What prefab means
Prefab, short for prefabricated, means the stone was cut to a standard countertop size at the factory, with its front edge already finished and polished. You buy it by the piece, and it still gets trimmed to length, and cut for a sink and faucet, when it is installed.
A custom countertop starts as a full slab, a large sheet of stone, often more than 9 feet long. A fabricator measures your kitchen, makes a template, then cuts and finishes the slab to match. You usually pay for the whole slab, plus the fabrication.
We call our prefab pieces prefinished countertop pieces. The 26-inch piece is 110 inches long and comes with a backsplash. Wider pieces are 108 inches long. Every piece is 2 cm (about ¾ inch) thick, with a mitered or laminated front edge, built up so the front looks thicker. See every width and its price on our sizes page.
Prefab and custom compared
| Compared | Prefab piece | Custom from a slab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Fixed price per piece, posted before you buy | Quoted per job, usually per square foot installed |
| Edge | Front edge already finished | Any edge profile you choose |
| Fit | Standard depths; trimmed to length on site | Cut to the exact shape of your kitchen |
| Seams | At the end of each piece on long runs | Fewer, placed by the fabricator |
| Islands | Wide pieces cover many islands | Any size the slab allows |
| Waiting | Pick it up once your order is ready | Template, cutting and install appointments |
| DIY | Possible for a careful, well-equipped DIYer | Not practical |
When prefab is the better choice
- Straight runs and L-shaped kitchens built on standard 24-inch-deep cabinets.
- Bathroom vanities, laundry rooms, bars and wet bars.
- Rentals, flips and multifamily work, where the same sizes repeat and the budget is fixed.
- When you want to know the price of the stone before anyone comes to measure.
When custom makes more sense
- Long runs where you want no seams, or a seam placed exactly where you choose.
- Curves, angled corners and deep or oversized islands.
- A particular edge profile, a thicker built-up edge, or a waterfall end.
- A stone you have chosen from a specific slab, with its veining matched across the kitchen.
Common prefab sizes
Prefab sizes vary by seller. Many sell kitchen pieces about 26 inches deep and 96 to 112 inches long, island pieces in wider sizes, and vanity tops in smaller sizes, sometimes with the sink hole already cut. Check the actual width and length before you plan; a few inches decide how many seams you get.
| Width | Length | Colors | Price per piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26″ | 110″ | 32 | $389.00 to $849.00 |
| 36″ | 108″ | 22 | $589.00 to $1,099.00 |
| 42″ | 108″ | 24 | $699.00 to $1,399.00 |
| 52″ | 108″ | 24 | $849.00 to $1,689.00 |
The 3D countertop planner lays out your counters and tells you which pieces you need and where the seams fall.
Getting a prefab piece installed
A prefab piece still needs to be cut to length, cut for the sink and cooktop, set level and seamed. You can hire a contractor or fabricator to do it, or do it yourself with the right tools and safety gear; see installing prefab countertops. We can also reach out to our installation partners to find you a quote for fabrication, delivery and installation.
Common questions
Are prefab countertops good quality?
They can be. A prefab piece is the same kind of stone a fabricator cuts from a slab, just cut to a standard size first. Look at the actual piece: check the polish, the finished edge and for chips or cracks before you buy.
Are prefab countertops cheaper?
Usually. You buy one piece at a posted price instead of a whole slab, and the factory has already done the edge. Cutting and installation are extra either way. See how much countertops cost.
Can a prefab countertop be cut?
Yes. Prefab pieces are cut to length and for sinks with a diamond blade, usually wet to keep the dust down. Once a piece is cut, it can’t be returned.