Best kitchen fitters: which brand provides the best kitchen installation?

The quality of your kitchen installation is almost as important as the kitchen itself, which is why we've surveyed homeowners to find the best kitchen fitters. 

There are three main approaches to installation: using the service of the brand you bought your kitchen from, finding an independent kitchen fitter or installing it yourself.

We asked survey respondents who used their kitchen brand's in-house fitting service to rate the quality of the installation. Our experts also tested how easy it is to install the kitchens yourself.  

Read on to discover the best kitchen fitters, as well as advice on finding a reliable independent trader.

We also tested kitchens and surveyed homeowners to find the best and worst kitchen brands

Best kitchen fitters

Want to be confident you've chosen a kitchen brand with a reliable installation service? Check how the five we gathered data for performed in our survey, where 797 kitchen owners reported on in-house installation service. 

Log in to find out which kitchen companies were rated highest and lowest for installation. If you're not yet a member, join Which? for instant access.

For the top-performing installer, 42% of customers reported an issue or issues with their installation. At the bottom of the table, it was 49%.

To find out more, read the full review of each kitchen brand we gathered installation data for: 

• B&Q kitchens review
• Ikea kitchens review
• Magnet kitchens review
• Wickes kitchens review
• Wren Kitchens review

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Fitting your own kitchen

Thinking of fitting your kitchen yourself? As well as assessing the best kitchen fitters via our survey, we also assembled (if they're flat-packed) and installed each kitchen in our test lab.

Find out how easy it is to safely install these kitchens yourself. 

Log in to find out which kitchen ranges are easiest to install. If you're not yet a member, join Which? for instant access.

Of the 21 kitchen ranges we assessed, 13 scored the maximum five stars for ease of installation, which means it was possible for our testers to fit them easily and securely. 

This means it would be easy enough for someone fairly confident in their DIY skills to fit the kitchens themselves.

However, two ranges scored three stars or less on some of our ratings. 

To find out more about how Which? assesses kitchens, read how we test kitchens

Hiring a kitchen fitter

If you choose to hire an independent trader to fit your kitchen, there are several steps you can take to ensure you hire the best contractor and get the best price. 

1. Use an approved kitchen fitter

Trade associations and endorsement bodies set standards for the conduct of their members and the quality of their work. They can also offer an independent complaint resolution service, which can help you resolve problems if anything goes wrong.

Examples of professional trade associations include the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (BiKBBI) or the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) and Which? Trusted Traders.

Don’t just take the fitter’s word that they’re a member of any associations or schemes – check they’re listed on the organisation’s website.

2. Use Which? Trusted Traders

The Which? Trusted Traders scheme is very rigorous. To receive this endorsement, traders have to complete background checks and an inspection by trading standards professionals.

Use the Which? Trusted Traders tool to find a reliable professional in your area:

You can also check reviews on their profile on the Which? Trusted Traders website. These have been moderated to check their authenticity.

3. Get several quotes

Before selecting a trader for your kitchen installation, we recommend that you always speak to at least three companies. 

This is to ensure you're getting the right information and a reasonable price. 

Always get at least three quotes, and ask for them to be supplied in writing, including a breakdown of all the costs.

As well as materials and labour, check that extras such as waste disposal are included, as these extra costs can mount up.

4. Check their insurance and contract

If you're considering working with a trader, ask about their insurance. All traders should have public liability insurance and additional insurance to cover any employees.

Read more in the Which? Trusted Traders' guide on how to work with your trader. 

Pros and cons of kitchen installation methods

Using the kitchen brand's in-house fitters

• Pros: The main advantage of using the in-house fitters provided by your kitchen company is the convenience. In general, you book this service when you buy your kitchen, and you won’t have to do anything else. 
• Cons: These services can be costly, and you don’t have control over who installs your kitchen.

Installing your own kitchen

• Pros: The main advantage of installing your own kitchen is the low cost, as you won’t have to pay for labour. You won’t need to research kitchen fitters or organise the installation dates.
• Cons: Installing your kitchen requires a lot of time and manual labour. If you fail to install it properly, it could affect the durability of your kitchen, which might require maintenance work further down the line, costing you time or money.

Hiring an independent kitchen fitter

• Pros: The main advantage of hiring your own kitchen fitter is choice. You can shop around to find the best person for the job and gather quotes to find a price that works for you.  
• Cons: You might have to do a lot of research to find the best fitter, especially if you need to hire separate specialists (such as electricians and plumbers).

We also used our reader survey to find the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design

What happens during a kitchen installation?

The installation process will depend on how extensive your refurbishment is, the condition of your property and whether different traders (such as plumbers and plasterers) are also needed. But the basic running order will be:

• Removal: your old kitchen and appliances will be taken out and disposed of. 
• Plumbing and electrical work: any preparation of utilities will be carried out. Your installer can also double-check measurements.
• Repairs: your walls may need to be made good after the kitchen has been ripped out, particularly if you’ve taken down tiles. This may require a plasterer and time for the plaster to fully dry before work can continue.
• Painting: once the walls are up to scratch, they can be painted.
• Flooring: if you’re getting a new floor, this is likely to be installed once the messy job of painting is complete and before the new kitchen goes in.
• Installing units: normally, the fitter will start with the base units for the cupboards before moving on to the wall units.
• Worktops: these can be fitted once the units are in place and cut to fit around hobs or sinks. Your sink will probably be installed and connected at this stage.
• Tiling: once the worktop is in, your tiles can be fitted.
• Finishing units: one of the final jobs will be to fit cupboard doors, drawer fronts, plinths (which run along the bottom of the base units) and cornices (which run across the tops of the wall units).
• Appliances: ovens, dishwashers and any other appliances will be installed at the end. Specialists may be required, particularly if you have gas appliances.
• Certification: at the end of the job, your installer should provide certification to show that any electrical and gas work meets industry standards.
• Handover: inspect the kitchen with the installer to ensure you’re happy with the final result and that surfaces are level, door handles line up, and drawers and cupboards open and close properly.

If you are feeling short on inspiration, check out our kitchen design ideas

How much does it cost to fit a kitchen?

To find out how much the average kitchen installation costs in 2025, we consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.

It estimates labour rates based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement and a model of the average kitchen. 

It told us that the total cost of labour should be 20-30% of your total spend. Fitting a bespoke kitchen costs 20-35% more than fitting a standard kitchen.

Log in to or join Which? find out how much you can expect to spend on labour when renovating your kitchen 

We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job, and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can not go up expect in pre-agreed circumstances). 

How long does it take to fit a kitchen?

We asked Which? members and members of the public who've had a kitchen installed in the past three years, how long it took to complete their installation. 

We asked customers who used their kitchen brand's in-house installation service or an independent fitter how many weeks they waited.  

We also asked those who installed their own kitchen or had a friend install it how many hours they spent on the job. 

Log in or join Which? to find out the how long people waited for their kitchen to be fitted or spent installing their kitchen. 

Exactly how long it takes depends on the size and complexity of the job, whether there's extra work besides fitting the kitchen units, and any delays or unexpected changes, among other factors.

How did our customers install their kitchens?

As part of our customer survey, we asked Which? members and members of the public how they installed their kitchen.

Log in or join Which? to find out how our customers had their kitchens installed

Which? members can see a full breakdown of how much a new kitchen costs, including for labour, kitchen islands and worktops