What to Expect on Worktop Installation Day

Having new stone worktops fitted is one of the most transformative upgrades you can make to a kitchen. But if you have never been through the process before, it can feel like a bit of a mystery. What exactly happens on the day? How long will it take? What do you need to prepare? Will the kitchen be usable afterward? This guide walks you through the entire Stoneone process, from the templating visit right through to the final polish, so you know exactly what to expect and can prepare accordingly.

The Process Before Installation Day

Step 1: Your Template Appointment

Before any stone is cut, a member of our team will visit your home to take a precise template of your kitchen. This is one of the most critical steps in the entire process, and it typically happens after your cabinetry is installed and level. At Stoneone, we use digital templating technology to capture your kitchen dimensions with millimetre accuracy. This digital template is then used to programme our CNC cutting machines, ensuring that every cut, edge, and cutout for hobs, sinks, and drainage is precisely right.

During the template appointment, we will also confirm your choice of edge profile, discuss sink and hob cutout details, and note any special requirements. For a typical kitchen, the templating appointment takes between one and two hours. We require all cabinetry to be fully installed and level before templating.

Step 2: Fabrication

After the template appointment, your worktop is fabricated at our workshop. The slabs you selected are cut to your exact measurements, edges are profiled, cutouts are made, and the surface is given its final polish or honed finish. The fabrication period typically takes seven to fourteen days depending on the complexity of your project and our current schedule.

Preparing for Installation Day

A smooth installation day starts with good preparation on your side.

• Clear the workspace completely. Remove everything from your existing worktops, clear out the upper sections of any base cabinets near the work areas, and move small appliances.
• Ensure clear access routes. Stone slabs are large, heavy, and require two people to carry safely. Our team needs clear pathways from your front door through to the kitchen.
• Remove old worktops if applicable. These should ideally be removed before our team arrives.
• Arrange alternative cooking and washing facilities. Your kitchen will be out of use for the duration of the installation. In most cases, your kitchen will be fully usable by the end of the day.
• Protect vulnerable flooring.

What Happens on Installation Day

Arrival and Initial Assessment

Our team will arrive at the agreed time. Before anything is moved into your kitchen, they will do a brief assessment of the space to confirm the installation plan and check the cabinetry is level and structurally sound. If they identify any issues with cabinet level or structure at this stage, these will need to be resolved before installation can proceed.

Carrying In and Dry Fitting

The fabricated worktop sections are brought into the kitchen and placed into position without any adhesive or fixings. This is called a dry fit, and it allows us to check that every section fits perfectly and that cutouts align correctly with your hob and sink positions. Any minor adjustments required at this stage are made with specialist tools in situ.

Fixing and Securing

Once the dry fit confirms everything is correct, each section is secured to the cabinets. The method typically involves a combination of silicone adhesive and mechanical fixings. For joins between sections, a specialist stone-coloured adhesive is used to create an almost invisible seam.

Sink and Hob Cutouts

If you have an undermount sink, it will be bonded to the underside of the worktop at this stage. Inset sinks are fitted into the cutout and sealed with a mould-resistant silicone sealant around the perimeter. For hob cutouts, the edges of the cut are finished to match your chosen edge profile.

Sealing

Quartz worktops do not require sealing as they are non-porous. Your installation team will give your new worktop a thorough clean and buff before leaving your home.

Final Polish and Clean

Once everything is in place, our team will do a thorough clean of all surfaces, buff any fingerprints or installation marks from the stone, and give you a final walkthrough to confirm you are satisfied.

After Installation: The First 24 to 48 Hours

• Allow the silicone to cure. The silicone sealant used around sinks and between worktop and wall needs 24 to 48 hours to fully cure.
• Avoid heavy loads near joins for 24 hours.
• Do not use harsh cleaning products. For the first clean after installation, use only warm water and a soft cloth.
• Re-seal natural stone. We apply a first seal on installation day, but for natural stone worktops we recommend a second application of sealant after the first 30 days.

How Long Does Installation Take?

For a typical kitchen, our installation team will be with you for between three and six hours. More complex kitchens with intricate layouts, multiple sections, large islands, or specialised features can take longer.

What If Something Needs to Be Adjusted After Installation?

Our team carries out a thorough quality check before leaving your home, and we ask you to do a walkthrough with us before we pack up. If there is anything you are not completely satisfied with, raise it at this stage so we can address it on the day. If an issue becomes apparent after installation, contact us promptly. We have a clear aftercare process and take every concern seriously.