Every fall, our phones start ringing with the same question: can we have new countertops in before the family comes over? For holiday countertop installation in Phoenix, the answer is usually yes, as long as the project starts on time. We’re the ones who measure, cut, and install your stone, so here’s an honest look at how our schedule works and the dates we’re working toward for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.
The Short Version: Plan on Two to Three Weeks
From the day we template your kitchen to the day we install, plan on roughly two to three weeks this time of year. Fall is one of our busiest seasons across the Valley, so the earlier you get on our calendar, the more room we have to work with. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and Christmas lands on a Friday, December 25. We aim to have counters in the week before each holiday, so you have a few days of breathing room for plumbing hookups and settling in.
Our 2026 Holiday Countertop Calendar
These are the target dates we’d work toward to get you cooking in a finished kitchen. Treat them as the latest comfortable dates, not guarantees. Every project is a little different, and we’ll confirm your actual schedule when you book.
| Holiday | Pick your material and book with us by | Templating by | Installed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov 26) | Friday, October 23 | Friday, October 30 | Friday, November 20 |
| Christmas (Fri, Dec 25) | Friday, November 13 | Friday, November 20 | Friday, December 18 |
You’ll notice the Christmas window is a little longer. The Thanksgiving holiday takes a bite out of fabrication time, so we build in an extra week and like to template Christmas jobs before Thanksgiving week rather than after it.
“The best holiday kitchens aren’t the ones that rush. They’re the ones that got on the calendar in October.”
Step 1: Choose Your Material
This is the step that can quietly add the most time. A slab that’s already in stock can be ready for your project right away, while a special-order color can add weeks before we ever touch it. We work with MSI, Cambria, Arizona Tile, Marbino Surfaces and other distributors, so if holiday timing matters, tell us up front and we’ll steer you toward beautiful options that are ready now.
You can see samples at our Chandler showroom, or we can bring options to you during a free in-home consultation.
Step 2: Get Your Kitchen Ready for Templating
Templating is when our team comes out and measures your cabinets to create an exact pattern for cutting your stone. To make that visit count, a few things need to be in place first:
- Cabinets installed, level, and secured. If new cabinets are part of the remodel, their delivery date sets the pace for everything after it.
- Sink and faucet on site. We template the cutouts from the actual sink, so it needs to be there, not just picked out.
- Cooktop and appliance specs handy. If you have a drop-in cooktop or slide-in range, have the model number ready so we can size the opening.
- Edge profile decided. Changes after templating can push your project back in line.
- Old countertops dealt with. If your existing tops need to come out first, let us know when you book. Removal is quoted separately and needs to be on the schedule too.
Step 3: Fabrication in Our Shop
Once templating is done, your slab moves into fabrication. This is where we lay out the template on the stone, plan the seams and the veining, and cut and polish every edge and opening. It’s the longest stretch of the timeline, and it’s also where careful work pays off. Rushing a layout to save a day is how you end up with a seam in the wrong place, and we won’t do that to a kitchen you’ll live with for decades.
Step 4: Install Day
For most kitchens, install day takes a from 4-8 hours, although bigger projects may take multiple days. Our crew sets the stone, secures the seams, and mounts any undermount sinks. Plumbing isn’t part of our installation, so it’s worth booking your plumber for the day after install so the kitchen is fully working well before the holiday.
What Most Often Pushes a Holiday Install Back
When a holiday timeline slips, it’s usually for the same few reasons: cabinets that arrive late or need adjusting, a sink that isn’t on site at templating, a special-order slab, or a design change after we’ve measured. Complex layouts, like a mitered waterfall island or several seams, can also need extra shop time. Get the first three settled early and most of the risk is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m reading this after one of the dates. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. A straightforward kitchen with an in-stock slab can sometimes come together faster. Give us a call and we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.
Do I need to be home for templating?
It helps a lot. At templating we confirm sink placement, overhangs, and edge details with you, and those decisions are much easier to make standing in your own kitchen.
Do you serve my area?
We install throughout the Phoenix metro, from Chandler and Gilbert to Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the West Valley.
Can I use your countertop specials for a holiday project?
Yes, if the material you choose is part of the current special. Featured colors and pricing change as stock moves, so check our Hand Selected Specials page for what’s available right now.
Get on Our Holiday Calendar
If a finished kitchen by Thanksgiving or Christmas is the goal, the best time to start is now, while there’s still room on the schedule. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, or stop by our Chandler showroom to look at samples. We’ll walk you through materials, give you a clear quote, and tell you exactly where your project lands on the calendar.