Plus, you can’t just take your own measurements, give them to the supplier, and expect them to arrive at your house, bringing the perfectly fitted slab. Don’t trust a supplier who takes his word for the measurements he gives you!

What is needed from you is an approximation of the dimensions of the countertop template. This is in order to give you an estimated cost of the granite countertop. However, the contractors would still have to come to your location to take their own measurements after you’ve chosen the particular piece you want in the showroom.

Once the measurements have been taken, you are invited back into the showroom for a last look at the part you ordered, and some contractors will require 50% payment at this time. When the installation is complete, that’s when you pay the remaining balance.

Since you can’t reduce the costs of the installation itself, focus on the preliminary activities you need to do before your granite countertop installation. You can prepare the area by demolishing sections that you can handle. For example, removal of the sink, countertops, and old countertop can be addressed while you wait for workers to arrive.

Prior to installation, you must strengthen the existing template by adding metal rods and plywood over the existing cabinets. This is extremely important because the template should be able to support the weight of the granite slab. The contractor will also be able to tell you at this point if specialized tools are needed for easy installation.

To make sure that the granite kitchen countertop lasts for a long time, they must be carefully leveled. The underside of the stone may have high and low areas and a small error in the installation process can result in areas where dirt, bacteria and liquid can enter.

The granite slab must be cut to your exact measurements with a diamond saw. Contractors also pay attention to the placement of faucets, sink and outlets and how to seamlessly integrate the new countertop with existing built-in appliances.

The seams must be perfectly sealed and the edges smoothed for a flawless finish. You may also want to install trim inlays, but don’t make any last minute decisions. You need to buy them in the store at the same time you buy the granite countertop. A penetrating sealer is then applied and the surface is buffed to a super smooth, glossy finish.

Hiring professional contractors can cost dollars, but at least they will save you from the hassle of making costly mistakes on such a large project.