Lots of customers want to know how a kitchen is fitted, this post was written to try and explain in some detail how a kitchen is fitted from start to finish.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step One | Removal
The existing kitchen must be removed first, so it’s essential that all the units are empty and ready to go first thing on the start of the installation date. Usually, the kitchen doors are taken off first, then any services like water and gas are switched off, disconnected and then capped so that all services can be switched on. Where possible we will install a temporary working sink and tap so that the kitchen can still be used, at least to make a coffee! Once the services are sorted, the worktops can be removed, then the cabinets, leaving an empty shell.

Now the big question here is, what type of floor is being fitted and when? There are two ways to do it, firstly you can lay the flooring now, wall to wall and then fit the units on top – This is the better option if you want that peace of mind of the entire floor is laid, it will cover you if you ever decide to re-structure the kitchen at a later date. Having said that, there are disadvantages to this, firstly you’ll be paying for additional flooring that will potentially never be seen, also, it delays the project getting to a point where you have a kitchen that is usable. The other option is to relay the floor after the kitchen cabinets have been fitted and the flooring buts up to the kitchen legs to be covered over by the plinths, the advantage to doing this is that it makes the installation quicker and saves some money, it might not be possible to do this in every situation, so this needs to be discussed at the point of pre-fit survey and built into the plan of action.

For the purpose of this post, we are going to fit the units and then the flooring after

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Two | Electrics, Gas & Water
All the electric points will be marked, walls chased out where required, the cables would usually then be laid by the kitchen fitter ready for the electrician to come in and connect. The same for gas, if there are any gas pipes to install or move then now is the time to get that in place, at this stage we will also ensure all the water supply points are in place.

The other consideration might be drainage and ducting, both would need to be considered at this stage, for example, if there was an island with a sink, we would have to be cutting out the floor to get the drainage connected, holes for ducting extractors can be drilled out at this stage too.

The lighting cables will also need to be considered at this stage.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Three | Making Good & Small Building Work
If there is any small building work, it would often be completed at this stage, so any partition walling, boxing in, and any significant plastering work, at this stage, we will often skim the ceiling in the kitchen and also, it might be fixing coving too.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Four | Fitting the Base Cabinets
The kitchen fitting can now begin, usually starting in a corner, the first unit will be set, leveled, and fixed to the wall securely. Upon fitting the first base cabinet, the remaining can begin to be fitted, they will be clamped to the adjacent unit, leveled, and fixed. The necessary spaces will be left for appliances.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Five | Appliances
Most of the kitchen appliances can now be fitted, if you are having a solid surface like granite or quartz then a temporary piece of worktop can be fitted so that a gas hob can be used whilst there are no worktops.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Six | Appliances
Most of the kitchen appliances can now be fitted, if you are having a solid surface like granite or quartz then a temporary piece of worktop can be fitted so that a gas hob can be used whilst there are no worktops. The same for a kitchen sink. Almost all our customers will choose solid surfaces because it has so many benefits, for the benefit of this post we will base it on having solid surface work surfaces. Free-standing appliances won’t be installed because we will lay the floor first.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Seven | Flooring Fitted
The next stage is to lay the flooring, as mentioned above we will fit the flooring up to the cabinet base legs.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Eight | Worktop Templated
The solid surface fabricator will now come to measure up the kitchen and make a template to cut the worktops too. This is usually completed within an hour or two, this is then taken back to the factory and the worktop can be cut to size.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Nine| Remaining Appliances Fitted
Now the remaining and free-standing appliances can be fitted – If you are wondering whether to choose integrated or freestanding appliances – this blog post might be useful

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Ten | Wall Cabinets
If there are wall units, these can now be installed, it makes sense to leave them out whilst completing over works as they can be obstructive and awkward trying to work around them

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Eleven | Doors and Accessories
Any accessories can now be fitted, such as pull-out cabinets, integrated bins, and internal drawers. If not already fitted, drawer boxes can be put into the base cabinets. Then, all the doors and drawers can be fitted to the units followed by any end panels, cornice, and lighting pelmet.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Twelve | Solid Work Surfaces
This is the point where the kitchen starts to really take shape, the worktops are now fitted by the fabricator and then any services are reconnected the same day.

How a kitchen is fitted | Step Thirteen | Tiling and decor
Now the kitchen is ready for the decor, if there is wall tiling then this is to be undertaken now, the tiles fitted and then grouted, then the kitchen will be painted, all ready for you to enjoy for the years to come.

Installation Management
As you can see, there is a lot to a full kitchen installation project, if you want as little disruption and complications as possible then you really want to choose a company that will take full responsibility for the management of the kitchen delivery, the removal, and installation from start to finish – Olivestone can provide this full circle service. Book a free design consultation to get your project underway