What to Expect: Professionally Installed Countertops From CliqStudios
Countertops are often the second biggest kitchen remodel purchase behind cabinetry. With so many materials and fabricators to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed let alone know where to purchase countertops. CliqStudios makes your remodeling journey simpler by providing professionally installed countertops that you can shop for alongside your cabinetry from the comfort of your home.
CliqStudios offers two of the most popular countertop options, granite, and quartz. With 84 colors and designs to choose from, your designer will help you create the aesthetic you’ve been dreaming of. Below we will walk through the four simple steps to selecting the best kitchen countertops for you, and what to expect. We will also discuss countertop pricing, features, and maintenance of each material.
Content Overview
What to Expect During the Countertop Selection Process
1. Countertop Selection
As your kitchen remodel progresses, the time will come to go through the countertop selection process. It’s best to identify what countertop material and color you want while choosing the cabinet door style and finish. Select samples are available to order if you would like to see the color in your home.
2. Countertop Estimation
Countertop estimation is simple. If you’re interested in more than one color, talk to your designer for each estimate. After the color has been finalized and you feel confident, you can place your order for cabinets and countertops on the CliqStudios website. Ordering both products together makes your remodel more streamlined and easier to complete. It’s one less thing you need to select and organize.
3. Countertop Templating
Your local fabricator will contact you 3 days post-purchase to schedule countertop templating. Countertop templating can only be scheduled after your kitchen cabinetry has been installed. Once your kitchen is installed, the template will be completed within 5-7 days. This timeline will vary depending on the lead time of the cabinets being delivered and installed.
Countertops will be fabricated based on the measurements taken at the template. It's normal to see a pricing adjustment after the template has been completed. This typically occurs in around 80% of projects because things can change on-site. If your project has a change order, your designer will notify you of the additional funds needed to complete your countertop order, or if you are receiving a refund, customer service will contact you.
4. Countertop Installation
Countertop installation appointments will be scheduled with you by your fabricator. During this appointment, all you need to do is sit back and relax. Our skilled professional countertop installers will take care of the heavy lifting to complete your kitchen. Every installation is completed within 14-21 days of your final purchase order, however, every timeline and project is unique, so we schedule around the needs of your project.
Countertop Materials
We offer two of the most popular countertop materials on the market, granite and quartz. Both countertop options are known for their beauty and flexibility to create a functional work surface in any room of your home.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are a great option for anyone that’s looking for a durable, low-maintenance countertop with natural characteristics. Some characteristics can include large and irregular veining, drastic color variations, pitting, and fissures. This pre-sealed countertop also means minimal maintenance.
Granite Pricing
All granite countertop pricing will be based on square footage (SF), the color chosen, and the location it’s purchased from.
Granite Features & Benefits
- No sealing required
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Durable
- Scratch, heat, and stain resistant
- Unique designs and patterns
- Lifetime limited sealant warranty
- Customer slab viewing
Granite Care & Maintenance
Heat
- Heat resistant to normal cooking temperatures
- Use trivets and hot pads when placing hot skillets, pans, crockpots, or other heat generating kitchenware on the surface
Scratches
- Resistant to scratches, cuts, and chipping
- Cutting directly on the granite surface is not recommended
Chemicals
- Avoid exposure to any strong chemicals and solvents that can be found in household items such as nail polish remover or bleach
- Recommended Cleaners:
- Simple Green10x Stone Polish
- Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean
- Soap and Water
- Denatured Alcohol
- Hope’s Surface Cleaner
- Rock Doctor Cleaner
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are the perfect fit for the homeowner that loves durability, low-maintenance, and pattern consistency. This manufactured countertop is made with 93% natural quartz rock and 7% resin. Since this countertop is manmade, there are endless colors and designs to choose from, including imitations of natural stone. Quartz does not need to be sealed and it’s naturally non-porous and anti-microbial.
Quartz Pricing
All quartz countertop pricing will be based on square footage (SF), the color and design chosen, and the location it’s purchased from.
Quartz Features & Benefits
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Scratch, heat, and stain resistant
- Does not require sealing, conditioning, or polishing
- Non-porous
- Unique designs and patterns
- Limited lifetime warranty
Quartz Care & Maintenance
Heat
- Heat resistant to normal cooking temperatures
- Use trivets and hot pads when placing hot skillets, pans, crockpots, or other heat generating kitchenware on the surface
Scratches
- Resistant to scratches, cuts, and chipping
- Cutting directly on the quartz surface is not recommended
Chemicals
- Avoid exposure to any strong chemicals and solvents that can be found in household items such as nail polish remover or bleach
- Recommended Cleaners:
- Simple Green10x Stone Polish
- Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean
- Soap and Water
- Denatured Alcohol
- Hope’s Surface Cleaner
- Rock Doctor Cleaner
Do you have questions? Contact us for more information on granite and quartz countertops now!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do kitchen countertops cost?
Pricing is based on the material you choose, square footage needed, and other preferences. Generally, when looking at quartz and granite, countertop pricing will range between $75- $120 per square foot.
How do I take care of my countertops?
Care and maintenance are determined by the countertop material, but in most cases, many fabricators are selling pre-sealed stone surfaces or quartz which doesn’t need to be sealed. This means maintenance is little to none. It’s still good to avoid placing hot pans on your countertop or cutting on them with sharp knives.
Do I need to measure my own countertops?
No. CliqStudios will send a local fabricator to come take care of the template and take professional measurements.
What is the countertop warranty?
For info on granite and quartz countertop warranties, click here.
How long do kitchen countertops last?
If granite and quartz countertops are taken care of properly and not abused, they should last virtually until the homeowner decides to replace them with a newer countertop. View our warranty info here.
How long does it take to get countertops from when I place my order?
Countertops are one of the last things to be installed in a kitchen remodel, so keeping that in mind, they will be received after cabinet installation, ranging anywhere from 19-28 days post purchase order.
