Replacing your countertops should be exciting, not stressful. But for a lot of homeowners, the process turns into a juggling act of contractors, delayed timelines, and decisions they weren’t ready to make.
After nearly 40 years in the business, we’ve seen the same missteps come up again and again. Here are the five most common mistakes people make when replacing countertops, and how to avoid each one.
The 5 mistakes at a glance
- Forgetting about plumbing needs
- Skipping professional design guidance
- Hiring multiple contractors for tile work
- Settling for limited options
- Living without a kitchen for weeks
Mistake #1: Forgetting About Plumbing Needs
It sounds like a small detail until you’re mid-project and your sink is disconnected with no plumber in sight. Countertop replacements often require disconnecting and reconnecting plumbing. If your countertop company doesn’t handle that, you’re left to coordinate it yourself.
At Precision Countertops, we have a licensed plumber on staff. That means no scrambling to find outside help, no scheduling gaps, and no project delays. It’s one less thing you have to think about.
Mistake #2: Skipping Professional Design Guidance
Countertops are one of the most visible surfaces in your home. Choosing the wrong color, finish, or material for your space is an expensive mistake and harder to fix once it’s installed.
Our in-house designers work with you from the start to match your countertop to your cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and lifestyle. Whether you’re going for warm and classic or clean and contemporary, having an expert in your corner makes the decision easier and gives you more confidence.
Mistake #3: Hiring Multiple Contractors for Tile Work
Countertops and backsplash tile go hand in hand, but a lot of homeowners don’t realize they’ll need to hire a separate tile contractor and coordinate the two schedules themselves. That’s extra time, extra communication, and extra room for things to fall through the cracks.
Precision has a full in-house tile team. We handle your countertops and backsplash together, under one roof. Your kitchen comes together as one finished space, without the contractor shuffle.
Mistake #4: Settling for Limited Options
Choosing a countertop from a small sample board or a single showroom page is a little like picking a paint color from a thumbnail. You don’t really know what you’re getting until you see it at scale.
Our Wilsonville design studio carries hundreds of slabs, including quartz, granite, quartzite, and more. You can walk the floor, see full slabs side by side, and make your decision with confidence. A 4-inch sample won’t tell the whole story.
Mistake #5: Living Without a Kitchen for Weeks
Some countertop companies stretch the process out over multiple trips, with long wait times between demo and installation. That means days, sometimes weeks, with an unusable kitchen.
At Precision, we handle demo and installation on the same day. You wake up to an old countertop and go to bed with a new one. Minimal disruption, maximum results.
Replace Your Countertops the Right Way with Precision Countertops
Every one of these mistakes is avoidable when you work with the right team. Precision Countertops has helped Oregon homeowners get their remodels right since 1987. From your first design consultation to the final install, we handle every detail in-house.
Ready to get started? Schedule your free design consultation and see the slab gallery in person at our Wilsonville studio.
FAQs About Replacing Countertops
Find quick answers to common questions about countertop replacements.
Do I need a plumber to replace my countertops?
Yes, most countertop replacements require a plumber to disconnect and reconnect the sink and faucet. At Precision Countertops, a licensed plumber is on staff to prevent scheduling gaps and delays. Other companies leave you to find and coordinate a plumber yourself.
Can countertops and backsplash tile be installed together?
Yes, countertops and backsplash tile can be installed together when one company handles both. Precision has an in-house tile team that runs both jobs on a single schedule. Hiring separate contractors adds time, cost, and coordination.
How long does countertop replacement take?
Countertop replacement can take anywhere from one day to several weeks. At Precision, demo and installation happen on the same day. Many companies spread the work across multiple trips and leave you without a kitchen longer.
How do I choose the right countertop material?
Start by seeing full slabs in person, not small samples. Quartz, granite, and quartzite each look different at full scale. Precision’s Wilsonville studio lets you compare hundreds of slabs and match the material to your cabinets, flooring, and lighting.