You’ve waited weeks for your new kitchen worktops — and when they arrive, there’s a chip. Or you notice the damage when the fitter is partway through installation. This is more common than you might think, and knowing what to do in the first few hours can make a significant difference to your options.
Transit Damage: Who Is Responsible?
If a worktop arrives chipped or damaged, the responsibility lies with the supplier or the delivery company, depending on the terms of your purchase. Document the damage immediately — photograph the chip in context, photograph the packaging (both inside and out), and note the time and date of delivery. Do not sign for the delivery as “received in good condition” if you can see damage.
Installation Damage: Who Is Responsible?
If the chip appears during or after fitting — from a fitter’s tool, a dropped piece, or accidental impact during cutting — the installer is typically responsible. Note the damage before signing off the installation, and raise it with the installer immediately. An experienced fitter will either know how to carry out a basic repair or will arrange for a specialist to attend.
Should You Request Replacement or Accept a Repair?
For minor transit or installation chips, a professional repair is often a better outcome than replacement. Replacement means another long wait, another fitting appointment, and potential disruption to surrounding tiles, units, or plumbing. A professionally repaired chip, completed to a good standard, is often virtually invisible — and delivers a result faster and with less inconvenience.
Getting an Independent Repair Assessment
If you’re uncertain whether the damage is repairable to an acceptable standard, contact an independent surface repair specialist for an assessment. We can visit, assess the chip, and provide a written report on whether repair is achievable and to what standard — which can be useful evidence if you’re negotiating with a supplier or installer.
