A quick guide to finding a Kitchen Fitter

The quality of your kitchen fitter can make or break your new kitchen. A poor fitter will ruin a good kitchen and a good fitter will improve a cheaper kitchen so finding the right one is vital.

Recommendations and referrals are always worthwhile so it is worth asking friends and family if they have used anyone they would recommend or know of anyone with a good reputation. It is always worth viewing some completed installations and taking up references where possible; like many things in life good fitters are not cheap but if they come recommended and are trustworthy and qualified then they can save you a lot of headaches, stress and money in the long run.

You need to consider all of the different tasks and trades involved in fitting your new kitchen. If your Kitchen Fitter is not able to undertake all of them then you may need to involve other people and either manage the project yourself or find a project manager or Architect to oversee it for you. Many companies will offer the installation service with your kitchen purchase but you should make sure you check exactly what is included from the outset to avoid any confusion later.

Anyone carrying out electrical works in the kitchen must be Part P qualified, it is the law. The same applies to any Gas work in the kitchen and anyone fitting or connecting gas appliances must be Gas Safe Registered.

Other works that are often needed are Plastering, tiling, flooring and decoration as well as any building works. Again a superb carpenter may fit your cabinetry perfectly but is he a good tiler, plasterer or decorater ? Don’t be afraid to get different professionals on board to get the finish you expect and want.

You should always consider your budget carefully and it is worth spending time thinking through every task and item in your new kitchen to make sure you keep control of the costs. It is sensible to allow at least 10% as a contingency fund for those un-expected costs.

By taking the time to carefully plan the project in advance, vet the tradespeople involved and have a good understanding of what is going to be involved you can reduce the stress involved and remain in control throughout.