If there’s one thing I have learnt from extensive conversations with kitchen studios, it’s that retailers wear many hats. 

Design, sales, training, marketing, HR; so, throwing ‘technical specialist for stone worktops’ into the fold can feel a step too far. And, surely, that’s what the fabricator is for? 

Worktop fabrication can be a significant part of a kitchen project, yet it’s an entirely outsourced element. Many studios will have formed a trusted relationship with a local or national fabricator, others may be looking to introduce a stone worktop offering to grow their business and so are starting from scratch. Either way, this is not a general commentary on fabricator and retailer relationships (and where responsibility falls) but instead, this is my advice on how retailers can invest time in bolstering their own technical knowledge of worktop fabrication and design to provide the best possible service to clients.

Here’s how designers can benefit even further from ensuring the entire worktop process is perfect and hassle free for all. 

Before and during the design phase

This is where the obligation falls on the designer to understand the different stone worktop categories – and believe me when I say there are at least 30 viable options for the kitchen. Consumers are well-researched these days, but designers are the experts, so guide your customers through the options and stock samples of several types to explain the differences in a visual way. Once you reach design stage, it’s also important to be conscious of the varying slab sizes for different types of surfaces, as these won’t be exactly the same supplier to supplier and can have a huge bearing on the cost, wastage and final design.

Here is where the designer/retailer should invest time understanding the very nuanced difference between the technical properties of different surface types. Take advantage of free training and develop relationships with suppliers. 

During install 

Get to know your minimum gaps, parameters, and reinforcements – this can be the difference between sign off and an extra two weeks of headaches.  For example, the minimum distance between a cutout and the edge of the slab must be at least 5 cm. The most effective way of mastering these details is to undertake training with a manufacturer. Crucially, create a line of communication between your fitter and fabricator – poorly fitted cabinets equal poorly fitted worktops which can lead to worktops breaking later down the line. It’s good to keep in mind that a fabricator will care about the install plans for the other components like flooring and furniture.

After install 

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of obtaining warranty information from your fabricator to pass on to clients. In some cases, once registered, this can offer up to a 25-year guarantee for residential applications. Equally, provide the client with a care pack; so much can be lost between supplier and end-user and the responsibility unfortunately falls on retailers to make sure clients are furnished with information on how to preserve their worktops.

Finally, many of the leading surface manufacturers will welcome retailers looking to learn more about their products. Reach out to the account managers; that’s what they’re there for. For example, at Neolith, we are building on the “Neolith Experience” in which retailers can learn more about the manufacturing and technical process of our material which is made in our factory in Spain using natural raw materials. Many others will offer an insight into their products so you can learn first-hand and feel empowered with knowledge on your next project.