A slide in usually has a 30" opening. Only the flanges of the range overlap the counter. The complete opening is 30" from top to bottom. Are you sure you are measuring correctly? Most slide in ranges have a small piece of stone at the back that has a seam on both sides. That would be easy to remove if it were the case. A large piece with only the opening cut out is not the norm of how a slide in is installed, but it is done.

Yes, a stone professional would be the one to call for cutting the stone, and no, they absolutely will not take responsibility if it cracks. They will in fact make you sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of cutting the stone in place. Additional risks would be from the abrasive stone dust generated from the cutting process. You would want to completely tape off all of your other cabinets, air vents, and doors to your kitchen. Also remove all adjacent cabinet contents and wrap the drawer slides in plastic wrap.

Hollysprings - Thanks!

We also have the stone in back and that would be easy to remove but won't help make the opening wider. My Dacor slide-in specs say it is 29 15/16, but that is on the top of the range where it fits over the counter. Under the cabinet it is less than 28" and I could not find that spec anywhere. I pulled the range out and measured the opening, so, yes, it is only 28" wide. Any freestanding range is wider than that, so I do have to get it cut.

So even if I get a great stone cutter the granite could crack & if I have to sign a waiver I'm out of luck? What to do then? Maybe home owner's insurance would cover that?

Good advice about taping everything too, I hadn't thought about that!

Cutting granite is not overly difficult. Since no one will take responsibility for it, try it your self. Get a diamond blade in an angle grinder and go to work. Take your time, don't try to cut through the entire thickness at once. Cut in 1/4" deep scores until you are all the way through.

If the granite cracks, then perhaps it can be repaired. Otherwise it would have to be replaced. However, cracking isn't that likely.

As far as the other work, you may be able to hire someone who calls themselves an "appliance installer" who has the skills to do both the electrical and gas plumbing move as well as microwave removal and hood installation. Such a person might also be able to do the under counter microwave installation - it depends on how much carpentry is necessary to modify the cabinet. If it is beyond the appliance installer's skill set, he or she can probably recommend someone to do it.

When we weren't happy with the way our GC installed our hood, we went to the appliance store and they recommended an appliance installer. The appliance installer handled the small amount of wood work needed to build a better support. The roof jack also needed to be changed and the appliance installer recommended a roofer to help with that.

There are also contractors that will handle GC'ing for small jobs. The GC who did our recent family room remodel and floor replacement handles all sizes of jobs. He only accepts jobs within a small radius of his home so they are all close together. Since his jobs are close together, it isn't a big deal to send someone over for an hour or two to do their part of a small job. We initially used him for much smaller jobs such as installing an instant hot water heater in place of our old tank one.

If you have never cut stone before you wont be comfortable doing it in your home first time. Once the cuts are made the edges will have to be finished.You will need someone who can not only cut the stone but refinish the edges as well unless the stove will hide them.
Also if you have a denser granite you have a better chance it wont crack. If you have a granite that has mesh netting on the back a crack could result. This change should only be done by someone qualified to do it in my opinion.
The proper tools and dust protection is absolutly needed for this type of job.
A bona fide(references) fabricator or stone refinisher could do this job. However they wont want to own your countertop for this type of job should something happen.
Also pull out your slide in and see what was used to fill in the back to support the stone. There may be some 2 x 4's to deal with.
You may have to alter the support as the free standing will go to the wall. Also make sure where your gas line is in relationship to the set up.
I would take another look at replacing with a slide in-there are so many great ranges out there. But if your set on a free standing make sure you hire a pro.
Stu Rosen
www.mbstonecare.com
www.stoneshine.com

Thanks, Cloud Swift. I will look for an appliance installer. So far the appliance stores I have spoken to say they have appliance installers, but as soon as I mention cutting granite, they say their guys won't do that. I guess I will need to find an installer on my own.

Thanks, Stu. I am in NY so I will call you offline.

I wouldn't expect an appliance installer to cut the granite. They should be able to do the rest of the job (depending on how much the cabinet for the under counter microwave needs to be modified and the wood working skill set of the installer). You will need to get a granite fabricator to cut the granite - it is a more specialized area.

Thank you, all for your input. I spoke with many stone installers who were not interested in the project because they were worried the granite would crack.

Today I had the counters trimmed by a professional stone installer and his helper. He had terrific recommendations on Angie's list, readily quoted half what some had ventured it would cost, showed up on time and did a wonderful job - counters look beautiful, no cracks, nicely polished. They were pleasant and cleaned up well. Yes, there is lots of fine dust and thanks to Hollysprings I was well prepared!