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There are 55 highly-rated local countertop and backsplash pros.

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    Verified countertop and backsplash services reviews

Find Countertop and backsplash pros in Fairfax

Avatar for Home Breakthrough LLC

Home Breakthrough LLC

4.55(
179
)
Approved Pro

Home Breakthrough LLC

4.55(
179
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
85 local quotes requested
21 years of experience

Home Breakthrough is a local, family owned home remodeling business. Francisco and Honika Victoriano, combine old-word craftsmanship with contemporary building techniques to create extraordinary new living spaces. They take great pride in the home renovation work they do. The remodeling contractors at Home Breakthrough have a strong reputation for delivering high quality construction and home renovation projects, working with diligence and honesty. The Victorianos have built their remodeling business & reputation over the years by providing excellent work at highly competitive prices. 14-15 workers. Cost is determined by the job. Free design consultations. No travel charges. No service charges. May contact through email. Award winning .

"I have been using the team at home breakthrough for years. At this point they fully remodeled my basement including adding a new bathroom/wet bar. As well as a huge overhaul of my main floor bath and laundry room. The quality of their work is outstanding. I also love their quote structure. They start with a labor number and give you an idea of what materials will cost but it’s essentially a chose your own adventure on how high end you want to go on features etc and they are very helpful to guide you on the way as well as have great experts to point you to on cabinets, fixtures, tile, countertops etc to help you achieve your vision. Look forward to having them back for my next project!"

Scott A on March 2025

Home Breakthrough is a local, family owned home remodeling business. Francisco and Honika Victoriano, combine old-word craftsmanship with contemporary building techniques to create extraordinary new living spaces. They take great pride in the home renovation work they do. The remodeling contractors at Home Breakthrough have a strong reputation for delivering high quality construction and home renovation projects, working with diligence and honesty. The Victorianos have built their remodeling business & reputation over the years by providing excellent work at highly competitive prices. 14-15 workers. Cost is determined by the job. Free design consultations. No travel charges. No service charges. May contact through email. Award winning .

"I have been using the team at home breakthrough for years. At this point they fully remodeled my basement including adding a new bathroom/wet bar. As well as a huge overhaul of my main floor bath and laundry room. The quality of their work is outstanding. I also love their quote structure. They start with a labor number and give you an idea of what materials will cost but it’s essentially a chose your own adventure on how high end you want to go on features etc and they are very helpful to guide you on the way as well as have great experts to point you to on cabinets, fixtures, tile, countertops etc to help you achieve your vision. Look forward to having them back for my next project!"

Scott A on March 2025


Avatar for JW Home Improvement

JW Home Improvement

4.39(
5,503
)
Approved Pro

JW Home Improvement

4.39(
5,503
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
1762 local quotes requested
24 years of experience

JWHI provides world-class customer service with consistent and superior workmanship. We strive to be the trusted market leader in the home improvement industry. Proudly, we are Super Service Award Winner for over a decade, and we plan to keep that streak going! Contact us today to discuss your next handyman or remodeling project. Our mission is to provide you with a happy home improvement experience!

"Made appointment for them to come over for an estimate (which they charge for) between 9-12 today. They are a no show. I wasted the whole morning on them. DO NOT recommend."

Jeff H on October 2025

JWHI provides world-class customer service with consistent and superior workmanship. We strive to be the trusted market leader in the home improvement industry. Proudly, we are Super Service Award Winner for over a decade, and we plan to keep that streak going! Contact us today to discuss your next handyman or remodeling project. Our mission is to provide you with a happy home improvement experience!

"Made appointment for them to come over for an estimate (which they charge for) between 9-12 today. They are a no show. I wasted the whole morning on them. DO NOT recommend."

