In-Home Templating
A precise laser template of your actual cabinets — no guesswork, no gaps, no "close enough."
Where we install
Fabricated in Elk Grove Village, installed across the northwest suburbs.
What this service covers
And, just as usefully, what it does not.
A precise laser template of your actual cabinets — no guesswork, no gaps, no "close enough."
What we do
- Template appointment — The fabricator laser-measures or physically templates the installed cabinets and walls — capturing out-of-square corners and bowed walls the stone must be scribed to. Takes 1-2 hours. Cabinets must be set, level, and permanent; seam locations and overhangs are agreed on the spot.
What stays on your side
- Choose material and get quotes — Shortlist materials, visit a showroom or slab yard, and get an itemized quote: material, fabrication, edge profile, cutouts, tear-out, template fee. Selection pace is the homeowner's to control — a few days to two weeks is typical.
- Lock in sink, faucet, and cooktop before template day — Every cutout and faucet hole is cut at the shop from exact specifications, so the sink, faucet (including soap dispenser or filter taps), and cooktop models must be final before templating. An undermount sink usually needs to be physically on site at the template appointment.
Not in this quote
- Cabinet repair or replacement, and any cabinet levelling beyond shimming for the new top.
- Electrical and gas work; licensed plumbing beyond disconnecting and reconnecting the sink and faucet.
- Municipal permits — countertop-only swaps are usually cosmetic, but permitting is home-rule and varies suburb to suburb.
- Drywall repair, painting, and flooring changes behind or below the work.
How it goes, step by step
3 steps · 3.1–21.2 days from first call to finished counter.
Choose material and get quotes
Shortlist materials, visit a showroom or slab yard, and get an itemized quote: material, fabrication, edge profile, cutouts, tear-out, template fee. Selection pace is the homeowner's to control — a few days to two weeks is typical.
Tip: Rough tape-measure dimensions within an inch are fine for quoting; the fabricator laser-measures before anything is cut. Take samples home and look at them in your own morning and evening light before committing.
Lock in sink, faucet, and cooktop before template day
Every cutout and faucet hole is cut at the shop from exact specifications, so the sink, faucet (including soap dispenser or filter taps), and cooktop models must be final before templating. An undermount sink usually needs to be physically on site at the template appointment.
Tip: This is the deadline that ambushes people. Changing the sink or cooktop after templating typically adds 1-3 weeks of re-fabrication. Buy the sink early and keep the spec sheets handy.
Template appointment
The fabricator laser-measures or physically templates the installed cabinets and walls — capturing out-of-square corners and bowed walls the stone must be scribed to. Takes 1-2 hours. Cabinets must be set, level, and permanent; seam locations and overhangs are agreed on the spot.
Tip: Be home for this one. Decisions made at template (seam placement, overhang depth, backsplash height) are cut in stone — literally.
What it costs
Ace's installed ranges by kitchen size, plus benchmark costs for common add-ons.
| Kitchen size | Engineered Quartz | Granite | Quartzite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galley kitchens (30–45 sqft) | $3,600–$6,750 | $4,200–$7,650 | $4,500–$8,550 |
| Small kitchens (45–60 sqft) | $5,400–$9,000 | $6,300–$10,200 | $6,750–$11,400 |
| Medium kitchens (60–75 sqft) | $7,200–$11,250 | $8,400–$12,750 | $9,000–$14,250 |
| Large kitchens (75–90 sqft) | $9,000–$13,500 | $10,500–$15,300 | $11,250–$17,100 |
| Extra large kitchens (90–120 sqft) | $10,800–$18,000 | $12,600–$20,400 | $13,500–$22,800 |
Installed project ranges as of 2026-07 — template, fabrication and standard installation included. Your exact number comes from a free in-home template.
Extras & line items
| Line item | Typical range | Unit | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faucet/accessory hole drilled in stone countertop | $65–$120 | per hole | 2026-07 |
| Countertop fabrication and installation labor | $20–$50 | per sq ft | 2025-01 |
| Sink cutout | $150–$400 | per cutout | 2026-07 |
Chicago-market benchmarks for common add-ons — not an Ace quote; your number depends on square footage, edge profile, cutouts and tear-out.
