Countertop Deposit: What's Normal and How to Protect Yourself
A typical countertop deposit is paid when you confirm the job and covers the slab and fabrication, with the balance due when installation is complete. At Cornerstone, it is 50% to start and 50% at completion, and you never pay the full amount upfront. Be cautious with any company that asks for full payment before installation or won't put the stone and price in writing.
Summary
- A deposit confirms the job and lets the slab be cut for you.
- Cornerstone countertops: 50% to start, 50% at completion.
- Cabinets: 50% at approval, 30% at delivery, 20% at completion.
- Never pay in full before installation.
Why Countertop Companies Ask for a Deposit
Once your slab is cut, it can't be sold to anyone else. A deposit protects the fabricator against that risk and confirms that you are ready to move forward. It also reserves the slab you chose.
What a Normal Countertop Payment Schedule Looks Like
| Project | At the start | Midway | At completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertops | 50% | — | 50% |
| Cabinets | 50% at approval | 30% at delivery | 20% |
Payments tied to visible stages protect you: you pay the second half only after the countertops are installed and you have walked through the work.
Five Warning Signs Before You Pay a Deposit
- Full payment required before any work is done
- No written quote naming the stone, color and square footage
- Cash only, or pressure to pay today for a "special price"
- No physical address or slab yard you can visit
- No proof of insurance or written warranty
Our guide on how to compare countertop quotes line by line covers what the quote itself should show.
How to Protect Your Deposit
Get Everything in Writing
The quote should name the stone, color, square footage, edge, what is included and the payment schedule.
See the Slab
Approve your actual slab in person before you pay. At Cornerstone, you choose it in our yard at 7517 Orr Rd.
Pay With a Traceable Method
Checks and cards leave a record. Keep the receipt for every payment.
To understand what drives the total, read countertop cost per square foot and see our countertop prices. More in more countertop buying guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a normal countertop deposit?
It varies by company. At Cornerstone it is 50%, with the other 50% at completion.
When is the rest paid?
When installation is complete and you have checked the work.
Why can't I pay everything at the end?
Your slab is cut only for you; the deposit covers that commitment.
Is it safe to pay in full upfront?
We don't recommend it with any company. Payments tied to stages protect you.
