Choose the amount of stone you want to see
An upstand creates a short return where the worktop meets the wall. A taller splashback makes the surface a more prominent part of the kitchen. Start by marking the proposed height on a photograph so we and your designer can see what you intend.
Consider how the wall finish meets windows, cupboards, cooker hoods and the end of each run. A panel that looks simple from the front still has edges and terminations to resolve. Include any visible side edge in the finish specification.
Check the hob and wall requirements
Give us the exact hob model and its installation instructions. Ask them to confirm the selected panel material, clearance, wall preparation and fixing arrangement together. Avoid deciding suitability from a general description such as “heat-resistant”.
Tell us about sockets and switches. Their openings, finished positions and any electrical adjustments should be planned before fabrication. Electrical work and reconnection need an appropriately qualified person and a clearly assigned place in the job.
Coordinate colour and pattern
Ask whether the splashback will use the same batch or slab as the worktop and what pattern continuity is realistic. If you want veins to appear to run from the horizontal surface onto the wall, request a layout for approval rather than relying on a verbal description.
Compare the design at normal viewing distance. Sometimes a quieter panel works better behind a busy worktop pattern. Our pattern planning guide helps you record which relationships matter most.
Include fitting and finishing in the quote
Confirm who measures the panels, when final measurements are taken and whether the worktop must be installed first. Ask who prepares the wall, removes old tiles, fits the panels and makes good surrounding finishes. Agree the sequence before scheduling other trades.
List each upstand or panel separately on your rough plan with an approximate height. The measuring guide explains how to present preliminary dimensions. Add these items to the quotation checklist so they do not get overlooked.