Countertop measurement: what to prepare before the visit

Cabinets finished and levelled

A stone countertop is perfectly flat and rigid. If the cabinets are uneven or still being adjusted, you will get gaps, uneven overhangs and stress in the stone.¹ That is why we only measure on furniture fixed in place.

Sink, hob, tap

We need the models and dimensions:

• the sink and how it is mounted (undermount, drop-in, flush),
• the hob and whether it should be flush with the countertop,
• the tap and where its hole goes,
• a soap dispenser, filter or waste disposer, if you plan one.

It is best if an undermount sink is in place. For the other appliances a spec sheet is enough.

Decisions to make before measurement

• How far the countertop should project past the cabinet fronts.
• The overhang on the island, if you will sit at it.
• Where the seams go, if the countertop is longer than a slab.
• Whether there will be a stone upstand or wall cladding above the countertop.

Walls and appliances

Check that the walls are finished and the sockets and switches are in their places. Wall cladding fitted after the countertop can change a dimension by a few millimetres.

What happens next

After measurement you get a quote and a date. Changes after measurement, for example a different sink, mean a revised drawing and sometimes a new measurement. It is better to settle everything before.

(Sources)

1. Accent Countertops, Why It’s Important to Level Your Cabinets Before Template Appointment