10 Countertop Mistakes You NEED To Want to Avoid!

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Countertops are a major part of your kitchen. This video outlines a list of mistakes you'll definitely want to avoid when taking the plunge to buy new counters!
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[@nened9105]

When you don’t want a video to end, because it has some many golden nuggets in it! Thank you!

[@MTKDofficial]

Hey Nene!! Thanks so much for watching. Glad you found valuable.

[@clara0hernandez]

Your diction is very clear, Mark. And your suggestions are excellent, demonstrating a strong knowledge base & experience. TY!

[@teri-joscott8279]

Absolute Gold! Thank you so much for the brilliant considerations! 👏🙂

[@donpantolonez]

Love your insights. When we renovate our kitchen, I’ve chosen white dolomite tiles 18”x36” for flooring it’s was a bold choice even as a natural stone professional. When my wife wants same material for countertops my answer was hell no, it will look like 10 years old in 2 years. Quartz was a right choice for us since it can stand against lots of abuse. I think real professionals leads their customer according to what’s right for them.

[@TMB62]

I'm glad we got our cabinets and countertops from IKEA. They were very conscious of leveling every cabinet for the countertop installers.

[@jayburris6252]

Her contractor had those cabinets “ready” for the stone guys? That’s not a contractor! Those cabinets were not ready for the stone guy. It was the contractors fault. Period. No discussion needed.

[@romemarble100]

This guy is a home flipper’s dream. Just throw the cabinets together and the countertop guys will level them and eat the labor. Not me! That’s what carpenters are for, just because the cabinets were installed by a contractor with a taillight warranty, not my problem. As a courtesy I will tell the customer of any issues and they need to do what is necessary to prepare the cabinets for stone. Once you begin there’s no end. Let’s remove doors because the counter won’t go through the doorway. I’m done. Been doing this long enough to know better. Drywall needs to be better, and level cabinets are common sense. We’re not here to fix others issues after they’ve been paid and in the wind.

[@malekodesouza7255]

That install was an abortion. Period. I’m a DIYer and my installation was leaps & bounds above that. Whoever did that is a criminal.

[@AngelChipman]

I truly appreciate these tips - thank you 😊

[@clwest3538]

Great info to keep in mind! Especially about ROI on countertops (and kitchen design, for that matter).

[@natashabailey6091]

Great video!!!. Very informative!!!🤗😁

[@valeriehowden471]

So glad our cabinets were installed correctly. So much could go wrong besides the esthetics if not done right.

[@sarakennedy2288]

Such a great video! Comprehensive & professional advice, concise and efficient editing. I'm considering replacing my counters - this helps. Thanks!

[@MTKDofficial]

Thanks for watching Sara. Glad the video was helpful.

[@chefsimon2997]

Thanks for making these useful videos!

[@Bostonbob3]

If you need a lot of countertop fabrication (waterfall and/or mitered edges, lots of holes for faucets, soap dispensers, instant hot water faucets, power towers, etc., or specialty cuts like a stone front for the cooktop and overhangs that require support), it could end up costing more than the countertops themselves. Don't just buy countertops and think you're done paying---be sure to let the countertop company know what fabrication needs to be done so you can get a complete and accurate quote.

[@darlene19668]

Happy weekend 🎉 great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🕺🏻

[@laysworld9029]

Thank you. So helpful!

[@Theaterbuddy717]

Awesome info!

[@karengilmore2906]

great video!

[@nyhusglen]

Great info thank you

[@danduffy787]

Great vid!

[@MTKDofficial]

Hey Dan! Thanks for watching man!

[@richardvasquez4079]

Still, your videos are the best!!!

[@ryansoo4000]

I'd like to see a design for a single wall kitchen - not just where a cabinet or an appliance goes but what could be included inside the cabinets to best utilize the layout. Dishes here, pots and pans here, sink between the stove and fridge, landing zones, prep areas, how much clean up area needed on either side of the sink, etc.

