Measuring for Natural Stone Countertops

Accurately measuring a space, and the materials that will fill and structure that space, is the first and most important step to completing a project as quickly and pain-free as possible. Measurement is the breakfast of construction—just as breakfast is the start of your day, measurement is the start of your project, and just like breakfast, everything that follows depends upon it.

            

Accurate and thorough measurements save money in two ways. First, they prevent buying too much of a material… or too little. How many projects have been botched because the contractor has run out of a certain material that will take weeks to back order from the supplier? With stone, knowing how much to order is paramount, because suppliers often have a limited amount, and if one slab of stone is available today, it may be sold out in a week’s time. Plus, there is always a chance that the second time you order the stone the price will have gone up in relation to its reduced availability. Since stone is sold by the square foot, the price of the material for your countertop may vary greatly, depending on the type of natural stone you choose. 

            

The second way accurate measurements save money is by saving time. This is a win-win, because, aside from high quality, what are you looking for in a contractor’s work? That’s right: you want it done quick, and at low cost.

           

Some customers provide measurements to the contractor who installs their natural stone in order to save them a trip to the project site just to take those same measurements. Relaying those numbers over the phone or by email potentially saves you money on labor and saves the contractor money on gasoline. And it lowers your carbon footprint to boot!

            

Measuring the space for a countertop is as simple as frying an egg—and it’s just as easy to get it wrong, if you’re not careful. The important detail to remember is where to start your measurements. Will you set the stone flush against the wall, or should you allow for a border? Be sure to measure the space for your stove and other appliances. It is important to talk to your contractor about the best methods of taking your measurements. Be sure to ask him or her about any details specific to your project that you need to keep in mind. If possible, take pictures of your space with the measuring tape clearly visible, and email them to your contractor for evaluation.