Countertop Installation in Calabarzon

After templating, fabrication takes about one to two weeks for stone; installation itself is usually a day. Plan for the gap between template and fit — you'll be without a worktop briefly, so coordinate with the rest of the kitchen work.

Cost is driven by material and area. Laminate is cheapest; granite and quartz sit in the middle; premium natural stone and sintered surfaces are dearest. Priced per square foot/metre or linear metre installed, with templating, cut-outs (sink, hob), edging and removal of the old top usually on top.

Yes — a templater measures your installed cabinets exactly (often with a laser) so the stone is cut to fit precisely. It happens after cabinets are in and before fabrication. Skipping proper templating is how you end up with gaps, bad seams and misaligned cut-outs.

Dry-cutting engineered (quartz) stone releases silica dust that causes silicosis, a serious lung disease — which is why fabrication must use wet-cutting and proper controls. This is a real, regulated workplace hazard; reputable fabricators take it seriously (see country notes).

Look for: material and thickness, templating (a precise measure of your cabinets), fabrication (cut-outs for sink and hob, edge profile), delivery, installation, sealing if natural stone, and removal/disposal of the old top. A slab-only price hides the fabrication and fitting that make up much of the cost.

Quartz and sintered surfaces just need wiping; avoid excessive heat and harsh abrasives. Natural granite and marble need periodic sealing and are more stain-sensitive (marble especially). Ask the installer for material-specific care instructions and how often to reseal.

Quartz (engineered stone) is non-porous, consistent in colour and needs no sealing; granite is natural, each slab unique, and needs periodic sealing. Both are hard-wearing at similar price points. Choose quartz for low maintenance and uniform looks, granite for natural variation and heat resistance.

Stone countertops commonly run ₱8,000-30,000 per linear metre supplied and fitted; a typical kitchen lands at ₱70,000-300,000 depending on material and island. Granite is often cheaper than imported quartz.