Gap between kitchen worktop and wall advice please

3 years ago

We recently had a quartz worktop installed in our new kitchen and I was immediately curious why the upstand didn't sit flush against the wall.
On closer inspection there is a 20mm gap between the worktop and the wall, which may explain why the upstand has been fitted 10mm away from the wall so that it partially sits on the worktop.
I'm of the opinion that the worktop was cut incorrectly (20mm too narrow) and the fitters have tried to conceal it.
As a result the hole for the tap has been drilled incorrectly and the tap can't easily be fitted. I'm also concerned that it will cause more problems down the line, as well as being not as aesthetically pleasing.
Please could someone advise whether it's likely this is the case? Or who can we go to for an impartial second opinion and is it worth pursuing a correction/ replacement with the worktop supplier?
Many thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

arc3d

3 years ago

Hi Martin,

Quartz and stone worktops require a fair bit of skill to get right. The skill starts from measuring all the way up to making the joins seamless. Any mistake along the way and the whole lot goes to waste. Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there that think they have the skill but actually don't. Companies don't like to admit mistakes because it's very costly for them.

You were totally sold a product and service not fit for purpose and have every right to have it corrected, which usually means replacing the whole lot. I personally wouldn't accept anything less. Think of it this way you paid for the full depth of quartz but you got short changed the 20mm.

That amount of caulk will look awful if you decide to paint the wall anything other than white. You will also have problems later if you need to replace the taps etc.

The upstand looks like its not supported from the back. Quatrz is not very flexible so a good knock will easily put a crack through the unsupported sections.

Comments (10)

Martin Cannon
Original Author
3 years ago

Upstand not flush with the wall.

From underneath - 20mm
Sonia
3 years ago
In the first picture, has the gap been filled with some kind of silicone? I wouldn’t be happy with that, especially with the costs involved. It should be perfect! There are a few other posts on here about badly fitted quartz. As you probably know, the fitting and cutting out of quartz is a real skill and cannot be attempted by just any old kitchen fitter. I think you are more than justified in emailing the CEO/boss of the fitters, with photographs, explaining you are unhappy with the finish. Did you use an independent kitchen co or a large co like Wrens, Magnet etc?

Another Houzzer eventually got the co to remove the offending worktop, had a refund, then go another company to supply and fit. It can be done! You can search for her post in the Advice section.
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Sarah L
3 years ago
Most walls are not perfectly straight, so the worktop and upstand are unlikely to be flush with the wall, unless they are scribed to fit the wall. I can understand your frustration. I had similar issues when my kitchen was refitted, and the installer blamed the worktop and walls, rather than his skills.
Martin Cannon
Original Author
3 years ago
The worktop was templated to fit right up to the wall. There's no indication the wall isn't straight - the gap from upstand to wall increases from one end to the other but I see no genuine reason for any gap except to cover the gap between worktop and wall.

The worktop was supplied by an independent and fitted by a team of experienced fitters.
PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
3 years ago
A 20mm gap is far to much to have as the upstands are only 20mm thick, if the fitters tried to fit the upstands to the walls then it would slip down the back. The overhang of the worktop to the front of the cabinets, depending on the depth of the cabinets, should be between 30-40mm all round, be worthwhile checking this out.

When you say the tap doesn't fit easily, is it that the hole is to small (35mm) or does the tap hit the upstand. I assume the kitchen (base units at least) were all in place and fitted before templating and haven't moved between template and worktop installation.

I think the fitters have tried to make the best out of a bad job and something went wrong in either templating or fabrication. Your supplier should still have the physical templates so I'd definitely go back to them. There's always a bit of filling to be done between the upstands and the wall with decorators caulk as no wall is flat and upstands don't bend. Modern dob and dab walls are some of the worst i've seen. Hopefully its decorators caulk and not silicon thats been used.
Martin Cannon thanked Lifestyle Kitchens
Martin Cannon
Original Author
3 years ago
The overhang is definitely correct, and you're right that the upstand could not be fit to the wall due to the gap.

The tap hole is 35mm but is too close to the sink and is obstructed underneath, but if it was drilled where templated then that wouldn't be the case. Waiting to see if the plumber can still work with it.

It's decorators caulk, not silicone. The wall is fine and the filled gap behind the upstand is fairly uniform all the way along.

I do believe there was an error in fabrication. The supplier has offered to replace the upstands with 25mm. I'm not convinced it's the right answer as I'm compromising on the quality of my kitchen when I shouldn't have to.
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
No it's not the right answer, someone has got this wrong. Ask for the worktop to be replaced and also ask why the fitters tried to cover this up.
Sonia
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
arc3d my thoughts exactly! There are too many inferior people fitting quartz which just isn’t good enough. It costs an arm and a leg and they shouldn’t get away with it. I’m changing my wooden worktops to quartz soon and I can assure if I’m not happy with the fitting they will not get away with It.
PRO
Magic Projects London Ltd
3 years ago
And they shouldn't get away with it, every builder should take responsibilities of their actions, even if that would cost them money. That is the price we all pay when accept to work on the project. Giving an accurate quote and informing the client about changes, (like not levelled walls in this case, for example, could cost the client a bit more but that would be something for the client to decide). Templating should be done and confirmed by the client or the person who is responsible for the job, and the worktop should not be cut-out until all is agreed. I believe you have all the rights to ask the fitter to come back!

Gap between kitchen worktop and wall advice please

arc3d

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Martin Cannon
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Sonia

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Martin Cannon
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Gap between kitchen worktop and wall advice please

arc3d

Comments (10)

Martin CannonOriginal Author

Sonia

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Sarah L

Martin CannonOriginal Author

Lifestyle Kitchens

Martin CannonOriginal Author

Juliet Docherty

Sonia

Magic Projects London Ltd

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Martin Cannon
Original Author

Martin Cannon
Original Author

Martin Cannon
Original Author