Template Day Checklist in Dallas: What to Prep Before We Arrive

Template day is one of the most important milestones in any countertop project. It is the point where precise measurement and documentation converts your renovation plans into the fabrication specifications that determine how well your finished countertop fits. Getting it right the first time keeps the project on schedule and avoids the cost and delay of a second template visit. For Dallas homeowners, our Hard Rock Imports team coordinates template appointments and installation scheduling across the DFW metro to keep your renovation on track. This complete checklist from Hard Rock Imports covers everything Dallas homeowners should have ready before our team arrives.

What Happens on Template Day

Templating is the process of precisely measuring your countertop space, documenting every dimension, cutout location, and edge profile detail, and creating the specifications that guide the fabrication of your specific slabs. A digital template captures the exact shape and size of your countertop areas with millimeter-level precision.

The accuracy of the template is what determines whether your countertop fits correctly on installation day. This is the most important principle to understand when preparing: anything that affects the final dimensions of the space must be in its permanent, final position before templating begins. Work that happens after the template is taken but before installation can create mismatches that require rescheduling.

 

Cabinet and Structure Readiness

• All cabinets must be fully installed and permanently secured to the wall and floor. Templates taken before cabinets are fully installed will not match the final space and will need to be retaken.
• Cabinet heights should be consistent and level across the full run. Variations beyond a few millimetres affect how the countertop sits and should be addressed before template day rather than after.
• If you are having a kitchen island or peninsular counter installed, the island base must be fully assembled and in its permanent position before templating.
• Any crown moulding or wall trim that touches or sits directly above the countertop should be installed before the template is taken, as it can affect the backsplash measurement.

 

Appliances and Fixtures

• Your cooktop or range should be on-site and physically present for measurement, or the exact model and manufacturer specifications should be confirmed and shared with our team before template day. Cooktop cutout dimensions vary meaningfully between models.
• Your undermount sink should be on-site for measurement. The actual sink model determines the cutout dimensions. Using a different sink model after the template is taken will require the cutout to be revised.
• If you are planning a flush mount induction cooktop installation, have the appliance installation manual available so our team can review the manufacturer’s required clearances before cutting begins.
• Confirm the faucet hole configuration you want (single hole, three-hole, etc.) before template day, as this affects what is drilled during fabrication.

 

Space and Access

• The kitchen or bathroom space should be clear and accessible. Remove items stored on or under the countertop area and any obstructions that would prevent our team from moving freely through the space.
• Adequate lighting in the kitchen and bathroom areas helps ensure accurate measurements and documentation.
• If a pet is easily stressed by unfamiliar visitors or equipment, it is helpful to have them secured in another area of the home during the template appointment.

 

Decisions That Must Be Finalized Before Template Day

• Edge profile selection: the edge profile is documented during the template and sent to fabrication as part of the specification. Changes after templating that affect the edge require additional coordination.
• Sink mounting style: undermount, drop-in, and apron-front sink approaches each require different cutout specifications and cannot be changed after fabrication begins.
• Backsplash decision: if you are getting a slab backsplash in the same material as the countertop, this is typically templated at the same visit. Confirm this decision beforehand.
• Seam placement preferences: for longer countertop runs, discuss seam placement with our team before template day. Seam location decisions should be made before fabrication begins.

 

What Does Not Need to Be Ready on Template Day

Template day is focused on dimensions and specifications, not final aesthetic decisions about the rest of the kitchen. Final decisions on lighting fixtures, cabinet hardware, paint colors, and backsplash tile (if separate from the stone) do not need to be made before we arrive. Your slab selection and color should already be confirmed at this point, as your specific slabs are typically reserved as part of the project booking.

 

Common Delays That Template Prep Prevents

• Cabinets not fully installed: the single most common reason a template appointment needs to be rescheduled
• Sink not on-site: fabricating the cutout without the physical sink present requires assumptions that may not match the final product
• Cooktop model not confirmed: cutout dimensions vary significantly between models and cannot be correctly fabricated without the confirmed specification
• Edge profile undecided: adding coordination after templating extends the timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a template appointment take in Dallas?

Most residential template appointments take between 45 minutes and two hours depending on the scope of the project. A single kitchen countertop replacement templates faster than a full kitchen and bathroom renovation. Our scheduling team can give you a more specific time estimate when your appointment is booked.

 

What if something changes after the template is taken in Dallas?

Changes to cabinets, appliances, or sink models after templating may require a return visit depending on the scope of the change. It is always less expensive and less disruptive to finalize details before template day than to address changes after fabrication has begun. Contact our team as soon as a change comes up so we can assess the impact on the fabrication schedule.

 

How long from template to installation in Dallas?

Most projects run two to three weeks from template to installation depending on project complexity, material availability, and current production volume. Our Dallas team can give you a current lead time estimate when you book your template appointment.

 

Ready to Schedule Your Dallas Template Appointment?

When your cabinets are installed, your sink is on-site, and your appliance specs are confirmed, you are ready for template day. The Hard Rock Imports team in Dallas will keep your project on schedule from template through to installation. Find us on Google Maps or visit our showroom to discuss your project and book your template appointment.