[@5610winston]

4:56 Just watched this video again and I shudder in horror at the sight of the stainless countertop. Some years ago my state of residence built a new crime lab. I worked for the consulting engineering company that did a lot of the inspections, and part of my work involved the autopsy rooms. Stainless steel autopsy tables with an Insinkerator one-horsepower disposal at one end. I get the willies when I see a horizontal stainless steel surface.

[@malekodesouza7255]

😂. But no table drain?

[@betsylatham5023]

Great video! One other thought on using your countertop for a backsplash is that you have to consider how the thickness of the backsplash, the size of your sink and the size of your faucet are going to interact. We decided against a granite backsplash and, after the fact, realized it never would have worked with our sink and faucet.

[@5610winston]

A good consideration. I am planning to replace puke-yellow laminate countertops with a top-mount stainless sink with dark blue-grey granite with a hammered copper standard-depth (front-to-back) double-bowl piece. The molded turn-up backsplash appears to be pretty close to the thickness of a standard countertop granite (I've selected a contrasting white granite for the backsplash, small galley kitchen, decent but not bountiful natural light, the dark countertop as the dividing line between the lower cabinets and the....hmmm. Back to the drawing board.

[@MTKDofficial]

Good point. Some material will allow for a 1/4” slab just for the backsplash.

[@rutontuton]

Buy trivets and cutting boards!

[@PAOLINAG]

My parents had that issue where the new granite countertop with backsplash, didn't cover the cabinet top edge properly. of her custom older oak cupboards (that she had refinished in clear matt varnish) She resolved it by having them add a strip of granite attached under the bullnose. must say looks pretty dandy!

[@matthewphelps2206]

Wasn't the countertops guys problem they did you a solid they didn't need to. Hopefully they were tipped well.

[@teresev1435]

11:29 Great tips in this video-thank you! I’ve noticed in these videos, quartz is often mentioned, but not quartzite. Ima check out your countertops video next. The quartz composite product you show in this video my sister calls the ant farm. She told me long ago: Do whatever you want with your countertops, but I don’t want see the ant farm in your house 😂

[@HB-yq8gy]

Thank you very informative video. This is our first hired kitchen remodel for work inside the house. I usually do most everything myself. We have a 1970's Bilevel resigning & gutting the kitchen. (Angie list) to my surprise a great referral source. Home Depot & Lowe's entry-level cabinets prices were crazy at $23000! We found a local remodeling company with 4.4 good reviews decent cabinets, backsplash, quartz & flooring. I amended the contract and wrote in everything I can think of dedicated outlets fridge, microwave, led lights in cabinets, 2 outlets on the island,4 outlets on walls. We had about 5 quotes from $62000 to $29000. We did pick the cheapest because the company was awesome! Also, the company's contract was super homeowner friendly no legalities, simply no hype. (16) cabinets & (1) 18" pantry.

[@MTKDofficial]

Sounds awesome! Hopefully my co tent was helpful. Sounds like you did your homework.

[@ryansoo4000]

I would think one of the biggest mistakes you could make would be assuming that the most expensive material is the best choice.

[@lauramcmullen5851]

I bet she was price shopping...seeking the cheapest she could find. Oops.

[@StoneRepairService]

​@@lauramcmullen5851Yeah I do a lot of restorations. I have people price shopping to restore marble counters. They let me know they got someone cheaper, then are unhappy and come back to me and that way pay TWICE... Im always transparrent with price and everything I do and what they can expect. I will NEVER be the cheapest but will always try to be fair priced and do the best work I can.

[@trinaroe5132]

If I’m thinking about wood or wood look for both floors and countertops they absolutely need to be considered at the SAME time. Really hard to find wood tones in artificial materials (laminate and LVT) that don’t clash with each other in the amount of orange vs gray undertones I’m finding. If using real wood for both not as much of an issue since you can use stains to make them match or complement each other.

