Why an in-person survey matters for kitchens
Walls and floors are rarely perfectly square, especially in older properties, and a survey catches this before units are ordered to a size that won't actually fit cleanly. Skipping a proper survey in favour of a quick estimate is a common cause of on-site problems during fitting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.