The seven steps from slab to finished counter
The order is the same for granite, quartz, quartzite, marble and porcelain. What changes by material is how the slab is chosen and whether it is sealed at the end. Kitchen and vanity jobs follow the same steps; vanities just move faster.
1. Choose the material and slab
For quartz you can usually pick from a sample, since the pattern is consistent. For granite, quartzite, marble and soapstone, most buyers visit a slab yard and tag the actual slabs, because each one is different. Photograph the slab with its tag number and note any veining you want centered on the island or behind the range.
2. Set and level the cabinets
Templating happens after the base cabinets are installed, fastened and level. If cabinets are being replaced, that work must be finished first. Stone does not flex to follow an out-of-level cabinet, so a fabricator may decline to template until cabinets are shimmed true.
3. Templating
The fabricator measures the installed cabinets. Many shops use a digital laser templating system that records every wall and corner; others use physical templates cut from thin strips of plywood or plastic. This is where overhangs, sink reveal, seam locations and faucet hole positions are confirmed. Be present for it.
4. Fabrication
Back at the shop, slabs are cut on a bridge saw, CNC machine or waterjet, then edges are profiled and polished and sink cutouts are made. In California, Cal/OSHA §5204 requires these cuts to use a constant flow of water over the cutting area, submerged cutting or water-jet cutting, plus respirators, air monitoring and no dry sweeping. That applies to engineered quartz and to natural stone above 10% crystalline silica, which can include granite and quartzite.
5. Install day
A crew carries in the pieces, sets them on the cabinets, glues and levels seams, and attaches undermount sinks. For a typical kitchen this is usually one day; larger kitchens can run two. Expect noise, dust from minor field adjustments, and a clear path from the driveway to the kitchen.
6. Plumbing reconnect
Many fabricators do not reconnect plumbing. A plumber hooks up the faucet, drain, disposal and dishwasher, sometimes the same day and sometimes later. Plumber rates typically run $45-$200 per hour. Confirm who does this before you sign.
7. Sealing natural stone
Some granite, quartzite and marble is sealed after install. Quartz, porcelain and soapstone are not. See granite sealing and countertop care for the water test.
Typical timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Slab selection and quote | Depends on your schedule |
| Template to install | About 1-3 weeks |
| Install day | About 1 day for a typical kitchen; up to 2 for large ones |
| Plumbing reconnect | Same day to a few days after install |
Shop backlog, slab availability and change requests move these numbers. A change after templating, such as a different sink, can mean a new template.
What to have ready before templating
- The sink on site. Fabricators cut the opening to the actual sink, especially for undermount and farmhouse sinks.
- Cooktop or range specs. The model's cutout dimensions, or the slide-in range itself.
- Faucet and accessories chosen. Number of holes for faucet, soap dispenser, air gap or filtered water tap.
- Cabinets installed and level, with any end panels and dishwasher in place.
- Decisions on overhang, edge and backsplash. See countertop edge profiles and stone backsplashes.
- Old countertops removed, or a clear agreement on who removes them.
Preparing the house for install day
- Clear the counters, cabinets under the sink and the path from the driveway to the kitchen.
- Disconnect or have a plumber disconnect the sink, disposal and dishwasher if the old tops are being removed the same day.
- Move cars so the crew can park close. A standard 3 cm quartz slab weighs roughly 640-675 lb before cutting; finished pieces are lighter but still heavy.
- For second-floor or hillside homes, tell the fabricator ahead of time. Stairs and long carries add crew and time.
- Keep kids and pets out of the work area. Expect some field cutting and dust.
- Plan to be home at the start and end to approve seams and fit.
Seam placement
Any run longer than the slab needs a seam. A standard quartz slab is about 120 x 56 in and a jumbo about 130 x 65 in; granite slabs commonly range from about 30 to 60 sq ft. Jumbo slabs reduce seams on large islands. Common practice is to keep seams out of sink and cooktop cutouts and away from unsupported overhangs. Ask to see the seam layout on the template drawing and approve it in writing.
On veined quartz and quartzite, ask whether the fabricator will book-match or flow the veining across the seam. That can require extra slab and should be priced before cutting.
Overhang support
Natural Stone Institute guidance limits unsupported overhangs to about 10 in for 3 cm stone and about 6 in for 2 cm stone, and never more than one third of the countertop width. Seating overhangs deeper than that need corbels, brackets or concealed steel supports, which the cabinet installer or fabricator should plan before templating. Quartz manufacturers publish their own limits, so ask the fabricator for the spec on your product.
After installation
Ask the crew how long to wait before using the sink and before putting weight on seams or overhangs; it depends on the adhesive used. Check that seams are flush and color-matched, that the sink reveal is even, and that faucet holes line up. Raise any issue before the crew leaves or in writing the same day. Then plan the first water test on natural stone, described in granite sealing and countertop care.
For a bathroom, the process is the same on a smaller scale: template after the vanity cabinet is set, then one short install visit. See bathroom vanity tops.
Choosing who does the work
There is no single CSLB countertop license class. Stone slab installation most closely fits C-54, and C-29, D-12 and B contractors also do this work. Verify any contractor's license on the CSLB website. In California the down payment is capped at $1,000 or 10% of the contract, whichever is less.
We connect you with licensed local fabricators who handle templating through install. Start at quartz and granite countertops in Sacramento, check countertop cost in Sacramento, or request matched quotes. Replacing an existing top? See countertop replacement.
Main guide: quartz and granite countertops in Sacramento.