[@user-py5ol3cp8b]

Appreciate these insights, and your other videos that have helped us narrow down material choice. Question… We’re going to replace a laminate countertop with a 2cm Dekton or quartz (that’s TBD). The existing laminate top has a 4cm edge. (Mitered, if I’m using that term right.) I’m a little nervous about the condition of the cabinets behind the existing edges, but we plan to paint the cabinets anyway so if I have to do some surface repair it isn’t the end of the world. My concern is my dishwasher. The way it is installed it has two tabs that hold screws up into the laminate. Not only will I lose the screws, losing the bottom 2cm of countertop edge is going to leave a gap. I could add 2cm shims under the dishwasher but that would make it a beast to remove (you know, like when a mouse decides to crawl under there and die…). Our budget probably can’t deal with adding mitered edges to get to 4cm. Any suggestions, or pictures, of how to best deal with that?

[@MTKDofficial]

Hey, thanks for watching my content. Is it possible to insert a piece of wood (valance) that matches your cabinet color, on the top of the dishwasher. it would attach to the cabinets on either side? You may be able to secure the dishwasher to this. Otherwise be sure to mention this to the fabricator. They would run into this all the time and might have solutions that will work perfect. Oh, Dekton has my vote!

[@user-py5ol3cp8b]

Wow, I’m blown away. I honestly would have put my odds at getting a reply at 10%. (Mix of cynicism and appreciation for the fact that people are busy.) A reply in 12 hours! You rock! We are definitely leaning towards the Dekton. The best thing about our old, dated-looking laminate has been the way it survives my wife’s tendency to put hot pans on the countertop. Again, thanks for your quick response, and for the great advice we’ve gotten from your videos!

[@SuperOrangeSauce]

I fab and install countertops and I can say without a doubt that if the cabinets were that bad, the countertop would have come back out and carpenter would have to fix. We use shims on occasion but I’m talking gaps that are 1/8 or less.

[@bobbert1945]

Good tips. However, if the flooring is the same throughout the house, I wouldn't change the kitchen floor to match the countertop.

[@MTKDofficial]

Good point!!!

[@---ey6hj]

Won’t learn this stuff watching Flip Or Flop or Property Brothers

[@MTKDofficial]

Haha. Thanks Phil!!!

[@snoopybluejeans]

Many times they seem to have an unlimited budget.

[@thatc10]

As a fabricator, we would not have installed tops on those cabinets. When you tell a homeowner they need to have their cabinets fixed they usually get mad. It's a vicious circle.

[@billyoung8118]

We had Adams Fabrication in Denver, CO install our cabinets. NOT CLICKBATE - we legit had this company do ours. I get not a single penny if you use them - I am an actual customer. Absolutely perfect! We've been in our house since it was built in 1997. Floors and walls were really not plumb, level, flat, etc. Lots of shim work. You can't tell by looking at the cabinets how bad the bones of the house were. Quarts went in a few weeks ago, and it really looks great (The Granite Guy also in Denver did the design, fabrication, and install of the quartz). Also not clickbait - I legit am their customer. Couldn't be happier.

[@MTKDofficial]

Thanks for the mentioning them.

[@jakemunson2568]

Most contractors and fabricators/installers are separate. It’s rare to find a full contractor that also fabricates. Yes signing off is labeled there will be gaps or plywood exposed. It’s always suggested to level cabinets but the contractor never wants to. It’s a lot more difficult to level the cabinets from bottom up after they’ve been anchored for years. so the easy way out is to tell the fabricator and installer to top level which can leave exposed plywood or gaps. I’ve done many jobs and have many customers sign off on this with pictures attached of previous jobs and still get upset. Yet they had the option to have their contractor level bottom up.

