Planning bin storage properly
Built-in pull-out bin drawers, sized for recycling separation, are far easier to plan into a layout during a refit than to add afterwards — worth deciding on bin capacity and separation needs (general waste, recycling, food waste) before cabinet layout is finalised, not after.
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.
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.
Kitchen layout, the "working triangle" and beyond
The traditional advice is to keep the sink, hob and fridge in an efficient triangle so you're not crossing the kitchen constantly while cooking — still a useful starting point, though open-plan and island layouts sometimes work better with a different logic. Worth discussing how you actually use a kitchen day to day, not just the theory.
Energy-efficient kitchen choices
A-rated appliances cost more upfront but less to run over their lifetime — worth weighing against how heavily an appliance will actually be used. LED under-cabinet and ceiling lighting also cuts running costs compared to older halogen fittings, with no real trade-off in light quality.
Kitchen electrics need a registered electrician
A kitchen refit usually means new dedicated circuits for higher-draw appliances (oven, hob, dishwasher) rather than sharing a ring main, plus RCD protection near the sink — this is notifiable work under Part P. If your kitchen fitter isn't a registered electrician themselves, ask who handles this part and whether they're NICEIC or NAPIT registered.
Workmanship guarantees on kitchen fitting
Ask what's covered by a workmanship guarantee specifically — unit installation and worktop fitting should be explicitly included. Appliance manufacturer warranties are separate and worth registering promptly; some require registration within a set period after installation to be valid.
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.