Igneous rock calls for an ingenious contractor
You’ve just purchased your dream home, replete with beautiful furnishings and a kitchen with the granite countertops that you’ve always longed for. There’s only one problem: the stove simply doesn’t have enough burners for your elaborate cooking projects, and you need to add a cooktop. Hire the same local contractors who install granite countertops to make cutouts and modifications without destroying the countertop or exposing your home to debris.
Benefits of Hiring a Granite Countertop Installer for Modifications
Homeowners love granite countertops not only because they are attractive but because the material is durable, sustainable, and resists cosmetic damage, as well as bacteria and stains. The same qualities that give granite a longer lifespan than many other countertop materials also make it more difficult to modify.
No professionals are better acquainted with granite’s particular requirements than the contractors who install or pros who repair granite countertops in your area. Whether you want to make a cut out for a cooktop, sink, or refrigerator—or if you want to resize a counter’s overhang when replacing your cabinets—an experienced granite professional is your best choice.
Granite countertop installers and repairers have the tools and knowledge to make tricky cuts and finish the edges of your countertop in tight spaces. You can also rely on them to set up a dust tent and take other necessary safety precautions. The cost for granite countertop installation will vary depending on the complexity of the job, but expect to pay between $35 and $85 an hour for labor.
Look for a granite installation company with certified technicians who can explain how they will do the job to you in clear terms. You can also ask to see examples of their previous work on similar jobs.
Can I DIY Granite Countertop Modifications?
While some fearless DIYers install their own granite countertops, projects that require cutting natural stone are complex and risky, and modifying a granite countertop is no exception. The slabs are extraordinarily heavy and easy to damage. Furthermore, granite dust contains high volumes of crystalline silica, which can permanently and seriously damage your lungs if inhaled.
Even for those who might be confident enough to install their own pre-cut granite slabs, modifying an existing countertop will prove difficult. Modifications typically involve making precise, intricate cuts in tight spaces and complex decisions about carving out the necessary space with the fewest cuts.
A natural stone professional will provide the muscle power and know-how to make sure your modifications come out as intended—without damaging the rest of your countertops or exposing workers or your family to debris from stone dust.
How Do Granite Countertop Pros Make Modifications?
When cutting granite on-site, a contractor’s first concern will be dust control. A technician will outfit the kitchen with plastic tarps to form a reliable dust tent. They will then take measurements and mark off the areas to cut with tape. With the guidelines in place, they’ll start making the necessary cuts—such as enlarged cutouts in granite for a sink or stovetop—and either resurface the new overhang or install the proper hardware, depending on the job.
