If you've just chosen your slab and signed off on your kitchen design, the next question is always the same: what happens now? Understanding the countertop installation process before it begins makes everything smoother — for you and for us. After 25+ years and over 1,000 installations across Miami, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, and the rest of South Florida, we've refined every step so there are no surprises on install day.

Here's exactly what to expect, from the first measurement to the moment you set a coffee mug on your brand-new countertop.

Step 1: Your Cabinets Must Be Ready First

This is the single most important prerequisite, and the one that catches homeowners off guard most often. Your cabinets must be fully installed, leveled, and secured to the wall before we can template.

Why? Because stone countertops are fabricated to match the exact dimensions of your cabinetry. If the cabinets shift, get replaced, or aren't level, the countertop won't fit — and stone can't be adjusted on site the way wood or laminate can.

Here's the cabinet-readiness checklist we send every client:

All base cabinets installed and screwed to the wall
Cabinets are level (we'll verify, but they should be close)
Dishwasher, range, and any built-in appliances are in place (or the cutout dimensions are confirmed)
Plumbing rough-in is complete — the sink location shouldn't change after templating
Old countertops have been removed

If you're working with a general contractor or kitchen designer, coordinate with them to make sure cabinets are 100% done before scheduling your template appointment. Moving a template date back a few days is always better than templating over cabinets that aren't finished.

Step 2: Template Day — The Precision Measurement

Template day is when our team comes to your home and creates an exact map of your countertop layout. This is not a rough measurement with a tape measure — we use digital laser templating to capture every angle, curve, and corner to within 1/16 of an inch.

Here's what happens during the template appointment:

Duration: 30 to 60 minutes for most kitchens, longer for complex layouts with multiple seams or unusual angles
Access needed: We need clear access to all cabinet surfaces. Remove anything stored on top of the base cabinets
Decisions finalized: By template day, you should have your sink, faucet, and cooktop selected (or at least know the exact models). We need cutout dimensions for all of these
Edge profile: If you haven't chosen your edge profile yet, this is the last chance. Once fabrication begins, the edge is locked in
Seam placement: For larger kitchens, we'll discuss where seams will fall. We always place seams in the least visible location and match the stone's pattern across the joint

After the template, we generate a precise CAD drawing of your countertop layout. You'll receive this for approval before we cut a single piece of stone.

Step 3: Fabrication — Where Craftsmanship Happens

Once you approve the template drawing, your slab goes to our fabrication shop. This is where raw stone becomes a finished countertop, and it's the step that separates quality fabricators from everyone else.

Fabrication typically takes 5 to 10 business days, depending on the complexity of the job, the material, and our current production schedule. Rush timelines are sometimes possible — call us at (786) 468-5078 to discuss your timeline.

During fabrication, here's what's happening:

CNC cutting: Your countertop is cut on a computer-controlled saw using the digital template — no guesswork
Sink and cooktop cutouts: Openings are precision-cut for undermount sinks, drop-in sinks, or cooktop units
Edge profiling: Your chosen edge (bullnose, beveled, ogee, mitered, eased, etc.) is shaped and polished
Surface finishing: The top surface is polished to its final sheen — whether that's a high-gloss mirror finish, a leathered texture, or a honed matte
Quality inspection: Every piece is checked against the template drawing before it leaves the shop

This is also when we handle any book-matching or vein-matching across multiple pieces. If your kitchen has an L-shaped countertop or a waterfall edge island, matching the stone's natural movement across the seam is critical — and it's done during fabrication, not on-site.

Step 4: Preparing Your Kitchen for Installation Day

A little preparation on your end goes a long way toward a smooth installation. Here's what we recommend the day before (or morning of) your install:

Clear the work area. Remove everything from your base cabinets' surfaces and from the surrounding counters, floor, and walls. Our team needs room to maneuver large, heavy slabs
Protect nearby items. Stone dust is minimal with our process, but we recommend covering any open food, dishes, or sensitive electronics nearby
Clear a path. We carry slabs from the truck to your kitchen — make sure hallways, doorways, and entry points are clear. If you live in a condo or high-rise, confirm elevator access and any building requirements with your HOA or management ahead of time
Plan to be home. Someone 18 or older needs to be present during the entire installation
Pets and children. For safety, keep pets and small children in a separate room. The slabs are extremely heavy, and our team will be moving quickly

If you have any concerns about access — narrow doorways, tight staircases, upper-floor condos — let us know during the template appointment so we can plan accordingly.

Step 5: Installation Day — The Main Event

This is the day everything comes together. For most kitchen installations, expect the process to take 3 to 5 hours from the time our crew arrives to the final polish.

Here's the installation sequence:

Arrival and Setup (15-30 minutes)

Our crew arrives with your fabricated countertop pieces, all necessary hardware, adhesives, and tools. We do a final check of the cabinets to confirm nothing has shifted since templating.

Dry Fit (15-30 minutes)

Before any adhesive goes down, we place each piece on the cabinets to verify the fit. This is where precision templating pays off — adjustments at this stage are rare, but we always check.

Securing the Countertop (30-60 minutes)

The countertop is secured to the cabinets using a combination of adhesive, brackets, and support structures. For undermount sinks, the sink is attached and sealed at this stage as well.

Seaming (30-60 minutes, if applicable)

If your layout requires seams, this is where they're joined. We use color-matched epoxy, clamped tight, and leveled flush. A well-done seam is nearly invisible — you should have to look for it to find it.

Backsplash Installation (if applicable)

If you've chosen a matching stone backsplash, it's installed at this time. We attach it to the wall and seal the joint where it meets the countertop.

Sink and Plumbing Connections

We install the sink (undermount or drop-in) and make all necessary cutout connections. Note: final plumbing hookup (supply lines, drain, disposal) is typically handled by your plumber, not our team. We recommend scheduling your plumber for the same day or the following day.

Final Cleanup and Walkthrough (15-30 minutes)

We clean the countertop surface, remove all debris, and walk you through the finished installation. This is when we review care instructions specific to your stone type — especially important for marble in Florida's humidity.

Full Timeline: Template to Completion

Here's a realistic timeline for a standard kitchen countertop project:

Phase	Timeframe
Slab selection and design finalization	1-3 days
Cabinet readiness (your responsibility)	Varies
Template appointment	1 day (30-60 min on-site)
Template approval	1-2 days
Fabrication	5-10 business days
Installation	1 day (3-5 hours on-site)
Total from template to installed	Approximately 2-3 weeks

For bathroom vanities and smaller projects, the timeline is often shorter — sometimes as quick as 7 to 10 business days from template to installation.

What About Bathroom and Outdoor Installations?

The process is essentially the same for bathroom countertops and outdoor kitchens, with a few differences:

Bathrooms typically require less time for both templating and installation since the surfaces are smaller. However, tight spaces and plumbing fixtures can add complexity
Outdoor kitchens require materials rated for UV and weather exposure. We'll guide you toward the right stone options during the selection phase

How to Get Started

If you're ready to begin your countertop project — or if you just want to understand what the timeline looks like for your specific kitchen — request a free estimate or call us directly at (786) 468-5078. We'll walk you through every step and make sure your cabinets, plumbing, and design choices are all lined up before we schedule your template.

With 25+ years of fabrication and installation experience across South Florida — from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to Coral Gables — we've seen every kitchen layout, every building requirement, and every material challenge. No surprises, no guesswork, just precision craftsmanship from template to completion.

View our completed projects to see the kind of work we deliver, or explore our stone selection to start choosing your material.

The Countertop Installation Process: What to Expect From Template to Completion