Help & Advice
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about choosing, buying, and caring for stone worktops. Can't find your answer? Our team is on hand to help.
General
We supply quartz worktops. Our catalogue contains over 150 quartz surfaces ranging from classic neutrals to dramatic statement stones. All are available with a choice of edge profiles and finish options.
We offer both options. Most customers choose our full supply-and-install service, which includes templating, fabrication, delivery, and professional fitting. If you have your own fitter, we are happy to supply fabricated worktops only; please specify when requesting a quote.
Yes. Our product pages feature multiple high-resolution images for each surface. You can also use our AI Visualiser tool to preview any worktop in your own kitchen space before making a decision.
All fabrication takes place at our UK workshop. Slabs are sourced directly from quarries and manufacturer partners in Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Turkey, and then cut, edged, and finished to your exact specification at our facility.
For most homeowners, yes, particularly if you prioritise low maintenance and a consistent aesthetic. The value case is strongest when you use the kitchen daily and want a surface that requires minimal upkeep. Quartz is non-porous, does not need sealing, and resists everyday staining far better than many natural stones.
A properly installed and maintained quartz worktop should last the lifetime of your kitchen and beyond. Quartz typically retains its appearance for 25 years or more, making it an excellent long-term investment.
Materials
Porcelain and sintered stone surfaces are highly heat-tolerant and can typically handle brief contact with hot pans. Quartz contains resin binders that can be damaged by sustained direct heat, so trivets are always required with a quartz surface.
Quartz is widely regarded as the easiest to clean because it is non-porous and requires nothing more than warm water and a mild detergent for daily maintenance. There is no need to worry about acid etching, sealing, or absorption.
Quartz is heat-resistant but not heat-proof. Placing a very hot pan directly on the surface can cause thermal shock, potentially cracking or discolouring the resin binder. We always recommend using a trivet or heat mat.
Yes. Because quartz is non-porous, it does not absorb liquids or harbour bacteria in the way that porous materials can. This makes it a particularly practical choice for food preparation areas.
Any surface can crack if it is unsupported, subjected to a hard impact, or exposed to thermal shock. The most common cause of cracking in quartz is placing very hot pans directly on the surface. Professional templating, correct cabinet support, and good everyday habits significantly reduce the risk.
Pricing
Prices vary widely depending on material, surface, edge profile, size, and the complexity of your kitchen layout. As a general guide, installed quartz worktops start from around £1,500 for a small kitchen, while premium surfaces can exceed £10,000 for larger, complex projects. We always provide a fully itemised quote before you commit.
Choose an entry-level colour, keep your layout straightforward, opt for a standard pencil-round or eased edge profile, and avoid additional extras such as drainer grooves or upstands. Use our online calculator for an instant estimate.
Yes. A 30 mm profile typically costs more than a 20 mm option. For most kitchens, 20 mm is perfectly adequate with correct cabinet support. Where thickness is most visible, such as on a waterfall island edge, the choice becomes more of a design decision than a structural one.
All prices in our quotes are stated exclusive of VAT, with VAT shown as a separate line item. The quote total will clearly display the VAT-inclusive figure so there are no surprises.
Our quotes cover material, fabrication, edge profiling, standard cut-outs, templating, delivery, and installation. Additional charges may apply for complex cut-outs, non-standard edges, and optional upstand or splashback panels. These are all listed clearly in your quote before you pay a deposit.
Design
Both are widely used in UK kitchens. A 20 mm profile looks clean and contemporary. A 30 mm profile has a more substantial, traditional feel. With correct cabinet support, 20 mm is structurally sound for virtually all domestic applications.
Yes. Certain edge profiles, such as a double-thickness or mitred edge detail, can give a 20 mm slab the appearance of a 40 mm surface. This is a popular technique for kitchen islands where edge visibility is high.
A simple eased or pencil-round edge is the easiest to clean because it has no grooves or undercuts where debris can accumulate. More decorative profiles such as an ogee or a dupont have additional surface detailing that requires a little more care.
Very much so, particularly for kitchen islands. A waterfall edge showcases the slab's pattern and creates a real focal point. It works best with stones that have strong, continuous veining.
The strongest trend is toward warm whites and soft neutrals with subtle veining. Greige tones, warm creams, and calacatta-style patterns with gold or taupe veining are consistently the most requested.
A polished finish is generally the most practical for busy family kitchens. It is the easiest to wipe clean, shows food spills clearly so you can deal with them quickly, and is the most resistant to everyday marks.
Installation
The typical lead time from accepting a quote and paying a deposit to installation day is 1–2 weeks. This includes a template visit (usually within 5 working days of deposit), and from template to installation is 3–10 days.
Yes. All base cabinets must be fully installed and level before we carry out your template visit. Our templaters work to the cabinet positions as they exist on the day.
For a typical kitchen, our templating appointment takes between one and two hours. We use digital templating technology, which captures your exact dimensions with millimetre accuracy.
No. Our installation team will carefully remove and dispose of your existing worktops as part of the service.
We install across Greater London and all surrounding areas within approximately 2 hours — including Surrey, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, and as far as Birmingham, Bristol, and Cambridge.
Maintenance
For daily cleaning, a soft cloth or microfibre pad with warm water and a pH-neutral washing-up liquid is all you need. Avoid abrasive scouring pads, bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, and anything strongly acidic.
We recommend avoiding bleach. Bleach and bleach-based cleaners can damage or permanently discolour the resin in a quartz surface, and may void your warranty. For disinfection, use a specialist quartz-safe cleaner or a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol.
We advise against it. Vinegar is acidic and repeated use can break down the resin binder and dull the surface over time. The safest approach is mild soap and warm water.
Quartz is highly stain-resistant because it is non-porous. Everyday substances will not penetrate the surface if wiped away promptly. However, prolonged exposure to strong pigments or bleach-based cleaners can cause permanent discolouration.
Quartz contains resin binders which can be damaged by sustained direct heat. We always recommend using a trivet or heat mat to protect your worktop and maintain its longevity.
No. One of the key advantages of quartz is that it is non-porous and never requires sealing. Simply clean with warm water and mild soap and your surface will remain stain-resistant and hygienic.
Minor chips can sometimes be filled with a colour-matched resin repair kit. For anything more significant, such as a crack or deep gouge, we recommend contacting our aftercare team.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to help
Our stone specialists are available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Reach us by phone, email, or by submitting a quote request and we will get back to you within one working day.