[grandpeggy]

My husband says we don't need a contractor for countertop installation. Have most of you done this without one? Would you do it again without one?

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by grandpeggy

My husband says we don't need a contractor for countertop installation. Have most of you done this without one? Would you do it again without one?

Depends. Granite and some of the composites need a contractor. Cutting and even moving large pieces is not a job for an amateur. You might be able to install it yourself but you would pay about the same and it is probably not worth it.

There are tile and some laminates a skilled DIY could do.

[nickydim]

You're gonna look at it for a lifetime, you best get a professional job. You'll have piece of mind and someone to complain to if you are unsatisfied. Can't complain to hubby. We had the whole kitchen done by a designer/contracter and they were great.

[OmegaSupreme]

If you're asking, then you need one. This is without a doubt.

[foundapeanut]

Had our house remodeled last year.
I remember well how many men it took to lift some of these granite pieces.

Change your own oil, let professionals do the heavy lifting.

[crabtrees]

You probably don't need a big time contractor that does complete home remodels. Countertops are a fairly common home upgrade and there are small businesses that strictly to countertop work. They'll send 1-2 guys to your home, they'll electronically measure all the countertops, you select your new countertops, and will come install your new countertops in a day. I'm not saying to hire some guy from home depot, but you don't need to hire a home builder or anything. A smaller countertop specialist should be fine.

[Tek_Freek]

I've installed preform laminate and it's easy. Two things you have to be accurate about. Measurements and if there is a corner turn is the corner 90 degrees? Ours wasn't so I built a wall that started at the thickness of a Z-Brick (remember that stuff?) to a piece of furring strip 8 feet away. That was actually fun to do and looked great when it was finished.

They still make it!

[orca17]

I used a deal on AngiesList to get our kitchen done in granite for $1500. Most of my neighbors paid about $3K for the same job. This same contractor has a deal for quartz right now at about $100 more. They do good work.

[GeographyNerd]

I am a commercial plumbing contractor so my DIY skills are above average. I would not attempt solid kitchen countertops of any material. I would do tile or granite tile countertops myself. I would also do a tile back-splash myself. You already have to pay someone to cut the countertops, might aswell have them installed.

One thing I would say is if you are going to do an under mount sink make sure you have them drill enough holes for a faucet, soap dispensor, RO, AIR GAP, anything else you can think of. It is common to see just 3 holes drilled for the faucet. Then a single hole faucet used and the other 2 holes used for airgap and soap. This places them really close together so it looks stupid, and no place for the RO or insta-hot. Determine if you will use a 1 hole or 3 hole faucet first. Then layout other holes accordingly. I like the other items to be off to the side a little more.

[LVAllen]

Originally Posted by Franche

I did my countertop at RidStone . They located in Westmont IL . Great company to work with . I didn't have contractors . Ridstone did all work , from free estimate , measurments and instalation.
Very happy with they work . From begining to the end all went great . Recomend to all.

I would like to hear more about this company located in Illinois that measures and installs in Las Vegas-the subject of this particular message board.