· by Michael Blair, Nashville's Countertops
Stone worktops are measured from the installed cabinets rather than from drawings, because real installations differ from plans by enough to matter on a stone joint. That creates a gap in the schedule that cannot be closed.
What happens at template
A technician measures the installed cabinets precisely, usually with a digital system, and records sink and hob positions, edge details and seam locations.
Cabinets must be fully installed and level, and the sink and hob should be on site. Templating without them means guessing at cut-outs.
The fabrication wait
One to three weeks is typical between template and installation, longer for unusual materials or complex jobs.
The kitchen has no worktop during that period, which means no sink connection and limited function. It belongs in the schedule from the start.
- Cabinets installed and level before template
- Sink and hob on site for the template visit
- Expect one to three weeks to fabrication
- Confirm edge profile and seam placement at template
- Plumbing reconnection is usually a separate visit
What to confirm at the visit
Edge profile, seam locations, overhang dimensions, and how the sink is mounted. Undermount versus top-mount changes the cut-out entirely.
This is the last practical moment to change any of it.
Installation day
Access matters — large slabs are heavy and need a clear route. Installation usually takes a few hours, and the silicone and epoxy need time to cure before the sink is connected.
Plumbing reconnection is often a separate trade on a later day, which people frequently assume is included.