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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Respraying or painting existing units
Professionally sprayed cabinet doors can refresh a kitchen's look at a fraction of full replacement cost, provided the existing doors are a suitable material (solid wood or properly primed MDF, not all laminates take a respray well) — worth asking a fitter to assess suitability before committing either way.
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.
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.