Want New Countertops Before the Holidays? Here's the Timeline You Actually Need

The holidays are closer than you think — and if you're hoping to have new countertops in before Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the guests arrive, now is the time to start, not the week before. Here's exactly what has to happen between your first visit and the big reveal, so you know how much runway you actually need.

Why timing matters more this year than most

This is our busiest stretch of the year. Every week that passes between now and Thanksgiving, more of our production board fills up with other homeowners' holiday projects, and stone suppliers get busier too. That combination means the same job that might take 4 weeks in March can take longer in October and November — not because anything's gone wrong, but because there's simply more in the queue ahead of you. Starting early doesn't just give you a buffer for the unexpected; it's what gets you a spot on the board in the first place.

Step 1: You come in and pick your stone - then we set you up to see slabs.

Bring rough measurements if you have them. We don't keep a slab warehouse on site, but our showroom has some samples of what we work with — including Cambria as a Premier Partner — plus remnant pieces on hand, which are often a great fit for smaller projects like a vanity. Once you've narrowed down a material, we'll help set up an appointment for you with a specialist at one of the slab yards we work with — AGM, out near Savannah off I-95, or AMSI and Cambria, both in Pooler — so you can see and choose the actual slab. If you're not sure which material fits your space, budget, or maintenance preferences, that's exactly what this first visit is for.

Step 2: We come measure.

Once you've picked a stone, we schedule a visit to take real measurements of your space and put together a firm quote.

Step 3: You review the quote and put down a deposit.

Once you're happy with the quote, a deposit on the stone locks it in and gets the order moving.

Step 4: We order your stone — and this is where timing gets real.

Most slabs are in stock and ready to go, but some materials can take up to two weeks to arrive. This step alone can make or break a holiday deadline if it's not started early enough.

Step 5: We come back to template.

Once your stone has arrived, we come out a second time for exact, precise measurements — this is what your countertops are actually cut to.

Step 6: You're on the board for cutting and install.

Smaller jobs, like a bathroom vanity, often need just one truck and can be done in half a day. Larger jobs, like a full kitchen, need two trucks and teams working together.

So how long does all of that take?

For homeowners who move quickly at each step — picking a stone without a lot of back-and-forth, getting us access to measure promptly, turning around the deposit — the whole process typically takes about 4 weeks. That's the fast lane. Every extra week of deciding, a stone that's back-ordered, or a production board that's already filling up with other holiday projects adds to that timeline.

Don't forget the cushion after install, either.

Once your countertops are in, you'll still want time to reconnect plumbing, get appliances back in place, and clean and organize the kitchen before guests arrive. Build a few extra days into your target date for that — don't plan your install for the day before Thanksgiving dinner.

Our recommendation

If you want your kitchen done in time for Thanksgiving, plan to come in by October 15. If Christmas is the target, aim to be in our showroom by November 13. Either way — the earlier, the better. Our production board fills up fast this time of year, and once it's full, it's full.

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Frequently asked questions

• Can you really turn around a full kitchen in about 4 weeks?

  For decisive homeowners who move quickly at each step, yes — that's the typical timeline once you factor in measuring, ordering, templating, and install. It's not a guarantee, though; it assumes your stone is in stock, you're not going back and forth on decisions, and the production board has room. The further out you start, the more cushion you have if any of that doesn't go perfectly.

• What if I don't know what stone I want yet?

  That's completely normal, and it's exactly what the first showroom visit is for. Bring photos of your space or your inspiration if you have them, and we'll walk you through options in granite, quartz, marble, and quartzite based on your style, budget, and how the space gets used.

• Do you install outside of Bluffton?

  Yes — we serve the greater Lowcountry, including Hilton Head, Sun City, and Okatie, in addition to Bluffton.

• What's the biggest thing that delays a holiday install?

  Usually one of two things: taking a while to settle on a stone, or ordering a material that has to be special-ordered and takes longer to arrive. Both are easy to avoid by starting the process early and telling us up front if you're working toward a specific date.