Jeff H on October 2025


Avatar for Home Equity Contractors

Home Equity Contractors

4.33(
30
)
Approved Pro

Home Equity Contractors

4.33(
30
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
145 local quotes requested
Free onsite estimate

Free Estimates. We understand how stressful and expensive home improvements can be from choosing the right contractor for the job to having your house in disarray for a period of time. If you are updating your home to put on the market, we offer a deferred payment option. We recognize the struggle that sellers face when getting ready to sell their home. Often the main issue is simply not having the finances to make the necessary improvements that will generate a higher sales price. For some it is simply understanding that today's buyers want move in ready homes. ​HEC was started to give sellers and their agents the ability to sell their home quickly and at the highest price possible. There is no secret to selling, UPDATED HOMES SELL FASTER AND HIGHER! Our clients have averaged a 130% Return on Investment when updating their home for sale. We can take care of all of your home remodeling needs from finishing a basement, remodeling your kitchen and bathrooms, to replacing your roof. ​Our approach is simple - we use high quality contractors to make smart updates to your home or listing based on our 20 years of experience in the DC Area Real Estate Market. We do not recommend high end upgrades if they will not generate a good return on your investment. We work with you or your agent to establish an expected price after updates to make an informed decision. The owners of Home Equity Contractors are licensed Realtors in VA, MD, and DC.

"If you want to work with someone condescending, rude, confrontational, unprofessional, and whose contractors workmanship is probably the worst I have ever encountered in my 30 years of working with contractors, THIS IS YOUR GUY. I can ramble on about the false promises, the horrible workmanship, the constant delays, the lack of communication, the rude and confrontational text messages. I guarantee Mr. Shank will in fact respond to this review and try to flip the script and blame it all on me somehow. He talks very poorly about all his customers well at least the ones he doesn't like. Not sure what that is based on although I do have some idea what is based on. But he never made anything explicit, so I can't make accusations that he is a racist. So I am definitely not saying he is a racist because he didn't do anything racist. But if he was a racist it would explain why he didn't give two poops about doing good work for multiple projects I provided him. I also have multiple properties and was hoping to make Mr. Shank a lifelong contractor. In a nutshell, he has done 2 projects for me at 2 properties. One was installing a threshold for a glass enclosed shower stall. His crappy sub contractor (they are not employees) despite him saying they are employees, did not install any grouting on the threshold. Fast forward 1 year, and mold is popping up all around the threshold. Rather than dealing with this individual, I hired another contractor to fix up his mess. Second job, and my second mistake, I hired him for a full scale home renovation for around 50K. That project was an absolute disaster. He took 3 months to do what he promised to me verbally would be a 3 week job. I don't really want to spend 1 hour writing down all the crap he did wrong. I'll try so sum up the highlights. Ripped out old flooring, promised to make new flooring level after installing new concrete by using lasers. New flooring is totally not level and as bumpy as walking on your local trail. The shoe moldings around the flooring look like a child installed them. I had to argue with him to get him to regrout the bathroom which was in his contract in the first place. I can go on and on. For sure if you are someone that Mr. Shank likes and match his criteria of what he likes, whatever that could be I have no idea definitely not race related. He may do a great job for you and that may explain the great reviews. I myself had a horrible experience with Mr. Shank and his group of sub contractors who just plain do terrible work. Ignore my review or take it seriously, frankly this guy will keep getting business cause he's a great salesman. Even has a LinkedIN profile to show how professional he is. Epic scammer and fraud. Stay away."

Kevin D on June 2025

Free Estimates. We understand how stressful and expensive home improvements can be from choosing the right contractor for the job to having your house in disarray for a period of time. If you are updating your home to put on the market, we offer a deferred payment option. We recognize the struggle that sellers face when getting ready to sell their home. Often the main issue is simply not having the finances to make the necessary improvements that will generate a higher sales price. For some it is simply understanding that today's buyers want move in ready homes. ​HEC was started to give sellers and their agents the ability to sell their home quickly and at the highest price possible. There is no secret to selling, UPDATED HOMES SELL FASTER AND HIGHER! Our clients have averaged a 130% Return on Investment when updating their home for sale. We can take care of all of your home remodeling needs from finishing a basement, remodeling your kitchen and bathrooms, to replacing your roof. ​Our approach is simple - we use high quality contractors to make smart updates to your home or listing based on our 20 years of experience in the DC Area Real Estate Market. We do not recommend high end upgrades if they will not generate a good return on your investment. We work with you or your agent to establish an expected price after updates to make an informed decision. The owners of Home Equity Contractors are licensed Realtors in VA, MD, and DC.

