Common kitchen fitting jobs
Kitchen fitters handle everything from a single worktop or cupboard door replacement to a full gut-and-refit: removing old units, fitting new cabinetry, worktops, and coordinating the plumbing and electrical work a kitchen needs (sink, dishwasher, oven, extractor). Many fitters manage the whole job and bring in a plumber or electrician for specific parts.
KBSA and TrustMark, what they actually mean
The KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association) is the main UK trade body for the sector, though membership is limited to a few hundred companies nationally, so not every kitchen fitter will hold it. TrustMark is a broader government-endorsed scheme covering many trades — worth asking which, if either, your fitter holds rather than assuming either is standard.
Sizing appliances to your household
An oversized fridge-freezer or dishwasher costs more to buy and run than one properly sized to household needs, while an undersized one means more frequent shopping trips or wash cycles. Worth discussing realistic household size and habits with your fitter rather than defaulting to the largest option that fits.
Knocking through for an open-plan kitchen
Removing a wall between a kitchen and adjoining room to create an open-plan space is a structural job, not just a kitchen fitting one — it needs a structural engineer's assessment and, if the wall is load-bearing, a supporting beam, plus building control sign-off. This is usually coordinated with, not done by, the kitchen fitter directly.
Utility rooms as an alternative to a kitchen laundry
Moving a washing machine and tumble dryer to a separate utility room, where space allows, frees up kitchen cabinet space and reduces noise/moisture in the cooking area — worth considering during a full refit if the property layout allows for it, rather than assuming laundry appliances belong in the kitchen.
Planning a kitchen-diner layout
Combining kitchen and dining space needs enough clearance around both the cooking area and the table for comfortable movement, and often benefits from a slightly different lighting and ventilation plan than a standalone kitchen — worth discussing how the space will be used for both cooking and eating before finalising layout.
How kitchen fitting quotes work
Describe the current layout and what's changing — an initial estimate can follow, but a firm price for anything beyond a straightforward like-for-like refit usually needs an in-person visit, since existing plumbing/electrical positions significantly affect cost once work starts.
Gas hobs need a Gas Safe engineer
Installing or moving a gas hob is gas work, same as a boiler, and legally needs a Gas Safe registered engineer, not just a kitchen fitter or general plumber. If you're switching from electric to gas (or vice versa) as part of a refit, this needs coordinating separately from the general fitting work.