From the day you select your stone to the day it's installed, the timeline is longer than most homeowners expect.
The Full Project Timeline
The installation itself takes 3–5 hours. The 3–5 weeks before it is where the real work happens.
Most homeowners are surprised by how long a countertop project takes from start to finish. The installation itself is fast — typically 3–5 hours for a kitchen. But the full timeline from initial consultation to completed installation typically spans 3–5 weeks.
Here's why.
Week 1: Consultation and Selection
The first step is selecting your material and slab. For natural stone, this means visiting a slab yard to select your specific slab — a process that can take anywhere from one visit to several, depending on how quickly you find the right stone.
For engineered quartz, selection is faster because the material is consistent across slabs, but you still need to see full-size samples before committing.
Week 2: Contract and Scheduling
Once you've selected your material and signed your contract, we schedule template day. Depending on our current project load, this typically happens within 3–7 business days.
Week 3: Fabrication
After templating, your slab goes into fabrication. This is where the stone is cut to your exact dimensions, the edge profile is shaped, and sink and faucet cutouts are made. Fabrication typically takes 5–10 business days.
Week 4–5: Installation
Once fabrication is complete, we schedule installation day. The installation itself takes 3–5 hours for a standard kitchen. After installation, caulk and adhesive need 24 hours to cure before the countertops are fully ready for use.
What Can Affect the Timeline
**Material availability:** Some stone varieties are in high demand and may have limited slab inventory. Ordering a specific variety that's not in stock can add 2–4 weeks.
**Project complexity:** Kitchens with many seams, unusual angles, or complex cutouts take longer to fabricate.
**Scheduling:** Peak season (spring and fall) tends to have longer lead times.
How to Plan
If you're working toward a specific date — a holiday gathering, a home sale, a kitchen reveal — work backward from that date and add 5–6 weeks as your planning buffer.
Request a free estimate and we'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific project.
Working toward a specific date?
Tell us your target date and we’ll work backward to give you a realistic timeline — including material lead times and scheduling windows.