"If you want to work with someone condescending, rude, confrontational, unprofessional, and whose contractors workmanship is probably the worst I have ever encountered in my 30 years of working with contractors, THIS IS YOUR GUY. I can ramble on about the false promises, the horrible workmanship, the constant delays, the lack of communication, the rude and confrontational text messages. I guarantee Mr. Shank will in fact respond to this review and try to flip the script and blame it all on me somehow. He talks very poorly about all his customers well at least the ones he doesn't like. Not sure what that is based on although I do have some idea what is based on. But he never made anything explicit, so I can't make accusations that he is a racist. So I am definitely not saying he is a racist because he didn't do anything racist. But if he was a racist it would explain why he didn't give two poops about doing good work for multiple projects I provided him. I also have multiple properties and was hoping to make Mr. Shank a lifelong contractor. In a nutshell, he has done 2 projects for me at 2 properties. One was installing a threshold for a glass enclosed shower stall. His crappy sub contractor (they are not employees) despite him saying they are employees, did not install any grouting on the threshold. Fast forward 1 year, and mold is popping up all around the threshold. Rather than dealing with this individual, I hired another contractor to fix up his mess. Second job, and my second mistake, I hired him for a full scale home renovation for around 50K. That project was an absolute disaster. He took 3 months to do what he promised to me verbally would be a 3 week job. I don't really want to spend 1 hour writing down all the crap he did wrong. I'll try so sum up the highlights. Ripped out old flooring, promised to make new flooring level after installing new concrete by using lasers. New flooring is totally not level and as bumpy as walking on your local trail. The shoe moldings around the flooring look like a child installed them. I had to argue with him to get him to regrout the bathroom which was in his contract in the first place. I can go on and on. For sure if you are someone that Mr. Shank likes and match his criteria of what he likes, whatever that could be I have no idea definitely not race related. He may do a great job for you and that may explain the great reviews. I myself had a horrible experience with Mr. Shank and his group of sub contractors who just plain do terrible work. Ignore my review or take it seriously, frankly this guy will keep getting business cause he's a great salesman. Even has a LinkedIN profile to show how professional he is. Epic scammer and fraud. Stay away."

Kevin D on June 2025


Avatar for PVI Group, LLC

PVI Group, LLC

4.86(
120
)
Approved Pro

PVI Group, LLC

4.86(
120
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 95% of Angi customers
Recommended by 95% of HomeAdvisor customers
591 local quotes requested

PVI Group is your one-call solution for a wide range of home improvement, maintenance and repair and lawn care needs. Our licensed professionals are known for the quality of our workmanship and professional reliability so you know the job will be done correctly and efficiently.

"PVI Group recently installed a new concrete patio at my home and I couldn't be happier with the results. The crew was very professional from start to finish. They arrived on time, completed the job as promised and cleaned up afterwards. The quality of the work is excellent. It's clear they take pride in their work. I highly recommend PVI Group to anyone looking for reliable, skilled professionals."

Gail F on October 2025

PVI Group is your one-call solution for a wide range of home improvement, maintenance and repair and lawn care needs. Our licensed professionals are known for the quality of our workmanship and professional reliability so you know the job will be done correctly and efficiently.

"PVI Group recently installed a new concrete patio at my home and I couldn't be happier with the results. The crew was very professional from start to finish. They arrived on time, completed the job as promised and cleaned up afterwards. The quality of the work is excellent. It's clear they take pride in their work. I highly recommend PVI Group to anyone looking for reliable, skilled professionals."

Gail F on October 2025


Avatar for My Kitchen and Bath Alexandria

My Kitchen and Bath Alexandria

New on AngiNew on Angi
Approved Pro

My Kitchen and Bath Alexandria

New on AngiNew on Angi
Approved Pro
31 years of experience
Free onsite estimate

Virginia’s Trusted Kitchen & Bath Remodeler Since 1994 Class A Licensed • Insured • Award-Winning Team 📍 Vienna Showroom: 112 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA 22180 📍 Herndon Showroom: 285 Sunset Park Dr., Herndon, VA 20170 📍 Alexandria Showroom: 5710 General Washington Dr # E, Alexandria, VA 22312 At My Kitchen and Bath, we’ve been helping homeowners in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. create beautiful, functional spaces for over 30 years. From full kitchen remodels to custom bathroom designs, our goal is simple: to make the remodeling process smooth, efficient, and enjoyable. We know remodeling can feel overwhelming. That’s why we handle everything—from planning and design to materials and construction—with clear communication and a commitment to your timeline. Whether you're dreaming of custom cabinets, new countertops, or a total transformation, we’re here to make it happen. And we always treat your home like it’s our own. Every project, no matter the size, gets the care, attention, and craftsmanship it deserves. It's just how we work—and why so many of our clients come back or send their friends our way. Ready to get started? Stop by one of our showrooms or schedule a free consultation. We’d love to help you design a space you’ll love living in.

