If your cabinets are solid and you like the layout, new countertops are one of the biggest kitchen upgrades you can make without a full remodel. Most jobs go smoothly, but a few checks before ordering save headaches.
CHECK 1: ARE THE CABINETS LEVEL?
Stone countertops need flat, level cabinet tops. Older cabinets that have sagged or shifted need to be shimmed or reinforced before templating. Quartz and granite don't flex; they crack.
CHECK 2: CAN THEY TAKE THE WEIGHT?
Granite and quartz weigh 18 to 25 pounds per square foot. Most cabinet boxes handle it fine. Particleboard cabinets with water damage under the sink, or cabinets with missing back panels, may need reinforcement.
CHECK 3: THE BACKSPLASH
Removing old countertops often damages the bottom of the existing backsplash tile, or reveals a gap where the old counter was thicker. Many homeowners replace the backsplash at the same time. See backsplash installation cost.
CHECK 4: THE SINK AND FAUCET
- Undermount sinks are standard with stone. Your old drop-in sink may not work.
- Faucet holes are drilled to your faucet's requirements.
- The plumber needs to disconnect and reconnect the sink, faucet, garbage disposal and dishwasher.
CHECK 5: THE COOKTOP OR RANGE
Slide-in ranges and cooktops need specific cutouts and clearances. Have the model numbers ready for the template.
TYPICAL COSTS
| Item | Typical DMV Cost |
|---|---|
| Remove and dispose of old laminate or tile tops | $200 – $500 |
| Quartz or granite, installed (avg kitchen, 40–50 sq ft) | $3,200 – $6,500 |
| Undermount sink (new) | $250 – $700 |
| Plumbing disconnect/reconnect | $250 – $500 |
| Backsplash replacement | $1,000 – $2,800 |
TIMELINE
Template visit, then 1 to 3 weeks for fabrication, then installation in a day. Plumbing is usually reconnected the same day or the next.
Pairing new countertops with painted cabinets gives most of the look of a new kitchen for a fraction of the cost.
RELATED READING
QUARTZ VS. GRANITE FOR A BUSY KITCHEN
Heat, stains, sealing, seams and cost — the real differences for family kitchens.
KITCHEN REFRESH WITHOUT NEW CABINETS
Paint, counters, backsplash and lighting: what a refresh costs and what it can't fix.
COUNTERTOP OVERHANG WITHOUT SUPPORT
Safe overhang for quartz and granite, seating knee space, and hidden support options.
Planning a project? See our Countertop Installation service page for scope, process and recent work.
BOOK A CONSULTATION IN THE DMV
We respond within 15 minutes. No obligation, no pressure — just a clear, itemized estimate.
Book Your Consultation