How Long Does Countertop Fabrication Take?

During a kitchen or bathroom renovation, things really start to come together after the countertops go in. Whether you’re upgrading to durable granite, opting for the sleek look of quartz, or leaning into the classic elegance of marble, you may be wondering: How long does it take to fabricate countertops? Discover the steps involved and how long each one takes to help you plan effectively and avoid delays.

Planning

Before the fabrication work begins, you’ll need to make several design decisions. The planning phase typically takes one to two weeks and includes choosing your material, edge profiles, and backsplash preferences, as well as specifying any sink and faucet cutouts. You may work with a designer or directly with the granite, marble, or quartzite countertop fabricators when planning the design.

Tear-Out and Preparation

If your cabinets are newly installed, you can skip this step. However, if you’re replacing old countertops, you must remove them before templating can begin. This typically takes one to two days and involves carefully tearing out your existing countertops, disconnecting faucets and appliances, and making any necessary adjustments to the base cabinets to ensure a level, secure foundation.

Templating

Templating, or measuring, is the process of creating an accurate layout for your countertops based on your installed cabinetry. Templating can usually be completed in a single visit. The technician sets up a laser measuring device to capture exact measurements of your cabinets, wall angles, appliance locations, and cutout needs. Once complete, the digital template is sent to the fabrication team for review and production scheduling.

Fabrication

If you’ve been wondering how long countertop fabrication takes, this is the most time-intensive phase of the process. Fabrication typically takes one to two weeks, though the timeline can vary based on material availability, shop capacity, and the project complexity.

The fabrication process includes:

• Slab cutting: The slab is cut to the specifications outlined in your template. This includes sink openings, faucet holes, and cutouts for cooktops, if needed.
• Edge shaping and polishing: The selected edge profile is shaped, and all visible edges are polished to a smooth, finished look.
• Seaming: Seam locations are prepared with precision to ensure minimal visibility and proper structural support.
• Surface treatment: The stone may be honed, polished, or sealed to protect the stone and bring out its natural beauty.
• Quality control: Every piece is inspected for defects, checked against the template, and staged for transport.

To avoid uneven seams, poor finishes, or misaligned pieces, you should never rush your fabricator. Still, you undoubtedly want the job completed as efficiently as possible. Here are some tips to keep fabrication on track:

• Choose in-stock slabs: Ordering a special slab or waiting for backordered materials can add weeks to the schedule. Whenever possible, select an in-stock material so the fabrication team can begin work right away.
• Finalize all design decisions before templating: Making changes after templating requires remeasuring and pushes back the fabrication schedule.
• Avoid scheduling multiple contractors too tightly: You may be eager to finish your remodel, but if the countertops are delayed, you’ll have to push everything else back. Leave a few days between each anticipated installation to avoid unnecessary stress.

Installation

Countertop installation should only take one visit. Here’s what’s involved:

• The fabricated pieces are delivered and placed in their approximate locations.
• The team lines up each piece, joining the seams, aligning the sink cutouts, and making any necessary adjustments before finalizing the layout.
• Adhesives are applied, and the stone is fastened in place.

Finishing Touches

Once the countertops are installed, it’s time for the finishing touches. These final details usually occur during the installation visit and may include sealing the stone and caulking seams and backsplashes. Installers also perform a final inspection and tidy up the area so your new countertops are ready for use immediately. Note that you’ll need a licensed plumber to reconnect sinks and gas lines.

Total Timeline

When asking how long does it take to fabricate granite or quartz countertops, you probably want to know the total timeline. From the start of planning to the last polish and seal, the entire process usually takes two to four weeks. Each step builds on the last, so delays in material selection, design decisions, or templating can push the schedule further out.

Install Stone Countertops in Springville, UT

Precision, quality, and a smooth experience—that’s what you get with Signature Marble and Granite. We proudly serve Northern Utah with high-end craftsmanship at an affordable price. We involve you in the design process, explain each step, and offer an accurate timeframe so you know what to expect. Whether you’re looking for granite, quartz, or marble countertop fabrication, we take care to do the job the right way. Schedule your free countertop installation estimate today!