Your Complete Process Guide
From Template to Countertops:
Your 8–10 Day Timeline
No surprises. Here is exactly what happens between your first call and the moment you are cooking on your new stone countertops in South Florida.
Most countertop problems — wrong measurements, surprise costs, scheduling chaos, mismatched stone — happen because the process was rushed or outsourced. Our five-step process exists specifically to eliminate those failures. Every step has a reason, every timeline has margin, and every decision point involves you directly.
The typical kitchen project takes 8–10 business days from estimate to installation. Larger or more complex projects — waterfall islands, full-height backsplashes, multi-room renovations — may require 10–14 days. We will give you an accurate timeline at your estimate, and we consistently meet it. In South Florida, where contractor scheduling is notoriously unreliable, that matters.
Week 1
Free In-Home Estimate
Day 1 — No obligation, same-day response
A countertop specialist visits your home, measures the space, and discusses materials, edge profiles, and finishes. You leave with a real price range — not a vague ballpark. We bring slab samples so you can compare colors in your actual lighting.
What to have ready:
- Cabinets installed and level (required for kitchen projects)
- Any inspiration photos saved on your phone
- Rough idea of material preference (we help if you have none)
- Existing sink model if keeping it
Week 1
Slab Selection
Days 2–3 — Visit the showroom or review remotely
You hand-select the exact slab going in your home from 1,000+ options in our Pompano Beach showroom. This is the most important step most people skip — two slabs of the same material can look completely different. No surprises on install day.
Bring to showroom:
- Cabinet door sample or accurate color photo
- Flooring sample or photo
- Hardware finish (brushed nickel, matte black, gold, etc.)
- An open mind — in-person slab selection often surprises
Ready to get started? Most projects begin within 48 hours of contact.
Week 1–2
Laser Templating
Days 4–5 — Precision digital measurement
Our team returns with laser templating equipment that captures your space down to the millimeter — including wall bow, out-of-square corners, and all cutout locations. This is why we never cut from blueprints or old dimensions. The template IS the instruction set for your fabrication.
Prepare for template day:
- All cabinet doors and drawers installed and aligned
- Sink on-site and accessible (we measure the actual unit)
- Cooktop or range on-site if cutting for it
- Any plumbing or electrical rough-in complete
Week 2
CNC Fabrication
Days 5–8 — Shop work, zero surprises on install day
Your slab is precision-cut on our 5-axis CNC bridge saw, edges profiled and polished, seams pre-planned, and every piece inspected before it leaves the shop. Complex work — waterfalls, mitered edges, full-height splashes — is done here, not improvised at your home.
While fabrication is underway:
- Confirm plumber availability for after install
- Verify electrician schedule if cooktop reconnection needed
- Clear countertops and lower cabinets near work area
- Arrange slab protection for floors during delivery
Week 2
Professional Installation
Days 8–10 — 2–4 hours for most kitchens
Install teams arrive with all pieces fabricated and ready. We set the counters, complete seams, apply sealer on natural stone, and do a final quality walkthrough with you before leaving. Plumbing reconnection happens after we leave — your plumber simply reconnects the sink. Most clients are cooking on their new countertops the same evening.
Installation day checklist:
- Children and pets secured away from work areas
- Plumber scheduled for 2–3 hours after our arrival time
- Temporary workspace (folding table) set up if cooking is planned
- Do final walkthrough with the team before they leave
Questions Before You Start
Can I get a price before templating?
What if my cabinets are not fully installed yet?
How long will I be without a kitchen counter?
Do you remove old countertops?
What happens if there is a seam?
Common Countertop Mistakes South Florida Homeowners Make
We see these issues regularly. Avoiding them saves time, money, and frustration.
Choosing material from a 4"x4" sample instead of seeing the actual slab
Small samples show color and texture but hide the movement, veining, and variation that define how a stone actually looks across an 8-foot island. Two slabs of the same SKU can look completely different. Always select from the actual slab going into your home.
Not having cabinets fully installed and leveled before templating
Countertops are templated to match the cabinets as they sit — every millimeter matters. If cabinets shift, get adjusted, or are not yet installed, the template is wrong and the stone will not fit. This is the single most common cause of project delays.
Hiring a company without its own fabrication shop
Companies that subcontract fabrication lose control of quality, timing, and communication. If something needs adjusting on install day, a company with its own shop can fix it. A middleman has to call someone else and schedule another visit. Ask who actually cuts your stone.
Ignoring edge profile costs
Standard eased and beveled edges are typically included. Waterfall edges, mitered edges, and ogee profiles add significantly to the project cost because they require more material and more labor. Ask about edge pricing upfront so there are no surprises in the final quote.
Not accounting for sink and cooktop cutout complexity
Undermount sinks, farmhouse sinks, and cooktop cutouts each require different fabrication approaches. A farmhouse sink cutout with a reveal, for example, is substantially more work than a standard undermount. Make sure cutout complexity is reflected in your budget.
Selecting marble for a heavy-use family kitchen without understanding maintenance
Marble is beautiful but etches from acids (lemon juice, tomato sauce, vinegar) and requires more attentive care than quartz or granite. For families who cook daily, that is a lifestyle decision, not just an aesthetic one. We help you weigh the trade-offs honestly.
Scheduling countertop installation before backsplash tile is planned
The counter goes in first, then the backsplash tile meets it. If you install tile first and then set countertops, you risk gaps, misalignment, or having to redo tilework. Plan your backsplash material and layout before your countertop install date.
Not asking who will actually be in your home on installation day
Some companies send subcontracted crews you have never met. Ask in advance who is coming, whether they are employees or subcontractors, and whether a project lead will be present. You should know exactly who is entering your home and handling your stone.
Most projects start within 48 hours
Ready to See Your Timeline?
Call or send photos on WhatsApp and we will give you a real price range and a realistic schedule for your project — usually within the hour. No pressure, no commitment.
4.9★ across 200 Google reviews · Same-day estimates · 24/7 booking · Serving 54+ South Florida cities
4.9★ Google · 200 Reviews
Get a Transparent, Line-Itemized Countertop Estimate
No mystery pricing — you'll see exactly what your material, fabrication, and installation cost. Send us photos on WhatsApp for same-day pricing guidance, or request a detailed quote online. South Florida homeowners and contractors trust us because we respond fast and our estimates have no hidden fees.
