FAQ

Quartz is non porous, heat resistant, low maintenance, durable and hygienic. It is man made and offers a multitude of patterns and styles, from industrial concrete to the flamboyance of a veined marble. It is a solid choice!

Porcelain is relatively new to the worktop market but is very versatile. It offers dramatic styling and the best heat resistance of all. Stronger than most, it comes in 12mm and 20mm and can more than handle the rigours of a busy kitchen.

Marble is so beautiful and individual. After all, most of the popular quartz and porcelain patterns are based on marble. Its beauty doesn’t override the fact it is porous and will absorb fluid. It has a living finish and it will age with you. It is more prone to scratching than other stones and due to its porosity, harder to clean. It is pretty though, nothing compares!

Granite is durable, individual and available in hundreds of natural patterns and colours. Like marble, it is more porous than quartz but can also be sealed to prevent damage. Strong and heat resistant, granite will always look good and its shine will endure with simple soap and water cleaning.

We will book you a ballpark slot when pay your deposit. This can be moved but it helps us reserve a slot and minimises any delays in the supply of your worktops. We email you a pre-template form at this point which tells you what is expected. You will have a list of everything that is required for a successful template.

Once you know your delivery and installation dates please contact us to arrange an exact template date.

A few days before your template we will ask you to agree your readiness by agreeing to the points on the pre – template sheet. If you need to make changes to your template date, please let us know as soon as possible.

As soon as you place a deposit we purchase your material. We do this to avoid any delays or stocking issues. We will then keep your stone safe until you are ready for template. You can of course make changes to your initial requirements. This may involve the addition or subtraction of a splashback, or a window sill. These changes can be made right up to the template day.

If changes entail the delay of your template or the need for more material you might incur additional appointment and material costs.

We will aim to install your worktops 7 – 10 days after the template. In almost all cases the fitting is within 7 days.

We like to put your estimates of template dates in the diary at the point of deposit. We block out a template date and fitting date the week after. This way we have flexibility to move you up and down the diary should you be ready sooner or later. This means everyone has a space! We ask you to let us know as soon as you can if you need to make changes. We will contact you within your template week to ensure you are ready. We will also send you a pre-template form, agreeing your readiness to template. We will need this returning no later than the day before the appointment.

Yes! We aim to be as flexible as possible. Please let us know as soon as you can and we’ll work with you to find the most convenient spot. You can rearrange your appointment 2 working days before your template or installation date but if you miss this cut-off point you may incur cancellation charges.

We need a 50% deposit to both order the material and put you in the diary for template. The balance is due the day before fitting.

Common sense is the key! If you spill on any stone, wipe it up! 99.9% of the customers we talk to behave themselves and wipe up spillages. The .1% are naughty. Fact. For extra tips you can find them on your chosen supplier’s website. The following rules apply to all stones, natural or man made…

DO:

• Use warm water and soap
• Use non-abrasive cleaners (e.g. multi-surface spray)
• Rinse with water and wipe dry afterwards
• Patch test new cleaning products
• Use a soft cloth for everyday cleaning
• Wipe stains away quickly

DON’T:

• Use harsh chemicals such as chlorine or bleach
• Let residue build up by forgetting to rinse and dry.
• Use knives on your stone worktops
• Place hot pans on the quartz, granite or marble.
• Don’t use abrasive or harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bleach.

In the unlikely event that your worktop has a defect, please contact us with a photograph and we will assess the best course of action. We will be able to assess/send one of the team to verify the problem and its cause. We shall determine whether there is a flaw in the material resulting in a warranty claim. All supplier warranty information can be found on this website.

Joint failure:

Material joints are professionally bonded during installation and should hold for the lifetime of the stone. Though really rare, in the unlikely event that a joint fails we will visit to remedy the problem. It is usually caused by movement and we will advise on the cause, making sure it won’t happen again.

Scratches & chips:

It is possible that worktops can get scratched or chipped in the fabrication process. Should you feel this has happened, please let us know as soon as possible so we may remedy the situation. Chips or scratches may arise during the manufacture and installation of Quartz worktops. If this occurs, please contact our customer service team referencing your Gemini Worktops job number and provide photographs of the scratches/chips.