6720 S. 27th Street, Oak Creek, WI 53154

So, you have decided to get rid of those drab laminate countertops that have made your kitchen a complete bore for years. You also chose to go with quartz because you’ve heard many great things about it, particularly how durable and easy-to-maintain it is compared to granite and marble. It also has more color options than the other two stones.

By now, you have already gone to the store to pick out your quartz countertops. At the store, they likely showed you a few small samples of the stone. Once you decided, you finalized your purchase with the salesperson, and set a date for installation. Now, you are at home eagerly waiting for the crew to arrive and install your new countertops.

Here’s what to expect with your quartz countertop installation.

The Old Countertops Will Need to Be Removed

Before any work can start on your new countertops, old countertops will have to be removed. In most cases, the crew installing your new countertops will not be the one to remove the old ones. You may want to turn the countertop removal into a weekend DIY project. However, it may be best to have experts remove the old countertops.

You will have to arrange for your own personal contractor to remove the countertops in advance. Or the store may have recommendations. The contractors will remove the countertops prior to the installation. Contractors may also remove cabinet drawers and put them to the side. However, most contractors will not remove sinks. Therefore, you will need to contact a plumber to disconnect the sink before the installation and reconnect the sink once the installation is complete.

The contractors will also haul away the old countertops and sink, which may be an additional cost. If they don’t haul them away, you will have to arrange for someone to remove the old countertops from the premises.

Current Cabinets May Need to Be Reinforced

Stone countertops tend to be very heavy. They may be heavier than your cabinets can stand. If this is the case, before contractors install the quartz countertops, they may strengthen the cabinets or encourage you to have your contractor do it. This will keep the cabinets from collapsing from the weight of the stone. If you’ve already had stone countertops in the past and are replacing the old ones with new ones, this step in the process may not be necessary.

Quartz Countertops Are Installed Piece by Piece

Before the contractors begin your quartz countertop installation, they will take measurements to ensure that the quartz gets cut to fit your kitchen. After the measurements are taken, and the pieces are cut, the installation crew will bring the pieces into the home piece by piece. The contractors seal down each section to the cabinet using silicone. There should be openings where the sink or cooktop are. Contractors will carefully add these items before the slab gets sealed to the countertop. After all the pieces are in place, the backsplash is added if your design requires a backsplash. The entire installation process should take two to five hours.

Once all pieces are sealed, the contractor will recommend how long you should wait until you start to use the countertops. It’s usually about 24 hours to ensure that the cabinets settle properly. After all is done, this will be a good time to have a plumber come back out to reconnect your new sink.

Tips to Make Your Installation a Breeze

You may be brimming with excitement the day that you have your countertops installed. Here are a few tips on how to keep it as seamless as possible.

  • Make sure that the pathway to your kitchen is free of debris. This will allow contractors to easily move the heavy piece from the truck into your home.
  • Remove any rugs or mats that may be a trip hazard for the contractors.
  • If appliances may interfere with the installation, make sure to move them out of the way.
  • Be sure that you or your contractor are present during the installation process.
  • Quartz countertop installation requires skill and precision. Try to minimize distracting contractors while they are installing the countertops.
  • Be sure to keep small children and pets away from the area.

Now, you can rejoice! The moment you have been waiting for has come and gone. The installation process may have caused a slight setback for a few days because you haven’t had access to your kitchen. However, once it’s done and the contractors install the countertops, it will be a sight to behold and well worth the wait.

Wisconsin Granite Design are experts in the countertop industry. As a one stop shop, our countertop showroom has everything you need for your countertop remodel from fabrication to installation. Our vast selection of granite, quartz and marble is more than impressive, and our upfront pricing ensures you will choose the best stone to fit your budget. We know stone. So let us help make your kitchen countertop remodel a reality. Call for a Free Design Consultation today!