Then the fabricator asked how we wanted the edge around the apron front finished. The granite counter will be 26" from the wall but the apron front edge sticks out less than 26".

I will attach two photos where I taped out in green two possible scenarios of how the granite should be fabricated. Please ignore the fact that the green end is not right at 26". It was but hubby pulled the taped measure away from the wall a bit.

Or this?

I would do option B (and round that corner).

But, I have no idea about "finishing" the sink/cabinet.

Wow. I hope our cabinet people are coming back. I have been on Gardenweb for more than 10 years and I have never seen an apron front sink installed like that before. It does not look right in the cabinet all. It looks like the sink is way lower than it should be and the cabinet cutout is way too big. How are you supposed to use it like that? I hope the KD's on the site will help you out and give you specifics on how to get the cabinet installers to fix this. Have your cabinet installers ever installed this type of sink before? It actually looks like you will be needing a new sink cabinet. Sorry.

Even if that sink is supposed to be an undermount it is sitting way too low. The edge of the sink should line up with the counter top substrate. Usually that would be done by adding a layer of plywood to the sink cabinet top. The sink would not be flush with the cabinet top. It needs to be flush with the counter top underlayment.

Generally the sink would be pulled forward to match the front of the counter top. The whole functional purpose of an apron front sink is to be right at it as you step up to it.

Looks to me like the sink cabinet was ordered too deep and too wide or else the wrong sink was ordered.

Edited to add that it's also sitting back too far in the cabinet. Sitting in that far and every stray drop of water on the front apron is gonna roll right down onto your cabinet doors beneath.

You've got the wrong size sink for that cabinet; it's too small. This may help.

"What should be done here? And when?"

Get the proper size sink onsite as soon as possible. Do not let the top fabricator template until this is resolved.

Joseph, why do you say the sink is too small for the cabinet ? The width of the sink is 37" and Julien (manufacturer) suggested a 40" base.

I checked out the link you attached where the all the sinks pictured fit exactly into the base. What about this type of installation:

I think this was the look the KD was after as the custom sink was not available for exact measurements.

Is this look not acceptable? When should those front pieces be installed?

"Joseph, why do you say the sink is too small for the cabinet ?"

Because of the giant gaps between the sink ends and the cabinet sides.

Nah, the sink isn't too small. The cabinet seems to be constructed without the wide top rail that is cut to follow the template of the sink exactly. The sink also isn't mounted at the correct height. This is all on the cabinet maker/orderer/installer. With that cabinet, there should be a deep false drawer panel that fits over the base on the outside, and gets scribed to the sink. I'd personally also want a drip rail of stone under the sink as well.

Sophie: I thought of that too, but since the false drawer panel to be scribed wasn't shown or mentioned, I assumed it didn't exist. The panel or a larger sink will solve the problem.

Is the upper panel still in the back of someone's truck? It seems unlikely that the cabinet would be manufactured without some kind of panel. Or maybe your KD had to order the panel separately and forgot? You really need it to finish the installation.

There is a panel that was clipped on and removed when we placed the sink. So that panel should be cut to fit around the sink then? Should this be done before granite? I showed the sink to the cabinet installer and all he said was, he doesn't install the sink.

On another note, should there be plywood substrate under the granite?

To me it looks like they left extra space for that shelf…

Sophie, so if I ask for a stone drip rail, who installs it? Would the drip rail be the exact width of the sink or wider?

We just had something similar happen with a fireclay farm sink and soapstone counters. It was the fabricator that noticed the cabinet didn't allow the sink to come out far enough (counters 25 from wall and so was sink so no reveal of the side curves). He fabricated based on cabinet being adjusted 3/4 inch and I was very concerned. Our sink also sat low but the fabricator used pieces of wood to prop it up and level it. In the end it is ok. There is a gap under the sink so they painted molding to match cabinets and glued it. It can only be seen if you are sitting on floor so I let it go. In this photo contractor is holding the molding prior to painting it. I was very disappointed that our contractor knew nothing about installing these popular sinks and he claims to be a kitchen expert. He thought plumber was responsible.

Is this the panel that should be cut and installed under the apron front?

Yep. And it's the cabinet maker/installer's job to fit the panel too, not the plumber's. The installer will have to set the sink, at least temporarily, in order for the stone to be templated and the cabinet front to be scribed and installed.

Plywood as a granite substrate seems to be a regional thing. If you're using 2cm with a built-up edge you'll have plywood substrate; if 3cm no substrate is necessary. I'm not a fan of full plywood underlayment, even in stone; strips are cheaper and flatter. It's only needed for strength in the more delicate 2cm stones according to the Marble Institute of America.

Thank you. Should that panel be cut and installed before granite or after granite?

If you want a drip rail, you have the stone fabricator create one for the sink before it's set into the cabinet. It should be the same width as the sink. Then the cabinet installer creates the proper support for it in the sink cabinet and sets the sink to be level with the bottom of the counter top, and pulled forward however much you think looks good. The false panel is then templated, by the cabinet installer, and fit around the ensemble. It's a time intensive, hinky job, and costs extra over a standard cabinet install. $300-$500 in my market would be about right for the extra labor.

I think doing the drip rail depends on the look you are trying to achieve. It's not as contemporary as doing a plain front.

abbabug:

Someone has to determine whether or not there's enough room for a granite drip rail before one is ordered. It may take 2cm instead of 3cm or none at all. Make sure they cut a drip slot in the bottom just behind the front edge profile.

"Should that panel be cut and installed before granite or after granite?"

You want to play the finger-point reduction game. If you have the sink and panel in the same position at template and at install, your top fabricator can't blame anyone but himself if something isn't right. I'd want to see the sink and panel in position before the the tops were templated. The panel may or may not be easily removable after the sink is installed.

So, how did it turn out??

The cabinet guy came back to cut the front piece. Now waiting for granite.

He DID build up the platform that will hold the sink full of heavy water? Your counter top won't be taking any of that load. And be sure your sink is pulled forward a bit before the counter top is templated. There shouldn't be any granite over the front edge of the sink.