How to prepare customers for countertop templating.
A little prep before the templator arrives keeps your project on schedule and avoids costly re-measures. Use our printable field measure sheet to capture every detail before the visit.
Clear the existing counters
The single biggest cause of delayed templating is a counter covered in small appliances, décor, and dishware. The templator needs an unobstructed surface to set up equipment and capture accurate dimensions. Remove everything sitting on the existing countertops—including toasters, coffee makers, knife blocks, and canisters—before the visit. You do not need to empty the base cabinets underneath, but the work surface itself must be clear. If you are replacing laminate or tile, the old top usually stays in place for templating and is removed at install, so clearing the top is what matters most.
Finalize sinks and faucets
Sink and faucet choices drive the cutouts in your new slab, so confirm them before the templator arrives. For undermount sinks, the physical sink should be on-site so its exact rim can be traced—or at minimum provide the manufacturer, model, and precise dimensions. Drop-in sinks can be templated from specifications, but having the actual sink removes guesswork. Decide on faucet model and mounting style too, since the templator notes hole locations and any soap dispenser or filtered-water fixtures. If you plan a new disposal or hot-water tap, mention it. For more on the overall process, see our countertop measurement guide.
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Decide appliance locations
Cooktops, ranges, and refrigerators must be in their final positions, or you must provide exact model numbers so the templator can reference spec sheets for cutout dimensions and reveal tolerances. Slide-in ranges, panel-ready fridges, and downdraft cooktops all change how stone is cut and fitted. If appliances are not yet installed, leave the templates or measurements from the manufacturer so the fabricator can build to them. Moving an appliance after templating means a costly re-measure and re-cut, so lock these decisions in early.
Cabinet and plumbing readiness
Cabinets should be installed, level, and firmly secured before the templator comes. Uneven or loose cabinets produce gaps that are impossible to hide in the finished stone. Plumbing for sinks and faucets should be roughed in to final locations, and any electrical for cooktops or outlets in the backsplash should be marked. If a new backsplash is part of the job, know where outlets will land so the templator can note cutouts. Fabricators who run their shop on purpose-built software can track these readiness checks so nothing slips between template and install.
What the templator will do
Expect the templator to verify cabinet levelness, measure each run of counter, note appliance and sink cutouts, and document any walls or corners that are out of square. Many pros now use digital templating with lasers or measured templates that feed directly into CNC programs, which improves accuracy and speeds up production. The visit typically takes 45 minutes to two hours for a kitchen, longer for multiple rooms. When the template is clean and complete, fabrication and installation go smoothly—our installation best-practices guide covers what happens next. Shops managing this workflow end to end can explore how to start a countertop business.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to empty my cabinets?
You do not need to empty base cabinets, but the countertop above them must be clear so the templator can set up and measure accurately. Remove small appliances, décor, and anything sitting on the existing surface.
Should sinks be on-site for templating?
For undermount sinks, yes—the physical sink (or its exact model and dimensions) should be available so the templator can trace the cutout. Drop-in sinks can be templated from specifications, but having the sink present removes guesswork.
How long does templating take?
Most single-kitchen templating visits take 45 minutes to two hours depending on the number of surfaces, complexity of the layout, and whether appliances or unusual angles are involved.
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