Cabinet handles and hardware, a small but real cost
Handles, hinges and drawer runners are a small line item individually but add up across a full kitchen, and soft-close mechanisms cost more than standard hinges — worth clarifying what's included as standard in a quote versus what's an upgrade, since this varies between fitters.
Replacing just the doors and worktop
If existing cabinet carcasses are structurally sound, replacing only the doors and worktop can transform a kitchen's look for significantly less than a full refit — worth asking a fitter to assess carcass condition before assuming a complete replacement is necessary.
Choosing a kitchen sink and tap
A single, larger bowl is often more practical than a traditional 1.5 bowl for modern dishwasher-owning households. A boiling water tap adds real convenience but needs a dedicated under-sink unit and its own electrical supply — worth deciding early if you want one, since it affects the plumbing and electrical first-fix.
What a good kitchen quote should include
A proper quote should specify unit and worktop brand/spec (not just "units, worktop"), whether appliances are supplied or just fitted, whether electrical and plumbing work is covered directly or subcontracted, and what happens if hidden issues are found once old units are removed.
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.
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.
How many quotes should you get?
Three is reasonable for most kitchen jobs. For a full refit, make sure each quote specifies the same unit range and worktop material, since kitchen quotes vary enormously based on spec assumptions that aren't always stated clearly upfront.