Frequently Asked Questions

How much do countertops cost in Whitehorse?

Every kitchen is different, and pricing depends on slab choice, square footage, edge profile, and the specifics of your space. Bostjan provides exact pricing only after the on-site measurement and quote, so the number you receive is the number you actually pay.

Call (867) 335-8226 or request a free quote to start.

What is your deposit policy?

We typically take a deposit at the time you select your slab and approve the quote, with the balance due on completion of install. The exact percentage is on every quote, no surprises. We don't lock in pricing until you've put eyes on the actual slab.

Do you offer financing?

We don't currently run an in-house financing program, but we accept e-transfer, cheque, and most major payment methods, and many clients use a home-renovation line of credit through their bank or credit union. Call us if you'd like to talk through options.

What payment methods do you accept?

E-transfer is the simplest. We also take cheque and cash. For larger commercial projects we can arrange other terms. Card payments are not standard but ask if needed.

What's included in your quote?

Templating, fabrication, delivery, installation, basic edge profile, one standard sink cutout, sealant on granite, and haul-away of your old counters. Anything that adds cost (extra cutouts, upgraded edge profiles, full-height backsplashes, travel to outlying communities) is itemized as its own line. You see exactly where each dollar goes.

Why is the price range so wide?

Slab selection is the single biggest factor. The same kitchen layout can come in at $4,500 with an entry-level quartz or $14,000 with an exotic quartzite. Edge profile, full-height backsplash, waterfall island, and travel to outlying communities are the other big movers. Our quote breaks each one out so you can adjust before signing.

Can I see slabs in person before choosing?

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Our warehouse at 16 Willow Crescent in Whitehorse holds active slabs you can walk around, touch, and view in natural light. Photos never represent stone fairly. Drop in during business hours or call ahead and we'll set aside time.

Quartz vs granite, which lasts longer?

Both can easily last 30+ years when treated reasonably. Granite is harder to scratch but needs sealing. Quartz never needs sealing but is more heat-sensitive. In a Yukon home, both will outlast the cabinets they sit on. The "longer lasting" difference is mostly about how much fuss you want with maintenance, not raw lifespan. See our materials comparison for the full side-by-side.

Can I bring my own slab?

We've fabricated and installed client-supplied slabs before, but we ask up front about the source and structural integrity. The brand quality protection on quartz is generally tied to slabs purchased through an authorized chain, so it's worth a conversation before you commit. Talk to us first.

How thick are the countertops?

Standard thickness is 3 cm (about 1 1/4 inches), which is what we install on the vast majority of kitchens. 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) is available for specific looks or to match existing work. Thicker slabs (5 cm or built-up edges) are available for islands and statement pieces.

What edge profiles do you offer?

Eased, bullnose, half-bullnose, ogee, dupont, mitred (for thick or waterfall edges), and a few specialty profiles by request. Eased and quarter-round are typically included; ogee, mitred, and waterfall are upgrades. We'll show you samples of each at the warehouse.

How long does a countertop installation take?

Install day itself is usually four to eight hours for a standard kitchen. The full timeline from signed quote to finished install is typically two to four weeks: a few days to template, one to two weeks for fabrication, then the install. Outlying community travel can add a day or two.

How long does fabrication take after I sign the quote?

Typically one to two weeks after templating. Templating happens after your cabinets are installed and level. Once the template is digitized and the slab is selected, fabrication runs in our Whitehorse warehouse and your install date is locked.

Do I need to be home for the install?

Someone should be there at the start and the end. We need to confirm layout, sink alignment, and overhang against your cabinets, and we want you to walk the finished install with us before we leave. You don't need to stay the whole day.

Can I get countertops installed before my plumbing or sink is connected?

Yes, and that's actually the standard order: cabinets installed and level, sink and faucet on site, countertops templated and installed, plumber comes back to connect everything. We need the actual sink and faucet on site at templating to make sure cutouts and faucet holes are correct.

How do you handle log-home cabinetry that isn't perfectly level?

Carefully and with extra time. Log homes settle, and very few of them give you perfectly level cabinet runs. We template after settling has stabilized, shim and level on install day, and use flexible joints where movement is expected. Yukon log homes are something we know well.

Can I get a waterfall island?

Absolutely. Waterfall islands are one of the most-requested upgrades and one of our favourite installs. Plan for extra slab material (the visible material on a waterfall is roughly double a flat island edge), a mitred-edge fabrication charge, and an extra hand on install day for safe handling.

Are seams visible on quartz?

Honest answer: yes, they're visible if you look for them. We minimize them, place them in the least conspicuous spots (rarely across a sink), colour-match the epoxy carefully, and on patterned quartz we line the veining up across the joint. A well-placed seam is something most guests will never notice.

Do I need to seal my granite countertop?

Yes, periodically. We apply an initial penetrating sealer at install. After that, expect to re-seal every one to three years depending on the stone and how heavily the kitchen is used. We'll send you home with the care guide and the right product.

Do I need to seal my quartz countertop?

No. Engineered quartz is non-porous and never needs sealing. Soap and water for daily cleaning, avoid harsh abrasives or strong solvents, and use a trivet under hot pans (the resin binder is the heat-sensitive part).

Will my countertop survive Yukon winters in a cabin?

Granite handles temperature swings and freeze-thaw cycles best of the four common materials, which is why we recommend it for off-grid cabins or seasonally heated builds. Quartz is fine in any continuously heated home but the resin binder doesn't love sustained sub-zero temperatures. Marble should stay in heated spaces only.

What cleaners should I avoid?

Skip anything with bleach, ammonia, oven cleaner, or abrasive scouring powder, especially on quartz. On granite, avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar-based products), which break down the sealer over time. Mild dish soap and warm water handles 95 percent of daily cleaning on either material.

What if my quartz chips?

Small chips on quartz can usually be filled with a colour-matched epoxy that's nearly invisible once cured. Larger damage may require a section repair. We carry the major quartz brands and can usually source matching material to perform a clean repair.

How do you stand behind the quality?

Our reputation rides on every kitchen we install. If a seam, cutout, or edge ever isn't right, we come back and make it right, no quibbling. Bostjan personally inspects every slab before fabrication and oversees the install, so quality issues are caught long before they reach your home. The premium brands we carry (Caesarstone, Cosentino Silestone, Vicostone) also stand behind their materials directly.

Do you come back if something settles or shifts?

Yes. If a seam opens or a piece moves within the first year (especially common in new builds and log homes that are still settling), we come back, re-level, and re-finish. Just call.

Can you remove and dispose of my old countertop?

Yes. Removal and haul-away of your existing laminate, tile, or stone counters is included on most quotes. We do it on install day so you don't end up with two surfaces in your kitchen at any point.

Do you serve communities outside Whitehorse?

Yes. We regularly install in Dawson City, Watson Lake, Haines Junction, Carcross, Tagish, Atlin BC, Inuvik NT, and other Yukon communities. Travel and freight costs are itemized up front, never a hidden surcharge.

What's your turnaround in summer vs winter?

Summer is the busy season for renovations across the Yukon, so quote-to-install can stretch toward four weeks in peak months (June to September). Winter and shoulder-season installs typically run two to three weeks. Booking ahead always helps.

Do you do bathroom vanities, or just kitchens?

Both. Vanities, kitchens, fireplace surrounds, commercial reception desks, even the occasional table top. If it's stone or quartz and it needs templating and installing, we do it.

Do you do commercial countertops?

Yes. Restaurants, offices, retail counters, hotel renovations, and government tenders. Commercial projects often have stricter timelines and specs, and we're happy to work with your GC or project manager directly. Call to discuss scope.