the stone.  If it is not glued or screwed into place, the dishwasher will fall over every time you open the door.   Possibly damaging the floor and your dishwasher.

If you have an under mount sink, find out how they plan on affixing the sink to the countertop.  The best way to mount a sink is silicon glue to make sure the sink doesn’t leak into the cabinets, then build a structure under the sink so the sink does not break loose from the glue and fall to the bottom of the cabinet.  They usually use a system to hold the sink up such as using studs, rails or mounting brackets for the sink to sit on, preventing it from falling.  Make sure they install these, so a year later your sink isn’t sitting inside of your cabinet making a mess.

 

Things to have done before the installers arrive.

Remove pets from work area.

Remove all items in base cabinets prior to installation.

The installation and finishing of countertops create dust, cover or remove any items that would be affected by dust.

As a general rule the installer must keep their work boots on for their safety so cover your floors to help protect them.

 

Things to look for when they are installing your countertop.

Did they attach your under mount sink by glue or did they glue it and support it with a bracing system?

Make sure all the holes are drilled for the faucets for the under mount sink.

Did they attach your dishwasher to the countertop?

Are the edges that can be seen all have the proper finish to them?

Are there any sharp edges that need to be removed?

Does your cook top, range, refrigerator fit properly?  Make sure they fit because there could be an extra charge for them to come back.

If you have a drop in sink make sure it fits properly.

Make sure that the grain goes the same way throughout the countertop.

 

General information

Find out if the state, county, and city your house is located in requires a building permit for the installation. Get the proper permits from your local government before starting any new project.

Make sure you understand and follow all the local building rules and codes. 

All new building projects are unique and all situations cannot possibly be covered in these guidelines.


Usually a 1” to 1 ¼” over hang is the standard over hang for kitchens, bathrooms and bars.  This will give it a nice look while letting you open your cabinets underneath.


Since granite slabs are big, most granite companies do not hold your actual stone in their shop.  Most companies will send you to a main supplier where you will actually look at the stone and put the stone on hold for your fabricators to pickup.


When looking at slabs if it has a pattern, ask the fabricators to make sure the grain goes the same way throughout the countertop.


Stone comes in two thicknesses, 3/4 inch, 2cm and 3cm,  and 1 ¼ inch.  Both are great to have and what you choose will depend on what type of look you want in your home.  I suggest that you look at both thickness before deciding on which to purchase.  


You can have the ¾ inch stone laminated to make it look as if it is actually 1 ½ inches thick.  This can be a very nice look.

Most companies will give you a price based off your house plans or your measurements.  The actual price may very after actual measurements are taken, due to variations in square footage and lineal footage.

Most company’s will need the full balance of the countertop paid in advance, others will need at lease 50% in advance to get the job started.

Find out how long the price is good for, some companies will give you a price guarantee for only a week to a month.

Click here to receive quotes from countertop contractors in your area.

If you are looking for cabinet quotes in your area click here.

 

Serving Dauphin Island, Alabama, 36528, Mobile

 

Email us at Service@MyInstalledCountertops.com

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