A new kitchen countertop is an exciting aspect of the kitchen renovation. So, let’s talk about its preparation. Installing a new kitchen countertop might be something exciting for the homeowner, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. In any type of construction or kitchen renovation, it’s not the final product; it’s the process that worries many people.
That’s why it’s important to understand the process from an expert’s perspective. This article will explain what you should expect when installing a new kitchen countertop and how you should prepare for everything that comes with it. So, let’s begin.
Basics Of Countertop Installation:
Before you prepare for the installation of your counter, you need to remember a few things. The first is the type of material that you need for your countertop. While you might think granite is the most popular choice, only 24% of Americans use granite in kitchen countertops.
Whereas the most common material used is engineered Quartz, which stands at 42%. Besides that, you need to ensure getting the proper building materials, such as:
· Countertop itself, whether it’s granite, marble, or quarts;
· Equipment for the countertop installation process (the builder/contractor will handle it);
· Clean-up equipment for demolition of the old countertop;
· Plastic sheets for dust control;
· Cover up for ventilation;
· Tools and equipment.
Once you have these ready, you will proceed with the preparation process.
6 Ways To Prepare For Countertop Installation In Kitchen Renovation
Now that the basics are out of the way let’s talk about some of the key aspects that you need to prepare for before your contractor arrives. Here are six of them:
1. Prepare For The Installation Date
The appointment date is the first and perhaps the most important part of a kitchen countertop installation. Unless you’re going to DIY it, it’s important to prepare for the installation date beforehand. It’ll be convenient not only for you but for the builder as well. If you have not found a builder yet to carry out this work and you are looking over your options, installers of commercial and residential granite, or whichever material you choose, may be your best bet as they have a wide range of installation knowledge and background that includes different customers.
So, how exactly do you prepare for the installation date? Here are a few tips:
· Mark the date on your calendar;
· Ensure you have no other appointments/things to do that day;
· Prepare safety equipment for you if you’re doing it yourself (DIY);
· Get any prerequisite material or equipment requested by the builder;
· Ensure timely delivery of the materials and equipment before working on it.
This will allow you to prepare everything you need ahead of time. Besides that, scheduling any kitchen renovation will ensure timely demolition and countertop installation process. Therefore, mark your calendars, prepare for the exact time, and make sure everything is ready.
2. Clear A Path For Installation Material/Tools
When you bring in material for your kitchen countertop, the flow of work can disrupt everything in between. For instance, if you’re aiming for a professional installation, then you need to ensure the pathway to your kitchen is clear.
Because that means potential heavy equipment carried by workers to your kitchen. So, the hazard of potentially tipping over something is always there, and it’s up to you to prevent it. Here’s how:
· Clear the path from your door to your kitchen;
· Use the back/kitchen door if it’s available;
· Move any appliances out of the way;
· Move any furniture that might cause a potential blockage.
After you’re done with this, it’ll be easier for the builders or yourself to move the stuff into the place/kitchen. From there, it’ll only be up to the rest of your preparation to get things done.
3. Clear The Kitchen Top/Islands, etc.
One of the most nagging things for a contractor, or yourself, will be everything that gets in the way. Suppose you trip something off the countertop or other kitchen island or need to remove everything after you start working. In that case, that’ll annoy you and get in the way of your productivity.
That’s why you need to clear the kitchen top and other islands before you get started with the countertop installation. So, what you should do is:
A. Remove anything that’s not necessary, i.e., flour jars, etc.
B. Clear any other kitchen elements that might be on the countertop/island
C. Remove any food such as fruits, vegetables, etc.
This will save your things from breaking and clear the workspace. Therefore, it’s important that you clear up the kitchen counter and surrounding areas in the kitchen that might be subject to a lot of dust, falling, and tripping over because of the installation process.
4. Unplug and Remove Kitchen Appliances
In most homes in Canada, kitchen appliances are merged with the kitchen counter. Now, replacing a countertop with these kitchen appliances in their place doesn’t only risk breaking them, it also risks breaking the new kitchen counter.
Besides, it’ll hinder the overall installation process, so it’s important to conduct an appliance disconnection and remove the following:
· Unplug and remove the refrigerator if it’s nearby the kitchen counter;
· Remove the oven, including the microwave;
· Unplug, then remove your stove burner/system;
· Remove any other appliances, such as the dishwasher.
Once you’re through with this, it’ll allow yourself/the contractor to work freely. Besides that, it’ll save ample time. Because if you leave it for the countertop installation day will put you or the builder through a lot of unwanted hassle.
Therefore, it’s ideal that you deal with all this earlier in the day or the day before. Besides that, in some contractor cases, it’ll also save you from paying additional money for cabinet removal and appliance disconnection.
5. Cover the Kitchen With Plastic Sheets
A lot of contractors in Toronto would ask you to cover your kitchen in plastic sheets before you get started. Now, doing this will also save you from potential additional charges. Some of the contractors provide a pre-installation checklist that includes this.
If you cannot do it on your own, they’ll come and cover your kitchen and surrounding areas with plastic sheets to prevent debris and dust from covering the entire space. This is particularly important for kitchens in open spaces.
For kitchens with a designated room, it’s important to do plumbing and electrical preparation so that it doesn’t get perturbed by the installation process. Now, doing it yourself will cause you to save money, but also ensure floor protection and wall protection from dust and debris.
6. Cleaning Up
The final phase of preparation is to prepare for the clean-up you’ll have to do after you’re done. Make no mistake about this; there will be a bit of a mess left once your kitchen counter is installed. Whether it’s a professional installation or a DIY installation, make sure you’re prepared to clean up.
Therefore, you will have to arrange for the following:
· Wheelbarrow for construction debris(optional);
· A lot of plastic sheets and bags to prevent dust from panning out of the kitchen;
· Mops, brooms, and other cleaning appliances;
· Countertop polishes/cleaners for post-process clean-up;
· Plastic bags and sacks to take out the remaining trash.
You will have to prepare these things before you get started, but in most cases, contractors will take care of clean-up and disposal. However, arranging all these things beforehand will allow you to do better time management and ensure timely installation and clean-up after it’s done.
Conclusion:
These are some of the things you need to be prepared for when installing a kitchen countertop. It’s important to know that DIY’ing any kitchen renovation by yourself can be time-consuming and hassle-inducing. However, a professional can always help you save time and get it done properly. While it’s up to you, ensure you know what you’re doing and have all the materials you need before you start.
