Once you’ve decided to install granite countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, you’re probably eager to get the process started. However, there are a few things that need to be in place to make sure your installation goes smoothly. If granite is in your home’s near future, read on for tips on making the process as quick and easy as possible.
Choose a Professional Installer
Do you think you can install your granite countertops by yourself or with the help of a few ‘handy’ members of your family? Or have you turned the job over to a jack of all trades home remodeler who has only performed a couple of installations in his career? If so, you should definitely reconsider. Granite is a high-quality material and should only be handled by professionals. An amateur DIYer or handyman who is not experienced handling granite could easily crack or otherwise damage the material, costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars. In addition, they could make mistakes during the actual installation, resulting in a project you’re not proud of and will want to re-do. It’s always best to make the investment to work with a professional granite installer who has plenty of expertise and experience in this area.
Decide on Everything Beforehand
By the time your installer shows up at your home to work on your project, you should not have any changes. Color choices, where you want the counters installed, and any other options should be agreed upon and signed off on. Make sure everyone who is in on the decision-making process has seen the full extent of the plans and has had all their questions answered. All measurements should be taken and the template developed by the installer. If you make last-minute changes when your installer is ready to start the project, you could be looking at long delays, increased cost, and a frustrated installer.
Clean Up and Declutter
You can bet that your installer won’t be too happy if he or she has to wade through clutter to get to your countertops, only to see that they’re also cluttered with dishes, debris, or groceries. Respect your installer’s time by making sure they have a clear path to where they are working and that your old countertops are cleared off and ready to be removed. You might want to think about putting down a tarp near the project or on walkways, especially if there are muddy conditions outside. You should also remove any fragile or high-cost items near the installation site. Though it’s unlikely an installation mishap will cause any damage, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Stay at the Home During Installation
If you have developed a good relationship with your installer, it might be tempting to simply leave a key under the mat and head to work as usual on the day of installation. Though you may be able to get away with going about your business as usual, it’s a good idea to have someone in charge of making decisions at home during the installation. That way, last minute decisions can be made if necessary and changes can be approved if the project runs into snags. Working from home for a couple of hours is less of a schedule disruptor than having to run home in the middle of the day to answer questions or put out a proverbial fire.
The excitement of new granite countertops in your home should never be dampened by a botched or postponed installment. To best ensure that your project comes off without a hitch and has results you’re proud of, keep the above tips in mind.