5 Reasons Why Kitchen Countertop Installation Shouldn’t Be A DIY
Countertops have a dramatic impact on the form, feel, and functionality of your kitchen. However, all kitchen countertops aren’t created equal. Taking the time to choose the right ones is the best way to ensure that your countertops will meet your aesthetic and functional goals.
However, there’s another important element involved in maximizing (and protecting) your investment: proper installation.
While undertaking a DIY kitchen countertop installation can be tempting during your kitchen remodel, it comes with some serious downsides. Read on for a roundup of five reasons your kitchen countertop installation should not be a DIY project.
1. Proper kitchen countertop installation takes skills and knowledge
The internet is convenient for finding out a lot of information. It’s also where some homeowners head for information on DIY kitchen countertop installations. Unfortunately, not all the information they find online is adequate or accurate.
This can lead to improper installation and a multitude of other potential problems, including an end result that doesn’t work right and/or looks mismatched or uneven. But that’s not all. Poor installation can also lead to major problems like water damage and mold growth.
On the other hand, a company that specializes in cabinetmaking and cabinet refacing has the design skills and expertise necessary to ensure that your cabinets will look and function exactly as intended.
2. Installation repairs and replacements are expensive
When you upgrade to new kitchen countertops, you’re likely working within a budget. In fact, your budget may be what drove you to consider a DIY kitchen countertop installation in the first place.
However, the desire to trim costs may lead to cutting corners—literally and figuratively. The unfortunate outcome? Your attempts to save money may end up costing you more in repairs and/or replacements.
In fact, it’s possible to completely ruin your new countertops with a poor DIY installation job. When you hire a professional, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job will be done right.
3. Installing kitchen countertops is labor-intensive
Because kitchen countertops are large, heavy, and unwieldy, installing them requires specialized skills, knowledge, and practice. Professionals have all these things ready, meaning they’ll be prepared to do the job quickly, easily, and with no unpleasant surprises.
When you take on the project yourself, however, you won’t be as familiar or experienced with the labor challenges involved in countertop installation. As such, you may end up spending more time than expected on the project—and with an inferior result.
The takeaway? Failure to factor in the extra time involved in navigating the learning curve of installing your own kitchen cabinets can turn a seemingly simple DIY countertop installation project into a cost-prohibitive ordeal.
4. You need the right tools for countertop installations
We’ve talked a good bit about the value of skills and knowledge regarding kitchen countertop installation. But there’s something else you need, too: the right tools for the job, such as circular saws, table saws, electric sanders, and more. Having the proper tool is critical to proper (and safe!) installation.
Most homeowners don’t have the tools on hand, let alone the expertise to use them correctly. And while you can rent woodworking tools, you can’t rent the knowledge and skills it takes to use them.
Even if you do have the right tools, the job will almost certainly take you longer than it would take a professional. And there’s always the risk of something going wrong that you won’t be able to fix on your own. If you end up having to call in a professional, you’ll also end up paying for the mistake.
5. Hiring professionals have multiple advantages
As evidenced by the list above, there’s not a single benefit to going with a professional kitchen countertop installation. There are multiple.
Together, they add up to an irrefutable case against DIY countertop installations and for an efficient, effective, and enduring professional installation.
Undertaking a kitchen remodel can be an expensive and time-consuming enterprise. However, trying to save money by installing your own kitchen countertop can end up doing more harm than good. For it to be guaranteed to live up to its potential for years to come, professional installation is a wise strategic move.
Looking For Kitchen Countertop Installation? Look No Further
As the leading Wood Refacing service in Northeast Ohio to the East Coast, American Wood Reface takes great pride in our dedicated and highly skilled team of craftsmen specializing in:
To learn more about how we can help bring your kitchen remodel vision to life faster, more affordable, and creating less waste, schedule a consultation today. Learn why many are moving towards refacing versus a complete remodel after speaking with our specialists.