Countertop installation in Chicago and Wisconsin
Quartz, granite, laminate and solid surface tops, templated on your refaced cabinets and installed in about a day. A new sink and faucet can go in at the same time.
New countertops on refaced cabinets
Our countertop installation in Chicago and Wisconsin is planned around your cabinets. New doors and veneer change the color of the room, and the countertop has to work with them, so you choose both together and we install them in the right order.
Countertops are templated once the cabinets are refaced. That way the new top fits the cabinets as they are now, including new end panels, added cabinets or a new island.
Your project manager schedules the template, fabrication and install, so you have one person to call instead of coordinating separate trades yourself.
- Quartz, granite, laminate and solid surface
- Templated after the cabinets are refaced
- Stone tops fabricated in about 7–10 days
- Installed in about one day
- New sink and faucet at the same time
From refaced cabinets to new countertops
Countertops come after the cabinet work for a reason: the template has to match the finished cabinets.
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Cabinets are refaced
Doors, veneer and any new cabinets go in first, usually over 3–5 days. Your old countertop stays in use during this stage.
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Template
The cabinet tops are measured and templated, with sink, faucet and cooktop positions, overhangs and seams marked. You confirm the edge profile and seam locations here.
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Fabrication, about 7–10 days
Quartz and granite slabs are cut, edged and polished to the template, which takes about 7–10 days. Your project manager confirms timing for laminate and solid surface when you order.
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Install day
The old tops come off, the new ones are set, leveled and seamed, and the sink and faucet go in. Most kitchens are done in about one day.
Sinks and faucets at the same time
Replacing the countertop is the easiest time to replace the sink. The old one has to come out anyway, and the new top is cut for the exact sink you choose.
Undermount sinks sit below the edge of quartz, granite and solid surface tops, so you can wipe crumbs straight in. Drop-in sinks rest on the counter and are the usual choice with laminate. Think about bowl size too: one large bowl fits sheet pans, while two bowls let you soak and rinse at once.
A new faucet goes in on the same day. If you want a pull-down sprayer, a separate filtered-water tap or a soap dispenser, tell your designer before templating so the holes are drilled in the right places.
Details we plan with you
A few decisions shape how the countertop looks and works. We go through each of them before templating.
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Edge profile
Eased, beveled, bullnose or ogee. Simple edges suit slab and Shaker doors; shaped edges suit raised panels.
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Seam placement
Long runs and L-shapes may need a seam. We plan it where it’s least visible and away from the sink where possible.
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Overhang and seating
An island or peninsula with stools needs extra overhang, and sometimes support underneath.
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Sink and faucet holes
Positions for the faucet, sprayer, soap dispenser and filtered-water tap are set at the template.
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Cooktop and range fit
Cutouts and clearances are measured to your cooktop or slide-in range.
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Backsplash height
A short 4-inch splash, a full tile backsplash or a full-height slab. See backsplash installation.
Caring for your new countertops
A few simple habits keep each material looking the way it did on install day.
Quartz
- Clean with mild dish soap and warm water
- Use trivets for hot pans; high heat can mark the resin
- Skip bleach and abrasive scrub pads
Granite
- Wipe up oil, wine and citrus promptly
- Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner
- Reseal when water stops beading on the surface
Laminate and solid surface
- Always use a cutting board
- Never set hot pans directly on the surface
- Buff light scratches out of solid surface with a fine pad
Countertop questions
Have a question we didn’t answer? Call (630) 555-0140 or send us a note.
Why are countertops installed after refacing?
The template has to match the cabinets as they’ll be when finished. Refacing first means new end panels, added cabinets and the final sink base are all in place when the top is measured.
How long does countertop installation take?
The install itself takes about one day. Stone tops are fabricated in about 7–10 days after templating, so plan on roughly two weeks from template to install.
Will I be without a sink?
On install day, yes. The sink is disconnected while the old top comes out and the new one goes in. Your project manager will tell you when it’s ready to use again.
Which countertop needs the least upkeep?
Quartz. It doesn’t need sealing and cleans up with soap and water. Granite needs occasional sealing, and laminate and solid surface need protection from hot pans.
Can I see countertop samples before choosing?
Yes. Your designer brings samples to the consultation, and our showrooms have countertop materials on display next to doors and hardware, so you can see them together.
See your kitchen with new doors before you commit
A designer comes to your home with door samples, finishes and hardware, measures your cabinets and leaves a written, itemized quote. It’s free, and there’s no pressure to decide that day.
- Tell us a little about your kitchen
- Pick a time for your in-home design visit
- New doors installed in 3–5 days