Granite Worktops - Truth, Lies and misinformation

tillycat123

Can I ask if there is anything I really should know before having a Silestone Zeus worktop and also having it only 20mm thick. Thin gives me the look I want for my new kitchen and not sure if 20mm is asking for trouble for instance if I should need to stand on it for any reason for example.

I've had loads of different samples of off white and white with flecks of different quartz and I keep going back to this one. I've also been testing my sample of it for staining and has come off without any marks left behind so far.

I've had quotes from a couple of companies, Mayfair have and given the best quote so far, chap I've dealt with on the phone has been really nice to deal with, I would not have even approached a company like this if I have not read the past 29 pages of this thread but the comments seem to really rate them.

They are the other end of the county to me, as Zeus is a flat plain colour does the same rule apply to going to see the slab in person or is one slab of this pretty much the same as the next?

Halle71

Not sure where you live, but we were going to use Mayfair when I found reviews for a local-ish company is Surrey called Adores Granite. They have amazing reviews online and have been very helpful - they came in at £500 less than Mayfair for the same product - Compac Lactea which is off white with mirror flecks. They are templating tomorrow and can turn around in 5 days if you order the slab first. Very excited!

Megabusymumof3

Hello

After lots of delays, our kitchen is just about fitted and I'm looking for granite supplier and fitter recommendations for the Falkirk area. I've had a quote from Rocca but it's quote expensive - anyone been happy with someone else who trades in the area?

Jazzhands

Hi does anyone have any recommendations for quartz worktop suppliers in the Lanchashire / North West region? I'm based in Preston.
I want them to do the measuring and fitting as it needs to be spot on.

Thanks

Eddie_Q

Hi Alan,

Thank you for your advice and insight - its extremely helpful. We are currently looking to procure a granite worktop for our kitchen and are based in Surrey. In your original thread you mentioned you are able to deal direct. If agreeable would you PM us your details to we can open a line of enquiry?

Many thanks
Eddie Q

Vampgirl

Eddie_Q wrote: »

We are currently looking to procure a granite worktop for our kitchen and are based in Surrey.

We're having our worktops replaced by these people: http://www.affordablegranite.co.uk - they're based near Gatwick and we found them around £500-£1000 cheaper than other local companies for Silestone, and only a couple of £100 more than the people who somehow manage to cover the whole country.

So far they've been great - we've visited their workshop and they've been happy to work with us when we kept deciding to change things. They're templating today and new worktops should be in by the end of the week so I'll let you know how it goes :-)

Dina

Hello, we are planning to get a Quartz worktop to go with our Howden's kitchen and Howden's have recommended a company called Rock and Co in Hertfordshire. Can anyone tell me they are any good please?

Vampgirl

Vampgirl wrote: »

We're having our worktops replaced by these people: http://www.affordablegranite.co.uk - they're based near Gatwick and we found them around £500-£1000 cheaper than other local companies for Silestone, and only a couple of £100 more than the people who somehow manage to cover the whole country.

So far they've been great - we've visited their workshop and they've been happy to work with us when we kept deciding to change things. They're templating today and new worktops should be in by the end of the week so I'll let you know how it goes :-)

Quoting my own post to provide feedback on the company Affordable Granite now that the worktops are fully installed and we'd had a few days to notice if there are any problems..

They turned up on time on Tuesday morning to template and made sure we went through everything together and that I was happy before they left. They also removed our old worktops and took them away to dispose of (for a small charge). New worktops were installed Thursday morning - very impressed with the turnaround time, to my (non-expert) eyes there don't appear to be any problems with the manufacturing or the fitting: they did a good job and made sure everything was left clean and tidy. Absolutely no hesitation in recommending this company.

jenhug

Hi all. I was just wondering if anyone had any views on Tristone worktops?
I am on a tight budget, have chosen the cheapest kitchen in homebase, and I want a decent worktop. I am led to believe tristone is a good option (just from looking on the web). Any views? I would be looking at a very pale/white worktop.

banjo21

Hello - much appreciate any advice - thank you.

Two weeks ago I had a £3K kitchen worktops black granite installation.
I noticed very quickly the workshops were staining/fading badly on touch with almost any substance - a dry cup, a table mat, clear water drop - almost anything would stain and / or fade the very dark black shiny surface to a dull muddy colour.

The installer has been out twice since and is refusing to replace - suggesting I've been throwing bottles of vinegar on the worktops like a madman.
Can I assume I've been sold a pup?

I admit I didn't do too much homework? Have I bought some dyed material? Is this allowable given I was convinced I was buying naturally black material and was never informed it was dyed. My layman assessment is that its dyed black with a very poor seal and that the dye is simply being washed away?

I am seeking a refund under section 75 (credit card).

Any advice gratefully accepted - as you can imagine having spent a lot of money over the last 6 months on a kitchen build this final step is troubling in many ways.

The installer on last visit (3rd time out, 2nd rectification visit) began rubbing in some black paste on to the affected areas then applied a seal and left my wife a half bottle of a seal and told her to seal it many times and not use the kitchen for 30 days!!!

Thank you.