How to find the best kitchen fitter, according to owners and experts

The quality of your kitchen installation is almost as important as the kitchen itself.

You have three main options for kitchen installation: using the in-house service of the brand you bought your kitchen from, finding an independent kitchen fitter or installing it yourself.

We've surveyed more than 1,000 people to evaluate installation services from major brands and independent chains. Plus, our experts tested how easy it is to install popular options yourself.  

Read on to discover the best fitters and the easiest kitchens to fit yourself if you fancy a spot of DIY.

We also tested kitchens and surveyed homeowners to find the best and worst brands

Best kitchen fitters: major brands

Want to be confident you've chosen a kitchen brand with a reliable installation service? Discover which companies were rated highest and lowest for installation in our customer survey.

Log in to unlock the table below, or join Which? for instant access.

For the top-performing installer, 42% of customers reported an issue or issues with their installation. At the bottom of the table, it was 49%.

To find out more, read the full review for each kitchen brand we gathered installation data for: 

• B&Q kitchens review
• Ikea kitchens review
• Magnet kitchens review
• Wickes kitchens review
• Wren Kitchens review

Independent kitchen fitters

In the same survey, we asked customers who had used an independent installation service to rate their experience. 

These ratings are based on the average score given for all independents – not any one individual company.

Log in or join Which? to see what they said.

Hiring a kitchen fitter

If you choose to hire an independent trader to fit your kitchen, there are several steps you can take to ensure you hire the best contractor and get the best price. 

1. Use an approved kitchen fitter

Trade associations and endorsement bodies set standards for the conduct of their members and the quality of their work. They can also offer an independent complaint resolution service to help you resolve problems if anything goes wrong.

Examples of professional trade associations include the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (BiKBBI), the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) and Which? Trusted Traders.

Don’t just take the fitter’s word that they’re a member of any associations or schemes – check that they’re listed on the organisation’s website.

2. Use Which? Trusted Traders

Which? Trusted Traders is an endorsement scheme that recognises reputable local traders. This includes all kinds of home improvement professionals, from kitchen fitters and builders to electricians.

To receive this endorsement, traders must complete background checks and undergo an inspection by trading standards professionals. Once endorsed, they have to comply with a code of conduct. If they don’t, they can be suspended or removed from the scheme. 

You'll also have access to a free alternative dispute resolution service (ADR) via the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) should anything go wrong.  For further information, read Learn about Which? Trusted Traders.

Use the tool below to find a reliable professional in your area:

3. Get several quotes

Before selecting a trader for your kitchen installation, we recommend speaking to at least three companies. 

This is to ensure that you're getting the right information and a reasonable price. 

Always get at least three quotes and ask for them in writing, including a breakdown of all costs.

As well as materials and labour, check that extras such as waste disposal are included, as these extra costs can mount up.

4. Check their insurance and contract

If you're considering working with a trader, ask about their insurance. All traders should have public liability insurance and additional insurance for employees.

Read more in the Which? Trusted Traders' guide on how to work with your trader

Fitting your own kitchen

Thinking of fitting your kitchen yourself? As well as assessing the best kitchen fitters via our survey, we also assembled (if they're flat-packed) and installed each kitchen in our test lab.

Find out how easy it is to safely install these kitchens yourself. 

Log in to unlock the table below, or join Which? for instant access.

Of the 21 kitchen ranges we assessed, 13 scored the maximum five stars for ease of installation, meaning our testers could fit them easily and securely. 

This means it would be easy enough for someone fairly confident in their DIY skills to fit the kitchens themselves.

However, two ranges scored three stars or less on some of our ratings. 

To find out more about our assessments, read how we test kitchens

Pros and cons of kitchen installation methods

Using the kitchen brand's in-house fitters

• Pros: The main advantage of using the in-house fitters provided by your kitchen company is the convenience it offers. In general, you book this service when you buy your kitchen and you won’t have to do anything else. 
• Cons: These services can be costly and you don’t have control over who installs your kitchen.

Hiring an independent kitchen fitter

• Pros: The main advantage of hiring your own kitchen fitter is choice. You can shop around to find the best person for the job and gather quotes to find a price that works for you.
• Cons: You might have to do extensive research to find the best fitter, especially if you need to hire separate specialists (such as electricians and plumbers). You'll also need to coordinate the delivery of your kitchen with the date your trader can start.

Installing your own kitchen

• Pros: The main advantage of installing your own kitchen is the low cost, as you won’t have to pay for labour. You won’t need to research kitchen fitters or organise the installation dates.
• Cons: Installing your kitchen requires a lot of time and manual labour. If you fail to install it properly, it could affect the durability of your kitchen, potentially requiring maintenance work further down the line.

Our reader survey also revealed the seven things people regret most about their kitchen design

What happens during a kitchen installation?

The installation process will depend on the extent of your refurbishment, the condition of your property and whether different traders (such as plumbers and plasterers) are also needed. But the basic running order will be:

• Removal: Your old kitchen and appliances will be taken out and disposed of. 
• Plumbing and electrical work: Any preparation of utilities will be carried out. Your installer can also double-check measurements.
• Repairs: Your walls may need to be made good after the kitchen is ripped out, particularly if you’ve removed tiles. This may require a plasterer and time for the plaster to fully dry before work can continue.
• Painting: Once the walls are up to scratch, they can be painted.
• Flooring: If you’re getting a new floor, it's likely to be installed once the messy job of painting is complete and before the new kitchen goes in.
• Installing units: Usually, the fitter will start with the base units for the cupboards before moving on to the wall units.
• Worktops: These can be fitted once the units are in place and cut to fit around hobs or sinks. Your sink will probably be installed and connected at this stage.
• Tiling: Once the worktop is in, the tiles can be fitted.
• Finishing units: One of the final jobs will be to fit cupboard doors, drawer fronts, plinths (which run along the bottom of the base units) and cornices (which run across the tops of the wall units).
• Appliances: Ovens, dishwashers and any other appliances will be installed at the end. Specialists may be required, particularly if you have gas appliances.
• Certification: At the end of the job, your installer should provide certification confirming that all electrical and gas work meets industry standards.
• Handover: Inspect the kitchen with the installer to ensure that you’re happy with the final result and that surfaces are level, door handles line up, and drawers and cupboards open and close properly.

If you're feeling short on inspiration, see our kitchen planning and layout ideas

How much does it cost to fit a kitchen?

We consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) to find out how much the average kitchen installation costs.

Log in to unlock the table below, or join Which? for instant access.

According to the BCIS, the total cost of labour should be 20% to 30% of your total spend, and fitting a bespoke kitchen costs 20% to 35% more than fitting a standard kitchen.

We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can't go up except in pre-agreed circumstances). 

To find out what you can expect to spend on a standard or bespoke renovation, read our guide to how much a new kitchen costs

How long does it take to fit a kitchen?

We asked Which? members and members of the public who have had a kitchen installed in the past three years, how long it took to complete their installation, and whether they used an in-house installation service or an independent fitter.  

We also asked those who installed their own kitchen or had a friend install it how many hours they spent on the job. 

Log in or join Which? to find out how long people waited for their kitchen to be fitted or spent installing their kitchen. 

Exactly how long it takes depends on the size and complexity of the job, whether there's extra work besides fitting the kitchen units, and any delays or unexpected changes, among other factors.

How did Which? members install their kitchens?

As part of our customer survey, we asked Which? members and members of the public on how they installed their kitchen.

Log in or join Which? to find out how our customers had their kitchens installed