Cabinets or Countertops First? The Right Order for a Kitchen Remodel
Cabinets or countertops first? Cabinets come first. Stone countertops are templated on cabinets that are installed, level and final, so the stone fits to the fraction of an inch. The right order for a kitchen remodel is: design, cabinets, countertop template, countertop installation, then backsplash and plumbing trim. Ordering cabinets and countertops from one company keeps that sequence on a single schedule.
Summary
- Install and level the cabinets before anyone templates the countertop.
- The countertop is installed 7 business days after the template.
- Backsplash and plumbing reconnection come after the countertop.
- One company for both removes the handoff between two contractors.
Why Cabinets Always Come First
A stone countertop is cut to the exact shape of the cabinets beneath it. If the template is taken before the cabinets are installed, or if they move afterward, the stone won't fit: overhangs end up uneven and seams don't meet flush.
Cabinets also need to be level and fastened. Stone is heavy and rigid, and it can't bend to follow a dip in a cabinet run the way laminate can.
The Right Order for a Kitchen Remodel
Here is the sequence we follow, from the first visit to the finished kitchen.
| Step | What happens | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure and design | Free in-home measurement and 3D design | Cornerstone |
| 2. Flooring, if new | Decide whether the floor runs under the cabinets | Flooring installer |
| 3. Cabinets | Delivery, assembly and installation, level and square | Cornerstone |
| 4. Countertop template | Measured on the installed cabinets | Cornerstone |
| 5. Countertop install | 7 business days after template | Cornerstone |
| 6. Backsplash | Stone or tile, set on the installed countertop | Cornerstone or tile installer |
| 7. Plumbing and appliances | Sink, faucet and dishwasher reconnected | Your plumber |
When the Order Changes
Two situations change the sequence slightly. If you keep your cabinets, the countertop is the first step, as long as the cabinets are solid and level. If you are moving the sink or range, your plumber or electrician works before cabinets are installed, so the new positions are ready.
When Each Payment Falls
At Cornerstone, cabinets are paid 50% at approval, 30% at delivery and 20% at completion. Countertops are paid 50% to start and 50% at completion. Each payment matches a stage you can see in your kitchen.
To plan the budget for both, read our guide on cost of new cabinets and countertops.
One Company or Two Contractors?
When the cabinet installer and the stone fabricator are different companies, the template depends on someone else's work and schedule. With our cabinet and countertop package, the same company installs the cabinets and templates the stone. Our article on cabinets and countertops from the same company vs separate contractors compares both routes in detail, and all countertop buying guides cover the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install countertops before cabinets?
No. Stone countertops are templated on installed cabinets so they fit exactly.
How long after cabinets can countertops be installed?
We template once cabinets are installed and level, then install 7 business days later.
Should flooring go in before cabinets?
Often yes in a full remodel, but it depends on the floor type. Decide it during design.
Does the backsplash go before or after the countertop?
After. It sits on the installed countertop.
Can I keep my cabinets and only replace the countertop?
Yes, if the cabinets are solid and level. Then the countertop is the first step.
