3 Simple Ways to Prepare for Countertop Installation

Beautiful, brand-new countertops can make your kitchen look brand new--while also adding value to your home. However, many people aren't prepared for the day when their counters will actually arrive, which can cause problems in the long run. Here are three simple ways to prepare for countertop installation.

1. Clear a Path

When teams bring in your countertops, they will likely be hauling large sections of stone or quartz, which can be difficult enough to carry. To make transporting those counters to your kitchen a little easier, focus on clearing a path into your home. Remove any extra furniture or other objects from around porches, entryways, and sliding glass doors. Take things like barstools, high chairs, and plant stands out of the kitchen so that workers can quickly and easily move countertops into the area. 

2. Clean Off Your Existing Counters

Before teams can put in your new counters, they will need to remove your old ones. To speed up the job a little bit, focus on cleaning off your existing counters. Remove any countertop appliances like toasters, waffle makers, or stand mixers, so that teams can access the existing counters easily. Also, it may be handy to wipe down the tops and sides of countertops, so teams can grip the edges and remove counters without slipping around. If you have any permanent fixtures above countertops, such as shelves or decorations, talk with your countertop installation team to see what needs to be moved. 

3. Empty Out Your Top Drawers

Another thing countertop professionals may need to do is add an extra layer of support to the space underneath countertops to bear the weight of the new counters. To make this easier, empty out the top drawers of your lower cabinets. Move anything and everything that could get in the way of teams working underneath countertops, so that you can ensure that support can be added easily. By preparing the way for an excellent support system, you can worry less about cracks, breaks, and problems with the actual installation, which can put your mind at ease. 

When you are ready to start renovating your kitchen, turn to a team in your area that specializes in counters. Talk with your contractor about what you are looking for, and whether you prefer granite, quartz, or quartzite, which is a natural stone that looks like marble--but suitable for kitchens. Ask them to measure out your kitchen and give you bids for the job, so you can get the best price possible.