Granite countertops are very popular these days due to their beauty and durability. On the other hand, granite adds significant expense to a kitchen remodeling project.

The granite slab material tends to be more expensive than the same size countertop done in Formica or tile, but granite countertop installation labor is a big factor in added expense. Unless you can install a granite countertop yourself, you need to hire professional granite contractors to do the installation for you. That can add up.

Installing granite countertops

Unlike many other home improvement projects, you shouldn't attempt to install granite countertops yourself, not unless you've already worked has a professional granite installer. For one thing, many of the fine details of granite installation are done at the job site - like cutting the sink hole, faucet hole, and any dispensers you plan to add. Plus if you were to break the granite, you'd be out of luck.

Often, the best companies will have direct employees who perform the installation to company standards. Smaller companies might contract out the installation job without telling you until you have a problem.

While installing a granite counter top is not a do-it-yourself job, there are some measures you can take to reduce the amount of labor a granite countertop installer must do to complete the job.

 Saving money while installing the countertops

 Here are few simple guidelines that could help reduce the bill for having professionals install your granite countertops:

    Remove the old countertops, the sink and the range tops by yourself. The demolition job is a task you could surely easily do.
    Clean up the area. Make sure it is free of any unnecessary materials.
    Have all new fixtures at hand like sinks and plumbing so the installer can complete the job quickly.

A representative of the installation company will visit prior to you scheduled installation to take measurements and get an overview of what's being done. He takes precise measurements of your cabinets and devise working templates for the installation, location of the sink, plumbing, backslash etc. In some cases this is the time you will be asked what kind of edge finish you prefer rounded, angle, square, etc.

By the time installation day rolls around, you will have picked out your granite pattern, your slab, and other options. Depending on complexity, installation will take most of a day. The final step your granite countertop installers should do is sealing - an initial seal coat.