The only cutting that was done inside for ours was the drilling of holes for accessories and cutting the range top cooktop. We didn't take anything out or tape any drawer glides. When they drilled or cut, one person held a shop vac hose near the cutting and there was negligible stone dust.

My counter tops we just installed and there was no cutting done on site.They were templated using a laser measuring device and the cutouts and faucet holes were done at the fabricators shop. I did not have to remove any drawers or cover any thing. Everything was a perfect fit. Did your counter top person tell you they would be cutting on site?

What cutting will be taking place? Just plumbing holes at the sink? I wouldn't want much other cutting in-place done, but just faucet holes should be fine. If they take care with a shop vac going while drilling and you don't have drawers under the sink, I'd say you don't need to remove any drawers.

I had some similar concerns when my marble went in recently. Maybe some of the answers on that thread will help.

Good luck! Please post pics after install so we can see.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread on cutting holes on-site

Hi, thanks everyone!

I apologize for not explaining what would be cut on-site. The main rep, who was there for the templating, said they'd cut the faucet hole on site. The sink would be cut at the fabricator.

The sink is an undermount sink, and the cabinet is a basic sink base (no tip out, just two doors). So there are no glides or anything under where the faucet hole will be cut, just the door hinges.

Just to let you know, I had not asked them if they used a vacuum for the on-site drilling. Our GC recommended this countertop vendor because they usually work with them, and I had thought that would mean the cost/quality would be in line with the other subs that our GC had. Which is why I didn't do my research in GW as thoroughly for what to cover with the guy as I did for my cabinets.

Now, I did ask them to get things tight to the walls, so I'm hoping they won't have to drill along the wall sides of the stone to make it fit. At templating, hey did not use a laser for like badgergal's team did, so in 20:20 hindsight, I don't know if that means they'll have to do some cutting along the back edge to get it right.

breezygirl, thanks for the link to the other thread! And for the good luck wishes too. :-) I'll definitely be posting pictures.

--Lee

I wouldn't worry about taping or removing drawers. The granite guys removed the top drawers so they could affix the granite in place. They also vacuumed when they drilled my faucet hole. I didn't tape a single thing and it was fine. One thing I did do before they came was vacuum out all of the cabinets and cabinet boxes. It was much easier to do where I could reach easily with no countertop! YAY for granite!

My templater didn't use a laser either. He's been templating for more than 15 years at a very reputable company so maybe he's old school. I don't think the absence of a laser is necessarily indictative of how well your stone will fit the walls. The person or computer doing the cutting has a good deal of responsibility in the outcome also. Mine got a little messed up, but that's another story for another day.

Briana has a good point about cabs being easier to clean before the top goes on! Wish I had realized that. :)

Ooooo, Briana that's a *brilliant* idea! I will get right on that tonight after work.

breezygirl, thanks for letting me know that the "old school" way does not mean they won't do a good job. It's such a huge cost of the project, that I am more nervous about it than anything else (well, anything else now that the cabinets are in). :-)

lee, Mine was done old school too. In fact, the laser actually scared me. My guys made plasticy sheet templates and then I got to lay the templates on the slabs at their warehouse. For me, the new laser measurement was more of an unknown!