Is your kitchen suitable?
Stone is heavy and unforgiving of movement, so the units underneath must be sound. We check that cabinets sit level, are screwed to the wall and to their neighbours, and have not been damaged by leaks, which shows up most often under the sink. Most kitchens fitted in the last twenty years pass easily. If a unit needs packing, a new leg or a repair, we tell you before quoting.
The order things happen in
- You send a sketch, photos and your material choice. We talk it through and quote.
- We agree whether we template with the old worktops in place or after they come off. It depends on the kitchen.
- We cut the stone, openings and all, from that template.
- The old tops are removed, the new stone is fitted, joins are finished and edges checked.
- The sink, tap and hob are reconnected by the right trades.
Before work starts you'll know how long the kitchen will be out of action, so you can sort out meals and line up the plumber or electrician.
Sinks, taps and hobs
Changing the worktop is the moment to change the sink. Stone suits an undermounted sink, where the bowl sits under a polished cut-out and crumbs sweep straight in. Check your sink is made for undermounting. If you are keeping an inset sink and hob, measure them and send the model numbers so the openings match.
Any competent plumber can reconnect the sink and tap. A gas hob needs a Gas Safe registered engineer, and wiring should be left to a qualified electrician.
Tiles, upstands and walls
Tiles above an old laminate worktop often finish just above the old surface. When the laminate comes off, the bottom row of tiles may need replacing, or you can cover the join with a stone upstand. In many of Cambridge's Victorian terraces, including the rows around Mill Road and Romsey Town, walls are rarely straight, and templating means the back edge of the stone follows the wall rather than leaving a gap.
What to send for a price
A sketch with approximate run lengths, a handful of photos, your postcode and floor level, your preferred stone and your plans for the sink and hob. The quote form has a box for each.
Questions we are asked
Can stone sit on chipboard units?
Yes, standard flat-pack carcasses carry stone worktops every day, as long as they are in good condition, level and properly fixed.
Do I need a new sink?
Not always. An inset sink can go back into a new cut-out. Many people switch to an undermounted sink at the same time because it suits stone so well.
Will my old worktops be taken away?
We agree removal and disposal in the quote. Prefer to deal with them yourself? Say so and we will leave it out of the price.
Sources
- Capturing Cambridge: Romsey Town (opens in a new tab)
We are not connected with the organisations linked here; they are listed for reference.