Installation day is the moment your new kitchen comes together, and a little preparation makes it run smoothly. Here is what happens when we install your stone benchtop, what we need from you, and how long it takes before you can use your kitchen again.
We measure, fabricate and install every benchtop in-house for homeowners across Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle, so the team that installs your benchtop is the same team that measured and made it.
What Happens on Installation Day
- Arrival and access. Our installers arrive, check the access path and bring your benchtop in. Stone is heavy, so a clear path from the street to the kitchen makes a big difference.
- Positioning and fitting. Each section is positioned on your cabinets, levelled and fixed in place. Cabinets may need minor adjustment so your sink sits correctly.
- Joins and cut-outs. Any joins are bonded and finished, and final adjustments are made to sink and cooktop cut-outs. Some cutting or polishing may happen on site, and we keep any dust to a minimum.
- Sealing and clean-up. Edges and joins are sealed, and the area is cleaned before we leave.
- Reconnection. Once the benchtop has had time to set, your plumber and electrician reconnect your sink, taps and cooktop.
For the full timeline from quote to installation, read how long a silica-free benchtop installation takes.
How to Prepare for Installation Day
- Clear the path. Make sure the route from the street to your kitchen is free of obstacles, loose rugs and furniture.
- Clear the kitchen. Remove anything on or around your cabinets, and keep the floor dry.
- Disconnect services beforehand. Your sink, taps, cooktop, gas and any electrical appliances need to be disconnected before we arrive.
- Keep other trades on other days. Painting, flooring and other works should not overlap with installation. If other works stop us from installing, we will need to reschedule, and a return trip fee may apply.
- Plan for children and pets. For their safety, keep children and pets away from the work area on the day.
- Ventilate the room. The adhesives and sealants we use can have a smell, so keep windows open where possible. Anyone with respiratory conditions may prefer to be elsewhere during installation.
Sinks, Taps and Cooktops
We cut and finish the openings for your sink, cooktop and taps as part of your benchtop. Reconnecting your plumbing, gas and electrical fittings is the job of your licensed plumber and electrician, so book them in advance around your installation date.
After fitting, your benchtop usually needs to be left overnight to set. Fixtures can be reconnected once it has set, within 24 hours of installation.
After Installation
Allow the sealant on your benchtop 48 hours to cure before using it for food preparation. After that, everyday care is simple. A soft cloth and warm, soapy water is all most benchtops need. Our guide on how to care for your stone benchtop covers the rest.
“Installation day should feel like the easy part. If the measure is right and everyone knows what is happening and when, the benchtop goes in, the trades reconnect and you are cooking again before you know it.”
Craig Wiseman, Founder, Stone Benchtops Direct
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does stone benchtop installation take?
Installation day is usually the quickest stage of the whole project. Your benchtop then needs to set overnight before your sink and cooktop are reconnected.
Do I need to be home during installation?
It helps to have someone home at the start to give access and confirm details, and at the end to see the finished benchtop.
Who reconnects my sink and cooktop?
Your licensed plumber and electrician reconnect your sink, taps, cooktop and any gas fittings once the benchtop has set.
When can I use my new benchtop?
You can use your kitchen once your fixtures are reconnected, but allow 48 hours for the sealant to cure before preparing food directly on the surface.
Let Us Help
Having stone benchtops installed is a big decision that will shape your home for years to come. With more than a decade of experience, our in-house team handles everything from measure to installation, with an itemised quote and one point of contact the whole way through.
Request a quote today, or call us on 1300 992 868.