If you're planning a kitchen renovation in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, or anywhere across West Sussex, one question often catches homeowners off guard: how long will the worktop installation actually take?

It's a fair question. Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and having it out of action: even briefly: can throw your daily routine into chaos. The good news? Worktop fitting is typically one of the quicker stages of a kitchen project. But the timeline depends on several factors, from the material you choose to how complex your layout is.

Let's break down exactly what to expect when fitting kitchen worktops in West Sussex, so you can plan your renovation with confidence.

The Kitchen Worktop Fitting Process: What Actually Happens?

Before we talk timelines, it helps to understand what the fitting process involves. Many homeowners assume it's simply a case of dropping a worktop onto the units and walking away. In reality, professional worktop installation follows a structured process to ensure a perfect fit.

Stage 1: Templating

The first step is templating: a precise measurement visit where your installer creates an exact template of your kitchen layout. This is particularly important for stone and solid surface worktops, which are cut to measure at a fabrication workshop.

For a typical West Sussex home, templating takes around 45 to 90 minutes. Larger kitchens or those with complex layouts (think L-shapes, peninsulas, or integrated breakfast bars) may take a little longer.

Stage 2: Fabrication

Once templating is complete, your worktop is fabricated. This is the behind-the-scenes stage where your chosen material is cut, shaped, polished, and prepared for installation. Fabrication typically takes 5 to 7 working days, though this can extend if you've chosen specialist stone, unusual edge profiles, or features like undermount sink cutouts.

Stage 3: Installation Day

Here's the part you've been waiting for. Actual installation typically takes just a morning or afternoon: often completed within a single day for standard kitchens. Once your worktops are fitted, you'll need to allow 24 hours before plumbing in sinks and appliances, giving silicone and resin fillers time to cure properly.

Worktop Fitting Times by Material

Not all worktops are created equal. The material you choose has a significant impact on both the fitting process and the overall timeline. Here's what to expect for the most popular options in West Sussex homes:

Laminate Worktops

Fitting time: Often same-day or next-day

Laminate is the quickest worktop to fit. It's lightweight, easy to cut on-site, and doesn't require the lengthy fabrication process of stone. If you're working with a local builder in Bognor Regis, laminate worktops can often be templated, cut, and installed within a day or two.

Laminate is ideal for budget-conscious renovations or rental properties where speed matters. It's also a popular choice for homeowners in Felpham, Aldwick, and Pagham looking for a quick kitchen refresh without the extended timeline of premium materials.

Granite and Quartz Worktops

Fitting time: 7-10 working days (templating to installation)

Stone worktops: whether natural granite or engineered quartz: require more patience. After templating, your slabs are transported to a specialist workshop for cutting and finishing. This fabrication stage typically takes 5-7 working days, with installation itself completed in a few hours.

The wait is worth it. Stone worktops are incredibly durable, heat-resistant, and add serious wow-factor to kitchens across Chichester, Arundel, and the wider West Sussex area. If you're investing in a full house renovation, stone is often the finishing touch that ties everything together.

Solid Wood Worktops

Fitting time: 3-5 working days (including acclimatisation)

Wooden worktops bring warmth and character to any kitchen, but they need time to acclimatise to your home's humidity levels before fitting. Most suppliers recommend leaving solid wood in your property for at least 48-72 hours before installation to prevent warping or movement.

Once acclimatised, fitting is relatively straightforward and can usually be completed within a day. Wood is particularly popular in period properties and cottage-style homes throughout villages like Yapton, Barnham, and Westergate.

Solid Surface (Corian-style) Worktops

Fitting time: 7-14 working days

Solid surface materials offer seamless joins and integrated sinks, but they require specialist fabrication. Expect a similar timeline to stone worktops, with templating followed by workshop fabrication and a half-day installation.

What Affects Fitting Time in West Sussex?

While the material is the biggest factor, several other variables can influence your worktop fitting timeline:

Kitchen Layout Complexity

A simple galley kitchen with straight runs? Quick and easy. An L-shaped layout with a peninsula, hob cutout, and undermount sink? That's going to take longer to template, fabricate, and fit. Complex joins, mitred edges, and waterfall ends all add time.

Access and Logistics

West Sussex has its fair share of characterful older properties: including cottages with narrow doorways, flats above shops, and listed buildings with access restrictions. If your property presents logistical challenges, discuss this with your installer early. Some stone slabs are heavy, and access needs planning.

Coordination with Other Trades

Worktop fitting doesn't happen in isolation. It needs to be sequenced correctly within your wider kitchen renovation. Typically, worktops are installed after base units are fitted and levelled, but before final plumbing and electrical connections. Poor coordination between trades can cause unnecessary delays.

Working with a single construction company that manages the entire project: from units to worktops to finishing touches: eliminates the headache of juggling multiple tradespeople.

Supplier Lead Times

Here in West Sussex, local suppliers generally offer faster turnaround than national chains. However, if you've chosen an imported stone or a particularly popular colour, expect longer lead times. Booking your worktops at least four weeks in advance is sensible advice, especially during busy spring and summer renovation seasons.

Planning Your Kitchen Worktop Installation

So, how do you ensure your worktop fitting runs smoothly? Here's a practical timeline to work backwards from:

4-6 weeks before installation:

Finalise your worktop material and supplier
Confirm edge profiles, sink cutouts, and any special features
Book your templating appointment

1-2 weeks before installation:

Ensure base units are fully fitted and levelled
Clear the kitchen of appliances and personal items
Confirm access arrangements with your installer

Installation day:

Allow the fitters clear access to work
Plan to be without a functioning sink for 24 hours post-installation
Avoid heavy use of the worktops for the first day while adhesives cure

After installation:

Plumber reconnects sink and appliances
Final clean and inspection
Enjoy your beautiful new kitchen

The West Sussex Advantage

One benefit of renovating in West Sussex is access to skilled local tradespeople who understand the area's mix of property styles: from Victorian terraces in Bognor Regis to modern builds in Chichester and characterful cottages in Arundel.

At Swanbourne Construction, we coordinate kitchen renovations from start to finish, ensuring worktop fitting is seamlessly integrated with unit installation, plumbing, and electrical work. No chasing multiple suppliers. No scheduling nightmares. Just a smooth, professionally managed project.

We've fitted worktops in homes across Littlehampton, Middleton-on-Sea, Pagham, Felpham, and throughout the local area: and we understand how to work efficiently without cutting corners.

Ready to Plan Your Kitchen Renovation?

Kitchen worktop fitting in West Sussex typically takes just a morning or afternoon for installation, with overall lead times of 5-14 working days depending on your chosen material. Laminate is fastest; stone and solid surfaces require more patience but deliver stunning results.

The key to a stress-free experience? Good planning, realistic timelines, and working with a trusted local team who can manage every stage of your kitchen project.

If you're considering a kitchen renovation in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, or anywhere across West Sussex, we'd love to help. Browse our previous projects for inspiration, or get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Call Swanbourne Construction on 07470 078236 to discuss your kitchen plans: we'll give you an honest timeline and a clear quote tailored to your home.