Choosing a worktop material
Laminate is the budget-friendly option and has improved significantly in appearance. Wood/laminate needs more care around water exposure near sinks. Stone (granite, quartz) is durable and heat-resistant but costs considerably more and is usually templated and fitted by a specialist worktop company, not the kitchen fitter directly.
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.
How long does a kitchen refit take?
A worktop or door replacement is usually a day or two. A full kitchen refit including new units, worktop and appliance connections commonly takes 1-3 weeks — worth planning for reduced kitchen access during this time, particularly for cooking arrangements.
Planning kitchen storage during a refit
Pull-out larders, corner carousel units, and drawer-based (rather than cupboard-based) storage all make better use of available space than standard cupboards, but need planning into the layout from the start rather than added afterwards. Worth discussing storage needs before finalising unit choices.
Understanding the labour vs materials split
Units, worktop and appliances are often the largest share of a kitchen's total cost, but fitting labour, old kitchen removal, and making good around new services add up too. A cheap quote is worth checking against the same unit/worktop spec as competing quotes, not just lower labour.
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.
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.
Three steps to hiring the right kitchen fitter
First, ask to see photos of similar completed jobs. Second, clarify exactly who handles the electrical and plumbing work. Third, get a written quote that separates units, worktop, appliances and labour, so you can see where the money's actually going.