For a start, read the Stone Advice thread that's linked in the "Read Me" thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

Katieob-

My friend Buehl (as always) has given some great advice with the link -

I will be recording and posting a Podcast on www.naturalstone101.com
this week, so watch for it - it will be something that any consumer can use
as a guide line for the templating process.

Here's a couple of other tips that I'd recommend:
1. if you have kids & pets - keep them away from the area to be templated
and especially pets - keep them in an area so that they won't get "let out"
by the templator.

2. remove EVERYTHING from your existing countertops - so that there's
nothing that the templator has to move and potentially break or loose.

3. make sure that the templator has really great directions on how to get to
your home, and insure that there will be a place for him to park his car or truck
close to your home's main entrance

4. if you are supplying the undermount sink - make sure it's on site - many guys
like to take the sink back to their shop on the day of templating, so have it
there for your templator.

5. if you are supplying the sink - open it up and INSPECT IT for DAMAGE -
prior to giving it to your templator - take digital pics with a today's newspaper's
date that's visable in the pics - trust but verify

6. if you are having a coktop - make sure that you have the cut out dimensions
and give those to the templator too - most guys (me included) do not ever
take the cooktop back to the shop, but will require it to be on the jobsite
on the day of install - MAKE SURE that your cooktop is there when the counters
are installed, as there are little screws on the underside of the cooktop assy
that will hang up" on the cutout (each unit is a little different) and the actual
cooktop needs to be tested for proper fit with the stone - otherwise, your
Fabricator could whack you with a "service charge" for him to come back
out and "enlarge the hole" for YOUR cook top to fit right....

7. make sure that ALL of your sink accessories are chosen and that you have
decided where you want any holes drilled for faucets, reverse osmosis, soap
dispensors, insta-hot, dishwasher vents, etc. REMEMBER - ANY hole is easier
for an installer to drill WHILE HE'S STILL AT YOUR HOME - it's WAY more difficult
if he's got to drop what he's doing three days later and come back to drill two more
stink'in holes - hence, another "service charge" .....

Here's a form that I use to help eliminate ANY questions in this department:
{{gwi:1916253}}

8. be there when the templator is there - if there is an aspect of the design that
is really important to you - make sure that the template guy knows about it -
put it in writing and keep a copy for your records. remember that the templator
is the eyes and ears of the Fabricator, and good communication will transfer
your desires for exactly what YOU want - to the Fab shop.

9. if there's something you don't understand - ASK QUESTIONS!!! Remember
that it's YOUR MONEY and YOUR HOME that the stone is going to go into -
YOU are the customer, and YOU are the one that's going to live with the finished
work -not the templator, not the fabricator, etc.....

10. balance number 9 with the understanding that Natural Stone is NATURAL...
God made it, and He has a sense of humor, so not everything is possible when
working with a particular species of stone - ie- fissures, color concentrations,
pitting, veins, inclusions, etc.....

11. a template is a "pattern" that the shop will follow in making an object - the
object (or objects) in this case is your kitchen - DO NOT ASSUME that an overhang
or a radius, or any other architectural feature will just "happen" - unless the
Templator KNOWS what you want, "it" may not get done...... so make sure
that you go over everything that you WANT with your templator.

these are just a few of the things that i'm going to cover in the podcast that will be available at www.naturalstone101.com - I'll also post a 10 minute
version of this on Youtube as well......

hth

kevin

Kevin & Buehl~

Thank you so much! The link & the comprehensive list were so helpful.
I feel ready.....I'll let you know how it turns out!

Katie