Virginia’s Trusted Kitchen & Bath Remodeler Since 1994 Class A Licensed • Insured • Award-Winning Team 📍 Vienna Showroom: 112 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA 22180 📍 Herndon Showroom: 285 Sunset Park Dr., Herndon, VA 20170 📍 Alexandria Showroom: 5710 General Washington Dr # E, Alexandria, VA 22312 At My Kitchen and Bath, we’ve been helping homeowners in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. create beautiful, functional spaces for over 30 years. From full kitchen remodels to custom bathroom designs, our goal is simple: to make the remodeling process smooth, efficient, and enjoyable. We know remodeling can feel overwhelming. That’s why we handle everything—from planning and design to materials and construction—with clear communication and a commitment to your timeline. Whether you're dreaming of custom cabinets, new countertops, or a total transformation, we’re here to make it happen. And we always treat your home like it’s our own. Every project, no matter the size, gets the care, attention, and craftsmanship it deserves. It's just how we work—and why so many of our clients come back or send their friends our way. Ready to get started? Stop by one of our showrooms or schedule a free consultation. We’d love to help you design a space you’ll love living in.


Avatar for Navid's Construction, Inc.

Navid's Construction, Inc.

4.60(
10
)
Approved Pro

Navid's Construction, Inc.

4.60(
10
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 90% of Angi customers
Recommended by 90% of HomeAdvisor customers
13 local quotes requested

Navid's Construction Inc is an independent general contracting firm that not only delivers impeccable results but prioritizes its clients. Our number one priority has always been customer service. Our mission is to deliver quality services at hard to beat competitive prices. We know how difficult taking on a project can be! That is why Navid's Construction Inc strives to not only achieve your goals but also exceed your expectations as well.

"Navid and his team did an excellent job on our trim restoration. Great work and great communication. Would recommend!"

Ben R on June 2025

Navid's Construction Inc is an independent general contracting firm that not only delivers impeccable results but prioritizes its clients. Our number one priority has always been customer service. Our mission is to deliver quality services at hard to beat competitive prices. We know how difficult taking on a project can be! That is why Navid's Construction Inc strives to not only achieve your goals but also exceed your expectations as well.

"Navid and his team did an excellent job on our trim restoration. Great work and great communication. Would recommend!"

Ben R on June 2025


Avatar for BST Design and Build

BST Design and Build

4.84(
19
)
Approved Pro

BST Design and Build

4.84(
19
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: True professional
Recommended by 94% of Angi customers
Recommended by 94% of HomeAdvisor customers
15 local quotes requested

BST Design and Build specializes in unique, high-quality kitchen and bathroom remodeling, as well as other home improvements such as basement finishing, home additions, and comprehensive renovation projects. We are not an only an experienced general contractor but also cabinet, countertop and flooring store and we provide complete remodeling&renovation service to our customers from initial planning to final installation. As BST Design and Build, we provide quality cabinets, cutting-edge designs, unrivaled prices, outstanding customer service, and a stress-free construction process to our customers. With a combination of a charming showroom atmosphere and our expertise in construction, our pledge is to establish lasting relationships with our customers by exceeding their expectations and gaining their trust through exceptional service & performance by every member of the design and construction team.

"We had a great experience with BST Design & Build. The project was scoped out, started on time and took about 5 weeks which was in the estimated 4-6 week schedule. During the project, questions were answered and the onsite team was very responsive to our wishes, even being creative to ensure our needs were addressed. We couldn’t have been happier with the onsite project lead, Abi. The site was keep clean each day and the end result looks great!"

Callie E on March 2024

BST Design and Build specializes in unique, high-quality kitchen and bathroom remodeling, as well as other home improvements such as basement finishing, home additions, and comprehensive renovation projects. We are not an only an experienced general contractor but also cabinet, countertop and flooring store and we provide complete remodeling&renovation service to our customers from initial planning to final installation. As BST Design and Build, we provide quality cabinets, cutting-edge designs, unrivaled prices, outstanding customer service, and a stress-free construction process to our customers. With a combination of a charming showroom atmosphere and our expertise in construction, our pledge is to establish lasting relationships with our customers by exceeding their expectations and gaining their trust through exceptional service & performance by every member of the design and construction team.