Materials we work with
Price tier, care level and independent durability ratings, side by side.
| Material | Price tier | Care | Heat | Scratch | Stain | Etch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Mid | Low | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Granite | Mid | Medium | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Quartzite | Premium | Medium | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Durability 1–5, higher is better. Ratings are independent, not manufacturer marketing.
The honest trade-offs
- Quartz — Nonporous, never needs sealing, excellent stain resistance, consistent repeatable patterns, easy soap-and-water care Trade-off: Resin binder scorches or discolors around 300F so hot pans are off-limits; heat damage excluded from manufacturer warranties; not UV-stable for outdoor use; seams visible on light solids
- Granite — Tolerates hot cookware; every slab unique; excellent scratch resistance; decades-long service life Trade-off: Porous — some stones benefit from periodic sealing; can chip at edges and sink corners; pattern variation makes seam matching harder
- Quartzite — Harder than granite; takes hot pans; marble look without marble softness; one-of-a-kind slabs Trade-off: Needs sealing; premium price; some stone sold as quartzite is softer marble-family rock — verify with scratch/acid test; limited color range vs quartz
Mistakes that cost people money
Every one of these shows up on jobs we get called in to fix.
Attempting a DIY slab countertop install
What it costs you: Slab stone is heavy and brittle in the wrong axis: DIY moves crack slabs at sink cutouts, chip finished edges, and injure backs - and self-install usually voids the fabricator warranty.
How to avoid it: Let the fabricator crew template, carry, and set the stone; if you want DIY savings, take on demolition, painting, or the backsplash instead.
Already done it? Small chips can be epoxy-repaired by a stone pro; a crack across a cutout usually means re-fabricating that section.
Budgeting from the slab showroom price instead of an installed quote
What it costs you: Templating, fabrication, cutouts, edge work, transport, tearout, and reinforcement add substantially to the material price - sticker shock arrives with the first real quote.
How to avoid it: Get installed, itemized quotes from fabricators early and budget from those numbers; treat advertised per-square-foot prices as marketing.
Already done it? Trim an installed price by simplifying: fewer seams, a standard edge profile, a standard sink cutout, and keeping the existing layout.
Buying a blind-corner organizer without verifying clear opening and swing direction
What it costs you: The unit physically does not fit or cannot swing: these systems need strict minimum clear openings (e.g., 20-1/2 in of door opening for a Magic Corner II) and are manufactured left- or right-hand specific. Returns on $400-$1,000 hardware are painful and some retailers charge restocking.
How to avoid it: Measure the clear opening with the door on - face frame, overlay, and hinges all steal width - and confirm which side the door hinges on before ordering. When replacing cabinets, pick the mechanism first and order the corner cabinet around it.
Already done it? Exchange for the correct-hand unit if possible; otherwise fall back to a kidney lazy susan or simple corner shelving that tolerates the existing opening.
Buying the sink after the countertop template appointment
What it costs you: Re-template fee of $75-$150, a week or more of schedule slip, or - if templating proceeded from a spec sheet - a cutout that does not match the actual sink, which cannot be fixed.
How to avoid it: Order the sink first and have it physically on site (with the faucet spec sheet) before template day; fireclay sinks can vary up to 2% from nominal dimensions.
Already done it? Pay the re-template fee and wait for a new appointment; never let a mismatched cutout be "made to work" with oversized caulk joints.
Calling the countertop fabricator only after the cabinets are finished
What it costs you: Fabricators book out weeks ahead; latecomers get rushed slab choices from whatever is in stock and can wait 2-6 weeks with a torn-up kitchen between cabinet work and countertop install.
How to avoid it: Start countertop conversations 1-3 months before your target install date, before cabinet decisions are final - a good fabricator flags layout problems (seams, overhangs, sink fit) while they are still cheap to change.
Already done it? Bridge the gap by loosely resetting the old tops or fitting a temporary plywood or laminate top so the sink and cooktop stay usable while you wait.