[@joshmarauder]

Im do countertops for many years and im currently still doin this everyday.. i always place a level or laser on the cabinets before the installation if the cabinets are out of wack more then im ok with i lift the cabinets myself (not my job at all) but i dnt like coming back and loading up twice.. if its to bad like this job ill call the contractor and deal with him..if its private client then ill deal with the cabinets.

[@MTKDofficial]

They should have called you in the first place on this one. lol

[@lisahill2683]

I understand you can’t place a hot pan on quartz countertops but will slow cookers, toaster ovens, etc. hurt quartz? Thanks!

[@MTKDofficial]

You should be safe with these appliances, but always check with the manufacturer.

[@sabajess9083]

Do you recommend diamond kitchen at lows ????

[@MTKDofficial]

Diamond is produced by MasterBrand, and they have pretty good quality cabinets. I'd be cool with them, though I've not personally used them before.

[@cynthiasiddall1285]

I had level countertops, but they cut the sink hole a bit too big and we had to support the sink underneath so it wouldn’t fall through or break the tiny edge of the granite. and fill in the holes with hard putty and then caulk… ughhhh

[@scottb5523]

I wonder if the floor is level? We don't know what the homeowner conversation was with the countertop company. I don't see how the countertop owner is going to make the old cabinets work.

[@MTKDofficial]

I doubt it. ha.

[@user-fo8gn3ti6i]

Does granite need to be topcoated to make it last longer?

[@MTKDofficial]

There is normally a sealer applied during fabrication that guards it against stains. I don't think it actually makes it last any longer, but does protect the stone.

[@ysmeine8]

My cabinets and countertop were installed properly but apparently when the previous owner installed the sink they cut the facing of my cabinet because the sink was too big and covered it up with white duck tape. I didn't notice it until I got down on the floor to deal with a plumbing issue. I am not sure why just that corner of the sink didn't fit.

[@MTKDofficial]

Ouch. White duct tape. That’s a new one.

[@betsylatham5023]

If you have a kitchen where the countertop will go around a corner (U or L shaped for example), be careful about falling in love with a very linear pattern for a countertop. There are a number of ways to handle this and they all look very different and seams can be hard to match. Look at as many pictures as you can to make sure you know what you want and be sure the fabricator is doing it the way you want. Insist on seeing & signing off on the layout.

[@snoopybluejeans]

I just ran across this myself. I've been watching utube so asked my contractor also, I want everything level and plumb. My cabinet guy, from the contractor asked me to pick countertops, he didn't have much choice, only large veiny ones of quartz, I told my contractor this, I have a U shaped kitchen, about the matching of veins. He got back to the kitchen guy and he said he can't promise anything. Next thing, my contractor and I went to the stone yard and picked out another slab. The not matching the veins would of sent me bonkers.

[@user-rs7mu4mt5h]

I've watched a lot of Mark's videos and think highly of the content he produces. I own a countertop company (aka Fabricator) and it (unlevel countertops) should have been addressed at template, this situation happens frequently. However, leveling cabinets is not the responsibility of the Fabricator. What if the homeowner decides not to move forward with the project at all? The Fabricator has real time and effort in the project and should be paid for their time. How much is fair to both parties? We have a clause in our terms and conditions addressing unlevel cabinets, and unfortunately, customers are not always reading and comprehending the terms and conditions. If the homeowner is a DIYer, it's their responsibility to check the level of the floors and the countertops (often times house settling is the root cause). If the DIY homeowner doesn't know this they should be working with a General Contractor. I think this video over simplifies the complexity of this issue and perhaps erroneously lays blame on the countertop company.

[@MTKDofficial]

Hey! Thanks for the input. My intent is not to lay blame on the countertop company complete or over simplify the issue. It is a brutal situation for a fabricator to be in for sure!

[@marylut6077]

Cabinets in custom double vanity were not level, and I would not let fabricator install the granite countertop

[@richardhutman8515]

Shouldn’t the cabinet issues been discovered when the tops were templated?

[@MTKDofficial]

They likely were, which is even a bigger issue.