"We had a great experience with BST Design & Build. The project was scoped out, started on time and took about 5 weeks which was in the estimated 4-6 week schedule. During the project, questions were answered and the onsite team was very responsive to our wishes, even being creative to ensure our needs were addressed. We couldn’t have been happier with the onsite project lead, Abi. The site was keep clean each day and the end result looks great!"

Callie E on March 2024


Avatar for ICM Remodeling / ICM Building & Remodeling, LLC

ICM Remodeling / ICM Building & Remodeling, LLC

5.00(
21
)
Approved Pro

ICM Remodeling / ICM Building & Remodeling, LLC

5.00(
21
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
45 local quotes requested

Serving and operating for over a decade in the District of Columbia & Northern V.A. ICM Building & Remodeling, LLC is dedicated to served homeowners with their Home Remodeling projects with a complimentary personalized guidance through the whole process of the project, wether big or small, for sure we'll be there from the beginning to end. Dealing directly with me and my team, will give you the peace of mind you MUST have to make the right decisions, this is our Priceless guarantee we'll give you in addition to the profesionalism we'll handle your business. Keep in mind, for us our clients mean more than 1 (One) deal, for us they mean a long lasting relationship. Thank you for considering us help with your home improvement dreams! Israel Clavijo-President and Owner of ICM Building & Remodeling Family owned, Licensed, Bonded, Insured Company.

"I would like to provide my evaluation of being happy that ICM with remodeling my home, The best I've experienced. The work was professionaly performed, I am pleased, and extremely willing to highly recommend ICM's for services to customers. Because ICM Building & Remodeling, my family appreciates your business. I will render my support for ICM to ensure customers are pleased. As a satisfied customer, it means the world to my family for ICM's and staffs outstanding work, a job well done. Bill Roper Springfield, VA"

William R on January 2025

Serving and operating for over a decade in the District of Columbia & Northern V.A. ICM Building & Remodeling, LLC is dedicated to served homeowners with their Home Remodeling projects with a complimentary personalized guidance through the whole process of the project, wether big or small, for sure we'll be there from the beginning to end. Dealing directly with me and my team, will give you the peace of mind you MUST have to make the right decisions, this is our Priceless guarantee we'll give you in addition to the profesionalism we'll handle your business. Keep in mind, for us our clients mean more than 1 (One) deal, for us they mean a long lasting relationship. Thank you for considering us help with your home improvement dreams! Israel Clavijo-President and Owner of ICM Building & Remodeling Family owned, Licensed, Bonded, Insured Company.

"I would like to provide my evaluation of being happy that ICM with remodeling my home, The best I've experienced. The work was professionaly performed, I am pleased, and extremely willing to highly recommend ICM's for services to customers. Because ICM Building & Remodeling, my family appreciates your business. I will render my support for ICM to ensure customers are pleased. As a satisfied customer, it means the world to my family for ICM's and staffs outstanding work, a job well done. Bill Roper Springfield, VA"

William R on January 2025


Avatar for All Renovations Inc

All Renovations Inc

4.69(
110
)
Approved Pro

All Renovations Inc

4.69(
110
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 90% of Angi customers
Recommended by 90% of HomeAdvisor customers
19 local quotes requested

All Renovations was started by a local graduate of George Washington University. We are fully licensed in all trade work including building, electrical and plumbing . We have always put our customers first in delivering what we promise without any gimmicks. The reputation of our company is proven through our satisfactory track record including winning the highly coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award and being selected as a Best Pick Report contractor on numerous occasions. The staff at our company values your time with prompt on site visits, quick turnaround in providing cost estimates, and a responsive attitude until job completion. We can assure you that our pricing and written warranty provides value in your investment when compared with other professionally licensed contractors. Due to our staffing requirements we are only able to take on jobs $10k or higher.

