Quick answer: Quartz and granite worktops will normally go in about five working days after templating, and a typical kitchen is usually fitted in a day. Have the units fixed and level, the old sink and hob disconnected and the room clear, and have a proper look at the job before our fitters leave.
We’ve been fitting stone worktops since 2005. When an installation day goes wrong, it’s nearly always because something was changed after templating or the kitchen wasn’t ready when our fitters arrived.
From templating to fitting day
Once our templater has been, your worktops go into production. For most jobs we fit about five working days later, so a Monday template normally means a fit the following Monday. Porcelain and a few other surfaces take longer because they need more care to cut and finish. Our customer services team will confirm your date and time before anything is made.
The balance is paid before fabrication starts. That gives us time to check the template and make any adjustments before your stone is cut. There’s more on payment and timings on our FAQ page.
If you’re not at the template stage yet, our guide to what to decide before template day has a checklist for sinks, taps, hobs, upstands and edge profiles. If you’re having an undermount sink, have it on site for the template as well as the fit.
Getting your kitchen ready
Before we arrive, make sure you’ve got:
- Base units fitted, fixed and level
- Old or temporary worktops removed
- The old sink and hob disconnected, with the water and gas or electrics capped off
- Appliances, boxes and anything left on the units moved out of the way
- Your new sink and taps on site, if they’re going in with the worktops
- Parking for the van and a clear route through to the kitchen
Stone is heavy. A 30mm granite worktop weighs about 80kg per square metre, so a 3 metre length is well over 100kg and takes several people to carry. Clear the hallway and put dust sheets or cardboard down to protect the floor. If you’re in a flat or up a flight of stairs, tell us when we confirm your date, and ask us then if you need your old worktops removing.
What happens on the day
Someone needs to be home for the day to let us in, answer any questions and look over the job at the end.
Your worktops arrive already cut and polished to the template. Our fitters bring each piece in and check it against the units, then fix it in place once it sits right. Joints are glued and polished on site. If you chose our vein matching and layout service, this is when you’ll see the veins run across each joint the way we laid them out.
There will be some noise and dust, and you won’t be able to use the kitchen while we’re working.
How long does it take to fit stone worktops?
A typical kitchen is usually fitted in a day, though larger or more complex jobs can take longer. A straight run with one sink cutout is quick, while an island, several joints or upstands will add time, as will porcelain or a large kitchen. We’ll confirm timings with you before the day.
What we fit and what your other trades do
Your sink, tap and hob cutouts are made at the factory, in the positions agreed at templating. If one has to move on the day, that piece has to be made again, which adds cost and delays the job. That’s why we ask for every decision to be settled before the templater arrives.
Upstands, splashbacks and any window sills in the same stone are usually fitted at the same time as the worktops. If anything needs a separate visit, we’ll let you know.
Your plumber and electrician connect the taps, waste and hob, so book them for after we’ve been. Tiling should also wait until the worktops are in. The stone sits tight to the wall, and tiles that are already up will get in the way and can be damaged.
After the fitters leave
You can use the worktops for light use straight away. Don’t put anything heavy on them or refit the dishwasher until the joints have set. Our fitters will tell you how long to leave it.
Natural stone like granite is sealed after fitting, so it’s protected against spills from day one. Quartz and porcelain don’t need sealing. Either way, you’ll get a free Granite House care guide covering cleaning and what to avoid.
Before our fitters leave, check:
- The joints, which should be tight and smooth
- The edges and corners, for any chips
- The cutouts, which should line up with the sink, hob and taps
- The worktops, which should sit level with the units
If something doesn’t look right, raise it while the fitters are still there. It’s much easier to sort out on the day than after they’ve gone.
For kitchen companies and fitters
Most fitting day problems start earlier in the job. Give your client the prep list above and book the plumber and electrician for after we’ve fitted. If there’s anything awkward about access, such as stairs, a flat or limited parking, let us know when the date is confirmed. Our kitchen fitters page has more on how we work with the trade.
If your client is still choosing a material, they can book a showroom visit to see full slabs, or read our guides to quartz, porcelain and natural stone.
Worktop Installation FAQs
Normally five working days. Porcelain and some other surfaces take longer.
A typical kitchen is usually fitted in a day. Islands, lots of joints and porcelain can add time, and we’ll confirm timings with you.
Yes. Someone needs to let us in and check the job with our fitters before they leave.
Let us know as soon as possible. Stone needs a solid, level base, so if your units won’t be ready, talk to us about moving the date.
Yes. You can see full slabs in our showroom, and our vein matching and layout service shows how the veining will fall across your worktops before anything is cut. There’s an extra charge for the layout service.
After. Tiles put up first will get in the way of the worktops and can be damaged.