[@JustHazardous]

When your carpenter (or yourself) doesn't install the cabinets level, the problem starts there. Unfortunately these people are clueless.

[@richardvasquez4079]

What do you think would happen if the installer of the countertop told the customer, (" If I install this countertop, you will see gaps between the countertop and the base cabinets, your cabinets are not level. We, the installer of the countertop, are not responsible for leveling the cabinets.) So, if the installers don't install, they don't get paid.... What would you do in their situation?

[@MTKDofficial]

This is where good communication is essential. The customer should be well aware, way before the installer shows up that this is the case. Someone needed to template that top, and at the very least inform the homeowner of the worst case scenario. It's up to the customer at that point. It should never be a surprise at the time of install.

[@matthewphelps2206]

I cant tell you how many times I've brought this to a customer attention on template and still act surprised on install. They can't understand it should I explain to them how they hired a hack and train them how to properly set cabinets on my time? People are dumb everyone and thier brother thinks they are a contractor. At what point does personal responsibility become a factor when spending thousands on any item/service one should educate oneself a bit more.

[@lornemacinnes7299]

My Quartz is brand new and white but it seams matte and I have been using dish soap and water... How do i make them shiny without damaging?

[@MTKDofficial]

The sheen comes from the manufacturer. You either got a matte finish by accident or it's a defect. Best to check with where you purchased it. You won't be able to polish it any more than what it already is.

[@naturalbeauty637]

First mistake was choosing marble for a counter top.

[@user-ro9rl2rh8i]

Well i install l’amenâtes countertop And And Will we mesure thé job i tell thé customer we dont l’éveil thé cabinet so the are advised

[@MTKDofficial]

Yeah, the customer needs to be in the loop for sure on whats happening.

[@LisaApril]

Marble can be sealed which does protect against those spill accidents. Unsealed marble is actually a bad idea in the kitchen.

[@emiliebova]

When I built a house the cabinets and floor were of much more interest to me than the countertop.

[@cigdemylmaz1532]

It is the cabinet installers' job to level the cabinets

[@MTKDofficial]

Yes, but because these are old built in cabinets, the contractor or fabricator should have at least mentioned it.

[@jaketake-li1xb]

We did a kitchen remodel recently where carpenter ants had eaten away a floor joist. That caused a base cabinet to sink and the old stone counter cracked. It looks like this kitchen has at least one major floor structural issue. If the area below the cabinets is an unfinished basement, fixing the structural issue would probably be much easier than trying to shim 1950s built ins. Honestly, I don't think the guy has any idea what he's getting into having offered to do that. Chances are, he wasn't sincere about the offer and will just stop taking her calls. It's still going to look off with the toe kick reveal even if he pulls it off.

[@rswow]

"Nuclear bomb resistant". 08:28. That's what you gotta be to deal with some power-hot relative's wrathful resistance to better and not just so-so renovations.

[@SerWhiskeyfeet]

Quartz is a Pinterest fad and is inferior to granite. Can’t burn or scratch granite. Plenty of neutral granite colors if you’re worried about resale value

[@evanbremner65]

yup this isnt the countertop companies fault. but the installers and measure team should have caught this before. because anything more than .25 inches is too much for being shimmed.

[@MasaMuneDenadoro]

nothing wrong about white concrete countertops if they are done well and sealed well. Especially if the style of the rest of the house is a matte white plaster, minimalist organic modern look.