"I am giving All Renovations 5 stars for the basement renovation in large part because of Adrian’s excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our job was pretty extensive. It included moving support columns, demo and rebuild exterior stairway, adding a full bath, extending the finished/framed portion of the basement, moving the circuit-breaker panel, and re-doing our half-bath. The job took 6 months, which was about twice as long as we expected. Omar was always very responsive and provided good feedback. Adrian is very good at explaining things and soliciting your input when options/alternatives exist. He definitely does not take short-cuts if quality would suffer. He is also very considerate/careful inside your home and cleans-up after himself. Our $102k project ballooned to $125k, mostly due to nice to have add-ons and unforeseen issues. But there were several items I feel should have been caught at the contract onset. E.g. the need for a floor drain ($900), considering that we were getting rid of the utility sink basin. There was also an extra $4k to replace the drywall in the half bath since the existing paint was too textured (sponge) to paint over. But we were very pleased with the outcome and would definitely recommend All Renovations."

Shane G on March 2025

All Renovations was started by a local graduate of George Washington University. We are fully licensed in all trade work including building, electrical and plumbing . We have always put our customers first in delivering what we promise without any gimmicks. The reputation of our company is proven through our satisfactory track record including winning the highly coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award and being selected as a Best Pick Report contractor on numerous occasions. The staff at our company values your time with prompt on site visits, quick turnaround in providing cost estimates, and a responsive attitude until job completion. We can assure you that our pricing and written warranty provides value in your investment when compared with other professionally licensed contractors. Due to our staffing requirements we are only able to take on jobs $10k or higher.

"I am giving All Renovations 5 stars for the basement renovation in large part because of Adrian’s excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our job was pretty extensive. It included moving support columns, demo and rebuild exterior stairway, adding a full bath, extending the finished/framed portion of the basement, moving the circuit-breaker panel, and re-doing our half-bath. The job took 6 months, which was about twice as long as we expected. Omar was always very responsive and provided good feedback. Adrian is very good at explaining things and soliciting your input when options/alternatives exist. He definitely does not take short-cuts if quality would suffer. He is also very considerate/careful inside your home and cleans-up after himself. Our $102k project ballooned to $125k, mostly due to nice to have add-ons and unforeseen issues. But there were several items I feel should have been caught at the contract onset. E.g. the need for a floor drain ($900), considering that we were getting rid of the utility sink basin. There was also an extra $4k to replace the drywall in the half bath since the existing paint was too textured (sponge) to paint over. But we were very pleased with the outcome and would definitely recommend All Renovations."

Shane G on March 2025


Avatar for TC Constructions

TC Constructions

5.00(
6
)
Approved Pro

TC Constructions

5.00(
6
)
Approved Pro
Super Service Award
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
108 local quotes requested

Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime after you see our quality work. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. Call or message us to schedule an estimate today!

"Very professional"

Ceci F on July 2024

Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime after you see our quality work. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. Call or message us to schedule an estimate today!

"Very professional"

Ceci F on July 2024

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Countertops and Backsplashes questions, answered by experts

The best budget-friendly countertop option depends on personal preference. Concrete is a great alternative to more expensive materials, as it can be cured and treated for unique designs. Another cheap material worth considering is plywood. It can be laminated or stained to suit nearly any aesthetic. Granite remnants are also a good choice. 

A minimum overhang of 10 to 12 inches is generally recommended to provide enough legroom and space for individuals to comfortably sit at the island. This overhang allows for proper alignment of stools or chairs under the countertop, ensuring occupants can comfortably tuck their legs beneath the island while seated. 

However, for increased comfort and functionality, some homeowners may opt for a larger overhang, ranging from 15 to 18 inches, which provides ample space for leg movement and allows for a more relaxed dining experience.

Countertops typically hang over base cabinets by 1.5 inches. This slight overhang protects cabinet faces from spills and provides a finished look. The overhang may extend 12 inches or more for kitchen islands or breakfast bars to allow for seating and comfortable eating.

Solid surface countertops are fairly resilient. You can use soapy water or ammonia-based cleaners. You can also occasionally use diluted bleach (around 5 tablespoons per gallon of water) for sanitization. Avoid window cleaners because they leave a waxy film that can dull the countertop’s surface. Solid surface material is nonporous, so there’s no need for sealing.

Yes, you can replace or repair an undermount sink without removing and reinstalling the countertop. Start by shutting off the water to your home, then disconnect the drain. You’ll need a good understanding of kitchen plumbing (and the necessary tools) to remove the pipes. You’ll also have to cut through the silicone seal, then carefully lower the sink down from below.

If you’re not sure how to go about undermount sink repair, call in a countertop specialist or a plumber to handle the task.

The Fairfax, VA homeowners’ guide to countertop and backsplash services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.