Choosing 2cm stone without planning for its limits
What it costs you: Thin 2cm tops need edge build-up to get the standard chunky look, tolerate only about 6 inches of unsupported overhang, and are less forgiving over uneven cabinets.
How to avoid it: In most Midwest markets 3cm is the kitchen standard; choose 2cm deliberately (weight, cost, thin modern look) with the fabricator support plan in writing.
Already done it? Add continuous plywood decking and brackets beneath 2cm tops to stiffen spans and overhangs.
How long it takes
3.1–21.2 days in total — most of it is fabrication, not install day.
| Stage | Typical duration | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Choose material and get quotes | 2–14 days | Homeowner |
| Lock in sink, faucet, and cooktop before template day | 1–7 days | Homeowner |
| Template appointment | 0.1–5 hr | Fabricator |
Calendar days, not working hours. Slab availability is the usual variable.
Questions about in-home templating
Are wood countertops practical around a kitchen sink?
Wood and standing water are enemies: lapsed finish near a sink turns black, and the wood can cup or warp. If you want butcher block, the lower-risk patterns are using it away from the sink (island or baking zone) with stone or solid surface in the wet run, or committing to a marine-grade film finish and immediate wipe-downs at an overmount sink. On sanitation, studies show properly cleaned wood is comparable to plastic surfaces — the real issue is water discipline, not germs.
Are workstation sinks worth the extra money?
A name-brand stainless workstation sink retailed around $469-$990 in mid-2026, versus roughly $100-$600 for a comparable plain bowl - you are paying for the machined ledge plus a fitted cutting board, colander, and drying rack. In a small kitchen the ledge genuinely adds prep space over the bowl; in a large kitchen with generous counters it is more of a nice-to-have. Two honest cautions: buy accessories from the sink maker, because generic ones often do not glide on the ledge, and plan on a pull-down faucet to reach the corners of the deep single bowl.
Can an undermount sink really fall off the countertop?
A properly installed undermount is held by mechanical clips or anchors plus silicone - not adhesive alone - and does not simply fall. The failures you read about almost always trace to caulk-only installs or a heavy cast iron bowl hung without support brackets. Ask your installer what physically carries the load, and do not store heavy items pressing on the bowl. If a sink ever starts to sag or the rim seam opens, water is reaching the seam and the cabinet below - have it re-supported promptly, not just re-caulked.
Can I put a farmhouse sink into my existing cabinets?
Usually yes, with real modification: the horizontal rail above the door opening comes out, the doors get shortened, and the cabinet gets a reinforced sub-frame because fireclay and cast iron apron sinks weigh 100-200 lb before water. Budget several hundred dollars for that cabinet work on top of the sink itself, and expect the whole farmhouse install to land in the $700-$2,200 range. As a sizing rule, a 33 in apron sink is the practical maximum for a standard 36 in sink base.
Can I reuse my existing sink when I replace the countertops?
Sometimes, but the trades treat it as a gamble: an existing undermount is bonded to the old slab and can be damaged during demolition, and the new cutout must then match a sink that may be discolored, scratched, or slightly out of square. Drop-ins survive reuse much better. Since new fabrication is the cheapest moment to set a sink and decent stainless bowls start around $100-$300, most homeowners come out ahead putting a new sink under new stone - reuse mainly makes sense for a recently purchased or premium sink in verified good condition.
Do I need a licensed plumber just to disconnect and reconnect my sink for a countertop swap?
In Illinois, yes - the state Plumbing License Law reserves plumbing work, including alterations, to licensed plumbers, and suburbs commonly require a licensed plumber letter of intent with kitchen permits. Wisconsin likewise requires licensed plumbers for plumbing scopes, though the City of Milwaukee lets homeowners pull plumbing permits for their own home. Indiana licenses plumbers statewide but enforcement on small fixture swaps varies by locality. Many countertop installers include a plumber reconnect in the price - confirm that line item in the quote rather than assuming.
Ready for a real number?
One visit, one number, no end-of-job surprises. We template digitally and fabricate in our own Elk Grove Village shop.
Ready for a real number?
Free in-home template and an honest quote — you keep your money until there's a countertop to trade it for.