Fitting a typical kitchen takes 5 to 10 working days, longer if walls are moving or the room needs rewiring. Very little of that time is spent on the units. It goes on the work behind them and the waiting in between, so knowing the order helps you plan meals, deliveries and decisions.
Before anything comes out
Have the kitchen delivered and checked before the old one is removed. Missing doors and damaged end panels are common, and finding out on day three stops the job. Decide on appliances too, because their sizes and positions set where the plumbing and sockets go. If you want a stone or quartz worktop, ask how long templating and fitting takes, as these are measured once the base units are in and can take a week or two to arrive.
The order of work
- Strip out. Old units, worktops and usually the tiles come out. Walls are checked for damp and damage.
- First fix. New pipe runs, waste pipes, cooker supply and sockets go in while the walls are open. This is the time to add sockets you will want later. A new circuit, such as a cooker supply, is notifiable work and is done by a registered electrician.
- Making good. Walls are patched or skimmed and left to dry. The floor goes down now if it runs under the units.
- Units. Base units are levelled, wall units hung, tall housings fitted. Most of the craft in a kitchen is in getting these straight on walls that are not.
- Worktops. Laminate and timber worktops are cut and fitted on site. Stone and quartz are templated now and fitted when they arrive.
- Second fix. Sink, taps and appliances connected, sockets and lights fitted.
- Finishing. Splashback or tiling, plinths, end panels and any filler strips, then a final adjust of every door and drawer.
Where the time goes
The stages that stretch are plastering, which needs to dry before tiling, and stone worktops, which you wait for. Having one tradesman do the carpentry and the small plumbing and electrical jobs cuts out most of the waiting between trades.
Living without a kitchen
Expect a few days with no sink. Setting up a kettle, microwave and a washing up bowl in another room makes it easy. Ask whether the old sink can stay connected until the new units go in.
We fit complete kitchens around Cullompton, Tiverton and Honiton, including the plumbing and electrical work. See kitchen fitting or ask for a quote.
Common questions
- How long does it take to fit a kitchen?
- Usually 5 to 10 working days for a typical kitchen, longer where walls, floors or a full rewire are involved.
- Can you fit a kitchen I have bought myself?
- Yes. We fit kitchens from Howdens, Wren, IKEA, B&Q and other suppliers.
- When are stone worktops measured?
- Once the base units are fitted and level, so the template matches the real units. Fitting follows when the tops are made.