[@traceynicholson6774]

Omg im not a professional but I know how to use a spirit level my kitchen is so lvl a ball doesent move on it but my floor is like the alps 😂 it takes nothing to fo the job right

[@HiImMigz]

Okay so for the video of the shims. There is a lot of things incorrect here. 1st things first, the homeowner doesnt partake in any fault whatsoever here if she doesn’t know about the possible outcomes. She may have stated that she didnt know, but on camera, most people do it to avoid fault and gain attention/validation but for this situation, lets agree to say she didnt know anything. Normally, the templater for the countertop, has to check at least 90% of the area in which the stone will go so everything goes smoothly on install which means checking the level, asking questions to the homeowner and/or contractor about cutouts, overhangs, notches and other scenarios to be aware of in case something has to be modified or done for the same reason. If the level wasnt checked then the installers is given the chance to explain to the homeowner/contractor that the cabinets are at fault and if they want the stone to be installed (and if so, what are the disadvantages) or not. Mark is right. You do not sign anything without knowing its outcome especially in this circumstance. All the installers wanted was a free pass in case it didnt look good (they also didnt caulk it too which was ridiculous) and payment.

[@MasaMuneDenadoro]

where can I find white stone countertops that are $50 a square foot? Lowest I can find is $70 a square foot.

[@MTKDofficial]

Stone yards are probably your best bet.

[@matthewphelps2206]

You need to ask what the 50 covers we have places that advertise as low as 30 a sf here but everything else is an add 70 a sf is a great price if that's from template to finished install and everything between.

[@chaseveacock609]

This is 100% on the cabinet guy. They shouldve just said nonwe cant install this.

[@tealkerberus748]

The installer of the cabinets is responsible for making sure the tops are level. If they can't do that because of floor level problems, they shouldn't install the cabinets until the floor has been remedied. The benchtop installer should refuse to install if the cabinets aren't fit for purpose.

[@JaneDoe-vi5yc]

I did not even need subtitles. Thank you for not being a mumble-mouth.

[@MTKDofficial]

You're welcome!

[@yulianaredford7024]

This happened to me with my slab quartz backsplash I should told the installers I don’t like seams but I thought they know what they doing , I got 2 seams and got so annoyed

[@IamTheJesus69]

Did it need seams to go in or for layouts purposes? Even so, they should have communicated their layout before they even cut the material

[@Novasawildone]

I already bought my flooring 🤦‍♀️

[@MTKDofficial]

Oh, no worries. It’s just my opinion. I’m sure it will all turn out awesome.

[@troyb6036]

Flooring is more important

[@MTKDofficial]

Not for chopping veggies lol

[@StoneRepairService]

If the Installer came in and saw how much of a problem those cabinets were he should have NEVER have installed those tops until cabinets get fixed. Thats it. Now you are risking moving the stone, possibly breaking, separating seams which many times leads to chipping etc. Very unprofessional.

[@evah5997]

Here's a simple solution take all three of them or whoever is contracted fixing to court anybody everybody involved so they can all show up on the same day you go to court because that way you get a free kitchen

[@matthewphelps2206]

First of all you mean to say in plane not level. Second Counter top guys do not set the cabinets it is not always a simple fix and we don't get paid to do it we would be fixing someone else's work for free or worse at our expense.

[@carlosquintana6930]

That is today’s society everybody like to point fingers👆👉👇☝️👈👎✌️🤞👐

[@richardvasquez4079]

Just a thought... What if the installers said what it would look like the to the customer. The customer said, "Go ahead and install." Now she makes this video blaming the installer of the countertop... just a thought

[@MTKDofficial]

Yeah. Sometimes you're going to get a troll and you just have to move on.

[@silvergirl2847]

Your contractors responsibility to have level cabinetry.thats disgraceful.theirare legs onthe cabinets to makeit level .

[@MTKDofficial]

Yeah, this is completely avoidable.

[@lauramcmullen5851]

Get what you pay for. The first example most likely hired the very cheapest she could find. Oops.

[@MTKDofficial]

yeah. Paying a little extra for a good installer and save you in the long run.

[@rocoroco5749]

Man that is Horrible my Teenager could do better than that

[@MTKDofficial]

Right!?

[@kimrok1]

The husband probably made a few attempts to manage the remodel, but as is the case today, the strong independent women took charge and got taken for a ride. Big surprise.