Quartz Worktops - Do kitchen companies outsource the templating and fitting.

[LindaDawn]

Hi Everyone

So if I chose my kitchen from a kitchen company including a quartz worktop, would the tenplating and fitting of the quartz worktop be outsourced? Is this usually what happens?

I like the idea of just using a kitchen company to supply and fit everything as to me it’s easier if things go wrong and then they can’t blame the other tradesmen but if the quartz is fitted by another company then it makes sense to me to go with a stone masons that I know has a good reputation? Or at least consider it.

I decided not to use quartz because I have a terraced house that doesn't get a huge amount of light into the downstairs and I thought it would be very cold looking. I did my kitchen about 8 years ago and used Iroko wood. We are heavy kitchen users (and messy) and it's weathered really well and brings a lovely warmth to the kitchen. My house is for sale at the moment so you can see it here: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143812775#/media?channel=RES_BUY&id=media1&ref=photoCollage

It's only needed an annual oil. We have a marble slab next to the hob to put hot things onto but that's all the care we've taken.

Sorry I posted this in the wrong quartz thread!

Anyone! Hubby is getting so fed up with me taking so long to choose my quartz.

Now I have posted on wrong thread!!!

No I haven’t!!

We had Howdens do our kitchen and yes they outsourced the quartz. It was pretty seamless to me as the customer, but yeah it was a different company who came and measured and installed it, although I paid the money to howdens and mostly dealt directly with them (the other company just phoned me to arrange the times for the measuring and installation).

Yes Howdens outsource

Yes they do.

We went with a local reputable stonemason for this reason and they were fab. Only draw back was that I had to change the appointment a couple of times with the change in programme with the building work and kitchen installation to make sure it all tied up, but they were great as long as I gave them enough notice on the change.

Thanks for your replies so far. Just interested to know if this outsourcing is the case with the majority of kitchen companies then? Just making me feel a little nervous! I feel that if it’s going to be outsourced to another company that I know nothing about that then I should probably look at dealing direct with a stone mason I could check their reviews and get recommendations.

I went with a local company who did outsource. However, I actually wanted a company that would take responsibility for the sub contractors and manage the project end to end. I didn’t think I was particularly qualified to judge in terms of all the many trades needed so just left them to it. They had their own in house plumbers, electricians etc but the quartz worktops did come from a separate company. Someone from the main contractor was here when they were fitted I guess to check if there were any issues.

I think outsourcing in kitchen fitting is pretty common tbh. There are few organisations that do it all.

Mine was outsourced. The fitter was very good. Amazing attention to detail. I would recommend him. Unfortunately though I doubt whether you get to choose.

Thanks again everyone. It’s been so so difficult choosing a quartz worktop that
now getting anxious about the fitting of it. Think this is due to my experience of a recent bathroom refit after covid when they botched up my shower cubicle after letting the apprentices loose on it! Didn’t want the company back in the house after this; even to fix it so left with a badly fitting shower!! Never had much work ie tradesmen that we dont know.

We used a local independent kitchen company. They outsourced the quartz top to their regular supplier, they dealt with them for everything.

Did you get involved in any way? Did the independent kitchen company give you a good choice of different quartz companies to choose your quartz from?

We changed the worktop that came with the house, for quartz and used a local stonemason. We have a piece that’s wider than usual, so it made sense to have the experts in the field.

They trundled it in on a wheely thing and how they lifted it I’ll never know. Beforehand, they came and took a template. We changed the sink too, which is inset.

@LindaDawn
The kitchen company offered various colours etc. I also worked with the fitter looking at angles and curves so he could give the information to the supplier.

Wren did our kitchen and although our fitters fitted it all, wren sorted the quartz fitting.

be warned- it’s a pain with tea- seems to stain if you don’t get it off fast enough

They do outsource quartz, but it’s going to be banned shortly because it’s causing lung diseases. Australia has already banned it starting 1st July.

Don’t use Wren for this. They were a nightmare and it took a couple of weeks to get their contractor to get it right. They did not help at all.

May i ask which quartz you have please?

We got our kitchen from DIY kitchens, and had it was installed by a kitchen fitter recommended by our builders. DIY outsourced the Dekton worktops to Natural Stone Surfaces. I didn't have a problem with this. You want your solid surfaces installed by people who do it all day every day. A general builder/carpenter/kitchen fitter could easily run into trouble trying to do the templating and/or installing the large, heavy and brittle slabs of material involved.

The kitchen people's subcontracting and outsourcing arrangements shouldn't be any concern of yours. If there's a problem, and it's all been done under your contract with the kitchen supplier for a payment you made to them, then your rights shouldn't be affected by their decisions as to who will do the work.

Thank you, much appreciated. Think I need to chill out!

Im not sure I’m sorry. I just looked at them and chose the one I liked and dh did the paperwork. It has little veins running through it which are good because you can’t notice the little ring tea stain I accidentally made. Apparently if I use cif it’ll come off so I’m going to give that a go.

we had no issues with wren fitting the quartz but I wasn’t impressed with the kitchen worktops and doors. We had to send soooo many back due to being damaged and they kept sending more damaged ones back. It was ridiculous. I wouldn’t recommend wren for this reason.

Thank you so much for your reply. Is seems a bit of a minefield! Beginning to wish I was just going for laminate as so much cheaper.

Quartz

We had wrens fit our worktops last year and I can honestly say they actually did a good job , had trouble with two of there shaker style doors , they replaced them so not really that upset with them if I’m honest .