Q: Can a DIY’er install a granite countertop?
A: For a small end table or island, a couple of DIY’ers strong enough to lift the slab could likely do the job, assuming the structure beneath is adequately constructed to support the heavy material. You should leave any large slabs to the professionals. In fact, many experienced remodeling contractors shy away from granite countertops because the weight and rigidity of the material requires special equipment to stabilize the big slabs and transport them by automobile, and special wheeled carts are needed to move the slabs around the jobsite. Granite countertop specialists also stabilize the material with strategically placed angle bracing during transport so the slabs don’t deflect and break. The high cost of replacing a broken slab is why remodeling professionals who don’t install granite for a living leave the job to the experts—and it’s why you should, too.
