For most homeowners, replacing countertops is not something they do often. Because of that, the process can feel a little intimidating. How messy will it be? How long will the kitchen be unusable? What actually happens on installation day?
According to Ed Krahn of Counter Effects, most people are pleasantly surprised by how simple the process really is.
“People usually expect it to be a much bigger disruption,” Ed says. “But in most cases, we’re able to remove the old countertops and install the new ones all in the same day.”
The process actually begins well before installation day with a templating appointment. The team visits the home to take precise measurements using a laser templating system. Those measurements allow the countertops to be fabricated in advance so everything is ready to go when installation day arrives. It also means homeowners do not have to go days without countertops while the new surfaces are being made.
Before any countertop leaves the Counter Effects facility, it goes through a quality control process. Each piece is inspected and documented so the team knows who fabricated and checked it before it is loaded for delivery.
“It’s all part of making sure everything meets our standards before it arrives at the home,” Ed explains.
Once the countertops are ready, installation day can move quickly. Before the installers arrive, homeowners only need to take care of a few simple preparations. Plumbing and gas lines must be disconnected ahead of time, and the top drawers in nearby cabinets should be emptied so the team can access the mounting screws that hold the existing countertops in place.
“When we arrive, the first thing we do is look at the space and figure out the best way to bring everything in,” Ed says. “We’ll lay down blankets to protect the floors, bring in our tools, and then start removing the old countertops.”
If homeowners want to keep their existing countertops, the team can set them aside in a garage or another area of the home. Most of the time, however, the old surfaces are removed and taken away for disposal by Ed’s team.
Despite what many people expect, countertop installation itself is usually very clean.
“We don’t do any cutting inside the house,” Ed explains. “Everything is fabricated ahead of time, so there isn’t a lot of dust or mess during installation.”
The only time the process can become a bit messier is if tile backsplash needs to be removed, which is typically part of a larger renovation.
For a typical kitchen, the Counter Effects team can often complete the removal and installation in just a few hours.
Once installation is complete, the team walks through the finished project with the homeowner and provides a care and maintenance package that includes cleaning recommendations and warranty information. If the material requires sealing, that is completed as part of the installation as well.
Even with careful planning, Ed acknowledges that small surprises can occasionally happen during renovations. What matters most, he says, is how those situations are handled.
“We always stand behind our work,” Ed says. “If something isn’t right, we make it right. We take a lot of pride in making sure our customers are happy with the finished result.”
For homeowners considering new countertops for the first time, Ed says the most important thing is working with a team that communicates clearly and takes pride in their work. With the right preparation, experienced installers, and a process designed to keep disruption to a minimum, what can feel like a stressful project often turns out to be a surprisingly smooth and rewarding update for the home.
