Which Goes First – the Sink or the Countertop? This isn't a question like whether the chicken or the egg comes first, because there's a very clear-cut answer. The installation team should mount the countertop first. Then, after setting up the new counters, they can add other fixtures such as a stovetop or a sink.
It's best practice to wait 24 hours after your countertops are installed to set up your new sink. Do you install countertops before appliances is an important question to ask before you begin your kitchen renovations. Make sure to measure and re-measure and lay down tarps so you don't ruin other kitchen appliances.
You could replace your countertops without replacing the sink. BUT depending on the current condition of the sink, we recommend upgrading it. More often than not, people have to replace their sinks too. It also depends on whether you have an under-mount sink or a top-mount sink.
After Your New Countertops are Installed
For best results, it's generally recommended to wait 24 hours after countertop installation before setting up the sink. (Make sure to have a backup plan to keep your bathroom or kitchen supplied with water for those 24 hours.)
On average, the amount of time needed for the entire process of installing a new kitchen countertop is two to seven hours. Your actual installation time depends on the size of your kitchen, with smaller kitchens taking only a couple of hours and larger kitchens taking longer.
Once your new custom countertops have been fabricated, the installer will remove your existing countertops if needed and install the new countertops, ensuring a proper fit. Installation will take an average of 1-3 days to complete, including any plumbing disconnect/reconnect that may be required.
The installation process will take between 2 and 7 hours, depending how many countertops are being fitted and if any of them require minor adjustments before being secured in place.
All appliances including ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves need to be in place prior to installation process. After installation of countertops, final wall preparation can begin. Do not paint, tile or wallpaper areas above countertops prior to installation.
While granite is known for being particularly sturdy, the way that sinks are installed in these types of countertops results in some weakness. While it can be done, changing a sink in a granite countertop puts the stone at risk of damage, which can be very pricey to repair.
Your undermount sink will be installed by your countertop installer. Once the counter is in place, they will use sink adhesive to create a seal between the top lip of the sink and the underside of the countertop. Supporting clips are installed with mounting hardware drilled into the stone or solid surface.
The Condition of your Old Countertops
If you're old countertops are a neutral color and in decent condition, it may not make sense to replace them ahead of putting your home on the market. However, if the countertops look dated, are stained or are in poor general condition, they can be a deterrent to selling your home.
However, the look and feel can decrease the value of your cooking space, and it's possible for cracks to hold bacteria before any kitchen updates. If your counter is cracked, stained beyond repair, has any signs of structural problems, or simply looks outdated, it's time for a countertop replacement.
Dishwashers: Your dishwasher typically doesn't need to be measured, but it may be helpful to install this appliance before the countertops. This is to eliminate any issues that may arise with your dishwasher detaching from the cabinetry behind it.
Caulk is applied around the perimeter of a kitchen sink to create a watertight seal between the sink and countertop and help hold the sink in place. If water is allowed to leak through the gap around the edge of the sink, moisture can build up and lead to mold growth.
Either way, you might wonder if it's possible to replace the sink alone or if you have to update the kitchen countertops at the same time. The simple answer is that you may or may not have to replace countertops, depending on a number of factors.
If you're looking to upgrade your countertops after the holiday season, or are potentially treating yourself to this as a holiday gift, February and March are a great time to do so. Usually, during this time, the busier season for both kitchen remodeling companies and yourself is over.
Begin by choosing your countertops.
There are many more color and pattern variables in countertops than in flooring or cabinetry, so choosing this element first will be much less limiting later.
An experienced plumbing professional may only take about two hours to replace a kitchen sink. If you'll be doing the job yourself, plan for four to six hours. Be sure to gather all the supplies you'll need before you begin, and determine whether you'll need a second person to assist with the job.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
To install the new countertop, expect to pay $100 to $2,100 for a single-sink countertop and between $550 to $2,200 for a double-sink countertop.