Best kitchen brands Kitchen installation

Around six in ten members we surveyed had their kitchens installed by the same company they bought from or used the company’s recommended installer.

Around a quarter of members we asked found their own installer, while the remainder opted to install their kitchen themselves.

Common installation problems

Around four in ten members experienced problems with their kitchen installation and the most common problems are:
• installation took longer than planned 19%
• wrong parts/units delivered 18%
• the units didn’t fit as well as they should 9%.

Our kitchen installation checklist below will help you avoid the common installation pitfalls.

Installation checklist

Take the hassle out of your new kitchen experience with our top tips on everything from initial planning to finding a good kitchen fitter, and ensure that the process goes smoothly.

• Spend time planning your kitchen. Don't rush it; leave a notepad or two around the house and jot any ideas down when you think of them, otherwise you’re likely to remember these when it’s too late.

• Give extra thought to your kitchen’s layout and where you do and don't want things – for example, where will you want most worktop space? This will help ensure that your day-to-day needs will not get overlooked in the planning process.

• Before committing to any company get three quotes, and if you're not happy with these, get some more quotes.

• When choosing a kitchen fitter, use recommendations from previous customers. Which? Local has more than 600 recommendations for kitchen fitters and designers throughout the UK – search for fitters in your local area at www.which.co.uk/local.

• Check which services your kitchen fitter will provide, for example plumbing, gas, and electrical work, and whether there will be additional costs for this.

• If you’re having your kitchen installed by the company you bought it from, find out who will be fitting your kitchen as many companies sub-contract to third parties. Find out who you should contact if any problems or delays arise.

• Ask your kitchen fitter if they can provide you with a work schedule so you know what is happening on a day-to-day basis, and which trades or deliveries to expect and when.

• Find out where the installer plans to cut their materials – will they need to use space in your home, garden or garage?

• Find out if you are to lose the use of your kitchen sink during the installation – how long will this be for, and will you have access to a temporary sink?

WHICH? LOCAL

As well as kitchen fitters, Which? Local has hundreds of recommendations for all the trades you’ll need when getting a new kitchen including plumbers, electricians and handyman at www.which.co.uk/local .