How to choose a kitchen fitter: quotes, payments and who does the notifiable work

Choosing a kitchen fitter is as much about paperwork and process as it is about the finished cabinets, since most of the things that go wrong on a kitchen project stem from unclear scope, poor payment terms, or unqualified people doing work that legally needs a registered tradesperson.

The starting point is getting a proper written specification rather than a rough verbal estimate. Commonly recommended good practice is to obtain at least three written, itemised quotes, each covering labour, materials, and any certified electrical, plumbing or gas work separately, so you can compare fitters on the same basis rather than comparing one all-in figure against another. A written specification should also set out exactly which units, worktop, appliances, hinges and handles are being supplied — brand and model, not just a general description — since this is the easiest place for a lower-looking quote to hide a downgrade in materials.

Payment structure is another area where it pays to be careful. A reasonable deposit to secure a start date or to order materials is generally considered normal practice in the trade. What's not normal is a demand for the bulk of the payment, or full payment, upfront before any real work has started. A safer and commonly recommended structure uses staged payments tied to progress — for example on order, on delivery of units, and on completion — with a final amount held back until the kitchen is finished and you're satisfied with it.

Checking credentials before signing anything is a quick step that meaningfully reduces risk. The KBSA, the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association, has been the UK's national trade body for the kitchen and bathroom sector since 1978; its members are vetted before joining, must follow an Approved Code of Conduct, and many offer a ConsumerCare Plus insurance scheme that protects deposits, advance payments and work in progress. TrustMark, the UK government-endorsed quality scheme for home improvement trades, is another mark worth looking for, alongside straightforward checks such as public liability insurance, a written guarantee, and recent reviews from local customers.

Some of the work involved in a kitchen refit legally has to be done by a specific type of registered professional, and it's worth understanding this before a fitter (or a friend, or you) attempts it. Any new gas pipework or work on a gas hob, oven or boiler, anywhere in Great Britain, must be carried out by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 — this applies to moving a gas hob to a new position just as much as installing one from scratch, and working on gas without being registered is a criminal offence. Always ask to see a fitter's or subcontractor's Gas Safe ID card and note their registration number and the categories of work it covers, since registration is specific to certain appliance types.

Electrical work is a little more nuanced, because the rules differ across the UK. In England and Wales, Part P of the Building Regulations governs domestic electrical safety, and new circuits — the kind commonly needed when a kitchen is rewired for new sockets, an extractor, or under-cabinet lighting — are generally notifiable work, while simple like-for-like replacements usually aren't. Notifiable work must either be self-certified by an electrician registered with a Competent Person Scheme, or notified to local building control before work starts, with a compliance certificate or notification normally following within 30 days of completion. Scotland does not use Part P at all — instead, warranted electrical work is verified under the Scottish Building Standards system by an approved certifier of construction, typically an electrician registered with a body such as SELECT or NICEIC. Northern Ireland does not operate an equivalent statutory Part P scheme either, so it's worth checking requirements directly with local building control there rather than assuming the England and Wales rules apply.

Finally, it's worth remembering that a kitchen contract signed at your own home with a trader, rather than at their registered business premises, may count as an "off-premises contract" under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which commonly carries a statutory 14-calendar-day cooling-off period from the day after signing during which you can cancel in writing without giving a reason, subject to some exemptions. This is general information rather than legal advice, and anyone with a specific dispute should seek independent guidance.

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